Section 1
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Cards (423)
Section 1
(50 cards)
abjure
synonyms: renounce, relinquish, reject, forgo, disavow, abandon, deny, repudiate, give up, wash one's hands of; eschew, abstain from, refrain from; informalkick, pack in; disaffirm; literaryforsake; formalforswear,
ailurophile
a cat lover Origin1930s: from Greek ailuros 'cat' + -phile
accomplice
synonyms: partner in crime, associate, accessory, abettor, confe Origin mid 16th century: alteration [probably by association with accompany] of Middle English complice 'an associate,' via Old French from late Latin complex, complic- 'allied,' from com- 'together' + the root of plicare 'to fold.'
accrete
grow by accumulation or coalescence Origin late 18th century: from Latin accret- 'grown,' from the verb accrescere, from ad- 'to' + crescere 'grow.'
acerbic
synonyms: sharp, sarcastic, sardonic, mordant, trenchant, cutting, razor-edged, biting, piercing, stinging, searing, scathing, caustic, bitter, acrimonious, astringent, abrasive, harsh, wounding, hurtful, unkind, cruel, virulent, v Origin mid 19th century: from Latin acerbus 'sour-tasting' + -ic.
agitate
synonyms: upset, perturb, fluster, ruffle, disconcert, unnerve, disquiet, disturb, distress, unsettle, unhinge; informalrattle, faze, discombobulate ";a Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'drive away']: from Latin agitat- 'agitated, driven,' from agitare, frequentative of agere 'do, drive.'
aggrandize
increase the power, status, or wealth of Origin mid 17th century [in the general sense 'increase, magnify']: from French agrandiss-, lengthened stem of agrandir, probably from Italian aggrandire, from Latin grandis 'large.' The ending was changed by association with verbs ending in -ize.
accretion
the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of synonyms: accumulation, formation, collecting, cumulation, buildup, accrual; growth, increase ";the accretion of sediments"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin accretion-, from accrescere 'become larger' [see accrete].
absolve
synonyms: exonerate, discharge, acquit, vindicate; release, relieve, liberate, free, deliver, clear, exempt, let off; formalexculpate ";this fact does not absolve you from responsibility"; for Origin late Middle English: from Latin absolvere 'set free, acquit,' from ab- 'from' + solvere 'loosen.'
abate
synonyms: subside, die down/away/out, lessen, ease [off], let up, decrease, diminish, moderate, d
affable
synonyms:friendly, amiable, genial, congenial, cordial, warm, pleasant, nice, likable, personable, charming, agreeable, sympathetic, simpatico, good-humored, good-natured, jolly, kindl Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin affabilis, from the verb affari, from ad- 'to' + fari 'speak.
abash
synonyms: embarrassed, ashamed, shamefaced, remorseful, conscience-stricken, mortified, humiliated, humbled, chagrined, crestfallen, sheepish
alloy
synonyms:mixture, mix, amalgam, fusion, meld, blend, compound, combination, composite, union; technicaladmixture ";modern pewter is an alloy of ti Originlate 16th century: from Old French aloi [noun] and French aloyer [verb], both from Old French aloier, aleier 'combine,' from Latin alligare 'bind.
abhor
regard with disgust and hatred synonyms: detest, hate, loathe, despise, execrate, regard with disgust, shrink from, recoil from, shudder at; formalabominate ";I abhor the taste of liver";
abeyance
synonyms:in suspension, in a state of suspension, in a state of dormancy, in a state of uncertainty, in remission; pending, suspended, deferred
adage
synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, proverb, aphorism, saw, dictum, byword, precept, motto, truism, platitude, cliché, apophthegm, commonplace ";I should have remembered the old adage 'look befor Origin mid 16th century: from French, from Latin adagium 'saying,' based on an early form of aio 'I say.'
alleviate
synonyms: reduce, ease, relieve, take the edge off, deaden, dull, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, mitigate, a Origin late Middle English: from late Latin alleviat- 'lightened,' from the verb alleviare, from Latin allevare, from ad- 'to' + levare 'raise,' influenced by levis 'light.'
aboveboard
legitimate, honest, and open synonyms: legitimate, lawful, legal, licit, honest, fair, open, frank, straight, overt, candid, forthright, unconcealed, trustworthy, unequivocal; informallegit, kosher, by the book, street legal, fair and square, square, on the level, on the up and up, upfront
abrogate
synonyms: repeal, revoke, rescind, repudiate, overturn, annul; disallow, cancel, invalidate, nullify, void, negate, dissolve, countermand, declare null and void, disc Origin early 16th century: from Latin abrogat- 'repealed,' from the verb abrogare, from ab- 'away, from' + rogare 'propose a law.'
advocate
synonyms:champion, upholder, supporter, backer, promoter, proponent, exponent, spokesman, spokeswoman, spokesperson, campaigner, f OriginMiddle English: from Old French avocat, from Latin advocatus, past participle [used as a noun] of advocare 'call [to one's aid],' from ad- 'to' + vocare 'to call.
adduce
cite as evidence synonyms:cite, quote, name, mention, instance, point out, refer to; put forward, present, offer, advance, propose, proffer ";evidence adduced to support their argument" Originlate Middle English: from Latin adducere, from ad- 'toward' + ducere 'to lead.
accurate
synonyms: correct, precise, exact, right, error-free, perfect; factual, fact-based, literal, faithful, true, truthful, true to life, authentic, realistic; informalon the Origin late 16th century: from Latin accuratus 'done with care,' past participle of accurare, from ad- 'toward' + cura 'care.'
aggravate
synonyms: annoy, irritate, exasperate, bother, put out, nettle, provoke, antagonize, get on someone's nerves, ruffle [someone's feathers], try someone's patience; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin aggravat- 'made heavy,' from the verb aggravare, from ad- [expressing increase] + gravis 'heavy.'
acumen
synonyms: astuteness, shrewdness, acuity, sharpness, sharp-wittedness, cleverness, smartness, brains; judgment, understanding, awareness, sense, common sense, canniness, discernment, wisdom, wit, sagacity Origin late 16th century: from Latin, 'sharpness, point,' from acuere 'sharpen' [see acute].
allay
diminish or put at rest [fear, suspicion, or worry] synonyms: reduce, diminish, decrease, lessen, assuage, alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, soften, calm, take the edge off ";nothing would allay his fears"; Origin Old English ālecgan 'lay down or aside.'
abdicate
synonyms: resign, retire, stand down, step down, bow out, renounce the throne; archaicdemit ";the king abdicated in 1936"; resign from, relinquish, renounce, give up, surren
abyss
synonyms: chasm, gorge, ravine, canyon, fissure, rift, crevasse, hole, gulf, pit, cavity, void, bottomless pit ";a recurring nightmare in which he falls in Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'infernal pit']: via late Latin from Greek abussos 'bottomless,' from a- 'without' + bussos 'depth.'
aesthetic
Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'relating to perception by the senses']: from Greek aisthētikos, from aisthēta 'perceptible things,' from aisthesthai 'perceive.' The sense 'concerned with beauty' was coined in German in the mid 18th century and adopted into English in the early 19th century
abysmal
synonyms: very bad, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, atrocious, disgraceful, deplorable, shameful, hopeless, lamentable; informalrotten, appalling, crummy, pathetic, pitiful, woeful, useless, lousy, dir Origin mid 17th century [sense 2]: from abysm. Sense 1 dates from the early 19th century.
aggregate
a whole formed by combining several [typically disparate] elements synonyms: total, sum total, sum, grand total ";he won with an aggregate of 325"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin aggregat- 'herded together,' from the verb aggregare, from ad- 'toward' + grex, greg- 'a flock.'
acolyte
synonyms: assistant, helper, attendant, aide, minion, underling, lackey, henchman; follower, disciple, supporter, votary; informalsidekick, groupie, hanger-on ";surrounded by eager ac Origin Middle English: from Old French acolyt or ecclesiastical Latin acolytus, from Greek akolouthos 'follower.'
accrue
[of sums of mone synonyms: result from, arise from, follow from, ensue from; be caused by, attend ";financial benefits will accrue from restructuring"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French acreue, past participle of acreistre 'increase,' from Latin accrescere 'become larger' [see accrete].
accede
synonyms: agree to, consent to, accept, assent to, acquiesce in, comply with, go along with, concur with, surrender to, yield to, give in to, give way to, def Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'come forward, approach']: from Latin accedere, from ad- 'to' + cedere 'give way, yield.'
allure
synonyms: attraction, lure, draw, pull, appeal, allurement, enticement, temptation, charm, seduction, fascination ";the allure Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'tempt, entice']: from Old French aleurier 'attract,' from a- [from Latin ad 'to'] + luere 'a lure' [originally a falconry term].
aegis
synonyms:protection, backing, support, patronage, sponsorship, charge, care, guidance, control, guardianship, trusteeship, agency, safeguarding, shelter, umbrella, aid, assis Originearly 17th century [denoting armor or a shield, especially that of a god]: via Latin from Greek aigis 'shield of Zeus.
abscond
synonyms: run away, escape, bolt, flee, make off, take flight, take off, decamp; make a break for it, take to one's heels, make a quick getaway, beat a hasty ret Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'hide, conceal [oneself]']: from Latin abscondere 'hide,' from ab- 'away, from' + condere 'stow.'
abound
synonyms:be plentiful, be abundant, be numerous, proliferate, superabound, be thick on the ground; informalgrow on trees ";cafe
abstruse
synonyms: obscure, arcane, esoteric, little known, recherché, rarefied, recondite, difficult, hard, puzzling, perplexing, cryptic, enigmatic, Delphic, complex, compli Origin late 16th century: from Latin abstrusus 'put away, hidden,' from abstrudere 'conceal,' from ab- 'from' + trudere 'to push.'
adventitious
synonyms: unplanned, unpremeditated, accidental, chance, fortuitous, serendipitous, coincidental, casual, random ";he felt that the conversation was not entirely adven Origin early 17th century: from Latin adventicius 'coming to us from abroad' [from advenire 'arrive'] + -ous [see also -itious2].
ablution
the act of washing oneself [often used
agile
synonyms:nimble, lithe, supple, limber, acrobatic, fleet-footed, light-footed, light on one's feet; literaryfleet, lightsome ";she was as agile as a monkey";alert, sharp, acute, shrewd, astute, perceptive, quick-witted ";an ag Originlate Middle English: via French from Latin agilis, from agere 'do.
addle
synonyms: muddled, confused, muzzy, fuddled, befuddled, dazed, disoriented, disorientated, fuzzy; informalwoozy ";Patricia was noticeably addled after Pete sudden Origin Middle English: from Old English adela 'liquid filth,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aal and German Adel 'mire, puddle.'
adumbrate
report or represent in outline Originlate 16th century: from Latin adumbrat- 'shaded,' from the verb adumbrare, from ad- 'to' [as an intensifier] + umbrare 'cast a shadow' [from umbra 'shade']
alacrity
synonyms: eagerness, willingness, readiness; enthusiasm, ardor, avidity, fervor, keenness; promptness, haste, swiftness, dispatch, speed ";we want to move with alacrity, and put a stop to improper conduct while it's still goin Origin late Middle English: from Latin alacritas, from alacer 'brisk.'
aberrant
synonyms: deviant, deviating, divergent, abnormal, atypical, anomalous, irregular; nonconformist, rogue; strange, odd, peculiar, uncommon, freakish, quirky; twisted,
abscission
the natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically dead leaves and ripe fruit Origin early 17th century: from Latin abscissio[n-], from abscindere, from ab- 'off, away' + scindere 'to cut.'
abscess
synonyms: ulcer, ulceration, cyst, boil, blister, sore, pustule, carbuncle, pimple, wen, whitlow, canker; inflamm Origin mid 16th century: from Latin abscessus 'a going away,' from the verb abscedere, from ab- 'away from' + cedere 'go,' referring to the elimination of infected matter via the pus.
abstain
synonyms: refrain from, desist from, hold back from, forbear; give up, renounce, avoid, shun, eschew, forgo, go without, do without; refuse, decline; informalcut out; formalabjure ";Benjamin Origin late Middle English: from Old French abstenir, from Latin abstinere, from ab- 'from' + tenere 'hold
affliction
synonyms: disorder, disease, malady, complaint, ailment, illness, indisposition, handic Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'infliction of pain or humiliation,' specifically 'religious self-mortification']: via Old French from Latin afflictio[n-], from the verb affligere [see afflict].
action
the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim synonyms:measures, steps, activity, movement, work, operation ";the need for local community action" Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin actio[n-], from agere 'do, act.
Section 2
(50 cards)
appropriate
synonyms:suitable, proper, fitting, apt, right; Morerelevant, pertinent, apposite; convenient, opportune; seemly, befitting; formalad rem; archaicmeet ";t Originlate Middle English: from late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare 'make one's own,' from ad- 'to' + proprius 'own, proper.
amalgamate
synonyms: combine, merge, unite, fuse, blend, meld; join [together], join forces, band [together], link [up], team up, go into partnership; literarycommingle Origin early 17th century: from medieval Latin amalgamat- 'formed into a soft mass,' from the verb amalgamare, from amalgama [see amalgam].
approbate
approve formally; sanction Origin late Middle English: from Latin approbat- 'approved,' from the verb approbare, from ad- 'to' + probare 'try, test' [from probus 'good'].
ancestor
a person, typically one more remote than synonyms:forebear, forefather, predecessor, antecedent, progenitor, primogenitor ";he could trace his ancestors back to colonial Boston" OriginMiddle English: from Old French ancestre, from Latin antecessor, from antecedere, from ante 'before' + cedere 'go.
aplomb
synonyms:poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, calmness, composure, collectedness, levelheadedness, sangfroid, equilibrium, equanimity; informalunflappability ";the judges wer Originlate 18th century [in the sense 'perpendicularity, steadiness']: from French, from à plomb 'according to a plummet.
apostate
synonyms: dissenter, defector, deserter, traitor, backslider, turncoat; nonconformist; schismatic; archaicheretic; rarerecusant, recreant, tergiversator ";after 50 years as an apostate, he r Origin Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin apostata, from Greek apostatēs 'apostate, runaway slave.'
antithesis
Origin late Middle English [originally denoting the substitution of one grammatical case for another]: from late Latin, from Greek antitithenai 'set against,' from anti 'against' + tithenai 'to place.' The earliest current sense, denoting a rhetorical or literary device, dates from the early 16th
antecedent
a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another synonyms: precursor, forerunner, predecessor ";the guitar's antecedent"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French or from Latin antecedent- 'going before,' from antecedere, from ante 'before' + cedere 'go.'
antediluvian
of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood synonyms:out of date, outdated, outmoded, old-fashioned, antiquated, behind the times, passé ";her antediluvian attitudes" Originmid 17th century: from ante- + Latin diluvium 'deluge' + -an
amanuensis
a literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts Originearly 17th century: Latin, from [servus] a manu '[slave] at hand[writing], secretary' + -ensis 'belonging to.
arduous
synonyms: onerous, taxing, difficult, hard, heavy, laborious, burdensome, strenuous, vigorous, back-breaking; demanding, tough, challenging, formidable; exhausting, tiring, punishing, grueling; uphill, steep; informalkilling; t Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arduus 'steep, difficult' + -ous.
archaic
synonyms: obsolete, out of date, old-fashioned, outmoded, behind the times, bygone, anachronistic, antiquated, superannuated, antediluvian, old world, old-fangled; ancient, old, extinct, d Origin mid 19th century: from French archaïque, from Greek arkhaikos, from arkhaios, from arkhē 'beginning.'
apothegm
a concise saying or maxim; an aphorism Origin mid 16th century: from French apophthegme or modern Latin apothegma, from Greek, from apophthengesthai 'speak out.'
arbor
synonyms: bower, pergola; alcove, grotto, Origin Middle English [also denoting a lawn or flower bed]: from Old French erbier, from erbe 'grass, herb,' from Latin herba . The phonetic change to ar- [common in words having er- before a consonant] was assisted by association with Latin arbor 'tree.'
ambiguous
synonyms: equivocal, ambivalent, open to debate/argument, arguable, debatable; obscure, unclear, imprecise, vague, a Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'indistinct, obscure']: from Latin ambiguus 'doubtful' [from ambigere 'waver, go around,' from ambi- 'both ways' + agere 'to drive'] + -ous.
antebellum
occurring or existing before a particular war, especially the American Civil War Origin mid 19th century: from Latin, from ante 'before' and bellum 'war.'
apotheosis
the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax Origin late 16th century: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek apotheōsis, from apotheoun 'make a god of,' from apo 'from' + theos 'god.'
apothecary
a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin apothecarius, from Latin apotheca, from Greek apothēkē 'storehouse.'
appetite
a natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, espe synonyms: hunger, ravenousness, hungriness; taste, palate ";a walk sharpens the appetite"; Origin Middle English: from Old French apetit [modern appétit ], from Latin appetitus 'desire for,' from appetere 'seek after,' from ad- 'to' + petere 'seek.'
animadvert
pass criticism or censure on; speak out against Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'pay attention to']: from Latin animadvertere, from animus 'mind' + advertere [from ad- 'toward' + vertere 'to turn']
appurtenant
belonging; pertinent Origin late Middle English: from Old French apartenant 'appertaining,' from the verb apartenir [see appertain].
apply
synonyms:put in an application for, put in for, try [out] for, bid for, appeal for, petition for, sue for, register for, audition for; request, seek, solicit [for], claim, as Originlate Middle English: from Old French aplier, from Latin applicare 'fold, fasten to,' from ad- 'to' + plicare 'to fold.
arbitrate
synonyms: adjudicate, judge, referee, umpire; mediate, conciliate, intervene, intercede; settle, decide, resolve, pass judgment ";a third and disinterested party was brought in to arbitrat Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arbitrat- 'judged,' from arbitrari, from arbiter 'judge, supreme ruler.'
approbation
synonyms: approval, acceptance, endorsement, appreciation, respect, admiration, commendation, praise, congratulations, acclaim, esteem, applause; consent; rarelaudation ";at age 45, he w Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin approbatio[n-], from the verb approbare [see approbate].
anodyne
not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive, often deliberately so Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek anōdunos 'painless,' from an- 'without' + odunē 'pain.'
anathema
synonyms: an abomination, an outrage, an abhorrence, a disgrace, an evil, a bane, a Origin early 16th century: from ecclesiastical Latin, 'excommunicated person, excommunication,' from Greek anathema 'thing dedicated,' [later] 'thing devoted to evil, accursed thing,' from anatithenai 'to set up.'
analogous
comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of synonyms: comparable, parallel, similar, like, akin, corresponding, related, kindred, equivalent ";their lab results were analogous"; Origin mid 17th century: via Latin from Greek analogos 'proportionate' + -ous.
annex
append or add as an extra or subordinate part, especially to a synonyms:take over, take possession of, appropriate, seize, conquer, occupy ";Charlemagne annexed northern Italy" Originlate Middle English: from Old French annexer, from Latin annectere 'connect,' from ad- 'to' + nectere 'tie, fasten.
arch
deliberately or affectedly playful and teasing synonyms: mischievous, teasing, knowing, playful, roguish, impish, cheeky, tongue-in-cheek; informalsaucy ";an arch grin"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'chief, principal']: from arch-, because of its association with words such as rogue .
anomalous
synonyms: abnormal, atypical, irregular, aberrant, exceptional, freak, freakish, odd, bizarre, peculiar, unusual, out of the ordinary; deviant, mutant; formalheteroclite ";it's an anomalous birth Origin mid 17th century: via late Latin from Greek anōmalos [from an- 'not' + homalos 'even'] + -ous.
amenable
synonyms: cooperative, acq Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'liable to answer [to a law or tribunal]']: an Anglo-Norman French legal term, from Old French amener 'bring to,' from a- [from Latin ad ] 'to' + mener 'bring' [from late Latin minare 'drive [animals],' from Latin minari 'threaten'
ambrosia
the food of the gods Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek, 'elixir of life,' from ambrotos 'immortal.'
apocryphal
[of a story or statement] of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being t synonyms:fictitious, made-up, untrue, fabricated, false, spurious; unverified, unauthenticated, unsubstantiated; bogus ";the possibly apocryphal account of the meeting between Diogenes and Alexander the Great"
apposite
synonyms: appropriate, suitable, fitting, apt, befitting; relevant, pertinent, appurtenant, to the point, applicable, germane, material, congruous, felicitous; formalad rem ";an Origin late 16th century: from Latin appositus, past participle of apponere 'apply,' from ad- 'toward' + ponere 'put.'
ardent
enthu synonyms: passionate, fervent, zealous, fervid, wholehearted, vehement, intense, fierce, fiery; enthusiastic, keen, eager, avid, committed, dedicated; literaryperfervid ";an ardent soccer fan"; Origin Middle English: from Old French ardant, from Latin ardens, ardent-, from ardere 'to burn.'
appellation
a name or tit synonyms: name, title, designation, tag, sobriquet, byname, nickname, cognomen; informalmoniker, handle; formaldenomination ";";the Eternal City"; is an appellation for Rome"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin appellatio[n-], from the verb appellare [see appeal].
arcane
understood by few; mysteri synonyms: mysterious, secret; enigmatic, esoteric, cryptic, obscure, abstruse, recondite, recherché, impenetrable, opaque ";processes as old and arcane as the language of the law"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arcanus, from arcere 'to shut up,' from arca 'chest.'
antipathy
synonyms: hostility, antagonism, animosity, aversion, animus, enmi Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'opposition of feeling, nature, or disposition']: from French antipathie or Latin antipathia, from Greek antipatheia, from antipathēs 'opposed in feeling,' from anti 'against' + pathos 'feeli
anachronism
a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned Origin mid 17th century: from Greek anakhronismos, from ana- 'backward' + khronos 'time.'
aphorism
a pithy observation synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, adage, epigram, dictum, gnome, proverb, saw, tag; rareapophthegm ";she was a fount of Orwellian aphorisms"; Origin early 16th century: from French aphorisme or late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos 'definition,' from aphorizein 'define.'
appetence
a longing or desire Origin early 17th century: from Latin appetentia, from appetere 'seek after' [see appetite].
antic
grotesque or bizarre Originearly 16th century: from Italian antico 'antique,' used to mean 'grotesque.
apogee
the highest point in the development of something; the climax or culmination Origin late 16th century: from French apogée or modern Latin apogaeum, from Greek apogaion [diastēma ] '[distance] away from earth,' from apo 'from' + gaia, gē 'earth.'
amalgam
a mixture or blend Originlate 15th century: from French amalgame or medieval Latin amalgama, from Greek malagma 'an emollient.
ardor
enthusiasm or passion synonyms: passion, fervor, zeal, vehemence, intensity, verve, fire, emotion; enthusiasm, eagerness, avidity, gusto, keenness, dedication ";approaching the project with ardor"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin ardor, from ardere 'to burn.'
ameliorate
synonyms: improve, make better, better, make improvements to, enhance, help, benefit, boost, amend; relieve, ease, mitigate; informaltweak, patch up ";measures were taken to ameliorate the si Origin mid 18th century: alteration of meliorate, influenced by French améliorer, from meilleur 'better.'
ancillary
synonyms: additional, auxiliary, supporting, helping, extra, supplementary, supplemental, accessory, attendant; subsidiary, secondary; adjuvant; rareadminicular ";the Administrative Procedures Act and ancillary documents" Origin mid 17th century: from Latin ancillaris, from ancilla 'maidservant.'
ambivalent
synonyms: equivocal, uncertain, unsure, doubtful, indecisive, inconclusive, irresolute, of two minds, undecided, torn, in a quandary, on the fence, hesitating, wavering, vacillating, equivocating Origin early 20th century: from ambivalence [from German Ambivalenz ], on the pattern of equivalent .
arabesque
an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in Arabic or Moorish decoration Originmid 17th century: from French, from Italian arabesco 'in the Arabic style,' from arabo 'Arab.
antagonize
synonyms: arouse hostility in, alienate; anger, annoy, provoke, vex, irritate; rub the wrong way; informalaggravate, rile, needle, rattle som Origin mid 18th century [in the sense 'struggle against']: from Greek antagōnizesthai, from ant- 'against' + agōnizesthai 'struggle' [from agōn 'contest'].
Section 3
(50 cards)
brash
self-assertive in a rude, noisy, synonyms: self-assertive, pushy, cocksure, cocky, self-confident, arrogant, bold, audacious, brazen, bumptious, overweening, puffed up; More forward, impudent, insolent, rude ";a brash man"; Origin early 19th century [originally dialect]; perhaps a form of rash1.
awry
away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course; amiss synonyms: amiss, wrong; informalup ";something was awry"; Origin late Middle English: from a-2 'on' + wry.
bigot
a person who is intolerant toward those holding differ synonyms: chauvinist, partisan, sectarian; racist, sexist, homophobe, dogmatist, jingoist ";he comes off as a naïve, close-minded bigot"; Origin late 16th century [denoting a superstitious religious hypocrite]: from French, of unknown origin.
askance
with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval synonyms: suspiciously, skeptically, cynically, mistrustfully, distrustfully, doubtfully, dubiously; disapprovingly, contemptuously, scornfully, disdainfully ";they look askance at anything foreign"; Origin late 15th century: of unknown origin.
arrant
complete, utter synonyms: utter, complete, total, absolute, downright, outright, thorough, out-and-out, sheer, pure, unmitigated, unqualified; blatant, flagrant ";what arrant nonsense!"; Origin Middle English: variant of errant, originally in phrases such as arrant thief 'outlawed, roving thief.'
baleful
synonyms: menacing, threatening, unfriendly, hostile, antagonistic, evil, evil-intentioned, vindictive, wicked, nasty, bitter, acrimonious, malevolent, malicious, malignant, malign, sinister; harmful, injurious, dangerous, destructive, noxious, pern Origin Old English bealufull [see bale2, -ful].
audacious
synonyms: bold, daring, fearless, intrepid, brave, courageous, valiant, heroic, plucky; daredevil, devil-may-care, reckless, madcap; venturesome, mettlesome; informalgutsy, gutty, spunky, ballsy, skookum; liter Origin mid 16th century: from Latin audax, audac- 'bold' [from audere 'dare'] + -ious.
avouch
affirm or assert Origin late 15th century: from Old French avochier, from Latin advocare 'summon in defense,' from ad- 'to' + vocare 'to call.'
bedlam
synonyms:uproar, pandemonium, commotion, mayhem, confusion, disorder, chaos, anarchy, lawlessness; furor, upheaval, hubbub, hoopla, turmoil, riot, Originlate Middle English: early form of Bethlehem, referring to the hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem in London, used as an institution for the insane
blinkered
[of a horse] wearing blinders synonyms: narrow-minded, inward-looking, parochial, provincial, insular, small-minded, close-minded, shortsighted; hidebound, illiberal, inflexible, entrenched, prejudiced ";blinkered politicians must be challenged by the voters";
breviary
a book containing the service for each day, to be recited by those in orders in the Roman Catholic Church Origin late Middle English [also denoting an abridged version of the psalms]: from Latin breviarium 'summary, abridgment,' from breviare 'abridge,' from brevis 'short, brief.'
attenuate
reduce the force, effect, o synonyms: weakened, reduced, lessened, decreased, diminished, impaired ";the patient's muscle activity was much attenuated"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin attenuat- 'made slender,' from the verb attenuare, from ad- 'to' + tenuare 'make thin' [from tenuis 'thin'].
ascertain
synonyms:find out, discover, get to know, work out, make out, fathom, learn, deduce, divine, discern, see, understand, comprehend; establish, determine, verify, confirm; fig Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'assure, convince']: from Old French acertener, based on Latin certus 'settled, sure.
bolster
synonyms: strengthen, reinforce, boost, fortify, renew; support, sustain, buoy up, prop up, shore up, maintain, aid, help; augment, increase ";an occasional word of thanks wou Origin Old English [in the sense 'long, thick pillow'], of Germanic origin; related to Dutch bolster and German Polster .
beleaguer
lay siege to synonyms: besieged, under siege, blockaded, surrounded, encircled, beset, hemmed in, under attack ";the beleaguered garrison"; Origin late 16th century: from Dutch belegeren 'camp around,' from be- '[all] around' + leger 'a camp.'
brevet
a former type of military commission conferred especially for outstanding service by which an officer was promoted to a higher rank without the cor Origin late Middle English [denoting an official letter, especially a papal indulgence]: from Old French brievet 'little letter,' diminutive of bref .
bombastic
high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated synonyms: pompous, blustering, turgid, verbose, orotund, high-flown, high-sounding, overwrought, pretentious, ostentatious, grandiloquent; informalhighfalutin, puffed up; rarefustian ";his bombastic speeches could send thousands into the streets";
broadside
a nearly simultaneous firing of all the guns from one side of a warship synonyms: salvo, volley, cannonade, barrage, blast, fusillade ";the gunners fired broadsides";
assiduous
synonyms: diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough, sedulous, attentive, conscientious, punctilious, painstaking, rigorous, particular; persevering ";she was assiduous in pointing out every feat Origin mid 16th century: from Latin assiduus, from assidere 'be engaged in doing' [see assess], + -ous.
blithe
showing a casual and cheerful indifference co synonyms: casual, indifferent, unconcerned, unworried, untroubled, uncaring, careless, heedless, thoughtless; nonchalant, blasé ";a blithe disregard for the rules"; Origin Old English blīthe, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch blijde, also to bliss.
aver
state or assert to be the case Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'declare or confirm to be true']: from Old French averer, based on Latin ad 'to' [implying 'cause to be'] + verus 'true.'
banter
the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks synonyms: repartee, witty conversation, raillery, wordplay, cut and thrust, kidding, ribbing, badinage, joshing ";a brief exchange of banter"; Origin late 17th century: of unknown origin.
astringent
causing the contraction of body tis synonyms: constricting, constrictive, contracting; styptic ";the lotion has an astringent effect on pores"; Origin mid 16th century: from French, from Latin astringent- 'pulling tight,' from the verb astringere, from ad- 'toward' + stringere 'bind, pull tight.'
asset
synonyms:benefit, advantage, blessing, good point, strong point, selling point, strength Originmid 16th century [in the plural in the sense 'sufficient estate to allow discharge of a will']: from an Anglo-Norman French legal term, from Old French asez 'enough,' based on Latin ad 'to' + satis 'enoug
assume
synonyms:presume, suppose, take it [as given], take for granted, take as read, conjecture, surmise, conclude, deduce, infer, reckon, reason, think, fancy, believe, understand, gather, figure ";I assumed he wanted me t Originlate Middle English: from Latin assumere, from ad- 'toward' + sumere 'take.
avocation
a hobby or minor occupation Originmid 17th century: from Latin avocatio[n-], from avocare 'call away,' from ab- 'from' + vocare 'to call.
attest
synonyms: certify, corroborate, confirm, verify, substantiate, authenticate, evidence, demonstrate, show, prove; endorse, support, affirm, bear out, give credence Origin early 16th century: from French attester, from Latin attestari, from ad- 'to' + testari 'to witness' [from testis 'a witness'].
arrogate
synonyms: assume, take, claim, appropriate, seize, expropriate, wrest, usurp, commandeer ";the board arrogated to itself the task of determining what medical facilities will b Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arrogat- 'claimed for oneself,' from the verb arrogare, from ad- 'to' + rogare 'ask.'
blandishment
a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something synonyms: flattery, cajolery, coaxing, wheedling, persuasion, palaver, honeyed words, smooth talk, blarney; informalsweet talk, soft soap, buttering up, smarm ";the blandishments of advertisers";
aspire
synonyms:desire, hope for, dream of, long for, yearn for, set one's heart on, wish for, want, be desirous of; aim for, seek, pursue, set one's sights on ";Jen aspires to a career in veterinary medici Originlate Middle English: from French aspirer or Latin aspirare, from ad- 'to' + spirare 'breathe.
asseveration
the solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something Origin mid 16th century: from Latin asseveratio[n-], from the verb asseverare, from ad- 'to' + severus 'serious.'
asperity
harshness of tone or synonyms: harshness, sharpness, abrasiveness, roughness, severity, acerbity, astringency, tartness, sarcasm ";he replied with some asperity in his tone"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'hardship, rigor']: from Old French asperite, or Latin asperitas, from asper 'rough.'
attain
synonyms: achieve, accomplish, reach, obtain, gain, procure, secure, get, hook, net, win, earn, acquire; realize, fulfill; inform Origin Middle English [in the senses 'bring to justice' and 'reach [a state]']: from Old French ateindre, from Latin attingere, from ad- 'at, to' + tangere 'to touch.'
assay
synonyms:evaluation, assessment, appraisal, analysis, examination, test/tests, testing, inspec OriginMiddle English [in the general sense 'testing, or a test of, the merit of someone or something']: from Old French assai [noun], assaier [verb], variant of essai 'trial,' essayer 'to try' [see essay]
attrition
the action o synonyms: wearing down, wearing away, weakening, debilitation, enfeebling, sapping, attenuation; gradual loss ";the battle would result in further attrition of their already lame naval force"; Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from late Latin attritio[n-], from atterere 'to rub.'
bourgeois
of or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perc synonyms: middle-class, propertied; conventional, conservative, conformist; provincial, suburban, small-town; informalwhite-bread ";a bourgeois family"; Origin mid 16th century: from French bourg. Compare with burgess.
augment
synonyms: increase, add to, supplement, build up, enlarge, expand, extend, raise, multiply, swell, grow; magnify, amplify, escalate; improve, boost; informalup, Origin late Middle English: from Old French augmenter [verb], augment [noun], or late Latin augmentare, from Latin augere 'to increase.'
assuage
make [an synonyms:relieve, ease, alleviate, soothe, mitigate, allay, palliate, abate, suppress, subdue; moderate, lessen, diminish, reduce ";a pain that could never be assuaged" OriginMiddle English: from Old French assouagier, asouagier, based on Latin ad- 'to' [expressing change] + suavis 'sweet.
argot
the jargon or slang of a particular group or cl synonyms: jargon, slang, idiom, cant, parlance, vernacular, patois; dialect, speech, language; informallingo ";the argot of the theater"; Origin mid 19th century [originally denoting the jargon or slang of criminals]: from French, of unknown origin.
auspice
a divine or prophetic token Origin mid 16th century [originally denoting the observation of bird flight in divination]: from French, or from Latin auspicium, from auspex 'observer of birds,' from avis 'bird' + specere 'to look.'
ascetic
synonyms: austere, self-denying, abstinent, abstemious, self-disciplined, self-abnegating; simple, puritanical, monastic; reclusive, eremitic, hermitic; celibate, chaste ";an Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin asceticus or Greek askētikos, from askētēs 'monk,' from askein 'to exercise.'
balk
Origin late Old English balc, from Old Norse bálkr 'partition.' The original use was 'unplowed ridge,' in late Middle English 'land left unplowed by mistake,' hence 'blunder, omission' [giving rise to the verb sense 'miss [a chance]']. A late Middle English sense 'obstacle' gave rise to the verb s
aspersion
synonyms: vilify, disparage, denigrate, defame, run down, impugn, belittle, criticize, condemn, decry, denounce, pillory; malign, slander, libel, discredit; Origin late Middle English [denoting the sprinkling of water, especially at baptism]: from Latin aspersio[n-], from aspergere [see asperse].
belabor
synonyms: overelaborate, labor, dwell on, harp on about, hammer away at; overdo, overplay, overdramatize, make too much of, place too much emphasis on; informalbeat to death, drag out, make a big thing of, blow out o Origin late Middle English: from be- [expressing transitivity] + the verb labor.
boor
synonyms: lout, oaf, ruffian, thug, yahoo, barbarian, Neanderthal, brute, beast, lubber; informalclod, roughneck, troglodyte, knuckle-dragger, pig, peasant ";a civilized affair guarant Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'peasant']: from Low German būr or Dutch boer 'farmer.' Compare with Boer.
augur
synonyms: bode, portend, herald, be a sign of, warn of, forewarn of, foreshadow, be an omen of, presage, indicate, signify, signal, promise, threaten, spell, denote; predict, prophesy; literarybetoken, foretoken, forebode ";the war he Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Latin, 'diviner.'
behemoth
a huge or monstrous creature Originlate Middle English: from Hebrew bĕhēmōṯ, intensive plural of bĕhēmāh 'beast.
billow
a large undulating mass of something, typically cloud, smoke, or steam synonyms: cloud, mass ";billows of smoke"; Origin mid 16th century: from Old Norse bylgja .
bellicose
synonyms: belligerent, aggressive, hostile, warlike, warmongering, hawkish, antagonistic, pugnacious, truculent, confrontational, contentious, militant, combative; informalspoiling for a fight, scrappy Origin late Middle English: from Latin bellicosus, from bellicus 'warlike,' from bellum 'war.'
blatant
Origin late 16th century: perhaps an alteration of Scots blatand 'bleating' It was first used by Spenser as an epithet for a thousand-tongued monster produced by Cerberus and Chimera, a symbol of calumny, which he called the blatant beast . It was subsequently used to mean 'clamorous, offensive to
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chagrin
synonyms: annoyance, irritation, vexation, exasperation, displeasure, dissatisfaction, discontent; anger, rage, fury, wrath, indignation, resentm Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'melancholy']: from French chagrin [noun], literally 'rough skin, shagreen,' chagriner [verb], of unknown origin.
captious
[of a person] tending to find fault or raise petty objections Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'intended to deceive someone']: from Old French captieux or Latin captiosus, from captio[n-] 'seizing,' [figuratively] 'deceiving' [see caption].
burnish
polish [something, especially metal] by rubbing synonyms: polish, shine, buff, rub, gloss ";marks can be removed by burnishing the metal"; Origin Middle English: from Old French burniss-, lengthened stem of burnir, variant of brunir 'make brown,' from brun 'brown.'
celerity
swiftness of movement Origin late 15th century: from Old French celerite, from Latin celeritas, from celer 'swift.'
caustic
able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action synonyms:corrosive, corroding, abrasive, mordant, acid ";a caustic cleaner" Originlate Middle English: via Latin from Greek kaustikos, from kaustos 'combustible,' from kaiein 'to burn.
cincture
a girdle or belt Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'encircling or enclosure']: from Latin cinctura, from cinct- 'encircled,' from the verb cingere .
chortle
laugh in a breathy, gleeful way; chuckle synonyms:chuckle, laugh, giggle, titter, tee-hee, snigger ";they were chortling behind their hands, as if we didn't notice" Origin1871: coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking Glass ; probably a blend of chuckle and snort
canny
synonyms: shrewd, astute, smart, sharp, sharp-witted, discerning, penetrating, discriminating, perceptive, perspicacious, wise, worldly-wise, sagacious; cunning, crafty, wily, as sharp as a tack, savvy; dat Origin late 16th century [originally Scots]: from can1 [in the obsolete sense 'know'] + -y
camarilla
a small group of people, especially a group of advisers to a ruler or politician, with a shared, typically nefarious, purpose Origin mid 19th century: from Spanish, diminutive of camara 'chamber.'
callipygian
having well-shaped buttocks Originlate 18th century: from Greek kallipūgos [used to describe a famous statue of Venus], from kallos 'beauty' + pūgē 'buttocks,' + -ian
capricious
given to sudden and unaccount synonyms: fickle, inconstant, changeable, variable, mercurial, volatile, unpredictable, temperamental; whimsical, fanciful, flighty, quirky, faddish ";the capricious workings of fate"; Origin early 17th century: from French capricieux, from Italian [see capriccioso].
caitiff
a contemptible or cowardly person Origin Middle English [denoting a captive or prisoner]: from Old French caitif 'captive,' based on Latin captivus '[person] taken captive' [see captive].
callow
synonyms:immature, inexperienced, juvenile, adolescent, naive, green, raw, untried, unworldly, unsophisticated; informalwet behind the ears ";she toyed OriginOld English calu 'bald'; probably from Latin calvus 'bald.' This was extended to mean 'unfledged,' which led to the present sense 'immature.
catharsis
synonyms: emotional release, relief, release, venting; purging, purgation, purification, cleansing; abreac Origin early 19th century [sense 2]: from Greek katharsis, from kathairein 'cleanse,' from katharos 'pure.' The notion of "release" through drama [sense 1] derives from Aristotle's Poetics .
cession
the formal giving up of rights, property, or territory, especially by a state Originlate Middle English: from Latin cession-, from cedere 'cede.
cacophony
a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds synonyms:din, racket, noise, clamor, discord, dissonance, discordance, uproar ";despite the cacophony, Rita slept on" Originmid 17th century: from French cacophonie, from Greek kakophōnia, from kakophōnos 'ill-sounding,' from kakos 'bad' + phōnē 'sound.
buck
oppose or resist (something that seems oppressive or inevitable). "the shares bucked the market trend" synonyms: resist, oppose, defy, fight, kick against "it takes guts to buck the system"
candor
synonyms: frankness, openness, honesty, candidness, truthfulness, sincerity, forthrightness, directness, plai Origin late Middle English [in the Latin sense]: from Latin candor 'whiteness.' The current sense dates from the mid 18th century; the development of the senses paralleled that of candid.
cadaver
a corpse synonyms: corpse, body, dead body, remains, carcass; informalstiff; archaiccorse ";each student is assigned a cadaver"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin, from cadere 'to fall.'
circumvolution
a winding movement, especially of one thing around another Origin late Middle English: from Latin circumvolut- 'rolled around,' from the verb circumvolvere, from circum 'around' + volvere 'roll.'
chicane
an artificial narrowing or turn on a road or auto-racing course Origin late 17th century [in the senses 'chicanery' and 'use chicanery']: from French chicane [noun], chicaner [verb] 'quibble,' of unknown origin.
cadge
Origin early 17th century [in the dialect sense 'carry around']: back-formation from the noun cadger, which dates from the late 15th century, denoting [in northern English and Scots] an itinerant dealer, whence the verb sense 'hawk, peddle,' giving rise to the current verb senses from the early 19
brook
synonyms: tolerate, allow, stand, bear, abide, put up with, endure; accept, permi Origin Old English brūcan 'use, possess,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch bruiken and German brauchen . The current sense dates from the mid 16th century, a figurative use of an earlier sense 'digest, stomach.'
calumny
the synonyms: slander, defamation [of character], character assassination, libel; vilification, traducement, obloquy, verbal abuse; informalmudslinging, trash-talk; rarecontumely ";voters were tired of the candidates' endless barrage of calumny"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin calumnia .
circumvent
find a way around [an obstacle] synonyms: avoid, get around, get past, evade, bypass, sidestep, dodge; informalduck ";the checkpoints were easy to circumvent"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin circumvent- 'skirted around,' from the verb circumvenire, from circum 'around' + venire 'come.'
cant
Origin early 16th century: probably from Latin cantare 'to sing' [see chant]. The early meaning was 'musical sound, singing'; in the mid 17th century this gave rise to the senses 'whining manner of speaking' and 'form of words repeated mechanically in such a manner' [for example a beggar's plea],
chutzpah
shameless audacity; impudence synonyms: audacity, cheek, guts, nerve, boldness, temerity ";it took a lot of chutzpah for her to walk in on Owen's bachelor party"; Origin late 19th century: Yiddish, from Aramaic ḥu ṣpā .
caucus
a meeting of the members of a legislative body who are members of a pa synonyms: meeting, assembly, gathering, congress, conference, convention, rally, convocation ";caucuses will be held in eleven states"; Origin mid 18th century [originally US]: perhaps from Algonquian cau'-cau'-as'u 'adviser.'
caldron
a large metal pot with a lid and handle, used for cooking over an open fire synonyms: pot, kettle ";a black cast-iron cauldron"; Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French caudron, based on Latin caldarium, calidarium 'cooking pot,' from calidus 'hot.'
charnel
short for charnel house Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from medieval Latin carnale, neuter [used as a noun] of carnalis 'relating to flesh' [see carnal].
bromide
2. a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate. "feel-good bromides create the illusion of problem solving"
capstan
a revolving cylinder with a vertical axis used for winding a rope or cable, powered by a motor or pushed around by levers Origin late Middle English: from Provençal cabestan, from cabestre 'halter,' from Latin capistrum, from capere 'seize.'
cavil
make petty or unnecessary objections Origin mid 16th century: from French caviller, from Latin cavillari, from cavilla 'mockery.'
cataclysm
synonyms: disaster, catastrophe, calamity, tragedy, devastation, holocaust, ruin, ruination, upheaval, Origin early 17th century [originally denoting the biblical Flood described in Genesis]: from French cataclysme, via Latin from Greek kataklusmos 'deluge,' from kata- 'down' + kluzein 'to wash.'
choleric
synonyms:bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, angry, grumpy, grouchy, crotchety, testy, cranky, crusty, cantankerous, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, peevish, cross, frac OriginMiddle English [in the sense 'bilious']: from Old French cholerique, via Latin from Greek kholerikos, from kholera [see choler]
castigate
synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, censure, upbraid, reprove, reproach, scold, berate, take to task, lambaste, give someone a piece of one's mind; informalrake/haul over the coals, tell off Origin early 17th century: from Latin castigare 'reprove,' from castus 'pure, chaste.'
certain
synonyms:unquestionable, sure, definite, beyond question, not in doubt, indubitable, undeniable, irrefutable, indisputable; obvious, evident, recognized, confirmed, accepted, acknowledged, undisputed, undoubted, unquestion OriginMiddle English: from Old French, based on Latin certus 'settled, sure.
bursary
a scholarship to attend a college or university Origin late 17th century [sense 2]: from medieval Latin bursaria, from bursa 'bag, purse' [see bursa].
capriccio
a lively piece of music, typically Origin early 17th century [denoting a sudden change of mind]: from Italian, literally 'head with the hair standing on end,' hence 'horror,' later 'a sudden start' [influenced by capra 'goat,' associated with frisky movement], from capo 'head' + riccio 'hedgehog.'
cauterize
burn the skin or flesh of [a wound] with a heated instrument or caustic substance, typically to stop bleeding or prevent the wound from Originlate Middle English: from Old French cauteriser, from late Latin cauterizare, from Greek kautēriazein, from kautērion 'branding iron,' from kaiein 'to burn.
calorific
relating to the amount of energy contained in food or fuel Origin late 17th century: from Latin calorificus, from calor 'heat.'
catalysis
the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst Origin mid 19th century: from modern Latin, from Greek katalusis, from kataluein 'dissolve,' from kata- 'down' + luein 'loosen.'
cantankerous
bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative Originmid 18th century: of unknown origin; perhaps a blend of Anglo-Irish cant 'auction' and rancorous [see rancor]
carping
synonyms: complain, cavil, grumble, grouse, whine, bleat, nag; informalgripe, grouch, beef, bellyache, moan, bitch, whinge, kvetch ";they could always find som Origin Middle English [in the sense 'talk, chatter']: from Old Norse karpa 'brag'; later influenced by Latin carpere 'pluck at, slander.'
chimera
[in Greek mythology] a fire-breathing f synonyms: illusion, fantasy, delusion, dream, daydream, pipe dream, figment of the/one's imagination, castle in the air, mirage ";is this great love of hers merely a chimera?"; Origin late Middle English: via Latin from Greek khimaira 'she-goat or chimera.'
brummagem
cheap, showy, or counterfeit Originmid 17th century: dialect form of Birmingham, England, with reference to counterfeit coins and plated goods once made there
canonic
in canon form Origin Old English [as a noun]: from Old French canonique or Latin canonicus 'canonical,' from Greek kanonikos, from kanon 'rule' [see canon1]. The adjective dates from the late 15th century.
bursar
a person who manages the financial affairs of a college or university Origin late Middle English: from French boursier or [sense 1] medieval Latin bursarius, from bursa 'bag, purse' [see bursa].
cavalier
a supporter of King Charles I in the English Civil War synonyms:horseman, equestrian; Morecavalryman, trooper, knight ";foot soldiers and cavaliers" Originmid 16th century: from French, from Italian cavaliere, based on Latin caballus 'horse.' Compare with caballero and chevalier
churlish
rude in a mean-spirited and surly way synonyms: rude, ill-mannered, ill-bred, discourteous, impolite, unmannerly, uncivil, unchivalrous; inconsiderate, uncharitable, surly, sullen ";it seemed churlish to refuse her invitation"; Origin Old English cierlisc, ceorlisc [see churl, -ish1].
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connect
synonyms: attach, join, fasten, fix, affix, couple, link, secure, hitch; stick, adhere, fuse, pin, screw, bolt, clamp, clip, hook [up]; add Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'be united physically'; rare before the 18th century]: from Latin connectere, from con- 'together' + nectere 'bind.'
contrive
synonyms: bring about, engineer, manufacture, orchestrate, stage-manage, create, devise, concoct, construct, plan, fabricate, plot, hatch; informalwangle, set Origin Middle English: from Old French contreuve-, stressed stem of controver 'imagine, invent,' from medieval Latin contropare 'compare.'
constrict
make narrower, especially by enci synonyms: narrow, make narrower, tighten, compress, contract, squeeze, strangle, strangulate; archaicstraiten ";fat constricts the blood vessels"; Origin mid 18th century: from Latin constrict- 'bound tightly together,' from the verb constringere [see constrain].
compendious
synonyms: succinct, pithy, short and to the point, concise, compact, condensed, compressed, abridged, summarized, synoptic, capsule; informalsnap Origin late Middle English: from Old French compendieux, from Latin compendiosus 'advantageous, brief,' from compendium 'profit, saving, abbreviation.'
congruent
in agreement or harmony Originlate Middle English: from Latin congruent- 'agreeing, meeting together,' from the verb congruere, from con- 'together' + ruere 'fall or rush.
conciliate
stop [someone] fr synonyms: appease, placate, pacify, mollify, assuage, soothe, humor, reconcile, win over, make peace with ";he tried to conciliate the peasantry"; Origin mid 16th century [sense 2]: from Latin conciliat- 'combined, gained,' from the verb conciliare, from concilium [see council].
concomitant
synonyms: attendant, accompanying, associated, related, connected; resultant, consequent ";the rise of urbanism brought a concomitant risk Origin early 17th century: from late Latin concomitant- 'accompanying,' from concomitari, from con- 'together with' + comitari, from Latin comes 'companion.'
contiguous
sharing a co synonyms: adjacent, neighboring, adjoining, bordering, next-door; abutting, connecting, touching, in contact, proximate ";the contiguous Gulf states"; Origin early 16th century: from Latin contiguus 'touching,' from the verb contingere 'be in contact, befall' [see contingent] + -ous.
congregate
synonyms: assemble, gather, collect, come together, convene, rally, rendezvous, muster, meet, cluster, group ";huge crowds o Origin late Middle English: from Latin congregat- 'collected [into a flock], united,' from the verb congregare, from con- 'together' + gregare [from grex, greg- 'a flock'].
compel
synonyms:force, pressure, press, push, urge; dragoon, browbeat, bully, intimidate, strong-arm; oblige, require, make; informallean on, put the screws on ";he compelled them to leave their land";exact, extort, d Originlate Middle English: from Latin compellere, from com- 'together' + pellere 'drive.
climax
synonyms: peak, pinnacle, height, high[est] point, top; acme, zenith; culmination, crowning point, crown, crest; highlight, high spot, high-water mar Origin mid 16th century [in rhetoric]: from late Latin, from Greek klimax 'ladder, climax.' The sense 'culmination' arose in the late 18th century.
collide
hit wi synonyms: crash into, hit, strike, impact, run into, bump into, meet head-on, cannon into, plow into, barrel into ";the trains collided with each other"; Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'cause to collide']: from Latin collidere, from col- 'together' + laedere 'to strike or damage.'
conflagration
an ext synonyms: fire, blaze, flames, inferno, firestorm ";the conflagration spread rapidly through the wooden buildings"; Origin late 15th century [denoting consumption by fire]: from Latin conflagratio[n-], from the verb conflagrare, from con- [expressing intensive force] + flagrare 'to blaze.'
consanguineous
relating to or denoting people descended from the same ancestor Origin early 17th century: from Latin consanguineus 'of the same blood' [from con- 'together' + sanguis 'blood'] + -ous.
cloister
a covered walk in a convent synonyms: walkway, covered walk, arcade, loggia, gallery ";the convent's shadowed cloisters"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'place of religious seclusion']: from Old French cloistre, from Latin claustrum, clostrum 'lock, enclosed place,' from claudere 'to close.'
concubine
[in polygamous societies] a woman who lives with a man but synonyms:mistress, courtesan, kept woman; lover, paramour; archaicdoxy; historicalhetaera ";she was the reluctant concubine of Prince Percival" OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin concubina, from con- 'with' + cubare 'to lie.
confabulate
engage in conversation; talk Origin early 17th century: from Latin confabulat- 'chatted together,' from the verb confabulari, from con- 'together' + fabulari [from fabula 'fable'].
cogitate
synonyms: think about/on/over, contemplate, consider, mull over, meditate on, muse on/over, ponder, reflect on, deliberate on/over, ruminate on/over; dwell on, Origin late 16th century: from Latin cogitat- 'considered,' from the verb cogitare, from co- 'together' + agitare 'turn over, consider.'
conflate
synonyms: mix, blend, fuse, unite, integrate ";the plot gets weighed down when the writers conflate too many issues into one e Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'fuse or melt down metal']: from Latin conflat- 'kindled, fused,' from the verb conflare, from con- 'together' + flare 'to blow.'
contrite
synonyms: remorseful, repentant, penitent, regretful, sorry, apologetic, rueful, sheepish, hangdog, ashamed, chastened, shamefaced, cons Origin Middle English: from Old French contrit, from Latin contritus, past participle of conterere 'grind down, wear away,' from con- 'together' + terere 'rub.'
contort
twist or bend out of its normal shape synonyms:twist, bend out of shape, distort, misshape, warp, buckle, deform ";her face was contorted with grief" Originlate Middle English: from Latin contort- 'twisted around, brandished,' from the verb contorquere, from con- 'together' + torquere 'twist.
contingent
Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'of uncertain occurrence']: from Latin contingere 'befall,' from con- 'together with' + tangere 'to touch.' The noun sense was originally 'something happening by chance,' then 'a person's share resulting from a division, a quota'; the current sense dates fr
conform
synonyms: comply with, abide by, obey, observe, follow, keep to, stick to, adhere to, uphold, heed, accept, go along with, fall i Origin Middle English [in the sense 'make [something] like another thing']: from Old French conformer, from Latin conformare, from con- 'together' + formare 'to form.'
compunction
synonyms: scruples, misgivings, qualms, worries, unease, uneasiness, doubts, reluctance, reservations; Origin Middle English: from Old French componction, from ecclesiastical Latin compunctio[n-], from Latin compungere 'prick sharply,' from com- [expressing intensive force] + pungere 'to prick.'
contend
stru synonyms: cope with, face, grapple with, deal with, take on, pit oneself against ";the pilot had to contend with torrential rain"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'compete for [something]']: from Old French contendre or Latin contendere, from con- 'with' + tendere 'stretch, strive.'
concord
agreement or harmony between people or gro synonyms: agreement, harmony, accord, consensus, concurrence, unity ";council meetings rarely ended in concord"; Origin Middle English: from Old French concorde, from Latin concordia, from concors 'of one mind,' from con- 'together' + cor, cord- 'heart.'
concern
synonyms: be about, deal with, have to do with, cover; discuss, go into, examine, study, review, analyze; relate to, p Origin late Middle English: from French concerner or late Latin concernere [in medieval Latin 'be relevant to'], from con- [expressing intensive force] + cernere 'sift, discern.'
conjecture
synonyms: speculation, guesswork, surmise, fancy, presumption, assumption, theory, postulation, supposi Origin late Middle English [in the senses 'to divine' and 'divination']: from Old French, or from Latin conjectura, from conicere 'put together in thought,' from con- 'together' + jacere 'throw
consecrate
synonyms:sanctify, bless, make holy, make sacred; dedicate to God, devote, reserve, set apart; anoint, ordain; Originlate Middle English: from Latin consecrat- 'dedicated, devoted as sacred,' from the verb consecrare, from con- [expressing intensive force] + sacrare 'dedicate,' from sacer 'sacred.
colossus
a statue that is much bigger than life size Originlate Middle English: via Latin from Greek kolossos [applied by Herodotus to the statues of Egyptian temples]
complicate
synonyms:make [more] difficult, make complicated, mix up, confuse, muddle; informalmess up, screw up, snarl up ";invol Originearly 17th century [in the sense 'combine, entangle, intertwine']: from Latin complicat- 'folded together,' from the verb complicare, from com- 'together' + plicare 'to fold.
contagion
synonyms: disease, infection, illness, plague, blight; informalbug, virus; archaicpestilence ";European ships transported contagions to and from the New Origin late Middle English [denoting a contagious disease]: from Latin contagio[n-], from con- 'together with' + the base of tangere 'to touch.'
clairvoyant
synonyms: psychic, fortune teller, crystal gazer; medium, spiritualist; telepath, mind-reader ";a woman c Origin late 17th century [in the sense 'clear-sighted, perceptive']: from French, from clair 'clear' + voyant 'seeing' [from voir 'to see']. The current sense dates from the mid 19th century.
consummate
synonyms:complete, conclude, finish, accomplish, achieve; ex Originlate Middle English [as an adjective in the sense 'completed, accomplished']: from Latin consummat- 'brought to completion,' from the verb consummare, from con- 'altogether' + summa 'sum total,' feminine of summus 'highest, supreme.
coagulate
[of a fluid, especially blood] change to a solid or semisolid state synonyms: congeal, clot, thicken, jell; solidify, harden, set, dry ";a drug that helps the blood to coagulate"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin coagulat- 'curdled,' from the verb coagulare, from coagulum 'rennet.'
comport
conduct oneself; behave synonyms: behave, conduct oneself, act, acquit oneself; archaicdeport oneself ";try to comport yourself with a little dignity"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'tolerate']: from Latin comportare, from com- 'together' + portare 'carry, bear.'
compatible
[of two things] able to exist or occur together without conflict synonyms: well suited, suited, well matched, like-minded, in tune, in harmony; reconcilable ";they were never compatible"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from medieval Latin compatibilis, from compati 'suffer with.'
colporteur
a peddler of books, newspapers, and similar literature Origin late 18th century: French, from the verb colporter, probably an alteration of comporter, from Latin comportare 'carry with one.'
collate
collect synonyms: collect, gather, accumulate, assemble; combine, aggregate, put together; arrange, organize ";the system is used to collate information"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'confer [a benefice] upon']: from Latin collat- 'brought together,' from the verb conferre [see confer].
consequential
following as a result or effe synonyms: resulting, resultant, ensuing, consequent; following, subsequent; attendant, accompanying, concomitant; collateral, associated, related ";a fire and the consequential smoke damage"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin consequentia [see consequence] + -al.
condone
accept and allow [behavior th synonyms:disregard, accept, allow, let pass, turn a blind eye to, overlook, forget; forgive, pardon, excuse, let go ";we cannot condone such dreadful behavior" Originmid 19th century: from Latin condonare 'refrain from punishing,' from con- 'altogether' + donare 'give.
congruous
in agreement or harmony Originlate 16th century: from Latin congruus, from congruere 'agree' [see congruent], + -ous
compendium
a coll synonyms: collection, compilation, anthology, treasury, digest; summary, synopsis, précis, outline ";a compendium of Civil War narratives"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin,'profit, saving' [literally 'what is weighed together'], from compendere, from com- 'together' + pendere 'weigh.'
comely
[typically of a woman] pleasant to look at; attractive Origin Middle English: probably shortened from becomely 'fitting, becoming,' from become.
clamour
a loud and confu synonyms: din, racket, rumpus, loud noise, uproar, tumult, shouting, yelling, screaming, roaring; commotion, brouhaha, hue and cry, hubbub, hullabaloo, hoopla ";her voice rose above the clamor"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin clamor, from clamare 'cry out.'
concede
admit that something is true or valid after first denying or res synonyms: admit, acknowledge, accept, allow, grant, recognize, own, confess; agree ";I had to concede that I'd overreacted"; Origin late 15th century: from French concéder or Latin concedere, from con- 'completely' + cedere 'yield.'
commensurate
synonyms:equivalent, equal, corresponding, correspondent, comparable, proportionate, proportional ";they had privileges but commensurate duties";appropriate to, in kee Originmid 17th century: from late Latin commensuratus, from com- 'together' + mensuratus, past participle of mensurare 'to measure.
claim
state or assert that something is the case, typical synonyms: assert, declare, profess, maintain, state, hold, affirm, avow; argue, contend, allege; formalaver ";Davies claimed that she was lying"; Origin Middle English: from Old French claime [noun], clamer [verb], from Latin clamare 'call out.'
cogent
synonyms: convincing, compelling, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, weighty, impactful, effective; valid, sound, plausible, telling; impressive, persuasive, eloquent, credible, inf Origin mid 17th century: from Latin cogent- 'compelling,' from the verb cogere, from co- 'together' + agere 'drive
compete
synonyms: take part, participate, play, be a competitor, be involved; enter ";they competed in a tennis tournament"; contend with, vie with, battle Origin early 17th century: from Latin competere, in its late sense 'strive or contend for [something],' from com- 'together' + petere 'aim at, seek.'
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countermand
synonyms: revoke, rescind, reverse, undo, repeal, retract, withdraw, quash, overturn, overrule, cancel, annul, invalidate, nullify, n Origin late Middle English: from Old French contremander [verb], contremand [noun], from medieval Latin contramandare, from contra- 'against' + mandare 'to order.'
defunct
synonyms: disused, unused, inoperative, nonfunctioning, unusable, obsolete; no longer existing, discontinued; extinct " Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'deceased']: from Latin defunctus 'dead,' past participle of defungi 'carry out, finish,' from de- [expressing reversal] + fungi 'perform.'
conurbation
an extended urban area, typically consisting of several towns merging with the suburbs of one or more cities Originearly 20th century: from con- 'together' + Latin urbs, urb- 'city' + -ation
corpulent
synonyms: fat, obese, overweight, plump, portly, stout, chubby, paunchy, beer-bellied, heavy, bulky, chunky, well upholstered, well padded, well covered, meaty, fleshy, rotund, broad in the beam; informaltubby, pudgy, beefy, Origin late Middle English: from Latin corpulentus, from corpus 'body.'
decorum
synonyms: propriety, seemliness, decency, good taste, correctness; politeness, courtesy, good manners; dignity, respectability, modesty, demureness ";he had acted wit Origin mid 16th century [as a literary term, denoting suitability of style]: from Latin, neuter of the adjective decorus 'seemly.'
convivial
synonyms: friendly, genial, affable, amiable, congenial, agreeable, good-humored, cordial, warm, sociable, outgoing, gregarious, companionable, cl Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'fit for a feast, festive']: from Latin convivialis, from convivium 'a feast,' from con- 'with' + vivere 'live.'
coterminous
having the same boundaries or extent in space, time, or meaning Origin late 18th century: alteration of conterminous.
credulous
synonyms: gullible, naive, too trusting, easily taken in, impressionable, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, unquestioning; innocent, ingenuous, inexperienced, unsophistica Origin late 16th century [in the general sense 'inclined to believe']: from Latin credulus [from credere 'believe'] + -ous.
delineate
synonyms: describe, set forth/out, present, outline, sketch, depict, represent; map out, define, specify, id Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'trace the outline of something']: from Latin delineat- 'outlined,' from the verb delineare, from de- 'out, completely' + lineare [from linea 'line'].
contumacious
[especially of a defendant's behavior] stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority Origin late 16th century: from Latin contumax, contumac- [perhaps from con- 'with' + tumere 'to swell'] + -ious.
craven
syno OriginMiddle English cravant 'defeated,' perhaps via Anglo-Norman French from Old French cravante, past participle of cravanter 'crush, overwhelm,' based on Latin crepare 'burst.' The change in the ending in the 17th century was due to association with past participles ending in -en [see -en3]
defray
synonyms: pay [for], cover, meet, square, settle, clear, discharge ";the reserve fun Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'spend money']: from French défrayer, from dé- [expressing removal] + obsolete frai 'cost, expenses' [from medieval Latin fredum 'a fine for breach of the peace'].
defile
sully, mar, or spoil synonyms: spoil, sully, mar, impair, debase, degrade; poison, taint, tarnish; destroy, ruin Origin late Middle English: alteration of obsolete defoul, from Old French defouler 'trample down,' influenced by obsolete befile 'befoul, defile.'
debilitate
synonyms: weaken, enfeeble, enervate, devitalize, sap, drain, exhaust, weary, fatigue, prostrate; undermine, impair, indispose, incapacitate, cripple, disable, paralyze, immobilize; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin debilitat- 'weakened,' from the verb debilitare, from debilitas [see debility].
coruscate
[of light] flash or sparkle Origin early 18th century: from Latin coruscat- 'glittered,' from the verb coruscare .
deference
synonyms: respect, respectfulness, dutifulness; submissiveness, submission, obedience, surrender, accession, capitulation, acquiescence, complaisance, obeisance ";his writings show excessive deference to the wealth Origin mid 17th century: from French déférence, from déférer 'refer' [see defer2].
coy
synonyms: arch, simpering, coquettish, flirtatious, kitte Origin Middle English: from Old French coi, quei, from Latin quietus [see quiet]. The original sense was 'quiet, still' [especially in behavior], later 'modestly retiring,' and hence [of a woman] 'affecting to be unresponsive to advances.'
corps
a main subdivision of an armed force in the field, consisting of two or more divisions synonyms: unit, division, detachment, section, company, contingent, squad, squadron, regiment, battalion, brigade, platoon ";an army corps"; Origin late 16th century: from French, from Latin corpus 'body.'
curate
a member of the clergy engaged as assistant to a vicar, rector, or parish priest Origin Middle English: from medieval Latin curatus, from Latin cura 'care.'
credo
a statement of the bel synonyms:statement of belief[s], article of faith, doctrine, creed, axiom, dogma, tenet, canon; theory, thesis, premise, conviction, position; ideology, code of belief ";he announced his credo in his first editorial" OriginMiddle English: Latin,'I believe.' Compare with creed
convalesce
recover one's health and strength over a period of time after a synonyms: recuperate, get better, recover, get well, get back on one's feet ";he went abroad to convalesce"; Origin late 15th century: from Latin convalescere, from con- 'altogether' + valescere 'grow strong' [from valere 'be well'].
curt
synonyms: terse, brusque, abrupt, clipped, blunt, short, monosyllabic, summary; snappish, snappy, sharp, tart; gruff, offhand, unceremonious, ungracious, rude, impolite, discourteous, uncivil "; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'short, shortened']: from Latin curtus 'cut short, abridged.'
convoluted
synonyms:complicated, complex, involved, elaborate, serpentine, labyrinthine, tortuous, tangled, Byzantine; Rube Goldberg; confused, confusing, bewi Originlate 18th century: past participle of convolute, from Latin convolutus, past participle of convolvere 'roll together, intertwine' [see convolve]
cozen
trick or deceive Origin late 16th century: perhaps from obsolete Italian cozzonare 'to cheat,' from cozzone 'middleman, broker,' from Latin cocio 'dealer.'
dawdle
waste time; be slow synonyms: linger, dally, take one's time, be slow, waste time, idle; delay, procrastinate, stall, dilly-dally, lollygag; archaictarry ";they dawdled over breakfast"; Origin mid 17th century: related to dialect daddle, doddle 'dally.'
cynic
synonyms:skeptic, doubter, doubting Tho Originmid 16th century [sense 2]: from Latin cynicus, from Greek kunikos ; probably originally from Kunosarges, the name of a gymnasium where Antisthenes taught, but popularly taken to mean 'doglike, churlish,' kuōn, kun- 'dog' becoming a nickname for a Cynic
corroborate
synonyms: confirm, verify, endorse, ratify, authenticate, validate, certify; support, back up, uphold, bear Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'make physically stronger']: from Latin corroborat- 'strengthened,' from the verb corroborare, from cor- 'together' + roborare, from robur 'strength.'
countervail
offset the effect of [something] by countering it with something of equal force Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'be equivalent to in value, compensate for']: from Anglo-Norman French contrevaloir, from Latin contra valere 'be of worth against.'
crescendo
a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music Origin late 18th century: Italian, present participle of crescere 'to increase,' from Latin crescere 'grow.'
contuse
injure [a part of the body] without breaking the skin, forming a bruise Origin late Middle English: from Latin contus- 'bruised, crushed,' from the verb contundere, from con- 'together' + tundere 'beat, thump.'
creditable
[of a performance, effort, or action] deserving public acknowledgment and praise but not necessarily outstanding or successful synonyms: commendable, praiseworthy, laudable, admirable, honorable, estimable, meritorious, worthy, deserving, respectable ";her forty years of creditable stage work";
convocation
a large formal assembly of people synonyms:assembly, gathering, meeting, conference, convention, congress, council, symposium, colloquium, conclave, synod ";a convocation of church leaders" Originlate Middle English: from Latin convocatio[n-], from the verb convocare [see convoke]
delphic
of or relating to the ancient Greek oracle at Delphi
cursory
hasty and therefore not thorough or deta synonyms:perfunctory, desultory, casual, superficial, token; sketchy, half-done, incomplete; hasty, quick, hurried, rapid, brief, passing, fleeting ";a cursory inspection" Originearly 17th century: from Latin cursorius 'of a runner,' from cursor [see cursor]
countenance
synonyms: face, features, physiognomy, profile; [facial] expression, look, appearance, aspect, mien; informalmug Origin Middle English: from Old French contenance 'bearing, behavior,' from contenir [see contain]. The early sense was 'bearing, demeanor,' also 'facial expression,' hence 'the face.'
coveted
yearn to possess synonyms:desire, yearn for, crave, have one's heart set on, want, wish for, long for, hanker after/for, hunger after/for, thirst for ";even with all they have, they covet the wealth of others" OriginMiddle English: from Old French cuveitier, based on Latin cupiditas [see cupidity]
defer
synonyms: postpone, put off, delay, hold over, hold off [on], put back; shelve, suspend, sta Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'put on one side']: from Old French differer 'defer or differ,' from Latin differre, from dis- 'apart' + ferre 'bring, carry.' Compare with defer2 and differ.
convolve
roll or coil together; entwine Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'enclose in folds']: from Latin convolvere 'roll together,' from con- 'together' + volvere 'roll.
covenanted
agree, especially by synonyms: undertake, contract, guarantee, pledge, promise, agree, engage, warrant, commit oneself, bind oneself ";the landlord covenants to repair the property"; Origin Middle English: from Old French, present participle of covenir 'agree,' from Latin convenire [see convene].
council
synonyms: advisory body, board, committee, brain trust, commission, assembly, panel; synod, co Origin Old English [in the sense 'ecclesiastical assembly']: from Anglo-Norman French cuncile, from Latin concilium 'convocation, assembly,' from con- 'together' + calare 'summon.' Compare with counsel.
Cosset
synonyms: pamper, indulge, overindulge, mollycoddle, coddle, baby, pet, mother, nanny, nursemaid, pander to, spoil Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting a lamb brought up by hand, later a spoiled child]: probably from Anglo-Norman French coscet 'cottager,' from Old English cotsǣta 'cottar.'
credence
belief in or acceptance of something as true synonyms: belief, faith, trust, confidence, reliance ";the government placed little credence in the scheme"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin credentia, from Latin credent- 'believing,' from the verb credere .
decoy
synonyms: lure, bait, red herring; enticement, i Origin mid 16th century [earlier as coy ]: from Dutch de kooi 'the decoy,' from Middle Dutch de kouw 'the cage,' from Latin cavea 'cage.' Sense 2 of the noun is from the practice of using tamed ducks to lead wild ones along channels into captivity.
conversant
synonyms: familiar with, acquainted with, au fait with, au courant with, at home with, well versed in, well Origin Middle English: from Old French, present participle of converser [see converse1]. The original sense was 'habitually spending time in a particular place or with a particular person.'
cynosure
a person or th Originlate 16th century: from French, or from Latin cynosura, from Greek kunosoura 'dog's tail' [also 'Ursa Minor'], from kuōn, kun- 'dog' + oura 'tail.' The term originally denoted the constellation Ursa Minor, or the star Polaris that it contains, long used as a guide by navigators
coquette
a woman who flirts Origin mid 17th century: French, feminine of coquet 'wanton,' diminutive of coq 'cock.'
deluge
a severe flood synonyms:flood, torrent, spate ";homes were swept away by the deluge" Originlate Middle English: from Old French, variant of diluve, from Latin diluvium, from diluere 'wash away.
curmudgeon
a bad-tempered or surly person Originlate 16th century: of unknown origin
crepuscular
of, resembling, or relating to twilight Originmid 17th century: from Latin crepusculum 'twilight' + -ar1
decry
synonyms: denounce, condemn, criticize, censure, attack, rail against, run down, pillory, lambaste, vilify, revile; disparage, deprecat Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'decrease the value of coins by royal proclamation']: from de- 'down' + cry, on the pattern of French décrier 'cry down.'
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disseminate
synonyms: spread, circulate, distribute, disperse, promulgate, propagate, publicize, communicate, pass on, put about, make known ";much of our funding is used to d Origin late Middle English: from Latin disseminat- 'scattered,' from the verb disseminare, from dis- 'abroad' + semen, semin- 'seed.'
derelict
synonyms: damned, doomed, lost, condemned to hell; censured, faulted, convicted; literaryaccursed ";a condemned construction site"; dilapidated, ramshackle, r Origin mid 17th century: from Latin derelictus 'abandoned,' past participle of derelinquere, from de- 'completely' + relinquere 'forsake.'
discreet
synonyms: careful, circumspect, cautious, wary, chary, guarded; tactful, diplomatic, prude Origin Middle English: from Old French discret, from Latin discretus 'separate,' past participle of discernere 'discern,' the sense arising from late Latin discretio [see discretion]. Compare with discrete.
dispensation
exemption from a rule or usual requirement synonyms: exemption, immunity, exception, exoneration, reprieve, remission ";a dispensation from the Pope"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin dispensatio[n-], from the verb dispensare [see dispense].
demure
synonym Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'sober, serious, reserved']: perhaps from Old French demoure, past participle of demourer 'remain, stay' [see demur]; influenced by Old French mur 'grave,' from Latin maturus 'ripe or mature.' The sense 'reserved, shy' dates from the late 17th century
despicable
synonyms:contemptible, loathsome, hateful, detestable, reprehensible, abhorrent, abominable, awful, heinous; odious, vile, low, mean, abject, shameful, ignominious, shabby, ignoble, disreputable, discreditable, unwo Originmid 16th century: from late Latin despicabilis, from despicari 'look down on.
detest
synonyms: abhor, hate, loathe, despise, shrink from, be unable to bear, find intolerable, dislike, disdain, have an aversion to; formalabominate ";the only vegetabl Origin late 15th century: from Latin detestari, from de- 'down' + testari 'witness, call upon to witness' [from testis 'a witness'].
digress
synonyms:deviate, go off on a tangent, get off the subject, get sidetracked, lose the thread, turn aside/away, depart, drift, stray, wander ";I have digressed from the original pl Originearly 16th century: from Latin digress- 'stepped away,' from the verb digredi, from di- 'aside' + gradi 'to walk.
descry
catch sight of Origin Middle English: perhaps confused with obsolete descry 'describe,' variant of obsolete descrive [via Old French from Latin describere 'write down'], which also had the meaning 'perceive.'
disburse
pay out synonyms: pay out, spend, expend, dole out, dish out, hand out, part with, donate, give; informalfork out/over, shell out, lay out, ante up, pony up ";the proceeds were disbursed weekly"; Origin mid 16th century: from Old French desbourser, from des- [expressing removal] + bourse 'purse.'
dissemble
synonyms: dissimulate, pretend, feign, act, masquerade, sham, fake, bluff, posture, hide one's feelings, put on a false front ";she's being honest and Origin late Middle English: alteration [suggested by semblance] of obsolete dissimule, via Old French from Latin dissimulare 'disguise, conceal.'
dismal
synonyms:dingy, dim, dark, gloomy, dreary, drab, dull, bleak, cheerless, depress Originlate Middle English: from earlier dismal [noun], denoting the two days in each month that in medieval times were believed to be unlucky, from Anglo-Norman French dis mal, from medieval Latin dies mali 'evil days.
dinosaur
a fossil reptile of the Mesozoic era, often reaching an enormous size Originmid 19th century: from modern Latin dinosaurus, from Greek deinos 'terrible' + sauros 'lizard.
desiccate
remove the moisture from [something, especially food], typically in order to preserve it synonyms: dried, dry, dehydrated, powdered ";desiccated coconut"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin desiccat- 'made thoroughly dry,' from the verb desiccare .
dilate
make or become wider, larger, or more open synonyms:enlarge, widen, expand, distend ";her nostrils dilated" Originlate Middle English: from Old French dilater, from Latin dilatare 'spread out,' from di- 'apart' + latus 'wide.
dictum
a formal prono synonyms: pronouncement, proclamation, direction, injunction, dictate, command, commandment, order, decree, edict, mandate, diktat ";he received the dictum with evident reluctance"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin, literally 'something said,' neuter past participle of dicere .
dirge
synonyms: elegy, lament, burial hymn, threnody, requiem, funeral march; keen ";a lone bagpiper played the woeful di Origin Middle English [denoting the Office for the Dead]: from Latin dirige! [imperative] 'direct!,' the first word of an antiphon [Psalm 5:8] used in the Latin Office for the Dead.
dilettante
a person who cultivates an area of interest, such a synonyms:dabbler, amateur, nonprofessional, nonspecialist, layman, layperson ";there is no room for the dilettante in this business" Originmid 18th century: from Italian, 'person loving the arts,' from dilettare 'to delight,' from Latin delectare
diathermy
a medical and surgical technique involving the production of heat in a part of the body by high-frequency electric currents, to stimulate the circulation, relieve pain, destroy unhealthy tissue, or cause bleeding vessels to clot Origin early 20th century: from dia- 'through' + thermon 'heat.'
discursive
synonyms: rambling, digressive, meandering, wandering, maundering, diffuse, long, lengthy, wordy, verbose, long-winded, prolix; circuitous Origin late 16th century: from medieval Latin discursivus, from Latin discurs-, literally 'gone hastily to and fro,' from the verb discurrere [see discourse].
diatribe
synonyms: tirade, harangue, onslaught, attack, polemic, denunciation, broadside, fulmination, condemnation, censure, criticism; informa Origin late 16th century [denoting a disquisition]: from French, via Latin from Greek diatribē 'spending of time, discourse,' from dia 'through' + tribein 'rub.'
depraved
synonyms:corrupt, perverted, deviant, degenerate, debased, immoral, unprincipled; debauched, dissolute, lic Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'pervert the meaning or intention of something']: from Old French depraver or Latin depravare, from de- 'down, thoroughly' + pravus 'crooked, perverse.
deracinate
tear [something] up by the roots Originlate 16th century: from French déraciner, from dé- [expressing removal] + racine 'root' [based on Latin radix ]
dissipated
synonyms: dissolute, debauched, decadent, intemperate, profligate, self-indulgent, wild, depraved; licentious, promiscuous; drunken ";it was in college that he bec Origin late Middle English: from Latin dissipat- 'scattered,' from the verb dissipare, from dis- 'apart, widely' + supare 'to throw.'
disport
enjoy oneself unrestrainedly; frolic Origin late Middle English: from Old French desporter, from des- 'away' + porter 'carry' [from Latin portare ].
detriment
synonyms: harm, damage, injury, hurt, impairment, loss, disadvantage, disservice, mischief ";local merchants fear the detriment to business that Origin late Middle English in the sense 'loss sustained by damage': from Old French, from Latin detrimentum, from detri-, stem of deterere 'wear away.'
diffident
synonyms: shy, bashful, modest, self-effacing, unassuming, meek, unconfident, un Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'lacking confidence or trust in someone or something']: from Latin diffident- 'failing in trust,' from the verb diffidere, from dis- [expressing reversal] + fidere 'to trust.'
demur
synonyms:object, take exception, take issue, protest, cavil, dissent; voice reservations, be unwilling, be reluctant, balk, think twice; drag OriginMiddle English [in the sense 'linger, delay']: from Old French demourer [verb], demeure [noun], based on Latin de- 'away, completely' + morari 'delay.
didactic
intended to teach, particularly in h synonyms: instructive, instructional, educational, educative, informative, informational, edifying, improving, preceptive, pedagogic, moralistic ";the reforming, didactic function of art"; Origin mid 17th century: from Greek didaktikos, from didaskein 'teach.'
disaffected
synonyms: dissatisfied, disgruntled, discontented, malcontent, frustrated, alienated; disloyal, rebellious, mutinous, seditious, dissident, up in arms; Origin mid 17th century: past participle of disaffect, originally in the sense 'dislike or disorder,' from dis- [expressing reversal] + affect2.
diaphanous
synonyms: sheer, fine, delicate, light, thin, insubstantial, floaty, flimsy, filmy, silken, chiffony, gossamer, gossamer-thin, gauzy; translucent, transparent, see-through ";a Origin early 17th century: from medieval Latin diaphanus, from Greek diaphanēs, from dia 'through' + phainein 'to show.'
desultory
synonyms:casual, cursory, superficial, token, perfunctory, half-hearted, lukewarm; random, aimless, errat Originlate 16th century [also in the literal sense 'skipping around']: from Latin desultorius 'superficial' [literally 'relating to a vaulter'], from desultor 'vaulter,' from the verb desilire
destitute
synonyms: penniless, poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken, impecunious, without a cent/penny [to one's name]; needy, Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'deserted, abandoned, empty']: from Latin destitutus, past participle of destituere 'forsake,' from de- 'away from' + statuere 'to place.'
desuetude
a state of disuse Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'cessation']: from French, from Latin desuetudo, from desuet- 'made unaccustomed,' from the verb desuescere, from de- [expressing reversal] + suescere 'be accustomed.'
deride
synonyms: ridicule, mock, scoff at, jibe at, make fun of, poke fun at, laugh at, hold up to ridicule, pillory; disdain, disparage, denigrate, dismiss, slight; sneer at, scorn, insult; informalknock, pooh-pooh ";the kid I used to deride in j Origin mid 16th century: from Latin deridere 'scoff at.'
desideratum
something that is needed or wanted synonyms: requirement, prerequisite, need, indispensable thing, sine qua non, essential, requisite, necessary ";integrity was a desideratum"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, 'something desired,' neuter past participle of desiderare [see desiderate].
deportment
a person's behavior or manners synonyms: behavior, conduct, performance; manners, practices, actions ";unprofessional deportment"; Origin early 17th century: from French déportement, from the verb déporter [see deport].
denigrate
synonyms: disparage, belittle, deprecate, decry, cast aspersions on, criticize, attack; speak ill of, give someone Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'blacken, make dark']: from Latin denigrat- 'blackened,' from the verb denigrare, from de- 'away, completely' + nigrare [from niger 'black'].
derision
synonyms: mockery, ridicule, jeers, sneers, taunts; disdain, disparagement, denigration, disrespect, insults; scorn, contempt; lampooning, satire ";Quincy's memoirs incited the derision of his siblin Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin derisio[n-], from deridere 'scoff at.'
disingenuous
not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does synonyms: insincere, dishonest, untruthful, false, deceitful, duplicitous, lying, mendacious; hypocritical ";that innocent, teary-eyed look is just part of a disingenuous act"
devolve
synonyms: delegate, depute, pass [down/on], download, hand down/over/on, transfer, transmit, assign, consign, convey, entrust, turn over, give, cede, surrender, relinquish, deliver; be Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'roll down']: from Latin devolvere, from de- 'down' + volvere 'to roll.
diminutive
synonyms:tiny, small, little, petite, elfin, minute, miniature, mini, minuscule, compact, pocket, toy, midget, un Originlate Middle English [as a grammatical term]: from Old French diminutif, -ive, from late Latin diminutivus, from Latin deminut- 'diminished,' from the verb deminuere [see diminish]
discrete
individually separate and distinct synonyms: separate, distinct, individual, detached, unattached, disconnected, discontinuous, disjunct, disjoined ";discrete units of sound"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin discretus 'separate'; compare with discreet.
dilute
make [a liquid] thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent to it synonyms:make weaker, weaken, water down; thin out, thin; doctor, adulterate; informalcut ";strong bleach can be diluted with water" Originmid 16th century: from Latin dilut- 'washed away, dissolved,' from the verb diluer
discern
synonyms: perceive, make out, pick out, detect, recognize, notice, observe, see, spot; identify, determine, distinguish; literarydescry, espy ";they could discern a slender figure, probabl Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin discernere, from dis- 'apart' + cernere 'to separate.'
destitute
synonyms:penniless, poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken, impecunious, without a cent/penny [to one's name]; needy, in stra Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'deserted, abandoned, empty']: from Latin destitutus, past participle of destituere 'forsake,' from de- 'away from' + statuere 'to plac
discomfit
synonyms: embarrass, abash, disconcert, discompose, discomfort, take aback, unsettle, unnerve, Origin Middle English [in the sense 'defeat in battle']: from Old French desconfit, past participle of desconfire, based on Latin dis- [expressing reversal] + conficere 'put together' [see confection].
dilatory
slow to act synonyms:slow, tardy, unhurried, sluggish, sluggardly, snaillike, lazy ";he had been dilatory in appointing an executor" Originlate Middle English: from late Latin dilatorius 'delaying,' from Latin dilator 'delayer,' from dilat- 'deferred,' from the verb differre
disparage
synonyms: belittle, denigrate, deprecate, trivialize, make light of, undervalue, underrate, play down; rid Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'marry someone of unequal rank,' also 'bring discredit on']: from Old French desparagier 'marry someone of unequal rank,' based on Latin par 'equal.'
diadem
a jeweled crown or headband worn as a symbol of sovereign synonyms:crown, coronet, tiara, circlet, chaplet; literarycoronal ";the queen's jeweled diadem" OriginMiddle English: from Old French diademe, via Latin from Greek diadēma 'the regal headband of the Persian kings,' from diadein 'bind around.
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dour
synonyms: stern, unsmiling, unfriendly, severe, forbidding, gruff, surly, grim, sullen, solemn, austere, stony ";they were barely acknowledged by the dour r Origin late Middle English [originally Scots]: probably from Scottish Gaelic dúr 'dull, obstinate, stupid,' perhaps from Latin durus 'hard.'
eccentric
synonyms: unconventional, uncommon, abnormal, irregular, aberrant, anomalous, odd, queer, strange, peculiar, we Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting a circle or orbit not having the earth precisely at its center]: via late Latin from Greek ekkentros, from ek 'out of' + kentron 'center.'
ephebe
[in ancient Greece] a young man of 18-20 years undergoing military training Origin via Latin from Greek ephēbos 'adolescent boy,' from epi 'near to' + hēbē 'early manhood.'
edifying
synonyms: educate, instruct, teach, school, Origin Middle English: from Old French edifier, from Latin aedificare 'build,' from aedis 'dwelling' + facere 'make' [compare with edifice]. The word originally meant 'construct a building,' also 'strengthen,' hence to "build up" morally or spiritually.
enigma
a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to und synonyms: mystery, puzzle, riddle, conundrum, paradox, problem, quandary; a closed book; informalposer ";how it works is an enigma to me"; Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek ainigma, from ainissesthai 'speak allusively
dither
synonyms: hesitate, falter, waver, vacillate, change one's mind, be of two minds, be indecisive, be undecided; informalshilly-shally, dilly-dally ";stop dithering and make a decision" Origin mid 17th century [in the dialect sense 'tremble, quiver']: variant of dialect didder ; related to dodder1.
doughty
synonyms: fearless, dauntless, determined, resolute, indomitable, intrepid, plucky, spirited, bold, valiant, brave, stouthearted, courageous; informalgutsy, gutty, spunky, feisty, Origin late Old English dohtig, variant of dyhtig, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch duchtig and German tüchtig .
dogma
a principle or set of princi synonyms: teaching, belief, tenet, principle, precept, maxim, article of faith, canon; creed, credo, set of beliefs, doctrine, ideology ";a dogma of the Sikh religion"; Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek dogma 'opinion,' from dokein 'seem good, think.'
distaff
a stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound for spinning OriginOld English distæf : the first element is apparently related to Middle Low German dise, disene 'distaff, bunch of flax'; the second is staff1. The extended sense arose because spinning was traditionally done by women
epiphany
the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi [Matthew 2:1-12] Origin Middle English: from Greek epiphainein 'reveal.' The sense relating to the Christian festival is via Old French epiphanie and ecclesiastical Latin epiphania .
doyenne
a woman who is the most respected or prominent person in a particular field Origin mid 19th century: from French, feminine of doyen [see doyen].
egalitarian
of, relating to, or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities Origin late 19th century: from French égalitaire, from égal 'equal,' from Latin aequalis [see equal].
distrait
synonyms: distracted, preoccupied, absorbed, abstracted, distant, faraway; absentminded, vague, inattentive, in a brown study, woolgathering, with Origin mid 18th century: French, from Old French destrait, past participle of destraire 'distract,' from Latin distrahere 'pull apart' [see distract].
emulate
synonyms: imitate, copy, mirror, echo, follow, model oneself on; match, equal, parallel, be on a par with, be in the same league as, come close to; compete with, contend with, rival, su Origin late 16th century: from Latin aemulat- 'rivaled, equaled,' from the verb aemulari, from aemulus 'rival.'
divulge
synonyms: disclose, reveal, tell, communicate, pass on, publish, broadcast, proclaim; expose, uncover, make public, give away, let slip; inform Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'announce publicly']: from Latin divulgare, from di- 'widely' + vulgare 'publish' [from vulgus 'common people'].
doyen
the most respected or prominent person in a particular field Origin late 17th century: via French from Old French deien [see dean1].
edacious
of, relating to, or given to eating Origin early 19th century: from Latin edax, edac- [from edere 'eat'] + -ious.
eclectic
synonyms: wide-ranging, broad-based, extensive, comprehensive, encyclopedic; varied, diverse, catholic, all-embracing, multifaceted, multifarious, heterogeneous, m Origin late 17th century [as a term in philosophy]: from Greek eklektikos, from eklegein 'pick out,' from ek 'out' + legein 'choose.'
emollient
having the quality of softening or soothing the skin synonyms: moisturizing, soothing, softening ";a rich emollient shampoo"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin emollient- 'making soft,' from the verb emollire, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + mollis 'soft.'
elicit
synonyms: obtain, draw out, extract, bring out, evoke, call forth, bring forth, induce, prompt, generate, engender, trigger, provoke; fo Origin mid 17th century: from Latin elicit- 'drawn out by trickery or magic,' from the verb elicere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + lacere 'entice, deceive.'
ebullient
synonyms:exuberant, buoyant, cheerful, joyful, cheery, merry, jolly, sunny, jaunty, lighthearted, elated; animated, sparkling, vivacious, Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'boiling']: from Latin ebullient- 'boiling up,' from the verb ebullire, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + bullire 'to boil.
enervate
synonyms: exhaust, tire, fatigue, weary, wear out, devitalize, drain, sap, weaken, enfeeble, debilitate, incapacitate, prostrate; i Origin early 17th century: from Latin enervat- 'weakened [by extraction of the sinews],' from the verb enervare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of' + nervus 'sinew.'
effulgent
shining brightly; radiant Origin mid 18th century: from Latin effulgent- 'shining brightly,' from the verb effulgere, from ex- 'out' + fulgere 'to shine.'
distend
swell or cause to swell by pressure from inside synonyms: swollen, bloated, dilated, engorged, enlarged, inflated, expanded, extended, bulging, protuberant ";a distended abdomen"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin distendere, from dis- 'apart' + tendere 'to stretch.'
embellish
synonyms:decorate, adorn, ornament; beautify, enhance, grace; trim, garnish, gild; deck, bedeck, festoon, emblazon; informaltart up, pimp; literarybejewel, bedizen ";weapo Originlate Middle English: from Old French embelliss-, lengthened stem of embellir, based on bel 'handsome,' from Latin bellus
dissolution
the closing down synonyms: cessation, conclusion, end, ending, termination, winding up/down, discontinuation, suspension, disbanding; prorogation, recess ";the dissolution of the legislative session"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin dissolutio[n-], from the verb dissolvere [see dissolve].
dulcet
synonyms: sweet, soothing, mellow, honeyed, mellifluous, euphonious, pleasant, agreeable; melodious, melodic, lilting, lyrical, silvery, golden Origin late Middle English doucet, from Old French doucet, diminutive of doux, from Latin dulcis 'sweet.' The Latin form influenced the modern spelling.
dotard
an old person, especially one who has become weak or senile Origin late Middle English: from dote + -ard.
effete
synonyms: affected, pretentious, precious, mannered, overrefined; ineffectual; informalla-di-da ";effete trendies" Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'no longer fertile, past bearing young']: from Latin effetus 'worn out by bearing young,' from ex- 'out' + fetus 'breeding'; related to fetus.
duplicity
synonyms: deceitfulness, deceit, deception, double-dealing, underhandedness, dishonesty, fraud, fraudulence, sharp practice, chicanery, trickery, subterfuge, skulduggery, tre Origin late Middle English: from Old French duplicite or late Latin duplicitas, from Latin duplic- 'twofold' [see duplex].
dudgeon
a feeling of offense or deep resentment synonyms: indignantly, resentfully, angrily, furiously; in a temper, in anger, with displeasure; informalin a huff, seeing red ";the sponsors from Cleveland stormed out in high dudgeon"; Origin late 16th century: of unknown origin.
ensconce
synonyms:settle, install, plant, position, seat, sit; establish, nestle; hide away, tuck away; informalpark, plonk ";Agnes ensconced herself i Originlate 16th century [in the senses 'fortify' and 'shelter within or behind a fortification'; formerly also as insconce ]: from en-1, in-2 'in' + sconce2
engender
synonyms:cause, be the cause of, give rise to, bring about, occasion, lead to, result in, produce, create, generate, arouse, rouse, inspire, provoke, OriginMiddle English [formerly also as ingender ]: from Old French engendrer, from Latin ingenerare, from in- 'in' + generare 'beget' [see generate]
encumber
synonyms: hamper, hinder, obstruct, impede, cramp, inhibit, restrict, limit, constrain, restrain, bog down, retard, slow [do Origin Middle English [in the sense 'cause trouble to, entangle'; formerly also as incumber ]: from Old French encombrer 'block up,' from en- 'in' + combre 'river barrage.'
enjoin
synonyms: urge, encourage, admonish, press; instruct, direct, require, order, command, tell, call on, demand, charge; formaladjure; Origin Middle English [formerly also as injoin ]: from Old French enjoindre, from Latin injungere 'join, attach, impose,' from in- 'in, toward' + jungere 'to join.'
encaustic
[especially in painting and ceramics] using pigments mixed with hot wax that are burned in as an inlay Origin late 16th century: via Latin from Greek enkaustikos, from enkaiein 'burn in,' from en- 'in' + kaiein 'to burn.'
doggerel
comic verse composed in irregular rhythm Origin late Middle English [as an adjective describing such verse]: apparently from dog [used contemptuously, as in dog Latin] + -rel.
effable
able to be described in words Origin early 17th century: from Latin effabilis, from effari 'utter.'
egress
the action of going out of or leaving a place synonyms:departure, exit, withdrawal, retreat, exodus; escape ";a means of egress" Originmid 16th century: from Latin egressus 'gone out,' from the verb egredi, from ex- 'out' + gradi 'to step.
dyke
a lesbian synonyms: embankment, levee; ditch, trench, gutter ";the dikes were destroyed in the flood"; Origin 1940s [earlier as bulldyke]: of unknown origin.
doxy
a lover or mistress Originmid 16th century [originally slang]: of unknown origin
dross
something regarde synonyms: rubbish, junk; debris, chaff, detritus, flotsam and jetsam, garbage, trash, dreck ";trying to find something decent among the discount-house dross"; Origin Old English drōs [in the sense 'scum on molten metal']; related to Dutch droesem and German Drusen 'dregs, lees.'
eloquent
synonyms: fluent, articulate, expressive, silver-tongued; persuasive, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, well expressed, effective, lucid, vivid, graphic; smooth-tongued, glib "; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin eloquent- 'speaking out,' from the verb eloqui [see eloquence].
edict
synonyms: decree, order, command, commandment, mandate, proclamation, pronouncement, dictate, fiat, promulgation; law, statute, act, bill, rul Origin Middle English: from Latin edictum 'something proclaimed,' neuter past participle of edicere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + dicere 'say, tell.'
elegy
a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead synonyms: lament, requiem, threnody, dirge; literaryplaint; keen ";an elegy for his father"; Origin early 16th century: from French élégie, or via Latin, from Greek elegeia, from elegos 'mournful poem.'
ephemeral
lasting for a very short time synonyms: transitory, transient, fleeting, passing, short-lived, momentary, brief, short; temporary, impermanent, short-term; fly-by-night ";last year's ephemeral fashions"; Origin late 16th century: from Greek ephēmeros [see ephemera] + -al.
epigram
synonyms: witticism, quip, jest, pun, bon mot; saying, maxim, adage, aphorism, apophthegm; informalone-liner, wisecrack, [old] chestnut ";a collection of humorous Origin late Middle English: from French épigramme, or Latin epigramma, from Greek, from epi 'upon, in addition' + gramma [see -gram1].
droll
synonyms: funny, humorous, amusing, comic, comical, mirthful, hilarious; clownish, farcical, zany, quirky; jocular, lighthearted, whimsical, facetious, witty, clever, wry, tongue-in-che Origin early 17th century [as an adjective]: from French drôle, perhaps from Middle Dutch drolle 'imp, goblin.'
encomium
a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or someth synonyms: eulogy, panegyric, paean, accolade, tribute, testimonial; praise, acclaim, acclamation, homage ";the poet's encomium to the king"; Origin mid 16th century: Latin, from Greek enkōmion 'eulogy,' from en- 'within' + komos 'revel.'
embroiled
involve [someone] deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation synonyms: involve, entangle, ensnare, enmesh, catch up, mix up, bog down, mire ";I don't want to get embroiled in your crazy schemes"; Origin early 17th century: from French embrouiller 'to muddle.'
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essay
synonyms: artic Origin late 15th century [as a verb in the sense 'test the quality of']: alteration of assay, by association with Old French essayer, based on late Latin exagium 'weighing,' from the base of exigere 'ascertain, weigh'; the noun [late 16th century] is from Old French essai 'trial.'
exposition
a comprehensive description an synonyms: explanation, description, elucidation, explication, interpretation; account, commentary, appraisal, assessment, discussion, exegesis ";a lucid exposition"; Origin Middle English: from Latin expositio[n-], from the verb exponere 'put out, exhibit, explain.'
equivocate
synonyms: prevaricate, be evasive, be noncommittal, be vague, be ambiguous, dodge the question, beat ar Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'use a word in more than one sense']: from late Latin aequivocat- 'called by the same name,' from the verb aequivocare, from aequivocus [see equivocal].
extirpate
synonyms: weed out, destroy, eradicate, stamp out, root out, wipe out, eliminate, suppress, crush, put down, put an end to, get rid of ";the use of every legal measure to extirpate this horrible Origin late Middle English [as extirpation ]: from Latin exstirpare, from ex- 'out' + stirps 'a stem.'
explicate
synonyms: explain, make explicit, clarify, make plain/clear, spell out, untangle; interpret, translate, elucidate, expound, illuminate, throw light on ";I'm not sure anyone could Origin mid 16th century: from Latin explicat- 'unfolded,' from the verb explicare, from ex- 'out' + plicare 'to fold.'
expound
OriginMiddle English expoune [in the sense 'explain [what is difficult]']: from Old French espon-, present tense stem of espondre, from Latin exponere 'expose, publish, explain,' from ex- 'out' + ponere 'put.' The origin of the final -d [recorded from the Middle English period] is uncertain [compar
exacting
synonyms: demanding, stringent, testing, challengin Origin late Middle English [as a verb]: from Latin exact- 'completed, ascertained, enforced,' from the verb exigere, from ex- 'thoroughly' + agere 'perform.' The adjective dates from the mid 16th century and reflects the Latin exactus 'precise.'
eulogy
synonyms: accolade, panegyr Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'high praise']: from medieval Latin eulogium, eulogia [from Greek eulogia 'praise'], apparently influenced by Latin elogium 'inscription on a tomb' [from Greek elegia 'elegy']. The current sense dates from the late 16th century.
excerpt
a synonyms: extract, part, section, piece, portion, snippet, clip, bit, sample; reading, citation, quotation, quote, line, passage ";an excerpt from the poem"; Origin mid 16th century [as a verb]: from Latin excerpt- 'plucked out,' from the verb excerpere, from ex- 'out of' + carpere 'to pluck.'
execrate
feel or express great loathing for Origin mid 16th century: from Latin exsecrat- 'cursed,' from the verb exsecrari, based on sacrare 'dedicate' [from sacer 'sacred'].
euphemism
synonyms: polite term, indirect term, circumlocution, substitute, alternative, understatement, genteelism ";'influential person' is the local euphemism for underworld don" Origin late 16th century: from Greek euphēmismos, from euphēmizein 'use auspicious words,' from eu 'well' + phēmē 'speaking.'
eschew
synonyms: abstain from, refrain from, give up, forgo, shun, renounce, steer clear of, have nothing to do with, fight shy of; relinquish, reject, disavow, abandon Origin late Middle English: from Old French eschiver, ultimately of Germanic origin and related to German scheuen 'shun,' also to shy1.
extenuating
synonyms:excuse, mitigate, palliate, make allowances for, make excuses for, defend, vindicate, justify; diminish, lessen, moderate, qualify, play down " Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'make thin, emaciate']: from Latin extenuat- 'made thin,' from the verb extenuare [based on tenuis 'thin']
exigent
pressing; demanding Originearly 17th century: from Latin exigent- 'completing, ascertaining,' from the verb exigere [see exact]
expunge
synonyms: erase, remove, delete, rub out, wipe out, efface; cross out, strike out, blot out, destroy, obliterate, scratch, eradicate, eliminate, deep-six ";a moment that ca Origin early 17th century: from Latin expungere 'mark for deletion by means of points,' from ex- 'out' + pungere 'to prick.'
expiate
synonyms: atone for, make amends for, make up for, do penance for, pay for, redress, redee Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'end [rage, sorrow, etc.] by suffering it to the full']: from Latin expiat- 'appeased by sacrifice,' from the verb expiare, from ex- 'out' + piare [from pius 'pious'].
exiguous
very small synonyms: meager, inadequate, insufficient, small, scanty, paltry, negligible, modest, deficient, miserly, niggardly, beggarly; informalmeasly, stingy, piddling ";Bob Cratchit's exiguous wages"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin exiguus 'scanty' [from exigere 'weigh exactly'] + -ous.
epoch
Origin early 17th century [in the Latin form epocha ; originally in the general sense of a date from which succeeding years are numbered]: from modern Latin epocha, from Greek epokhē 'stoppage, fixed point of time,' from epekhein 'stop, take up a position,' from epi 'upon, near to' + ekhein 'stay,
exhort
synonyms: urge, encourage, call on, enjoin, charge, press; bid, appeal to, entreat, implore, beg; formaladjure; literarybeseech ";the president exhorted state legislatures to beef Origin late Middle English: from Old French exhorter or Latin exhortari, from ex- 'thoroughly' + hortari 'encourage.'
expendable
[of an object] designed to be used only once synonyms: dispensable, replaceable, nonessential, inessential, unnecessary, noncore, unneeded, not required, superfluous, disposable ";an accountant decided Mathers was expendable"; disposable, throwaway, single-use ";an expendable satellite launcher";
exegesis
critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture synonyms: interpretation, explanation, exposition, explication ";the exegesis of ancient texts"; Origin early 17th century: from Greek exēgēsis, from exēgeisthai 'interpret,' from ex- 'out of' + hēgeisthai 'to guide, lead.'
excoriate
censure or criticize severely synonyms: abrade, rub away, rub raw, scrape, scratch, chafe; strip away, skin ";the skin had been excoriated"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin excoriat- 'skinned,' from the verb excoriare, from ex- 'out, from' + corium 'skin, hide.'
errant
synonyms: offending, guilty, culpable, misbeha Origin Middle English [sense 2]: sense 1 from Latin errant- 'erring,' from the verb errare ; sense 2 from Old French errant 'traveling,' present participle of errer, from late Latin iterare 'go on a journey,' from iter 'journey.' Compare with arrant.
extant
synonyms: still existing, in existence, existent, surviving, remaining, undestroyed ";ext Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'accessible, able to be publicly seen or reached']: from Latin exstant- 'being visible or prominent, existing,' from the verb exstare, from ex- 'out' + stare 'to stand.'
evoke
synonyms:bring to mind, put one in mind of, conjure up, summon [up], invoke, elicit, induce, kindle, stimulate, stir up, awaken, arouse, call forth; recall, echo, capture ";the music Originearly 17th century [sense 2]: from Latin evocare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of, from' + vocare 'to call.
exacerbate
synonyms: aggravate, worsen, inflame, compound; intens Origin mid 17th century: from Latin exacerbat- 'made harsh,' from the verb exacerbare, from ex- [expressing inducement of a state] + acerbus 'harsh, bitter.' The noun exacerbation [late Middle English] originally meant 'provocation to anger.'
erudite
synonyms:learned, scholarly, educated, knowledgeable, well read, well informed, intellectual; intelligent, clever, academic, literary; bookish, highbrow, sophisticated, ce Originlate Middle English: from Latin eruditus, past participle of erudire 'instruct, train' [based on rudis 'rude, untrained']
equanimity
synonyms: composure, calm, level-headedness, self-possession, coolheadedness, presence of mind; serenity, tranquility, phlegm, imperturbability, equilibrium; poise Origin early 17th century [also in the sense 'fairness, impartiality']: from Latin aequanimitas, from aequus 'equal' + animus 'mind.'
eradicate
synonyms:eliminate, get rid of, remove, obliterate; exterminate, destroy, annihilate, kill, wipe out; abolish Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'pull up by the roots']: from Latin eradicat- 'torn up by the roots,' from the verb eradicare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + radix, radic- 'root.
esoteric
synonyms: abstruse, obscure, arcane, recherché, rarefied, recondite, abstract; enigmatic, inscrutable, cryptic, Delphic; complex, complicated, incomprehensible, o Origin mid 17th century: from Greek esōterikos, from esōterō, comparative of esō 'within,' from es, eis 'into.' Compare with exoteric.
evince
synonyms:reveal, show, make plain, manifest, indicate, display, exhibit, demonstrate, evidence, attest to; convey, communicate, proclaim, bespeak; informalooze ";his letters ev Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'prove by argument or evidence']: from Latin evincere 'overcome, defeat' [see evict]
evanesce
pass out of sight, memory, or existence Originmid 19th century: from Latin evanescere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of' + vanus 'empty.
exculpate
show or declare that [someone] is not guilty of wrongdoing Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin exculpat- 'freed from blame,' from the verb exculpare, from ex- 'out, from' + Latin culpa 'blame.'
expansive
covering a wide area in terms of space or scope; extensive or wide-ranging synonyms:extensive, sweeping, rolling ";expansive grassland";wide-ranging, extensive, broad, wide, comprehensive, thorough, full-scale ";expansive coverage"
expatiate
synonyms: speak/write at length, go into detail, expound, dwell, dilate, expand, enlarge, elaborate; formalperorate ";he Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'roam freely']: from Latin exspatiari 'move beyond one's usual bounds,' from ex- 'out, from' + spatiari 'to walk' [from spatium 'space'].
exempt
free from an obligation or liability imposed on others synonyms:free from, not liable to, not subject to, exempted from, excepted from, excused of/from, absolved of ";they are exempt from all charges" Originlate Middle English: from Latin exemptus 'taken out, freed,' past participle of eximere
expostulate
synonyms: remonstrate with, disagree with, argue with, take issue with, protest against, reason against, express disagr Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'demand how or why, state a complaint']: from Latin expostulat- 'demanded,' from the verb expostulare, from ex- 'out' + postulare 'demand.'
exalt
hold [someone or something] in very synonyms: extol, praise, acclaim, esteem; pay homage to, revere, venerate, worship, lionize, idolize, look up to; informalput on a pedestal, laud ";they exalted their hero"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin exaltare, from ex- 'out, upward' + altus 'high.'
ersatz
[of a product] made or used as a synonyms: artificial, substitute, imitation, synthetic, fake, false, faux, mock, simulated; pseudo, sham, bogus, spurious, counterfeit; manufactured, man-made; informalphony, wannabe ";ersatz coffee"; Origin late 19th century: from German, literally 'replacement.'
exasperated
synonyms: infuriate, incense, anger, annoy, irritate, madden, enrage, antagonize, provoke, irk, vex, get on someone's nerves, ruffle someone's feathers, rub the wrong way; infor Origin mid 16th century: from Latin exasperat- 'irritated to anger,' from the verb exasperare [based on asper 'rough'].
extol
synonyms: praise enthusiastically, go into raptures about/over, wax lyrical about, sing the praises of, praise to the skies, acclaim, exalt, eulogize, adulate, rhapsodize over, rave about, enthuse about/ov Origin late Middle English: from Latin extollere, from ex- 'out, upward' + tollere 'raise.'
expletive
syno Origin late Middle English [as an adjective]: from late Latin expletivus, from explere 'fill out,' from ex- 'out' + plere 'fill.' The general noun sense 'word used merely to fill out a sentence' [early 17th century] was applied specifically to an oath or swear word in the early 19th century.
exult
synonyms: rejoice, be joyful, be happy, be delighted, be elated, be ecstatic, be overjoyed, be jubilant, be rapturous, be in raptures, be thrilled, jump for joy, be on c Origin late 16th century: from Latin exsultare, frequentative of exsilire 'leap up,' from ex- 'out, upward' + salire 'to leap.'
esurient
hungry or greedy Origin late 17th century: from Latin esurient- 'being hungry,' from the verb esurire, from esse 'eat.'
evanescent
synonyms: vanishing, fading, evaporating, melting away, disappearing; ephemeral, fleeting, short-lived, short-term, transitory, transient, fugitive, tem Origin early 18th century [in the sense 'almost imperceptible']: from Latin evanescent- 'disappearing,' from the verb evanescere [see evanesce].
example
a thing characteristi synonyms:specimen, sample, exemplar, exemplification, instance, case, illustration, case in point ";a fine example of Chinese porcelain" Originlate Middle English: from Old French, from Latin exemplum, from eximere 'take out,' from ex- 'out' + emere 'take.' Compare with sample
etiology
the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition Origin mid 16th century: via medieval Latin from Greek aitiologia, from aitia 'a cause' + -logia [see -logy].
extrude
thrust or force out synonyms: force out, thrust out, express, eject, expel, release, emit ";machines extrude the plastics that become jars and bottles"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin extrudere, from ex- 'out' + trudere 'to thrust.'
exonerate
[especially of an official body] absolve [someone] from synonyms:absolve, clear, acquit, find innocent, discharge; formalexculpate ";the inquiry exonerated them" Originlate Middle English: from Latin exonerat- 'freed from a burden,' from the verb exonerare, from ex- 'from' + onus, oner- 'a burden.
equitable
synonyms:fair, just, impartial, even-handed, unbiased, unprejudiced, egalitarian; disinterested, objective, neutral, nonpartisan, open-minded; informalfair and square ";a plan to distribute the burden of taxes in an equitable w Originmid 16th century: from French équitable, from équité [see equity]
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folderol
trivial or nonsensical fuss
fidelity
faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing synonyms:loyalty, allegiance, obedience; historicalhomage, fealty ";fidelity to your king" Originlate Middle English: from Old French fidelite or Latin fidelitas, from fidelis 'faithful,' from fides 'faith.' Compare with fealty
Fay
a fairy Origin late Middle English: from Old French fae, faie, from Latin fata 'the Fates,' plural of fatum [see fate]. Compare with fairy.
forlorn
synonyms: unhappy, sad, miserable, sorrowful, dejected, despon Origin Old English forloren 'depraved, morally abandoned,' past participle of forlēosan 'lose,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch verliezen and German verlieren, and ultimately to for- and lose. Sense 1 dates from the 16th century.
florid
having a red or flushed complexion synonyms: ruddy, red, red-faced, rosy, rosy-cheeked, pink; flushed, blushing, high-colored; archaicsanguine ";a florid complexion"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin floridus, from flos, flor- 'flower.'
flout
synonyms: defy, refuse to obey, disobey, break, violate, fail to comply with, fail to observe, contravene, infringe, Origin mid 16th century: perhaps from Dutch fluiten 'whistle, play the flute, hiss [in derision']; German dialect pfeifen auf, literally 'pipe at,' has a similar extended meaning.
fractious
synonyms: grumpy, bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, crotchety, grouchy, cantankerous, short-tempered, tetchy, testy, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-humored, peevish, cross, waspish, crabby, crusty, Origin late 17th century: from fraction, probably on the pattern of the pair faction, factious .
facetious
synonyms:flippant, flip, glib, frivolous, tongue-in-cheek, ironic, sardonic, joking, jokey, jocular, playful, sportive, teasing, mischievous; witty, Originlate 16th century [in the general sense 'witty, amusing']: from French facétieux, from facétie, from Latin facetia 'jest,' from facetus 'witty.
faction
synonyms: clique, coterie, caucus, cabal, bloc, camp, group, grouping, sector, section, wing, arm, branch, set; ginger group, pressure group ";a faction of the pa Origin late 15th century [denoting the action of doing or making something]: via French from Latin factio[n-], from facere 'do, make.'
filial
of or due from a son or daughter synonyms:dutiful, devoted, compliant, respectful, affectionate, loving ";a display of filial affection" Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from ecclesiastical Latin filialis, from filius 'son,' filia 'daughter.
flocculant
a substance that promotes the clumping of particles, especially one used in treating waste water
ford
a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across synonyms: crossing place, crossing; shallow place ";a ford across the river"; Origin Old English; related to Dutch voorde, also to fare.
fratricide
the killing of one's brother or sister Originlate 15th century [denoting a person who kills their brother or sister, derived from Latin fratricida ]: the primary current sense comes via French from late Latin fratricidium, from frater 'brother' + -cidium [see -cide]
founder
[of a ship] fill with water and sink synonyms: sink, go to the bottom, go down, be lost at sea ";the ship foundered"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'knock to the ground']: from Old French fondrer, esfondrer 'submerge, collapse,' based on Latin fundus 'bottom, base.'
farrow
a litter of pigs Origin Old English fearh, færh 'young pig,' from an Indo-European root shared by Greek porkos and Latin porcus 'pig.'
foible
synonyms: weakness, failing, shortcoming, flaw, imperfection, blemish, Origin late 16th century [as an adjective in the sense 'feeble']: from obsolete French, in Old French fieble [see feeble]. Both noun senses also formerly occurred as senses of the word feeble and all date from the 17th century
facetious
synonyms:flippant, flip, glib, frivolous, tongue-in-cheek, ironic, sardonic, joking, jokey, jocular, playful, sportive, teasing, mischievous; witty, Originlate 16th century [in the general sense 'witty, amusing']: from French facétieux, from facétie, from Latin facetia 'jest,' from facetus 'witty.
ferret
synonyms: rummage, feel around, grope around, forage around, fish around/about, poke around/about; search through, hunt through, rifle through ";she ferreted Origin late Middle English: from Old French fuiret, alteration of fuiron, based on late Latin furo 'thief, ferret,' from Latin fur 'thief.'
fracas
synonyms: disturbance, brawl, melee, rumpus, skirmish, struggle, scuffle, scrum, clash, fisticuffs, altercation; informalscrap, dust-up, set-to, donnybrook; vulgar slangshitstorm ";the fracas in the alley Origin early 18th century: French, from fracasser, from Italian fracassare 'make an uproar.'
facsimile
synonyms: copy, reproduction, duplicate, photocopy, replica, likeness, print, reprin Origin late 16th century [originally as fac simile, denoting the making of an exact copy, especially of writing]: modern Latin, from Latin fac! [imperative of facere 'make'] and simile [neuter of similis 'like'].
finesse
intricate and refined delicacy synonyms: skill, skillfulness, expertise, subtlety, flair, panache, elan, polish, artistry, virtuosity, mastery ";masterly finesse"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'purity, delicacy']: from French, related to fine1.
fresco
a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors penetrate the plaster an Origin late 16th century: Italian, literally 'cool, fresh.' The word was first recorded in the phrase in fresco, representing Italian affresco, al fresco 'on the fresh [plaster].'
factitious
synonyms: bogus, fake, specious, false, counterfeit, fraudulent, spurious, sham, mock, feigned, affected, pretended, contrived, engineered, inauthentic, ersa Origin mid 17th century [in the general sense 'made by human skill or effort']: from Latin facticius 'made by art,' from facere 'do, make.'
fervid
synonyms: fervent, ardent, passionate, impassioned, intense, vehement, wholehearted, heartfelt, sincere, earnest; literaryperfervid ";fervid protestations of love" Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'glowing, hot']: from Latin fervidus, from fervere 'to boil.' Compare with fervent and fervor.
fraction
synonyms: tiny part, fragment, snippet, snatch, smattering, selection ";only a fraction of the collection"; tiny amount, little, bit, touch, soupçon, trifle, mite, Origin late Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin fractio[n-] 'breaking [bread],' from Latin frangere 'to break.'
Felicitous
well chosen or suited to the circumstances synonyms: apt, well chosen, fitting, suitable, appropriate, apposite, pertinent, germane, relevant ";his nickname was particularly felicitous";
flagrant
synonyms: blatant, glaring, obvious, overt, conspicuous, barefaced, shameless, brazen, undisguised, unconcealed; outrageous, scandalous, shocking, disgraceful, Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'blazing, resplendent']: from French, or from Latin flagrant- 'blazing,' from the verb flagrare .
fortuitous
synonyms: chance, adventitious, unexpected, unanticipated, unpredictable, unforeseen, unlooked-for, serendipitous, casual, incidental, coincidental, random, accidental, inadvertent, unintentional, uni Origin mid 17th century: from Latin fortuitus, from forte 'by chance,' from fors 'chance, luck.'
fetor
a strong, foul smell Origin late 15th century: from Latin, from fetere 'to stink.' Compare with fetid.
fetid
synonyms: stinking, smelly, foul-smelling, malodorous, reeking, pungent, acrid, high, rank, foul, noxious, humming; informalfunky; literarynoisome, miasmic, miasmal; i Origin late Middle English: from Latin fetidus [often erroneously spelled foetidus ], from fetere 'to stink.' Compare with fetor.
fetter
a chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the synonyms: shackles, manacles, handcuffs, irons, leg irons, chains, restraints; informalcuffs, bracelets; historicalbilboes ";bound by fetters of iron"; Origin Old English feter ; from an Indo-European root shared by foot.
felicific
relating to or promoting increased happiness Origin mid 19th century: from Latin felicificus, from felix, felic- 'happy.'
facile
[especially of a theory or argument] appearing nea synonyms: simplistic, superficial, oversimplified; shallow, glib, jejune, naive; dime-store ";a facile explanation"; Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'easily accomplished']: from French, or from Latin facilis 'easy,' from facere 'do, make.'
fey
giving an impression of vague unworldliness Origin Old English fǣge [in the sense 'fated to die soon'].
fate
the development synonyms: destiny, providence, the stars, chance, luck, serendipity, fortune, kismet, karma ";what has fate in store for me?"; Origin late Middle English: from Italian fato or Old French fat or [later] from their source, Latin fatum 'that which has been spoken,' from fari 'speak.'
fawn
synonyms: be obsequious to, be sycophantic to, curry favor with, flatter, play up to, crawl to, ingratiate oneself with, dance attendance on; informalsuck up to, be all over, brown-nose, toady Origin late Middle English: from Old French faon, based on Latin fetus 'offspring'; compare with fetus.
fealty
a feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord Origin Middle English: from Old French feau[l]te, fealte, from Latin fidelitas [see fidelity].
fallacy
synonyms: misconception, misbelief, delusion, mistaken impression, error, misapprehension, misinterpretation, m Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'deception, guile'; gradually superseding Middle English fallace ]: from Latin fallacia, from fallax, fallac- 'deceiving,' from fallere 'deceive.'
feckless
synonyms: useless, worthless, incompetent, inept, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well; lazy, idle, slothful, indolent, irresponsible, shiftless; informalno-good, no-account ";the feckless Origin late 16th century: from Scots and northern English dialect feck [from effeck, variant of effect] + -less.
feral
[especially of an animal] in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication synonyms: wild, untamed, untamable, undomesticated, untrained ";feral dogs"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin fera 'wild animal' [from ferus 'wild'] + -al.
flustered
synonyms: unsettle, make nervous, unnerve, agitate, ruffle, upset, bother, put on edge, disquiet, disturb, worry, perturb, disconcert, confuse, throw o Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'make slightly drunk']: perhaps of Scandinavian origin and related to Icelandic flaustra 'hurry, bustle.'
fell
of terrible evil or ferocity; deadly synonyms: murderous, savage, violent, vicious, fierce, ferocious, barbarous, barbaric, monstrous, cruel, ruthless; archaicsanguinary ";a fell intent"; Origin Middle English: from Old French fel, nominative of felon 'wicked [person'] [see felon1].
fanatic
Origin mid 16th century [as an adjective]: from French fanatique or Latin fanaticus 'of a temple, inspired by a god,' from fanum 'temple.' The adjective originally described behavior or speech that might result from possession by a god or demon, hence the earliest sense of the noun 'a religious ma
flag
synonyms: tire, grow tired/weary, weaken, grow weak, wilt, droop, fade, run out of steam ";they were flagging toward the finish"; fade, decline, wane, ebb, diminish, decrease, lessen, Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'flap about loosely, hang down']: related to obsolete flag 'hanging down.'
forfend
avert, keep away, or prevent [something evil or unpleasant]
foment
synonyms: instigate, incite, provoke, agitate, excite, stir up, whip up, encourage, urge, fan the flames of ";they were accused of fomenti Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from French fomenter, from late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum 'poultice, lotion,' from fovere 'to heat, cherish.'
finagle
obtain [something] by devious or dishonest means Origin 1920s [originally U.S.]: from dialect fainaigue 'cheat'; perhaps from Old French fornier 'deny.'
flippant
synonyms:frivolous, facetious, tongue-in-cheek; disrespectful, i Originearly 17th century: from flip1 + -ant, perhaps on the pattern of heraldic terms such as couchant and rampant . Early senses included 'nimble' and 'talkative,' hence 'playful,' giving rise to the current use 'lacking seriousness.
fastidious
synonyms: scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, meticulous; perfectionist, fussy, finicky, overparticu Origin late Middle English: from Latin fastidiosus, from fastidium 'loathing.' The word originally meant 'disagreeable, distasteful,' later 'disgusted' Current senses date from the 17th century.
fatuous
silly and pointless synonyms: silly, foolish, stupid, inane, idiotic, vacuous, asinine; pointless, senseless, ridiculous, ludicrous, absurd; informaldumb, daft ";the irritation of fatuous questions"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin fatuus 'foolish' + -ous.
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gregarious
[of a person] fond of company; sociab synonyms: sociable, company-loving, convivial, companionable, outgoing, friendly, affable, amiable, genial, warm, comradely; informalchummy ";he was fun-loving and gregarious"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin gregarius [from grex, greg- 'a flock'] + -ous.
harbinger
Origin Middle English: from Old French herbergere, from herbergier 'provide lodging for,' from herberge 'lodging,' from Old Saxon heriberga 'shelter for an army, lodging' [from heri 'army' + a Germanic base meaning 'fortified place'], related to harbor. The term originally denoted a person who pro
fulminate
Origin late Middle English: from Latin fulminat- 'struck by lightning,' from fulmen, fulmin- 'lightning.' The earliest sense [derived from medieval Latin fulminare ] was 'denounce formally,' later 'issue formal censures' [originally said of the pope]. A sense 'emit thunder and lightning,' based on
fustian
Origin Middle English: from Old French fustaigne, from medieval Latin fustaneum, from [pannus] fustaneus 'cloth from Fostat,' a suburb of Cairo; sense 2 perhaps from the fact that fustian was sometimes used to cover pillows and cushions, implying that the language was "padded"; compare with bombas
fulsome
synonyms: excessive, extravagant, overdone, immoderate, inordinate, over-appreciative, flattering, adulatory, fawning, unctuous, ingratiating, cloying, saccharine; enthusiastic, effusive, rapturous, glowing, gushing, profuse, g Origin Middle English [in the sense 'abundant']: from full1 + -some1.
harried
feeling strained as a result of having demands persi synonyms: attack, assail, assault; charge, rush, strike, set upon; bombard, shell, strafe ";they harried the retreating enemy"; Origin Old English herian, hergian, of Germanic origin, probably influenced by Old French harier, in the same sense.
garrulous
synonyms: talkative, loquacious, voluble, verbose, chatty, chattering, gossipy; effusive, expansive, forthcoming, conversational, communicative; informalmouthy, gabby, gassy, windy, having the gift of [the Origin early 17th century: from Latin garrulus [from garrire 'to chatter, prattle'] + -ous.
germane
synonyms: relevant, pertinent, applicable, apposite, material; apropos, appropriate, apt, fitting, suitable; connected, related, akin Origin early 17th century: variant of german, with which it was synonymous from Middle English. The current sense has arisen from a usage in Shakespeare's Hamlet .
graft
syno Origin late Middle English graff, from Old French grafe, via Latin from Greek graphion 'stylus, writing implement' [with reference to the tapered tip of the scion], from graphein 'write.' The final -t is typical of phonetic confusion between -f and -ft at the end of words; compare with tuft.
heterodox
synonyms: unorthodox, nonconformist, dissenting, dissident, rebellious, renegade; heretical, blasphemous, recusant, apostate, skeptical; f Origin early 17th century [originally as a noun denoting an unorthodox opinion]: via late Latin from Greek heterodoxos, from heteros 'other' + doxa 'opinion.'
gumption
synonyms: initiative, resourcefulness, enterprise, ingenuity, imagination; astuteness, shrewdness, acumen, sense, common sense, wit, mother wit, practicality; spirit, backbone, pluck, mettle, nerve, courage, wherewithal; informalget Origin early 18th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.
gossamer
a fine, filmy substance consistin synonyms: cobwebs; silk, gauze, chiffon ";her dress swirled like gossamer"; Origin Middle English: apparently from goose + summer1, perhaps from the time of year around St. Martin's summer, i.e., early November, when geese were eaten [gossamer being common then].
hack
cut with rough or heavy blows synonyms: cut, chop, hew, lop, saw; slash ";Stuart hacked the padlock off"; Origin Old English haccian 'cut in pieces'; related to Dutch hakken and German hacken .
grouse
a medium to large g synonyms: grumble, complain, protest, whine, bleat, carp, cavil, make a fuss; informalmoan, bellyache, gripe, beef, bitch, grouch, sound off, kvetch ";she groused about the food"; Origin early 16th century: perhaps related to medieval Latin gruta or to Old French grue 'crane.'
gauche
synonyms: awkward, gawky, inelegant, graceless, ungraceful, ungainly, maladroit, klutzy, inept; lacking in social grace[s], unsophisticated, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, raw, inexperienced, unworldly ";Rose was embarrassed by her gauche r Origin mid 18th century: French, literally 'left.'
heinous
synonyms: odious, wicked, evil, atrocious, monstrous, abominable, detestable, contemptible, reprehensible, despicable, egregious, horrific, terrible, awful, abhorrent, loathsome, hideous, unspeakable, ex Origin late Middle English: from Old French haineus, from hair 'to hate,' of Germanic origin.
histrionic
synonyms: melodramatic, theatrical, dramatic, exaggerated, stagy, actorly, showy, affected, artificial, overacted, overdone; informalhammy, ham, campy ";a Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'dramatically exaggerated, hypocritical']: from late Latin histrionicus, from Latin histrio[n-] 'actor.'
gauntlet
a stout glove with a long loose wrist Originlate Middle English: from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant 'glove,' of Germanic origin
hagiolatry
the worship of saints
glut
an excessively abundant supply of something synonyms: surplus, excess, surfeit, superfluity, overabundance, superabundance, oversupply, plethora ";a glut of cars"; Origin Middle English: probably via Old French from Latin gluttire 'to swallow'; related to glutton.
homogenous
synonyms: uniform, identical, unvaried, consistent, indistinguishable, homologous, homogenized; alike, similar, the same, much the same, all of a piece, melting-pot ";should the members of a society become so homogeneo Origin late 19th century: from homo- 'same' + Greek genos 'race, kind' + -ous.
hedonism
synonyms: self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking, self-gratification, lotus-eating, sybaritism; intemperance, immoderation, extravagance, luxury, high living ";they feel that television promotes hedonism among all its viewers, especially ch Origin mid 19th century: from Greek hēdonē 'pleasure' + -ism.
harangue
synonyms: tirade, diatribe, lecture, polemic, rant, fulmination, broadside, attack, onslaught; crit Origin late Middle English: from Old French arenge, from medieval Latin harenga, perhaps of Germanic origin. The spelling was later altered to conform with French harangue [noun], haranguer [verb].
heteroclite
abnormal or irregular Origin late 15th century: via late Latin from Greek heteroklitos, from heteros 'other' + -klitos 'inflected' [from klinein 'to lean, inflect'].
halcyon
synonyms: happy, golden, idyllic, carefree, blissful, joyful, joyous, contented; flourishing, thriving, prosperous, successful; se Origin late Middle English [in the mythological sense]: via Latin from Greek alkuōn 'kingfisher' [also halkuōn, by association with hals 'sea' and kuōn 'conceiving'].
hagiography
the writing of the lives of saints
gambit
[in ch synonyms: stratagem, scheme, plan, tactic, maneuver, move, course/line of action, device; machination, ruse, trick, ploy, wangle ";the most ambitious financial gambit in history"; Origin mid 17th century: originally gambett, from Italian gambetto, literally 'tripping up,' from gamba 'leg.'
hoi polloi
synonyms: masses, common people, populace, public, multitude, rank and file, lower order[s], plebeians, proletariat; mob; derogatoryrabble, riffraff, [great] unwashed, [common] herd, proles, plebs; humoroussheeple; historicalthird estate ";in da Origin mid 17th century: Greek, literally 'the many
gyrate
move or cause to move in a circle or spiral, esp synonyms: rotate, revolve, wheel, turn around, whirl, circle, pirouette, twirl, swirl, spin, swivel ";the disk gyrates atop an aluminum pole"; Origin early 19th century: from Latin gyrat- 'revolved,' from the verb gyrare, from Greek guros 'a ring.'
guile
synonyms: cunning, craftiness, craft, artfulness, art, artifice, wiliness, slyness, deviousness; wiles, ploys, schemes, stratagems, maneuvers, tricks, subterfuges, ruses; deception, deceit, duplicity, underhandedn Origin Middle English: from Old French, probably from Old Norse; compare with wile.
frieze
a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling Origin mid 16th century: from French frise, from medieval Latin frisium, variant of frigium, from Latin Phrygium [opus ] '[work] of Phrygia.'
haruspex
[in ancient Rome] a religious official who interpreted omens by inspecting the entrails of sacrificial animals Origin Latin, from an unrecorded element meaning 'entrails' [related to Sanskrit hirā 'artery'] + -spex [from specere 'look at'].
hegemony
leadership or dominance, especiall synonyms: leadership, dominance, dominion, supremacy, authority, mastery, control, power, sway, rule, sovereignty ";the Prussian hegemony of the nineteenth century"; Origin mid 16th century: from Greek hēgemonia, from hēgemōn 'leader,' from hēgeisthai 'to lead.'
guy
a rope or line fixed to the ground to secure a tent or other structure Origin late Middle English: probably of Low German origin; related to Dutch gei 'brail' and German Geitaue 'brails.'
hebetude
the state of being dull or lethargic Origin early 17th century: from late Latin hebetudo, from hebes, hebet- 'blunt.'
fumigate
synonyms: disinfect, purify, sterilize, sanitize, decontaminate, cleanse, clean out ";the prisoners' quarters Origin mid 16th century [earlier [late Middle English] as fumigation, in the sense 'the action of perfuming']: from Latin fumigat- 'fumigated,' from the verb fumigare, from fumus 'smoke.'
grandiloquent
synonyms: pompous, bombastic, magniloquent, pretentious, ostentatious, high-flown, orotund, florid, flowery; overwro Origin late 16th century: from Latin grandiloquus, literally 'grand-speaking,' from grandis 'grand' + loqui 'speak.' The ending was altered in English by association with eloquent.
gustation
the action or faculty of tasting Origin late 16th century: from Latin gustatio[n-], from gustare 'to taste,' from gustus 'taste.'
glean
extract [information] from various sourc synonyms: obtain, get, take, draw, derive, extract, cull, garner, gather; learn, find out ";what were you able to glean from questioning the witness?"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French glener, from late Latin glennare, probably of Celtic origin.
hector
synonyms: bully, intimidate, browbeat, harass, t Origin late Middle English: from the Greek name Hector. Originally denoting a hero, the sense later became 'braggart or bully' [applied in the late 17th century to a member of a gang of youths in London, England], hence 'talk to in a bullying way.'
hiatus
synonyms: pause, break, gap, lacuna, interval, intermission, interlude, interruption, suspension, lull, respite, time out, time off, recess; informalbreather, letup ";the sp Origin mid 16th century [originally denoting a physical gap or opening]: from Latin, literally 'gaping,' from hiare 'gape.'
grate
reduce [something, especially food] to small shreds by rubbing it on a grater synonyms: shred, pulverize, mince, grind, granulate, crush, crumble ";she grated the cheese"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French grater, of Germanic origin; related to German kratzen 'to scratch.'
glib
synonyms: slick, pat, fast-talking, smooth-talking; disingenuous, insincere, facile, shallow, superficial, flippant; smooth, silver- Origin late 16th century [also in the sense 'smooth, unimpeded']: ultimately of Germanic origin; related to Dutch glibberig 'slippery' and German glibberig 'slimy.'
hetaera
a courtesan or mistress, especially one in ancient Greece akin to the modern geisha Originfrom Greek hetaira, feminine of hetairos 'companion.
fusty
smelling stale, damp, or stuffy synonyms: stale, musty, dusty; stuffy, airless, unventilated; damp, mildewed, mildewy ";the room smelt fusty"; Origin late 15th century: from Old French fuste 'smelling of the cask,' from fust 'cask, tree trunk,' from Latin fustis 'cudgel.'
gibe
an insulting or mocking remark; a taunt synonyms: snide remark, cutting remark, taunt, sneer, jeer, insult, barb; informaldig, put-down ";vicious gibes"; Origin mid 16th century [as a verb]: perhaps from Old French giber 'handle roughly' [in modern dialect 'kick']; compare with jib2.
frugal
synonyms: thrifty, economical, careful, cautious, prudent, provident, unwasteful, sparing, scrimping; abstemious, abstinent, austere, self-denying, ascetic, monkish, spartan; parsimonious, mi Origin mid 16th century: from Latin frugalis, from frugi 'economical, thrifty,' from frux, frug- 'fruit.'
gird
encircle [a person or part of the synonyms: surround, enclose, encircle, circle, encompass, border, bound, edge, skirt, fringe; close in, confine ";the island was girded by rocks"; Origin Old English gyrdan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch gorden and German gürten, also to girdle and girth.
fusillade
a series of shots fired or missiles throw synonyms: salvo, volley, barrage, bombardment, cannonade, battery, burst, blast, hail, shower, rain, stream; historicalbroadside ";a fusillade of missiles"; Origin early 19th century: from French, from fusiller 'to shoot,' from fusil [see fusil1] + -ade1.
homily
a synonyms: sermon, lecture, discourse, address, lesson, talk, speech, oration ";a guest preacher delivered today's homily"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin homilia, from Greek, 'discourse, conversation' [in ecclesiastical use, 'sermon'], from homilos 'crowd.'
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indigent
synonyms: poor, impecunious, destitute, penniless, impoverished, insolvent, poverty-stricken; needy, in need, hard up, disadvanta Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin indigent- 'lacking,' from the verb indigere, from indi- [strengthened form of in- 'into'] + egere 'to need.'
incubus
a male demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women Origin Middle English: late Latin form of Latin incubo 'nightmare,' from incubare 'lie on' [see incubate].
importune
synonyms: beg, beseech, entreat, implore, plead with, appeal to, call on, lobby; harass, pester, press, badger, bother, nag, harry; informalhassle, Origin mid 16th century: from French importuner or medieval Latin importunari, from Latin importunus 'inconvenient, unseasonable' [see importunate].
impugn
dispute the truth, validity, or hone synonyms: call into question, challenge, question, dispute, query, take issue with ";are you impugning my judgment?"; Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'assault, attack physically']: from Latin impugnare 'assail,' from in- 'toward' + pugnare 'fight
incline
synonyms: disposed, of a mind, willing, ready, prepared; predisposed ";if you Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'bend [the head, the body, or oneself] toward something'; formerly also as encline ]: from Old French encliner, from Latin inclinare, from in- 'toward' + clinare 'to bend.'
idolatry
synonyms: idolization, fetishization, fetishism, idol worship, adulation, adoration, reverence, veneration, glorification, lionization, hero-worshiping ";the prophets rail Origin Middle English: from Old French idolatrie, based on Greek eidōlolatreia, from eidōlon [see idol] + -latreia 'worship.'
iconoclast
synonyms: critic, skeptic; heretic, unbeliever, dissident, dissenter, infidel; rebel, renegade, mutineer ";in terms of the money culture in Washington, she is an Origin mid 17th century [sense 2]: via medieval Latin from ecclesiastical Greek eikonoklastēs, from eikōn 'likeness' + klan 'to break.'
ineluctable
unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable Origin early 17th century: from Latin ineluctabilis, from in- 'not' + eluctari 'struggle out.'
infelicitous
unfortunate; inappropriate
impetus
the force or energy with wh synonyms:momentum, propulsion, impulsion, motive force, driving force, drive, thrust; energy, force, power, push, strength ";the flywheel lost all its impetus" Originmid 17th century: from Latin, 'assault, force,' from impetere 'assail,' from in- 'toward' + petere 'seek.
incumbent
synonyms: necessary for one to, essential that, required that, imperative that; compulsory for one to, binding on one to, mandat Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Anglo-Latin incumbens, incumbent-, from Latin incumbere 'lie or lean on,' from in- 'upon' + a verb related to cubare 'lie.'
impute
repres synonyms: attribute to, ascribe to, assign to, credit to; connect with, associate with ";the worst of these mistakes have been unfairly imputed to him"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French imputer, from Latin imputare 'enter in the account,' from in- 'in, toward' + putare 'reckon.'
impecunious
synonyms: penniless, poor, impoverished, indigent, insolvent, hard up, poverty-stricken, needy, destitute; in straitened circumstances, unable to make ends meet; i Origin late 16th century: from in-1 'not' + obsolete pecunious 'having money, wealthy' [from Latin pecuniosus, from pecunia 'money'].
inexorable
synonyms: relentless, unstoppable, inescapable, inevitable, unavoidable, irrevocable, unalterable; persistent, continuous, nonstop, steady, interminable, incessant, unceasing, u Origin mid 16th century: from French, or from Latin inexorabilis, from in- 'not' + exorabilis [from exorare 'entreat'].
imminent
synonyms: impending, close [at hand], near, [fast] approaching, coming, forthcoming, on the way, in the offing, in the pipeline, on the horizon, in the Origin late Middle English: from Latin imminent- 'overhanging, impending,' from the verb imminere, from in- 'upon, toward' + minere 'to project.'
inchoate
just begu synonyms: rudimentary, undeveloped, unformed, immature, incipient, embryonic; beginning, fledgling, developing ";their government should not interfere in the inchoate market forces"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin inchoatus, past participle of inchoare, variant of incohare 'begin.'
indifferent
synonyms: unconcerned, uninterested, uncaring, casual, nonchalant, offhand, uninvolved, une Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'having no partiality for or against']: via Old French from Latin indifferent- 'not making any difference,' from in- 'not' + different- 'differing' [see different].
inculpate
accuse or blame Originlate 18th century: from late Latin inculpat- 'made culpable,' from the verb inculpare, from in- 'upon, toward' + culpare 'to blame' [from culpa 'fault']
inherent
synonyms: intrinsic, innate, immanent, built-in, indwelling, inborn, ingrained, deep-rooted; essential, fundamental, basic, structural, organic; natural, instinctive Origin late 16th century: from Latin inhaerent- 'sticking to,' from the verb inhaerere, from in- 'in, toward' + haerere 'to stick.'
impetuous
synonyms:impulsive, rash, hasty, overhasty, reckless, heedless, careless, foolhardy, bullheaded, headstrong, incautious, imprudent, injudicious, ill-considered, unthought-out; spontan Originlate Middle English: from Old French impetueux, from late Latin impetuosus, from impetere 'to assail, attack.
inimical
synonyms: harmful, injurious, detrimental, deleterious, prejudicial, damaging, hurtful, destructive, ruinous, pernicious; antagonistic, contrary, antipathetic, unfavorable, adverse, opposed; hostile, unkind, u Origin early 16th century: from late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus [see enemy].
humor
Origin Middle English [as humour ]: via Old French from Latin humor 'moisture,' from humere [see humid]. The original sense was 'bodily fluid' [surviving in aqueous humor and vitreous humor, fluids in the eyeball]; it was used specifically for any of the cardinal humors [sense 3 of the noun], when
igneous
[of rock] having solidified from lava or magma Originmid 17th century: from Latin igneus [from ignis 'fire'] + -ous
indefatigable
synonyms: tireless, untiring, unflagging, unwearied; determined, tenacious, dogged, single-minded, assiduous, industrious, hard-working, unswerving, unfaltering, u Origin early 17th century: from French, or from Latin indefatigabilis, from in- 'not' + de- 'away, completely' + fatigare 'wear out.'
ingenue
an innocent or unsophisticated young woman OriginFrench, feminine of ingénu 'ingenuous,' from Latin ingenuus [see ingenuous]
increase
synonyms: grow, get bigger, get larger, enlarge, expand, swell; rise, climb, escalate, soar, surge, rocket, shoot up, spiral; intensify, strengthen, extend, he Origin Middle English [formerly also as encrease ]: from Old French encreistre, from Latin increscere, from in- 'into' + crescere 'grow.'
idiosyncrasy
synonyms: peculiarity, oddity, eccentricity, mannerism, trait, singularity, quirk, tic, whim, vagary, caprice Origin early 17th century [originally in the sense 'physical constitution peculiar to an individual']: from Greek idiosunkrasia, from idios 'own, private' + sun 'with' + krasis 'mixture.'
innuendo
synonyms:insinuation, s Originmid 16th century [as an adverb in the sense 'that is to say, to wit,' used in legal documents to introduce an explanation]: Latin, 'by nodding at, by pointing to,' ablative gerund of innuere, from in- 'toward' + nuere 'to nod.' The noun dates from the late 17th century
impale
synonyms:stick, skewer, spear, spike, transfix, harpoon; pierce, stab, run through; literarytranspierce ";her knife impaled the counter like a Originmid 16th century [in the sense 'enclose with stakes or pales']: from French empaler or medieval Latin impalare, from Latin in- 'in' + palus 'a stake.
indolent
synonyms:lazy, idle, slothful, loafing, do-nothing, sluggardly, shiftless, lackadaisical, languid, inactive, underactive, inert, sluggish, lethargic, to Originmid 17th century: from late Latin indolent-, from in- 'not' + dolere 'suffer or give pain.' The sense 'idle' arose in the early 18th century
imperious
synonyms: peremptory, high-handed, commanding, imperial, overbearing, overweening, domineering, authoritarian, dictatorial, autocratic, authoritativ Origin mid 16th century: from Latin imperiosus, from imperium 'command, authority, empire'; related to imperare 'to command.' Compare with imperial.
implacable
synonyms: unappeasable, unforgiving, unsparing; inexorable, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, relentless, ruthless, remorseless, merciless, heartless, pitil Origin late Middle English: from Latin implacabilis, from in- 'not' + placabilis [see placable].
hubris
excessive pride or self-confidence synonyms: arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, hauteur, pride, self-importance, egotism, pomposity, superciliousness, superiority; informalbig-headedness, cockiness ";the hubris among economists was shaken"; Origin Greek.
incisive
synonyms: penetrating, acute, sharp, sharp-witted, razor-sharp, keen, astute, trenchant, shrewd, piercing, cutting, perceptive, insightful, percipient, per Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'cutting, penetrating']: from medieval Latin incisivus, from Latin incidere 'cut into' [see incise].
incontrovertible
synonyms: indisputable, incontestable, undeniable, irrefutable, unassailable, beyond dispute, unquestionable, beyond question, indubitable, beyond doubt, unarguable, undebatable; certain, sure, definite, definitive, proven, decisive, conclusive, demonstrable, emphatic, categorical, airtight, water
imbroglio
synonyms: complicated situation, complication, problem, difficulty, predicament, trouble, confusion, quandary, entanglement, muddle, mess, quagmire, morass, sticky situation; informalbind, jam, pickle, fix, corner, Origin mid 18th century: Italian, from imbrogliare 'confuse'; related to embroil.
indict
synonyms: charge with, accuse of, arraign for, take to court for, put on trial for, bring to trial for, prosecute for; cite for, impe Origin Middle English endite, indite, from Anglo-Norman French enditer, based on Latin indicere 'proclaim, appoint,' from in- 'toward' + dicere 'pronounce, utter.'
incendiary
[of a device or attack] designed to cause fires synonyms: combustible, flammable, inflammable ";an incendiary bomb"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin incendiarius, from incendium 'conflagration,' from incendere 'set fire to.'
inadvertent
synonyms: unintentional, unintended, accidental, unpremeditated, unplanned, innocent, uncalculated, unconscious, unthinking, unwittin Origin mid 17th century: from in-1 'not' + Latin advertent- 'turning the mind to' [from the verb advertere ]. The noun inadvertence dates from late Middle English.
indemnity
security or protection against a loss or synonyms: insurance, assurance, protection, security, indemnification, surety, guarantee, warranty, safeguard ";indemnity against loss"; Origin late Middle English: from French indemnite, from late Latin indemnitas, from indemnis 'unhurt, free from loss.'
immanent
existing or operating within; inherent Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin immanent- 'remaining within,' from in- 'in' + manere 'remain.'
incarcerate
synonyms: imprison, put in prison, send to prison, jail, lock up, put under lock and key, put away, intern, confine, detain, hold, immure, put in chains, hold Origin mid 16th century: from medieval Latin incarcerat- 'imprisoned,' from the verb incarcerare, from in- 'into' + Latin carcer 'prison.'
ingenuous
synonyms: naive, innocent, Origin late 16th century: from Latin ingenuus, literally 'native, inborn,' from in- 'into' + an element related to gignere 'beget.' The original sense was 'noble, generous,' giving rise to 'honorably straightforward, frank,' hence 'innocently frank' [late 17th century].
implore
beg someo synonyms: plead with, beg, entreat, beseech, appeal to, ask, request, call on; exhort, urge, enjoin, press, push, petition, bid, importune; supplicate ";his mother implored him to continue studying"; Origin early 16th century: from French implorer or Latin implorare 'invoke with tears.'
impervious
not allowing fluid to pass through synonyms: impermeable, impenetrable, impregnable, waterproof, watertight, water-resistant, repellent; [hermetically] sealed, zip-locked ";an impervious rain jacket"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin impervius [from in- 'not' + pervius 'pervious'] + -ous.
impunity
synonyms:immunity, indemnity, exemption [from punishment], freedom from liability, nonliability, license; amnesty, dispensation, reprieve, pardon, exoneration; stay of execut Originmid 16th century: from Latin impunitas, from impunis 'unpunished,' from in- 'not' + poena 'penalty' or punire 'punish.
innocuous
synonyms: harmless, safe, nontoxic, innocent; edible, eatable ";an innocuous fungus"; inoffensive, unobjectionable, unexceptionable, harmless, mild, tame, anodyne, soft-focus ";an innocuous comment"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin innocuus, from in- 'not' + nocuus 'injurious' [see nocuous].
impede
synonyms: hinder, obstruct, hamper, hold back/up, delay, interfere with, disrupt, retard, slow [down], hobble, cripple; block, check, stop, scupper, scuttle, thwart, frustrate, ba Origin late 16th century: from Latin impedire 'shackle the feet of,' based on pes, ped- 'foot.' Compare with impeach.
incredulous
synonyms:disbelieving, skeptical, unbelieving, distrustful, mistrustful, suspicious, doubtful, dubious, unconvinced; cynical ";we were incredulous when the congressman was Originlate 16th century: from Latin incredulus [from in- 'not' + credulus 'believing, trusting,' from credere 'believe'] + -ous
impudent
synonyms: impertinent, insolent, cheeky, cocky, brazen, bold, audacious; presumptuous, forward, disrespectful, insubordinate, bumptious, b Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'immodest, indelicate']: from Latin impudent-, from in- 'not' + pudent- 'ashamed, modest' [from pudere 'be ashamed'].
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interdict
syno OriginMiddle English entredite [in the ecclesiastical sense], from Old French entredit, from Latin interdictum, past participle of interdicere 'interpose, forbid by decree,' from inter- 'between' + dicere 'say.' The spelling change in the 16th century was due to association with the Latin form
lassitude
a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy synonyms: lethargy, listlessness, weariness, languor, sluggishness, tiredness, fatigue, torpor, lifelessness, apathy ";prolonged periods of lassitude"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from Latin lassitudo, from lassus 'tired.'
jejune
naive, simplistic, and superficial Origin early 17th century: from Latin jejunus 'fasting, barren.' The original sense was 'without food,' hence 'not intellectually nourishing.'
inveigh
synonyms: fulminate against, declaim against, protest [against], rail against/at, rage at, remonstrate agai Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'carry in, introduce'; formerly also as enveigh ]: from Latin invehere 'carry in,' invehi 'be carried into, assail,' from in- 'into' + vehere 'carry.'
knell
synonyms: toll, tolling, dong, resounding, reverberation; death knell; archaictocsin ";the knell of Origin Old English cnyll [noun], cnyllan [verb]; related to Dutch knal [noun], knallen [verb] 'bang, pop, crack.' The current spelling [dating from the 16th century] is perhaps influenced by bell1.
lethargy
synonyms: sluggishness, inertia, inactivity, inaction, slowness, torpor, torpidity, lifelessness, listlessness, languor, laziness, idlen Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin lethargia, from Greek lēthargia, from lēthargos 'forgetful,' from the base of lanthanesthai 'forget.'
libertine
a person, especially a man, who behaves w synonyms:philanderer, playboy, rake, roué, Don Juan, Lothario, Casanova, Romeo; lecher, seducer, womanizer, adulterer, debauchee, profligate, wanton; informalskirt-chaser, tomcat, horndog, ladykiller, lech, wolf; formalfornicator ";an unrepentant libertine"
insurrection
synonyms: rebellion, revolt, uprising, mutiny, revolution, insurgence, riot, sedition, subversion; civil disorder, unrest, anarchy; coup [d'état] ";the suspects all escaped after a prison insurre Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin insurrectio[n-], from insurgere 'rise up.'
kudos
praise and honor received f synonyms: praise, glory, honor, status, standing, distinction, fame, celebrity; admiration, respect, esteem, acclaim, prestige, cachet, credit, full marks, props ";kudos to you for a lifetime of quiet courage and unwavering generosity"; Origin late 18th century: Greek.
limn
depict or describe in painting or words synonyms: describe, portray, depict, illustrate ";his earlier works limned violence"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'illuminate a manuscript']: alteration of obsolete lumine 'illuminate,' via Old French luminer from Latin luminare 'make light.'
intramural
situated or done within the walls of a building Originmid 19th century: from intra- 'within' + Latin murus 'wall' + -al
inordinate
synonyms: excessive, undue, unreasonable, unjustifiable, unwarrantable, disproportionate, unwarranted, unnecessary, needless, uncalled for, gratuitous, exorbitan Origin late Middle English: from Latin inordinatus, from in- 'not' + ordinatus 'arranged, set in order' [past participle of ordinare ].
intimate
synonyms: announce, state, proclaim, declare, make known, make public, publicize, disclose, reveal, divulge, set forth ";he intimated to the com Origin early 16th century [earlier [late Middle English] as intimation ]: from late Latin intimat- 'made known,' from the verb intimare [see intimate1].
list
[of a ship] lean to one side, typically because of a leak or unbalanced cargo synonyms: lean, lean over, tilt, tip, heel, heel over, keel over, careen, cant, pitch, incline, slant, slope, bank ";the boat listed to one side"; Origin early 17th century: of unknown origin.
inveigle
synonyms: entice, tempt, lure, seduce, beguile; wheedle, cajole, coax, persuade; informalsweet-talk, soft- Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'beguile, deceive'; formerly also as enveigle ]: from Anglo-Norman French envegler, alteration of Old French aveugler 'to blind,' from aveugle 'blind.'
interstice
an intervening space, especially a very small one Origin late Middle English: from Latin interstitium, from intersistere 'stand between,' from inter- 'between' + sistere 'to stand.'
laconic
synonyms: brief, concise, terse, succinct, short, pithy ";his laconic comment"; taciturn, uncommunicative, reticent, quiet, reserved, s Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'Laconian']: via Latin from Greek Lakōnikos, from Lakōn 'Laconia, Sparta,' the Spartans being known for their terse speech.
intercede
synonyms:mediate, intermediate, arbitrate, conciliate, negotiate, moderate; intervene, interpose, step in, act; plead, petition, advocate ";a third party was called in to intercede" Originlate 16th century: from French intercéder or Latin intercedere 'intervene,' from inter- 'between' + cedere 'go.
invidious
[of an action or situation] likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others synonyms: unpleasant, awkward, difficult; undesirable, unenviable; odious, hateful, detestable ";that put her in an invidious position"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin invidiosus, from invidia [see envy].
leviathan
[in biblical use] a sea monster, identified in different passages with the whale and the crocodile [e.g., Job 41, Ps. 74:14], and with the Devil [after Isa. 27:1] Originvia late Latin from Hebrew liwyāṯān
inure
synonyms: harden, toughen, season, temper, condition; accustom, habituate, familiarize, acclimatize, adjust, adapt, desensitize ";t Origin late Middle English inure, enure, from an Anglo-Norman French phrase meaning 'in use or practice,' from en 'in' + Old French euvre 'work' [from Latin opera ].
irascible
synonyms: irritable, quick-tempered, short-tempered, hot-tempered, testy, touchy, tetchy, edgy, crabby, petulant, waspish, dyspeptic, snappish; cross, surly, crusty, grouchy, grum Origin late Middle English: via French from late Latin irascibilis, from Latin irasci 'grow angry,' from ira 'anger.'
lissome
[of a person or their body] thin, supple, and graceful Origin late 18th century: contraction, from lithe + -some1.
languid
[of a person, manner, or gest synonyms: relaxed, unhurried, languorous, slow; listless, lethargic, sluggish, lazy, idle, indolent, apathetic; informallaid-back ";a languid wave of the hand"; Origin late 16th century [sense 2]: from French languide or Latin languidus, from languere [see languish].
lascivious
synonyms:lecherous, lewd, lustful, licentious, libidinous, salacious, lubricious, prurient, dirty, smutty, naughty, indecent, ribald; informalblue; formalconcupiscent ";his las Originlate Middle English: from late Latin lasciviosus, from Latin lascivia 'lustfulness,' from lascivus 'lustful, wanton.
leery
cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions synonyms: wary, cautious, careful, guarded, chary, suspicious, distrustful; worried, anxious, apprehensive, hesitant, uncertain ";be leery of these slick salesmen"; Origin late 17th century: from obsolete leer 'looking askance,' from leer + -y1.
insolent
synonyms: impertinent, impudent, cheeky, ill-mannered, bad-mannered, unmann Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'extravagant, going beyond acceptable limits']: from Latin insolent- 'immoderate, unaccustomed, arrogant,' from in- 'not' + solent- 'being accustomed' [from the verb solere ].
intrude
synonyms: encroach on, impinge on, interfere in, trespass on/upon, infringe on, obtrude on/into, invade, violate, disturb, disrupt, interrupt; me Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'usurp an office or right'; originally as entrude ]: from Latin intrudere, from in- 'into' + trudere 'to thrust.'
juvenilia
works produced by an author or artist while still young Origin early 17th century: from Latin, neuter plural of juvenilis [see juvenile].
insipid
lacking flavor synonyms: tasteless, flavorless, bland, weak, wishy-washy; unappetizing, unpalatable ";insipid coffee"; Origin early 17th century: from French insipide or late Latin insipidus, from in- 'not' + sapidus [see sapid].
kvetch
a person who complains a great deal Origin 1960s: from Yiddish kvetsh [noun], kvetshn [verb], from Middle High German quetschen, literally 'cru
larceny
synonyms:theft, stealing, robbery, pilfering, thieving; burglary, housebreaking, breaking and entering; informalfilching, swiping, pinching; formalpecul Originlate 15th century: from Old French larcin, from Latin latrocinium, from latro[n-] 'robber,' earlier 'mercenary soldier,' from Greek latreus
insidious
synonyms: stealthy, subtle, surreptitious, cunning, crafty, treacherous, artful, sly, wily, shifty, underhanded, indirect; informalsneaky "; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin insidiosus 'cunning,' from insidiae 'an ambush or trick,' from insidere 'lie in wait for,' from in- 'on' + sedere 'sit.'
intractable
hard to control or deal with synonyms: unmanageable, uncontrollable, difficult, awkward, troublesome, demanding, burdensome ";intractable problems"; Origin late 15th century: from Latin intractabilis, from in- 'not' + tractabilis [see tractable].
jeremiad
a long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes Origin late 18th century: from French jérémiade, from Jérémie 'Jeremiah,' from ecclesiastical Latin Jeremias, with reference to the Lamentations of Jeremiah in the Old Testament.
itinerant
synonyms: traveling, peripatetic, wandering, roving, roaming, touring, saddlebag, nomadic, gypsy, migrant, vagrant Origin late 16th century [used to describe a judge traveling on a circuit]: from late Latin itinerant- 'traveling,' from the verb itinerari, from Latin iter, itiner- 'journey, road.'
lavish
sumptuously rich synonyms: sumptuous, luxurious, costly, expensive, opulent, grand, splendid, rich, fancy, posh; informalfancy-schmancy ";lavish parties"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting profusion]: from Old French lavasse 'deluge of rain,' from laver 'to wash,' from Latin lavare .
lambaste
synonyms: criticize, chastise, censure, take to task, harangue, rail at, rant at, fulminate against; upbraid, scold, reprimand, rebuke, castigate, chide, reprove, admonis Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'beat, thrash']: from lam1 + baste3. The current sense dates from the late 19th century.
inundate
overwhelm [someone synonyms: overwhelm, overrun, overload, bog down, swamp, besiege, snow under, bombard, glut ";we have been inundated with complaints"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin inundat- 'flooded,' from the verb inundare, from in- 'into, upon' + undare 'to flow' [from unda 'a wave'].
invective
synonyms: abuse, insults, e Origin late Middle English [originally as an adjective meaning 'reviling, abusive']: from Old French invectif, -ive, from late Latin invectivus 'attacking,' from invehere [see inveigh]. The noun is from late Latin invectiva [oratio ] 'abusive or censorious [language].'
insouciance
synonyms: nonchalance, unconcern, indifference, heedlessness, calm, equanimity, composure, ease, airiness; informalcool ";through his own profligacy and insouciance in raising Origin late 18th century: French, from insouciant, from in- 'not' + souciant 'worrying' [present participle of soucier ].
lackadaisical
synonyms: lethargic, apathetic, listless, sluggish, spiritless, passionless; careless, lazy, lax, unenthusiastic, halfhearted, lukewarm, indifferent, unconcern Origin mid 18th century [also in the sense 'feebly sentimental']: from the archaic interjection lackaday, lackadaisy [see alack] + -ical.
junta
a military or polit synonyms:faction, cabal, clique, camarilla, party, set, ring, gang, league, confederacy ";the press is censored and controlled by the military junta" Originearly 17th century [sense 2]: from Spanish and Portuguese, from Latin juncta, feminine past participle of jungere 'to join.
iridescent
synonyms: opalescent, nacreous; shimmering, luminous, glittering, sparkling, dazzling, shining, gleaming, glowing, lustrous, scintillating; kaleidoscopic, rainbow-colored, multicolored; literaryglistering, coruscating, effulgen Origin late 18th century: from Latin iris, irid- 'rainbow' + -escent.
lacerate
tear or make deep cuts in [flesh or skin] synonyms:cut [open], gash, slash, tear, rip, rend, shred; score, scratch, scrape, graze; wound, injure, hurt ";the nail has lacerated his left arm" Originlate Middle English: from Latin lacerat- 'mangled,' from the verb lacerare, from lacer 'mangled, torn.
interlocutor
a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation Origin early 16th century: modern Latin, from Latin interlocut- 'interrupted [by speech],' from the verb interloqui, from inter- 'between' + loqui 'speak.'
insurgent
rising in active revolt synonyms:rebellious, rebel, revolutionary, mutinous, insurrectionist; renegade, seditious, subversive ";insurgent forces" Originmid 18th century [as a noun]: via French from Latin insurgent- 'arising,' from the verb insurgere, from in- 'into, toward' + surgere 'to rise.
intransigent
synonyms: uncompromising, inflexible, unbending, unyielding, diehard, unshakab Origin late 19th century: from French intransigeant, from Spanish los intransigentes [a name adopted by the extreme republicans in the Cortes, 1873-74]; based on Latin in- 'not' + transigere 'come to an understanding.'
intrepid
synonyms: fearless, unafraid, undaunted, unflinching, unshrinking, bold, daring, gallant, audacious, adventurous, heroic, dynamic, spirited, indomitable; brave, courageous, valiant, valorous, Origin late 17th century: from French intrépide or Latin intrepidus, from in- 'not' + trepidus 'alarmed.'
integer
a whole number; a number that is not a fraction Origin early 16th century [as an adjective meaning 'entire, whole']: from Latin, 'intact, whole,' from in- [expressing negation] + the root of tangere 'to touch.' Compare with entire, also with integral, integrate, and integrity.
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melancholy
synonyms: sadness, sorrow, unhappiness, woe, desolation, melancholia, dejection, depression, desponden Origin Middle English: from Old French melancolie, via late Latin from Greek melankholia, from melas, melan- 'black' + kholē 'bile,' an excess of which was formerly believed to cause depression.
mettle
synonyms: spirit, fortitude, strength of character, moral fiber, steel, determination, resolve, resolution, backbone, grit, true grit, courage, courageousness, bravery, valor, fearlessness, daring; informalguts, Origin mid 16th century: specialized spelling [used for figurative senses] of metal.
lithe
[especially of a person's body] thin, su synonyms: agile, graceful, supple, limber, lithesome, loose-limbed, nimble, deft, flexible, lissome, slender, slim, willowy ";lithe dancers"; Origin Old English līthe 'gentle, meek,' also 'mellow,' of Germanic origin; related to German lind 'soft, gentle.'
lubricious
offensively displaying or intended to arouse sexual desire Origin late 16th century: from Latin lubricus 'slippery' + -ious.
metaphor
a figure o synonyms: figure of speech, image, trope, analogy, comparison, symbol, word painting/picture ";the profusion of metaphors in her everyday speech has gotten pretty tiresome"; Origin late 15th century: from French métaphore, via Latin from Greek metaphora, from metapherein 'to transfer.'
manumit
release from slavery; set free Origin late Middle English: from Latin manumittere, literally 'send forth from the hand,' from manus 'hand' + mittere 'send.'
ludicrous
synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, farcical, laughable, risible, preposterous, foolish, mad, insane, idiotic, stupid, inane, silly, asinine, nonsensical; informalc Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'sportive, intended as a jest']: from Latin ludicrus [probably from ludicrum 'stage play'] + -ous.
lummox
a clumsy, stupid person Origin early 19th century: of unknown origin.
mendacious
synonyms: lying, untruthful, dishonest, deceitful, false, dissembling, insincere, disingenuous, hypocritical, fraudulent, double-dealing, two-faced, Janus-faced, two-timing, duplicitous, perjured; u Origin early 17th century: from Latin mendax, mendac- 'lying' [related to mendum 'fault'] + -ious.
louche
disreputable or sordid in a rakish or appealing way Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'squinting.'
lumber
synonyms: lurch, stumble, trundle, shamble, shuffle, waddle; trudge, clump, stump, plod, tramp, tromp; informalgalumph ";elephants lumbered past"; clumsy, awkward, heavy-footed, slow, blundering, bumbling, inept, maladroit, u Origin late Middle English lomere, perhaps symbolic of clumsy movement.
meretricious
synonyms:worthless, valueless, cheap, tawdry, trashy, Brummagem, tasteless, kitsch, kitschy; false, artificial, fake, imitation; informaltacky, chintzy ";the meretriciou Originearly 17th century: from Latin meretricius [adjective from meretrix, meretric- 'prostitute,' from mereri 'be hired'] + -ous
lurid
very vivid in co synonyms: bright, brilliant, vivid, glaring, shocking, fluorescent, flaming, dazzling, intense; gaudy, loud, showy, bold, garish, tacky ";lurid colors"; Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'pale and dismal in color']: from Latin luridus ; related to luror 'wan or yellow color.'
malversation
corrupt behavior in a position of trust, especially in public office Origin mid 16th century: from French, from malverser, from Latin male 'badly' + versari 'behave.'
malapert
boldly disrespectful to a person of higher standing Origin Middle English: from mal- 'improperly' + archaic apert 'insolent.'
maladaptive
not providing adequate or appropriate adjustment to the environment or situation
maunder
talk in a rambling manner synonyms: ramble, prattle, blather, rattle, chatter, jabber, babble; informalyak, yatter ";he maundered on about his problems"; Origin early 17th century: perhaps from obsolete maunder 'to beg.'
maudlin
synonyms: sentimental, oversentimental, emotional, overemotional, t Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting Mary Magdalen]: from Old French Madeleine, from ecclesiastical Latin Magdalena [see magdalene]. The sense of the adjective derives from allusion to pictures of Mary Magdalen weeping.
loquacious
te synonyms: talkative, voluble, communicative, expansive, garrulous, unreserved, chatty, gossipy, gossiping; informalhaving the gift of [the] gab, gabby, gassy, motormouthed, talky, windy ";a loquacious little boy"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin loquax, loquac- [from loqui 'talk'] + -ious.
mimetic
relating to, constituting, or habitually practicing mimesis Origin mid 17th century: from Greek mimētikos 'imitation,' from mimeisthai 'to imitate.'
mephitic
[especially of a gas or vapor] foul-smelling; noxious Origin early 17th century: from late Latin mephiticus, from mephitis 'noxious exhalation.'
mercenary
[of a person or their behavio synonyms: money-oriented, grasping, greedy, acquisitive, avaricious, covetous, bribable, venal, materialistic; informalmoney-grubbing ";mercenary self-interest"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Latin mercenarius 'hireling,' from merces, merced- 'reward.'
mainstay
a stay that extends from the maintop to the foot of the foremast of a sailing synonyms: central component, central figure, centerpiece, prop, linchpin, cornerstone, pillar, bulwark, buttress, chief support, backbone, anchor, foundation, base, staple ";agriculture is the mainstay of their economy";
maelstrom
a powerful whirlpool in the sea o synonyms:whirlpool, vortex, eddy, swirl; literaryCharybdis ";a maelstrom in the sea" Originlate 17th century: from early modern Dutch [denoting a mythical whirlpool supposed to exist in the Arctic Ocean, west of Norway], from maalen 'grind, whirl' + stroom 'stream.
manacle
a metal band, chain, or shackle for fa synonyms:handcuffs, shackles, chains, irons, fetters, restraints, bonds; informalcuffs, bracelets ";he claimed there were no manacles that could hold him" OriginMiddle English: from Old French manicle 'handcuff,' from Latin manicula, diminutive of manus 'hand.
mendicant
given to begging Origin late Middle English: from Latin mendicant- 'begging,' from the verb mendicare, from mendicus 'beggar,' from mendum 'fault.'
milieu
a person's socia synonyms: environment, sphere, background, backdrop, setting, context, atmosphere; location, conditions, surroundings, environs; informalstomping grounds, stamping grounds, turf ";the political milieu in New England"; Origin mid 19th century: French, from mi 'mid' + lieu 'place.'
malcontent
synonyms: troublemaker, mischief-maker, agitator, dissident, rebel, rabble-rouser; discontent, complainer, grumbler, moaner, whiner; informalgrouch, grump, bellyacher, kvetch, squeaky wheel ";a group of malcontents" Origin late 16th century: from French, from mal 'badly, ill' + content 'pleased.'
miasma
a highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor synonyms:stink, reek, stench, fetor, smell, fume, odor, whiff; gas, cloud, smog, vapor ";the miasma from the stagnant swamp made us choke and gag" Originmid 17th century: from Greek, literally 'defilement,' from miainein 'pollute.
meliorate
another term for ameliorate Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin meliorat- 'improved,' from the verb meliorare, based on melior 'better.'
macabre
synonyms: gruesome, grisly, grim, gory, morbid, ghastly, unearthly, grotesque, hideous, Origin late 19th century: from French macabre, from Danse Macabre 'dance of death,' from Old French, perhaps from Macabé 'a Maccabee,' with reference to a miracle play depicting the slaughter of the Maccabees.
malevolent
synonyms: malicious, hostile, evil-minded, baleful, evil-intentioned, venomous, evil, malign, malignant, rancorous, vicious, vindictive, vengeful; literarymalefic, malefic Origin early 16th century: from Latin malevolent- 'wishing evil,' from male 'ill' + volent- 'wishing' [from the verb velle ].
manicure
a cosmetic treatment of the hands involving cutting, shaping, and often painting of the nails, removal of the cuticles, and softening of the skin Origin late 19th century: from French, from Latin manus 'hand' + cura 'care.'
menagerie
a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition Origin late 17th century: from French ménagerie, from ménage [see ménage].
litany
a series of petitions for use in church services or processions, usu synonyms: prayer, invocation, supplication, devotion; archaicorison ";she was reciting the litany"; Origin Middle English: from Old French letanie, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek litaneia 'prayer,' from litē 'supplication.'
lucubrate
discourse learnedly in writing Origin early 17th century: from Latin lucubrat- '[having] worked by lamplight,' from the verb lucubrare .
meet
suitable; fit; proper Origin Middle English [in the sense 'made to fit']: shortening of Old English gemǣte, of Germanic origin; related to mete1.
malinger
synonyms: pretend to be ill, feign [an] illness, fake [an] illness; shirk; informalgoof off ";he was put on repor Origin early 19th century: back-formation from malingerer, apparently from French malingre, perhaps formed as mal- 'wrongly, improperly' + haingre 'weak,' probably of Germanic origin.
maverick
synonyms: individualist, nonconformist, free spirit, unorthodox person, original, eccentric; rebel, dissenter, dissident, enfant terrible; informalcowboy, loose canno Origin mid 19th century: from the name of Samuel A. Maverick [1803-70], a Texas engineer and rancher who did not brand his cattle.
loath
reluctant; unwilling synonyms: reluctant, unwilling, disinclined, ill-disposed; averse, opposed, resistant ";they were loath to take risks"; Origin Old English lāth 'hostile, spiteful,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch leed, German Leid 'sorrow.'
lucid
synonyms: intelligible, comprehensible, understandable, cogent, coherent, articulate; clear, transparent; plain, simple, vivid, sharp, straightforwar Origin late 16th century [sense 2]: from Latin lucidus [perhaps via French lucide or Italian lucido ], from lucere 'shine,' from lux, luc- 'light.'
meticulous
synonyms: careful, conscientious, diligent, scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, accurate; thoroug Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'fearful or timid']: from Latin meticulosus, from metus 'fear.' The word came to mean 'overcareful about detail,' hence the current sense [early 19th century].
metabolism
the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life Origin late 19th century: from Greek metabolē 'change' [from metaballein 'to change'] + -ism.
lothario
a man who behaves selfishly and irresponsibly in his sexual relationships with women Originfrom a character in Rowe's Fair Penitent [1703]
luminous
synonyms: shining, bright, brilliant, radiant, dazzling, glowing, gleaming, scintillating, lustrous; luminescent, phosphorescent, fluorescent, incandescent ";the luminous face of the alarm clock"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French lumineux or Latin luminosus, from lumen, lumin- 'light.'
lugubrious
synonyms: mournful, gloomy, sad, unhappy, doleful, glum, melancholy, woeful, miserable, woebegone, forlorn, somber, solemn, serious, sorrowful, morose, dour, cheerless, joyless, dismal; funereal, sepulchral; informaldown Origin early 17th century: from Latin lugubris [from lugere 'mourn'] + -ous.
livid
synonyms: purplish, bluish, dark, discolored, purple, grayish-blue; bruised; angry, black and blue ";a Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'of a bluish leaden color']: from French livide or Latin lividus, from livere 'be bluish.' The sense 'furiously angry' dates from the early 20th century.
meander
[of a river or road] follow a winding course synonyms: zigzag, wind, twist, turn, curve, curl, bend, snake ";the river meandered gently"; Origin late 16th century [as a noun]: from Latin maeander, from Greek Maiandros, the name of a river [see Menderes].
malleable
[of a metal or other material] able to be hammered or pressed perma synonyms: pliable, ductile, plastic, pliant, soft, workable ";a malleable substance"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'able to be hammered']: via Old French from medieval Latin malleabilis, from Latin malleus 'a hammer.'
mawkish
synonyms: sentimental, oversentimental, maudlin, cloying, sickly, saccharine, sugary, oversweet, syrupy, nauseating; informalmushy, slushy, sloppy, schmaltzy, wee Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'inclined to sickness']: from obsolete mawk 'maggot,' from Old Norse mathkr, of Germanic origin.
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modicum
synonyms: small amount, particle, speck, fragment, scrap, crumb, grain, morsel, shred, dash, drop, pinch, soupçon, jot, iota, whit, atom, smattering, scintilla, hint, suggestion, tinge; informalsmidgen, tad Origin late 15th century: from Latin, neuter of modicus 'moderate,' from modus 'measure.'
obscure
synonyms: unclear, uncertain, unknown, in doubt, doubtful, dubious, mysterious, hazy, vague, indeterminate, concealed, hidden ";the truth is that many aspects of a war's out Origin late Middle English: from Old French obscur, from Latin obscurus 'dark,' from an Indo-European root meaning 'cover.'
obstreperous
synonyms: unruly, unmanageable, disorderly, undisciplined, uncontrollable, rowdy, disruptive, truculent, difficult, refractory, rebelliou Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'clamorous, vociferous']: from Latin obstreperus [from obstrepere, from ob- 'against' + strepere 'make a noise'] + -ous.
mulct
extract money from [someone] by fine or taxation Origin late 15th century: from Latin mulctare, multare, from mulcta 'a fine.'
nexus
a connection or series of connections linking two or more things Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, 'a binding together,' from nex- 'bound,' from the verb nectere .
obstinate
synonyms:stubborn, unyielding, inflexible, unbending, intransigent, intractable, obdurate, mulish, bullheaded, stubborn as a mule, pigheaded, self-willed, strong-willed, headstrong, willful, contrary, perverse, reca OriginMiddle English: from Latin obstinatus, past participle of obstinare 'persist.
obnoxious
synonyms: unpleasant, disagreeable, nasty, distasteful, offensive, o Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'vulnerable [to harm]']: from Latin obnoxiosus, from obnoxius 'exposed to harm,' from ob- 'toward' + noxa 'harm.' The current sense, influenced by noxious, dates from the late 17th century.
nostrum
a medicine, especial synonyms: medicine, patent medicine, potion, elixir, panacea, cure-all, wonder drug, quack remedy; informalmagic bullet ";they have to prove their nostrums work"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin, used in the sense '[something] of our own making,' neuter of noster 'our.'
obdurate
synonyms: stubborn, obstinate, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, pigheaded, bullhea Origin late Middle English [originally in the sense 'hardened in sin, impenitent']: from Latin obduratus, past participle of obdurare, from ob- 'in opposition' + durare 'harden' [from durus 'hard'].
obtain
synonyms: get, acquire, come by, secure, procure, come into the possession of, pick up, be given; gain, earn, achieve, attain; informalget hold of, get/lay one's hands on, get one's mitts on, land, net ";the Origin late Middle English: from Old French obtenir, from Latin obtinere 'obtain, gain.'
nice
Origin Middle English [in the sense 'stupid']: from Old French, from Latin nescius 'ignorant,' from nescire 'not know.' Other early senses included 'coy, reserved,' giving rise to 'fastidious, scrupulous': this led both to the sense 'fine, subtle' [regarded by some as the "correct" sense], and to
mutable
liable to change synonyms: changeable, variable, varying, fluctuating, shifting, inconsistent, unpredictable, inconstant, fickle, uneven, unstable, protean; literaryfluctuant ";the mutable nature of fashion"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin mutabilis, from mutare 'to change.'
obtuse
synonyms: stupid, slow-witted, slow, dull-witted, unintelligent, ignorant, simpleminded, witless; insensitive, imperceptive, uncomprehending; informaldim, dimwitted, de Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'blunt']: from Latin obtusus, past participle of obtundere 'beat against' [see obtund].
nocturne
a short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano Origin mid 19th century: French, from Latin nocturnus 'of the night.'
minatory
expressing or conveying a threat Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin minatorius, from minat- 'threatened,' from the verb minari .
obtrude
become noticeable in an unwelcome or intrusive way Origin mid 16th century: from Latin obtrudere, from ob- 'toward' + trudere 'to push.'
nonpareil
synonyms: incomparable, matchless, unrivaled, unparalleled, unequaled, peerless, beyond compare, second to none, unsurpassed, unbeatable, inimitable; unique, Origin late Middle English: from French, from non- 'not' + pareil 'equal' [from popular Latin pariculus, diminutive of Latin par 'equal'].
misanthrope
a person who dislikes humankind synonyms: hater of mankind, hater, cynic; recluse, hermit; hikikomori; informalgrouch, grump ";he was going to join a group of misanthropes but he disliked all the members"; Origin mid 16th century: from Greek misanthrōpos, from misein 'to hate' + anthrōpos 'man.'
mirth
synonyms: merriment, high spirits, cheerfulness, cheeriness, hilarity, glee, laughter, gaiety, buoyancy, blitheness, euphoria, exhilaration, lightheartedness, joviality, joy, joyfulness, joyousness ";we could not hold back our mirth Origin Old English myrgth, of Germanic origin; related to merry.
morose
synonyms:sullen, sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, ill-humored, melancholy, melancholic, brooding, broody, doleful, miserable, depressed, dejected, despondent, downcast, unhappy, l Originmid 16th century: from Latin morosus 'peevish,' from mos, mor- 'manner.
morose
synonyms: sullen, sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, ill-humored, melancholy, melancholic, brooding, broody, doleful, miserable, depressed, dejected, despondent, downcast, unhap Origin mid 16th century: from Latin morosus 'peevish,' from mos, mor- 'manner.'
objurgate
rebuke severely; scold Origin early 17th century: from Latin objurgat- 'chided, rebuked,' from the verb objurgare, based on jurgium 'strife.'
obeisance
d synonyms: respect, homage, worship, adoration, reverence, veneration, honor, submission, deference ";he made a very formal, elaborate gesture of obeisance"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'obedience']: from Old French obeissance, from obeissant 'obeying,' present participle of obeir .
mitigate
synonyms: alleviate, reduce, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, take the edge off, allay, ease, assuage, palliate, relieve, tone down ";the worst symptoms have been mitiga Origin late Middle English: from Latin mitigat- 'softened, alleviated,' from the verb mitigare, from mitis 'mild.'
mutiny
an open rebellion against the proper authorities, especially synonyms:insurrection, rebellion, revolt, riot, uprising, insurgence, insubordination ";there was a mutiny over wages" Originmid 16th century: from obsolete mutine 'rebellion,' from French mutin 'mutineer,' based on Latin movere 'to move.
moribund
[of a person] at the point of death synonyms: dying, expiring, terminal, on one's deathbed, near death, at death's door, not long for this world ";the patient was moribund"; Origin early 18th century: from Latin moribundus, from mori 'to die.'
noxious
synonyms: poisonous, toxic, deadly, harmful, dangerous, pernicious, damaging, destructive; unpleasant, nasty, disgusting, awful, dreadful, horrible, terrible; vile, revolting, foul, nauseating, appalling, offensive; malodorous Origin late 15th century: from Latin noxius [from noxa 'harm'] + -ous.
mollify
appease the anger or anxiety of [someone] synonyms:appease, placate, pacify, conciliate, soothe, calm [down] ";they tried to mollify the protesters" Originlate Middle English [also in the sense 'make soft or supple']: from French mollifier or Latin mollificare, from mollis 'soft.
nostalgia
synonyms: reminiscence, remembrance, recollection; wistfulness, regret, sentimentality; homesickness ";a nostalgia for traditiona Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'acute homesickness']: modern Latin [translating German Heimweh 'homesickness'], from Greek nostos 'return home' + algos 'pain.'
nascent
[especially of a process or organization] ju synonyms: just beginning, budding, developing, growing, embryonic, incipient, young, fledgling, evolving, emergent, dawning, burgeoning ";the nascent economic recovery"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin nascent- 'being born,' from the verb nasci .
mince
cut up or grind [food, especially meat] into very small pieces, typically in a machine with revolving blades synonyms:grind, chop up, cut up, dice, hash, chop fine ";mince the meat and onions" Originlate Middle English: from Old French mincier, based on Latin minutia 'smallness.
nugatory
of no value or importance synonyms:worthless, unimportant, inconsequential, valueless, trifling, trivial, insignificant, meaningless ";a nugatory observation" Originearly 17th century: from Latin nugatorius, from nugari 'to trifle,' from nugae 'jests.
monster
an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frightening synonyms:giant, mammoth, colossus, leviathan, titan; informaljumbo ";he's a monster of a man" Originlate Middle English: from Old French monstre, from Latin monstrum 'portent or monster,' from monere 'warn.
miscreant
synonyms: criminal, culprit, wrongdoer, malefactor, offender, villain, lawbreaker, evildoer, del Origin Middle English [as an adjective in the sense 'disbelieving']: from Old French mescreant, present participle of mescreire 'disbelieve,' from mes- 'mis-' + creire 'believe' [from Latin credere ].
mordacious
denoting or using biting sarcasm or invective Origin mid 17th century: from Latin mordax, mordac- 'biting' + -ious.
monocoque
an aircraft or vehicle structure in which the chassis is integral with the body Origin early 20th century: from French, from mono- 'single' + coque 'shell.'
naive
synonyms: innocent, unsophisticated, artless, ingenuous, inexperienced, guileless, unworldly, trusting; gullible, credulous, immature, callow, raw, green, wide-eyed; informalwet behind the ears, bo Origin mid 17th century: from French naïve, feminine of naïf, from Latin nativus 'native, natural.'
obsequies
synonyms: funeral rites, funeral service, funeral, burial, interment, entombment, Origin late Middle English: plural of obsolete obsequy, from Anglo-Norman French obsequie, from the medieval Latin plural obsequiae [from Latin exsequiae 'funeral rites,' influenced by obsequium 'dutiful service'].
mores
the essential or characteristic customs and conv synonyms:customs, conventions, ways, way of life, traditions, practices, habits; lifeways; formalpraxis ";the mores of the day would have prevented her from voicing political opinions" Originlate 19th century: from Latin, plural of mos, mor- 'custom.
nonchalant
synonyms: calm, composed, unconcerned, cool, 'calm, cool, and collected', cool as a cucumber; indifferent, blasé, dispassionate, apathetic, casual, insouciant; informallaid-back ";she acts nonchalant Origin mid 18th century: from French, literally 'not being concerned,' from the verb nonchaloir .
mordant
[especially of humor] ha synonyms: caustic, trenchant, biting, cutting, acerbic, sardonic, sarcastic, scathing, acid, sharp, keen; critical, bitter, virulent, vitriolic ";a mordant sense of humor"; Origin late 15th century: from French, present participle of mordre 'to bite,' from Latin mordere .
munificent
synonyms:generous, bountiful, openhanded, magnanimous, philanthropic, princely, handsome, lavish, liberal, charitable, big-hearted, beneficent; literarybounteous ";a munif Originlate 16th century: from Latin munificent-, stem of munificentior, comparative of munificus 'bountiful,' from munus 'gift.
noisome
having an extremely offensive smell Origin late Middle English: from obsolete noy [shortened form of annoy] + -some1.
myrmidon
a member of a warlike Thessalian people led by Achilles at the siege of Troy Origin late Middle English: from Latin Myrmidones [plural], from Greek Murmidones .
nonplussed
[of a person] surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react Origin late 16th century: from Latin non plus 'not more.' The noun originally meant 'a state in which no more can be said or done.'
negotiate
synonyms:discuss terms, talk, consult, parley, confer, debate; compromise; mediate, intercede, arbitrate, moderate, conciliate; barga Originearly 17th century: from Latin negotiat- 'done in the course of business,' from the verb negotiari, from negotium 'business,' from neg- 'not' + otium 'leisure.
obloquy
synonyms: vilification, opprobrium, vituperation, condemnation, denunciation, abuse, criticism, censure, defamation, denigration, calumny, insults; informalflak; formalca Origin late Middle English: from late Latin obloquium 'contradiction,' from Latin obloqui, from ob- 'against' + loqui 'speak.'
myriad
synonyms:a multitude, a large/great number, a large/great quantity, scores, quantities, a mass, a host, droves, a horde; informallots, loads, masses, stacks, scads, tons, hundreds, thousand Originmid 16th century [sense 2 of the noun]: via late Latin from Greek murias, muriad-, from murioi '10,000.
obsequious
synonyms: servile, ingratiating, sycophantic, fawning, unctuous, oily, oleaginous, groveling, cringing, subservient, submissive, slavish; inf Origin late 15th century [not depreciatory in sense in early use]: from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium 'compliance,' from obsequi 'follow, comply with.'
naiad
[in classical mythology] a water nymph said to inhabit a river, spring, or waterfall Origin via Latin from Greek Naias, Naiad-, from naein 'to flow.' Use as a term in entomology and botany dates from the early 20th century.
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patois
the dialect of the synonyms:vernacular, [local] dialect, regional language; jargon, argot, cant; informal[local] lingo ";he recognized the patois of New Orleans in her speech" Originmid 17th century: French, literally 'rough speech,' perhaps from Old French patoier 'treat roughly,' from patte 'paw.
palaver
synonyms: fuss, commotion, trouble, rigmarole, folderol; informalsong and dance, performance, to-do, carrying-on, hoo-ha, hullabaloo, b Origin mid 18th century [in the sense 'a talk between tribespeople and traders']: from Portuguese palavra 'word,' from Latin parabola 'comparison' [see parable].
patron
synonyms: sponsor, backer, financier, benefactor, benefactress, contributor, subscriber, donor; philanthropist, promoter, friend, supporter; informalangel ";a patron of the ar Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin patronus 'protector of clients, defender,' from pater, patr- 'father.'
parietal
of, relating to, attached to, or denoting the wall of the body or of a body cavity or hollow structure Origin late Middle English: from late Latin parietalis, from Latin paries, pariet- 'wall.'
penance
voluntary self-punishment i synonyms:atonement, expiation, self-punishment, self-mortification, self-abasement, amends; punishment, penalty ";true penance requires honest self-examination" OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitentia 'repentance,' from the verb paenitere 'be sorry.
parvenu
a person of obscure origin who has gained wealth, influence, or celebrit synonyms: upstart, social climber, arriviste ";make way for our newest little hotshot parvenu"; Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'arrived,' past participle of parvenir, from Latin pervenire 'come to, reach.'
penurious
synonyms:poor, poor as a church mouse, poverty-stricken, destitute, necessitous, impecunious, impoverished, indigent, needy, in need/want, badly off, in reduced/straitened circumstances, hard u Originlate 16th century: from medieval Latin penuriosus, from Latin penuria 'need, scarcity' [see penury]
otiose
serving no practical purpose or result Origin late 18th century: from Latin otiosus, from otium 'leisure.'
parsimony
synonyms: cheapness, miserliness, meanness, parsimoniousness, niggardliness, close-fistedness, closeness, penny-pinching; informalstinginess, minginess, tightness, tightfistedness, cheeseparing; formalpenuri Origin late Middle English: from Latin parsimonia, parcimonia, from parcere 'be sparing.'
palpable
able to be touched or felt synonyms: tangible, touchable, noticeable, detectable ";a palpable bump"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin palpabilis, from Latin palpare 'feel, touch gently.'
palliate
make [a disease synonyms: alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, take the edge off, assuage, moderate, temper, diminish, decrease, blunt, deaden ";the treatment works by palliating symptoms"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin palliat- 'cloaked,' from the verb palliare, from pallium 'cloak.'
occlude
stop, close up, or obstruct [an opening, orifice, or passage] synonyms: block [up], stop [up], obstruct, clog [up], close, shut, plug [up], choke ";a blood clot has occluded the coronary artery"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin occludere 'shut up.'
omnibus
a volume containing several novels or other items previously published separately Originearly 19th century: via French from Latin, literally 'for all,' dative plural of omnis
obviate
synonyms: preclude, prevent, remove, get rid of, do away with, get around, rule out, eliminate, make/render unnecessary ";our latest agreement obviates any further discussion of the mat Origin late 16th century: from late Latin obviat- 'prevented,' from the verb obviare, based on Latin via 'way.'
penitent
synonyms:repentant, contrite, remorseful, sorry, apologetic, regretful, conscience-stricken, rueful, ashamed, shamefaced, abject, in sackcloth and ashes ";she stood there looking like a penitent child OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitent- 'repenting,' from the verb paenitere
paucity
the presence of something only in small or synonyms: scarcity, sparseness, sparsity, dearth, shortage, poverty, insufficiency, deficiency, lack, want ";the police cannot act with such a paucity of evidence"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French paucite or Latin paucitas, from paucus 'few.'
occult
synonyms: the supernatural, the paranormal, supernaturalism, magic, black magic, witch Origin late 15th century [as a verb]: from Latin occultare 'secrete,' frequentative of occulere 'conceal,' based on celare 'to hide'; the adjective and noun from occult- 'covered over,' from the verb occulere .
peculate
embezzle or steal [money, especially public funds] Origin mid 18th century: from Latin peculat- 'embezzled,' from the verb peculari [related to peculium 'property'].
penultimate
last but one in a series of things; second to the last synonyms: next-to-last, second-to-last, second-last ";the penultimate movie on my top-ten list is an animated feature"; Origin late 17th century: from Latin paenultimus, from paene 'almost' + ultimus 'last,' on the pattern of ultimate .
palimpsest
a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain Origin mid 17th century: via Latin from Greek palimpsēstos, from palin 'again' + psēstos 'rubbed smooth.'
pedigree
synonyms:ancestry, descent, lineage, line [of descent], genealogy, family tree, extraction, derivation, origin[s], heritage, parentage, bloodline, dual heritage, background, Originlate Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French pé de grue 'crane's foot,' a mark used to denote succession in pedigrees
percipient
[of a person] having a good understanding of things; perceptive Originmid 17th century: from Latin percipient- 'seizing, understanding,' from the verb percipere
orotund
[of the voice or phrasing] full, round, and imposing synonyms: deep, sonorous, strong, powerful, full, rich, resonant, loud, booming ";an orotund singing voice"; Origin late 18th century: from Latin ore rotundo 'with rounded mouth.'
outlandish
synonyms: weird, queer, far out, quirky, zany, eccentric, idiosyncratic, unconventional, unorthodox, funny, bizarre, unusual, singular, extraordinary, strange, unfamiliar, peculiar, odd, curious; More informaloffbeat, off t Origin Old English ūtlendisc 'not native,' from ūtland 'foreign country.'
odium
synonyms: disgust, abhorrence, repugnance, revulsion, loathing, detestation, hatred, hate, obloquy, dislike, distaste, disfavor, antipathy, animosity, animus, enmity, hostility, contempt; disgrace, shame, opprobrium, Origin early 17th century: from Latin, 'hatred,' from the verb stem od- 'hate.'
paladin
any of the twelve peers of Charlemagne's court, of whom the count palatine was the chief Origin late 16th century: from French paladin, from Italian paladino, from Latin palatinus '[officer] of the palace' [see palatine1].
opulent
synonyms: luxurious, sumptuous, palatial, lavish, lavishly appointed, rich, splendid, magnificent, grand, grandiose, fancy; informalplush, classy, ritzy, posh, swanky, swank "; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'wealthy, affluent']: from Latin opulent- 'wealthy, splendid,' from opes 'wealth.'
pavonine
of or like a peacock Origin mid 17th century: from Latin pavoninus, from pavo, pavon- 'peacock.'
ossuary
a container or room into which the bones of dead people are placed Origin mid 17th century: from late Latin ossuarium, formed irregularly from Latin os, oss- 'bone.'
pedestal
the synonyms: plinth, base, support, mounting, stand, foundation, pillar, column, pier; socle ";a bust on a pedestal"; Origin mid 16th century: from French piédestal, from Italian piedestallo, from piè 'foot' [from Latin pes, ped-, which later influenced the spelling] + di 'of' + stallo 'stall.'
parody
an imitation of synonyms: satire, burlesque, lampoon, pastiche, caricature, imitation, mockery; informalspoof, takeoff, send-up ";a parody of the Gothic novel"; Origin late 16th century: via late Latin from Greek parōidia 'burlesque poem,' from para- 'beside' [expressing alteration] + ōidē 'ode.'
ostensible
synonyms: apparent, outward, superficial, professed, supposed, alleged, purported ";the ostensible star is Lana Origin mid 18th century: from French, from medieval Latin ostensibilis from Latin ostens- 'stretched out to view,' from the verb ostendere, from ob- 'in view of' + tendere 'to stretch.'
ornery
synonyms: grouchy, grumpy, cranky, crotchety, cantankerous, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dyspeptic, irascible, waspish; truculent, cussed, stubborn ";they finally realized that his illness was what had made him s Origin early 19th century: variant of ordinary, representing a dialect pronunciation.
orifice
an opening, as of a pipe or tube, or one in the body, such as a nostril or the anus synonyms: opening, hole, aperture, slot, slit, cleft ";the orifice must be kept free from debris"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from late Latin orificium, from os, or- 'mouth' + facere 'make.'
overweening
showing excessive confidence or pride synonyms: overconfident, conceited, cocksure, cocky, smug, haughty, supercilious, lofty, patronizing, arrogant, proud, vain, self-important, imperious, overbearing; informalhigh and mighty, uppish
pediment
the triangular upper part of the front of a building in classical style, typically surmounting a portico of columns Origin late 16th century [as periment ]: perhaps an alteration of pyramid.
panegyric
a public spe synonyms: eulogy, speech of praise, paean, accolade, tribute ";the panegyric she delivered in Syd's memory brought tears to our eyes"; Origin early 17th century: from French panégyrique, via Latin from Greek panēgurikos 'of public assembly,' from pan 'all' + aguris 'agora, assembly.'
pedant
synonyms: dogmatist, purist, literalist, formalist, doctrinaire, perfectionist; quibbler, hair-splitter, casuist, sophist; informalnitpicker ";pedants insist tha Origin late 16th century: from French pédant, from Italian pedante, perhaps from the first element of Latin paedagogus [see pedagogue].
partisan
a strong supporter of a party, synonyms: supporter, follower, adherent, devotee, champion; fanatic, fan, enthusiast, stalwart, zealot, booster ";conservative partisans"; Origin mid 16th century: from French, via Italian dialect from Italian partigiano, from parte 'part' [from Latin pars, part- ].
opaque
not able to be synonyms: nontransparent, cloudy, filmy, blurred, smeared, smeary, misty, hazy; dirty, muddy, muddied, grimy ";opaque glass"; Origin late Middle English opake, from Latin opacus 'darkened.' The current spelling [rare before the 19th century] has been influenced by the French form.
perdition
[in Chris synonyms:damnation, eternal punishment; hell, hellfire, doom ";I hope that lawyer goes to perdition!" Originlate Middle English: from Old French perdiciun, from ecclesiastical Latin perditio[n-], from Latin perdere 'destroy,' from per- 'completely, to destruction' + the base of dare 'put.
pellucid
translucently clear synonyms:translucent, transparent, clear, crystal clear, crystalline, glassy, limpid, unclouded, gin-clear ";the pellucid waters" Originearly 17th century: from Latin pellucidus, from perlucere 'shine through.
palisade
a fence of wooden stakes or iron railings fixed in the ground, forming an enclosure o synonyms:fence, paling, barricade, stockade ";sentries were posted along the palisade" Originearly 17th century: from French palissade, from Provençal palissada, from palissa 'paling,' based on Latin palus 'stake.
ostracize
synonyms:exclude, shun, spurn, cold-shoulder, reject, shut out, avoid, ignore, snub, cut dead, keep at arm's length, leave out in the cold; blackba Originmid 17th century: from Greek ostrakizein, from ostrakon 'shell or potsherd' [on which names were written, in voting to banish unpopular citizens]
onerous
synonyms: burdensome, arduous, strenuous, difficult, hard, severe, heavy, back-breaking, oppressive, weighty, uphill, challenging, formidable, laborious, Herculean, exhausting, tiring, taxing, dem Origin late Middle English: from Old French onereus, from Latin onerosus, from onus, oner- 'burden.'
penitentiary
a prison for people convicted of serious crimes Originlate Middle English [as a term in ecclesiastical law]: from medieval Latin paenitentiarius, from Latin paenitentia 'repentance.' Sense 1 dates from the early 19th century
pedagogue
synonyms: teacher, schoolteacher, schoolmaster, schoolmistress, master, mistress, tutor; lecturer, academic, don, professor, instructor, educa Origin late Middle English: via Latin from Greek paidagōgos, denoting a slave who accompanied a child to school [from pais, paid- 'boy' + agōgos 'guide'].
paradigm
synonyms: model, pattern, example, exemplar, template, standard, prototype, archetype ";why should your sets of values be the paradigm for the rest of Origin late 15th century: via late Latin from Greek paradeigma, from paradeiknunai 'show side by side,' from para- 'beside' + deiknunai 'to show.'
opprobrium
synonyms: vilification, abuse, vituperation, condemnation, criticism, censure, denunciation, defamation, denigration, castigation, disparagement, obloquy, derogation, slander, Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, literally 'infamy,' from opprobrum, from ob- 'against' + probrum 'disgraceful act.'
pejorative
synonyms: disparaging, derogatory, denigratory, deprecatory, defamatory, slanderous, libelous, abusive, insulting, slighting; informalbitchy ";his remarks were considered too pe Origin late 19th century: from French péjoratif, -ive, from late Latin pejorare 'make worse,' from Latin pejor 'worse.'
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plaintive
sounding sad and m synonyms: mournful, sad, wistful, doleful, pathetic, pitiful, piteous, melancholy, sorrowful, unhappy, wretched, woeful, forlorn, woebegone; literarydolorous ";a plaintive cry"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French plaintif, -ive, from plainte 'lamentation' [see plaint].
pervious
[of a substance] allowing water to pass through; permeable Origin early 17th century: from Latin pervius 'having a passage through' [based on via 'way'] + -ous.
perspicacious
synonyms: discerning, shrewd, perceptive, astute, penetrating, observant, percipient, sharp-witted, sharp, smart, alert, clear-sighted, farsighted, acute, clever, canny, intelligent, insightful, wise, sage, se Origin early 17th century: from Latin perspicax, perspicac- 'seeing clearly' + -acious.
perquisite
another term for perk2 Origin late Middle English: from medieval Latin perquisitum 'acquisition,' from Latin perquirere 'search diligently for,' from per- 'thoroughly' + quaerere 'seek.'
plenipotentiary
a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independen synonyms: diplomat, dignitary, ambassador, minister, emissary, chargé d'affaires, envoy ";a plenipotentiary in Paris"; Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin plenipotentiarius, from plenus 'full' + potentia 'power.'
peroration
the concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience Origin late Middle English: from Latin peroratio[n-], from perorare 'speak at length' [see perorate].
pertinacious
synonyms: determined, tenacious, persistent, persevering, purposeful, resolute, dogged, indefatigable, insistent, single-minded, unrelenting, relentless, tireless, unshakable; stubborn, obstinate, inflexible, unbendi Origin early 17th century: from Latin pertinax, pertinac- 'holding fast' + -ous.
phlegmatic
synonyms: calm, cool, composed, 'calm, cool, and collected', controlled, serene, tranquil, placid, impassive, imperturbabl Origin Middle English [in the sense 'relating to the humor phlegm']: from Old French fleumatique, via Latin from Greek phlegmatikos, from phlegma 'inflammation' [see phlegm].
perennial
synonyms: abiding, enduring, lasting, everlasting, perpetual, eternal, continuing, unending, unceasing, never-ending, endless, undying, ceaseless, persis Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'remaining leafy throughout the year, evergreen']: from Latin perennis 'lasting the year through' + -ial.
petulant
synonyms:peevish, bad-tempered, querulous, pettish, fretful, cross, irritable, sulky, snappish, Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'immodest']: from French pétulant, from Latin petulant- 'impudent' [related to petere 'aim at, seek']. The current sense [mid 18th century] is influenced by pettish
platitude
a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting o synonyms: cliché, truism, commonplace, banality, old chestnut, bromide, inanity, banal/trite/hackneyed/stock phrase ";boring us with his platitudes"; Origin early 19th century: from French
persnickety
placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy Origin early 19th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.
persiflage
light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter Origin mid 18th century: from French persifler 'to banter,' based on siffler 'to whistle.'
perfunctory
synonyms: cursory, desultory, quick, brief, hasty, hurried, rapid, fleeting, token, casual, superficial, careless, halfhearted, sketchy, mechanical, automatic Origin late 16th century: from late Latin perfunctorius 'careless,' from Latin perfunct- 'done with, discharged,' from the verb perfungi .
perplex
synonyms: puzzle, baffle, mystify, bemuse, bewilder, confound, confuse, disconcert, dumbfound, throw, Origin late 15th century [as the adjective perplexed ]: from the obsolete adjective perplex 'bewildered,' from Latin perplexus 'entangled,' based on plexus 'interwoven,' from the verb plectere .
peruse
synonyms: read, study, scrutinize, inspect, examine, wade through, look through; browse through, leaf through, scan, run one's eye over, glance Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'use up, wear out']: perhaps from per- 'thoroughly' + use, but compare with Anglo-Norman French peruser 'examine.'
perturb
synonyms: worry, upset, unsettle, disturb, concern, trouble, disquiet; disconcert, discomfit, unnerve, alarm, bother, distress, dismay, gnaw at, agitate, fluster, ruffle, dis Origin late Middle English: from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbare, from per- 'completely' + turbare 'disturb.'
petition
a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to authority with respect to a parti synonyms:appeal, round robin ";more than 1,000 people signed the petition" OriginMiddle English: from Latin petitio[n-], from petit- 'aimed at, sought, laid claim to,' from the verb petere
perpetual
synonyms:everlasting, never-ending, eternal, permanent, unending, endless, without end, lasting, long-lasting, constant, abiding, enduring, perennial, tim OriginMiddle English: from Old French perpetuel, from Latin perpetualis, from perpetuus 'continuing throughout,' from perpes, perpet- 'continuou
perspicuous
[of an account or representation] clearly expressed and easily understood; lucid Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'transparent']: from Latin perspicuus 'transparent, clear' [from the verb perspicere 'look at closely'] + -ous.
permeate
synonyms: pervade, spread through, fill, filter through, diffuse through, imbue, penetrate, pass through, percolate through, perfuse, charge, suffuse, steep, impregnate, Origin mid 17th century: from Latin permeat- 'passed through,' from the verb permeare, from per- 'through' + meare 'pass, go.'
pith
soft or spongy tissue in plants or animals, in particular synonyms: essence, main point, fundamentals, heart, substance, nub, core, quintessence, crux, gist, meat, kernel, marrow, burden; informalnitty-gritty ";the pith of the argument"; Origin Old English pitha .
piquant
having a pleasantly sha synonyms: spicy, tangy, peppery, hot; tasty, flavorful, appetizing, savory; pungent, sharp, tart, zesty, strong, salty ";a piquant sauce"; Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'severe, bitter']: from French, literally 'stinging, pricking,' present participle of piquer .
pique
synonyms: irritation, annoyance, resentment, anger, displeasure, indignation, petulance, ill humor, vexation, exasperation, disgruntlement, discontent; offense, umbrage ";a fit of pique" Origin mid 16th century [denoting animosity between two or more people]: from French piquer 'prick, irritate.'
peremptory
synonyms: brusque, imperious, high-handed, brisk, abrupt, summary, commanding, Origin late Middle English [as a legal term]: via Anglo-Norman French from Latin peremptorius 'deadly, decisive,' from perempt- 'destroyed, cut off,' from the verb perimere, from per- 'completely' + emere 'take, buy.'
peregrinate
travel or wander around from place to place Origin late 16th century: from Latin peregrinat- 'traveled abroad,' from the verb peregrinari, from peregrinus 'foreign, traveling.'
phylactery
a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law Origin late Middle English: via late Latin from Greek phulaktērion 'amulet,' from phulassein 'to guard.'
pithy
[of language or style] concise and forcefully expressive synonyms:succinct, terse, concise, compact, short [and sweet], brief, condensed, to the point, epigrammatic, crisp, thumbnail; significant, meaningful, expressive, telling; formalcompendious ";pithy comments"
periphrastic
synonyms: circumlocutory, circuitous, roundabout, indirect, tautological, pleonastic, prolix, verbose, wordy, long-winded, rambling, wandering, tortuous, diffuse ";the periphrastic nature of leg Origin early 19th century: from Greek periphrastikos, from periphrazein 'declare in a roundabout way.'
pervade
synonyms: permeate, spread through, fill, suffuse, be diffused through, imbue, penetrate, filter through, percolate through, infuse, perfuse, flow through; charge, steep, saturate, Origin mid 17th century [also in the sense 'traverse']: from Latin pervadere, from per- 'throughout' + vadere 'go.'
plenary
unqualified; absolute synonyms: unconditional, unlimited, unrestricted, unqualified, absolute, sweeping, comprehensive; plenipotentiary ";the council has plenary powers in this matter"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin plenarius 'complete,' from plenus 'full.'
phantom
a ghost synonyms: ghost, apparition, spirit, specter, wraith; informalspook; literaryphantasm, shade ";a phantom who haunts lonely roads"; Origin Middle English [also in the sense 'illusion, delusion']: from Old French fantosme, based on Greek phantasma [see phantasm].
perfidy
synonyms: treachery, duplicity, deceit, deceitfulness, disloyalty, infidelity, faithlessness, unfaithfulness, betrayal, treason, double-dealing, untrustworthiness, Origin late 16th century: via French from Latin perfidia, from perfidus 'treacherous,' based on per- 'to ill effect' + fides 'faith.'
persuade
synonyms:prevail on, coax, convince, get, induce, win over, bring around, coerce, influence, sway, inveigle, entice, tempt, lure, cajole, wheedle; procure; informalsweet-talk, twist someone's arm; Originlate 15th century: from Latin persuadere, from per- 'through, to completion' + suadere 'advise.
plenitude
an abundance synonyms: abundance, lot, wealth, profusion, cornucopia, superabundance; informalload, slew, heap, buttload, ton ";Lord, we are so thankful for this plenitude"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin plenitudo, from plenus 'full.'
peripatetic
synonyms: nomadic, itinerant, traveling, wandering, roving, roaming, migrant, migratory, unsettled ";I could never Origin late Middle English [denoting an Aristotelian philosopher]: from Old French peripatetique, via Latin from Greek peripatētikos 'walking up and down,' from the verb peripatein .
pettifogger
an inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices Origin mid 16th century: from petty + obsolete fogger 'underhanded dealer,' probably from Fugger, the name of a family of merchants in Augsburg, Germany, in the 15th and 16th centuries.
perpetuate
synonyms: keep alive, keep going, preserve, conserve, sustain, maintain, continue, extend, carry on, keep up, prolong; immortalize, commemorate, mem Origin early 16th century: from Latin perpetuat- 'made permanent,' from the verb perpetuare, from perpetuus 'continuing throughout' [see perpetual].
pleonasm
the use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning [e.g., see with one's eyes ], either as a fault of style or for emphasis Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein 'be superfluous.'
phantasm
a figment of the imagination; an illus Origin Middle English [in the sense 'deceptive appearance']: from Old French fantasme, via Latin from Greek phantasma, from phantazein 'make visible,' from phainein 'to show.' The change from f- to ph- in the 16th century was influenced by the Latin spelling.
pettish
[of a person or their behavior] childishly bad-tempered and petulant
physiognomy
synonyms:face, features, countenance, expression, look, mien; informalmug, puss; literaryvisage, lineaments ";his Originlate Middle English: from Old French phisonomie, via medieval Latin from Greek phusiognōmonia 'judging of a man's nature [by his features],' based on gnōmōn 'a judge, interpreter.
picayune
petty; worthless Origin early 19th century: from French picaillon, denoting a Piedmontese copper coin, also used to mean 'cash,' from Provençal picaioun, of unknown ultimate origin.
plaint
an accusation; a charge Origin Middle English: from Old French plainte, feminine past participle of plaindre 'complain,' or from Old French plaint, from Latin planctus 'beating of the breast.'
picaresque
of or relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero Origin early 19th century: from French, from Spanish picaresco . See picaro.
placate
make [someone] less angry or hostile synonyms:pacify, calm, appease, mollify, soothe, win over, conciliate, propitiate, make peace with, humor ";John did his best to placate her" Originlate 17th century: from Latin placat- 'appeased,' from the verb placare
peruse
synonyms: read, study, scrutinize, inspect, examine, wade through, look through; More browse through, leaf through, scan, run one's eye over, g Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'use up, wear out']: perhaps from per- 'thoroughly' + use, but compare with Anglo-Norman French peruser 'examine.'
plangent
[of a sound] loud, reverberating, and often melancholy synonyms: melancholy, mournful, plaintive; sonorous, resonant, loud ";a plangent moan from somewhere not too distant"; Origin early 19th century: from Latin plangent- 'lamenting,' from the verb plangere .
pernicious
synonyms: harmful, damaging, destructive, injurious, hurtful, detrimental, deleterious, dangerous, adverse, inimical, unhealthy, unfavorable, bad, evil, baleful, wicked, malign, ma Origin late Middle English: from Latin perniciosus 'destructive,' from pernicies 'ruin,' based on nex, nec- 'death.'
perspire
give out sweat through the pores of the skin as the result of heat, physical exertion synonyms:sweat, be dripping/pouring with sweat, glow ";it's natural to perspire under these hot lights" Originmid 17th century: from French perspirer, from Latin perspirare, from per- 'through' + spirare 'breathe.
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poultice
a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth Origin late Middle English: from Latin pultes [plural], from puls, pult- 'porridge, pap.'
plummet
fall or drop straight down at high sp synonyms: plunge, nosedive, dive, drop, fall, descend, hurtle ";the plane plummeted to the ground"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Old French plommet 'small sounding lead,' diminutive of plomb 'lead.' The current verb sense dates from the 1930s.
powwow
a North American Indian ceremony involving feasting, singing, and dancing Origin early 17th century: from Narragansett powáw 'magician' [literally 'he dreams'].
prepossessing
precipice
synonyms: cliff face, cliff, steep cliff, rock face, sheer drop, height, crag, bluff, escarpment, scarp; literarysteep ";it's amazing h Origin late 16th century [denoting a headlong fall]: from French précipice or Latin praecipitium 'abrupt descent,' from praeceps, praecip[it]- 'steep, headlong.'
primordium
an organ, structure, or tissue in the earliest stage of development Originlate 19th century: from Latin, neuter of primordius 'original,' from primus 'first' + ordiri 'begin.
prevail
prove more powe synonyms:win, win out/through, triumph, be victorious, carry the day, come out on top, succeed, prove superior, conquer, overcome; rule, reign ";common sense will prevail" Originlate Middle English: from Latin praevalere 'have greater power,' from prae 'before' + valere 'have power.
pliant
pliable Origin Middle English: from Old French, literally 'bending,' present participle of plier .
pristine
synonyms:immaculate, perfect, in mint condition, as new, unspoiled, spotless, flawless, impeccable, clean, fresh, new, virgin Originmid 16th century [in the sense 'original, former, primitive and undeveloped']: from Latin pristinus 'former.' The senses 'unspoiled' and 'spotless' date from the 1920s
precarious
synonyms: uncertain, insecure, unpredictable, risky, parlous, hazardous, dangerous, unsafe; unsettled, unstable, unsteady, shaky; informaldicey, chancy, iffy ";those steps look a bit precariou Origin mid 17th century: from Latin precarius 'obtained by entreaty' [from prex, prec- 'prayer'] + -ous.
preposterous
synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, foolish, stupid, ludicrous, farcical, laughable, comical, risible, nonsensical, senseless, insane; outrageous, monstrous; informalcrazy ";at the Origin mid 16th century: from Latin praeposterus 'reversed, absurd' [from prae 'before' + posterus 'coming after'] + -ous.
primeval
of or resembling the earliest ages in the history of the world synonyms:ancient, earliest, first, prehistoric, antediluvian, primordial; pristine, original, virgin ";primeval forest" Originmid 17th century: from Latin primaevus [from primus 'first' + aevum 'age'] + -al
proboscis
the nose of a mammal, especially when it is long and mobile, such as the trunk of an elephant or the snout of a tapir Originearly 17th century: via Latin from Greek proboskis 'means of obtaining food,' from pro 'before' + boskein '[cause to] feed.
polemic
synonyms: diatribe, invective, rant, tirade, broadside, attack, harangue, condemnation, criticism, stricture, admonition, rebuke; abuse; informalblast; formalcastigation; literaryphilippic ";a polemic against in Origin mid 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek polemikos, from polemos 'war.'
portmanteau
a large trunk or suitcase, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal parts Originmid 16th century: from French portemanteau, from porter 'carry' + manteau 'mantle.
preemption
the purchase of goods or shares by one person or party before the opportunity is offered to others Originearly 17th century: from medieval Latin praeemptio[n-], from the verb praeemere, from prae 'in advance' + emere 'buy.
presage
synonyms: portend, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy, be an omen of, herald, be a sign of, be the harbinger of, warn of, be a presage of, signal Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: via French from Latin praesagium, from praesagire 'forebode,' from prae 'before' + sagire 'perceive keenly.'
precocious
[of synonyms: advanced for one's age, forward, mature, gifted, talented, clever, intelligent, quick; informalsmart ";some of the boys were extremely precocious"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin praecox, praecoc- [from praecoquere 'ripen fully,' from prae 'before' + coquere 'to cook'] + -ious.
precept
synonyms: principle, rule, tenet, canon, doctrine, command, order, decree, dictate, dictum, injunction, commandment; mitzvah; formalprescript ";the precept Origin late Middle English: from Latin praeceptum, neuter past participle of praecipere 'warn, instruct,' from prae 'before' + capere 'take.'
predecessor
a person who held a job or office before the current holder synonyms:forerunner, precursor, antecedent ";the senator's predecessor" Originlate Middle English: from late Latin praedecessor, from Latin prae 'beforehand' + decessor 'retiring officer' [from decedere 'depart']
preen
synonyms: clean, tidy, groom, smooth, arrange; arch Origin late Middle English: apparently a variant of obsolete prune [based on Latin ungere 'anoint'], in the same sense, associated with Scots and northern English dialect preen 'pierce, pin' [because of the "pricking" action of the bird's beak].
prodigal
spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant synonyms: wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, profligate, improvident, imprudent ";prodigal habits die hard"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin prodigalis, from Latin prodigus 'lavish.'
presumptuous
synonyms: brazen, overconfident, arrogant, bold, audacious, forward, familiar, impertinent, insolent, impudent, cocky; cheeky, rud Origin Middle English: from Old French presumptueux, from late Latin praesumptuosus, variant of praesumptiosus 'full of boldness,' from praesumptio [see presumption].
proclivity
synonyms: inclination, tendency, leaning, disposition, proneness, propensity, bent, bias, penchant, predisposition; predilection, partiality, liking, preference, taste, fondnes Origin late 16th century: from Latin proclivitas, from proclivis 'inclined,' from pro- 'forward, down' + clivus 'slope.'
plethora
synonyms: excess, overabundance, superabundance, surplus, glut, superfluity, surfeit, profusion; too many, too much, enough and to spare; informalmore —— than one can shake a stick at ";a Origin mid 16th century [in the medical sense]: via late Latin from Greek plēthōrē, from plēthein 'be full.'
profane
relating or devoted synonyms: secular, lay, nonreligious, temporal; formallaic ";subjects both sacred and profane"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'heathen']: from Old French prophane, from Latin profanus 'outside the temple, not sacred,' from pro- [from pro 'before'] + fanum 'temple.'
prodigious
synonyms: enormous, huge, colossal, immense, vast, great, massive, gigantic, mammoth, tremendous, inordinate, monumental; amazing, astonishing, astounding, staggering, stunning, r Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'portentous']: from Latin prodigiosus, from prodigium 'portent' [see prodigy].
procrastinate
synonyms: delay, put off doing something, postpone action, defer action, be dilatory, use delaying tactics, st Origin late 16th century: from Latin procrastinat- 'deferred until tomorrow,' from the verb procrastinare, from pro- 'forward' + crastinus 'belonging to tomorrow' [from cras 'tomorrow'].
predilection
synonyms: liking, fondness, preference, partiality, taste, penchant, weakness, soft spot, fancy, inclination, leaning, bias, propensity Origin mid 18th century: from French prédilection, from Latin praedilect- 'preferred,' from the verb praediligere, from prae 'in advance' + diligere 'to select.'
pragmatic
synonyms: practical, matter-of-fact, sensible, down-to-earth, commo Origin late 16th century [in the senses 'busy, interfering, conceited']: via Latin from Greek pragmatikos 'relating to fact,' from pragma 'deed' [from the stem of prattein 'do']. The current sense dates from the mid 19th century.
pontifex
[in ancient Rome] a member of the principal college of priests Origin Latin, from pons, pont- 'bridge' + -fex from facere 'make.'
prevaricate
synonyms: be evasive, beat around the bush, hedge, fence, shilly-shally, dod Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'go astray, transgress']: from Latin praevaricat- 'walked crookedly, deviated,' from the verb praevaricari, from prae 'before' + varicari 'straddle' [from varus 'bent, knock-kneed'].
preface
synonyms: introduction, foreword, preamble, prologue, prelude; front matter; informalprelims, intro, le Origin late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin praefatia, alteration of Latin praefatio[n-] 'words spoken beforehand,' from the verb praefari, from prae 'before' + fari 'speak.'
precipitate
Origin early 16th century: from Latin praecipitat- 'thrown headlong,' from the verb praecipitare, from praeceps, praecip[it]- 'headlong,' from prae 'before' + caput 'head.' The original sense of the verb was 'hurl down, send violently'; hence 'cause to move rapidly,' which gave rise to sense 1 [ea
portfolio
a large, thin, flat case for loose sheets of paper such as drawings or maps synonyms: briefcase, case, valise, bag, attaché [case] ";he kept the papers in his portfolio"; Origin early 18th century: from Italian portafogli, from portare 'carry' + foglio 'sheet of paper' [from Latin folium ].
prattle
talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way Origin mid 16th century: from Middle Low German pratelen, from praten [see prate].
portend
synonyms:presage, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy; be a sign, warn, be an omen, indicate, herald, signal, bode, promise, threaten, signify, spell, denote; literarybetoken, foretoken, forebode ";the sig Originlate Middle English: from Latin portendere, based on pro- 'forth' + tendere 'stretch.
postprandial
during or relating to the period after dinner or lunch Origin early 19th century: from post- 'after' + Latin prandium 'a meal' + -al.
precursor
a person or thing that come synonyms: forerunner, predecessor, forefather, father, antecedent, ancestor, forebear ";a three-stringed precursor of the guitar"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin praecursor, from praecurs- 'preceded,' from praecurrere, from prae 'beforehand' + currere 'to run.'
preclude
synonyms:prevent, make it impossible for, rule out, stop, prohibit, debar, bar, hinder, impede, inhibit, exclude ";his difficulties preclude him from leading a normal l Originlate 15th century [in the sense 'bar [a route or passage]']: from Latin praecludere, from prae 'before' + claudere 'to shut.
portent
synonyms: omen, sign, signal, token, forewarning, warning, danger sign, foreshadowing, prediction, forecast, prophecy, harbinger, augury, auspice, presage; writing on the wall, indication, hint; Origin late 16th century: from Latin portentum 'omen, token,' from the verb portendere [see portend].
prescient
synonyms: prophetic, predictive, visionary; psychic, clairvoyant; farsighted, prognostic, divinatory; insightful, intuitive, perceptive, percipient ";the outcome was Origin early 17th century: from Latin praescient- 'knowing beforehand,' from the verb praescire, from prae 'before' + scire 'know.'
presentiment
an intuitive feeling about the future, especially one of foreboding synonyms:premonition, foreboding, intuition, [funny] feeling, hunch, feeling in one's bones, sixth sense; archaicpresage ";a presentiment of disaster" Originearly 18th century: from obsolete French présentiment
presume
synonyms:assume, suppose, dare say, imagine, take it, expect, believe, think, surmise, guess, judge, conjecture, speculate, postulate, presu Originlate Middle English: from Old French presumer, from Latin praesumere 'anticipate' [in late Latin 'take for granted'], from prae 'before' + sumere 'take.
poignant
synonyms: touching, moving, sad, affecting, pitiful, piteous, pathetic, sorrowful, mournful, wretched, miserable, distressing, heart-rending, tearjerking, plaintive, tra Origin late Middle English: from Old French, literally 'pricking,' present participle of poindre, from Latin pungere 'to prick.
praxis
practice, as distinguished from theory Origin late 16th century: via medieval Latin from Greek, literally 'doing,' from prattein 'do.'
primordial
existing at or from the beginning of time; primeval synonyms:ancient, earliest, first, prehistoric, antediluvian, primeval ";the primordial oceans" Originlate Middle English: from late Latin primordialis 'first of all,' from primordius 'original' [see primordium]
precinct
a district of a city or town a synonyms: division ";the friendliest cop of the 20th precinct"; Origin late Middle English [denoting an administrative district]: from medieval Latin praecinctum, neuter past participle [used as a noun] of praecingere 'encircle,' from prae 'before' + cingere 'gird.'
prize
another term for pry2 Origin late 17th century: from dialect prise 'lever,' from Old French prise 'grasp, taking hold.' Compare with pry2.
probity
the synonyms: integrity, honesty, uprightness, decency, morality, rectitude, goodness, virtue, right-mindedness, trustworthiness, truthfulness, honor ";the committee feels that he has demonstrated little probity in this matter"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin probitas, from probus 'good.'
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qualm
synonyms: misgivings, doubts, reservations, second thoughts, worries, concerns, anxiety; hesitation, hesitance, hesitancy, demur, reluctance, disinclination, appr Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'momentary sick feeling']: perhaps related to Old English cw[e]alm 'pain,' of Germanic origin.
quintessence
synonyms: perfect example, exemplar, prototype, stereotype, picture, epitome, embodiment, ideal, apotheosis; best, pick, prime, acme, crème de la crème ";it's the quintessence of Origin late Middle English [as a term in philosophy]: via French from medieval Latin quinta essentia 'fifth essence.'
proliferous
[of a plant] producing buds or side shoots from a flower or other terminal part Origin mid 17th century: from Latin proles 'offspring' + -ferous.
punctilious
synonyms: meticulous, conscientious, diligent, scrupulous, careful, painstaking, rigorous, perfectionist, methodical, particular, strict; fussy, fastidious, finicky, pedantic; informalnitpick Origin mid 17th century: from French pointilleux, from pointille, from Italian puntiglio [see punctilio].
quotidian
synonyms: daily, everyday, day-to-day, diurnal ";the quotidian routine"; ordinary, average, run-of-the-mill, everyday, standard, typical, middle-of-the-road, common, conventional, mainstream, u Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin quotidianus, earlier cotidianus, from cotidie 'daily.'
protean
tendin synonyms:ever-changing, variable, changeable, mutable, kaleidoscopic, inconstant, inconsistent, unstable, shifting, unsettled, fluctuating, fluid, wavering, vacillating, mercurial, volatile; technicallabile ";the protean nature of mental disorders" Originlate 16th century: from Proteus + -an
quaint
synonyms: picturesque, charming, swe Origin Middle English: from Old French cointe, from Latin cognitus 'ascertained,' past participle of cognoscere . The original sense was 'wise, clever,' also 'ingenious, cunningly devised,' hence 'out of the ordinary' and the current sense [late 18th century].
prostrate
lyin synonyms: prone, lying flat, lying down, stretched out, spread-eagled, sprawling, horizontal, recumbent; rareprocumbent ";the prostrate figure on the ground"; Origin Middle English: from Latin prostratus 'thrown down,' past participle of prosternere, from pro- 'before' + sternere 'lay flat.'
propitiate
w synonyms: appease, placate, mollify, pacify, make peace with, conciliate, make amends to, soothe, calm ";my attempts to propitiate you are useless"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin propitiat- 'made favorable,' from the verb propitiare, from propitius 'favorable, gracious' [see propitious].
protest
synonyms: objection, complaint, exception, disapproval, challenge, dissent, demurral, remonstr Origin late Middle English [as a verb in the sense 'make a solemn declaration']: from Old French protester, from Latin protestari, from pro- 'forth, publicly' + testari 'assert' [from testis 'witness'].
profuse
synonyms: copious, prolific, abundant, liberal, unstinting, fulsome, effusive, extravagant, lavish, gushing; informalover the top, Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'extravagant']: from Latin profusus 'lavish, spread out,' past participle of profundere, from pro- 'forth' + fundere 'pour.'
propitious
giving or synonyms: favorable, auspicious, promising, providential, advantageous, optimistic, bright, rosy, heaven-sent, hopeful; opportune, timely ";the timing for such a meeting seemed propitious"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French propicieus or Latin propitius 'favorable, gracious.'
proponent
a person who advocates a theory, propos synonyms: advocate, champion, supporter, backer, promoter, protagonist, campaigner, booster, cheerleader ";a proponent of the youth basketball program"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin proponent- 'putting forth,' from the verb proponere [see propound].
pungent
synonyms:strong, powerful, pervasive, penetrating; sharp, acid, sour, biting, bitter, tart, vinegary, tangy; highly flavored, aromatic, spicy, piquant, peppery, hot ";a punge Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'very painful or distressing']: from Latin pungent- 'pricking,' from the verb pungere
putrid
[of organic matter] decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smel synonyms: decomposing, decaying, rotting, rotten, bad, off, putrefied, putrescent, rancid, moldy; foul, fetid, rank ";putrid meat"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin putridus, from putrere 'to rot,' from puter, putr- 'rotten.'
raiment
clothing Originlate Middle English: shortening of obsolete arrayment 'dress, outfit.
puerile
childishly silly and trivi synonyms: childish, immature, infantile, juvenile, babyish; silly, inane, fatuous, jejune, asinine, foolish, petty ";you're too old for these puerile outbursts"; Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'like a boy']: from French puéril or Latin puerilis, from puer 'boy.'
raft
a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beam, rafter']: from Old Norse raptr 'rafter.' The verb dates from the late 17th century.
proliterait
synonyms: the workers, working-class people, wage earners, the working classes, the common people, the lower classes, the masses, the rank and file, the third estate, the plebeians; the lumpen, the lumpenp Origin mid 19th century: from French prolétariat, from Latin proletarius [see proletarian].
providence
synonyms: fate, destiny, nemesis, kismet, God's will, divine intervention, predestination, predetermination, the stars; one's lot [in life]; archaicone's portion ";a life mapped Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin providentia, from providere 'foresee, attend to' [see provide].
pugilist
a boxer, especially a professional one synonyms:boxer, fighter, prizefighter; informalbruiser, pug ";in his neighborhood, guys pretty much had two career choices: drug dealer or pugilist" Originmid 18th century: from Latin pugil 'boxer' + -ist
prolix
synonyms:long-winded, verbose, wordy, pleonastic, discursive, rambling, long-drawn-out, overlong, lengthy, protracted, interminable; informalwindy, waffly ";his p Originlate Middle English: from Old French prolixe or Latin prolixus 'poured forth, extended,' from pro- 'outward' + liquere 'be liquid.
prudent
synonyms: wise, well judged, sensible, politic, judicious, sagacious, sage, shrewd, advisable, well advised ";it is prudent to obtain consent"; cautious, care Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin prudent-, contraction of provident- 'foreseeing, attending to' [see provident].
prolific
[of a plant, animal, or person] producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring synonyms: productive, creative, inventive, fertile ";a prolific composer"; Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin prolificus, from Latin proles 'offspring' [see proliferous].
quiescent
in a state or period of inactivity synonyms:inactive, inert, idle, dormant, at rest, inoperative, deactivated, quiet; still, motionless, immobile, passive ";the volcano is in a quiescent state" Originmid 17th century: from Latin quiescent- 'being still,' from the verb quiescere, from quies 'quiet.
quietus
death or something that causes death, regarded as a release from life Origin late Middle English: abbreviation of medieval Latin quietus est 'he is quit' [see quit1], originally used as a form of receipt or discharge on payment of a debt.
propriety
synonyms: decorum, respectability, decency, correctness, protocol, appropriateness, suitability, good manners, courtesy, politeness, rectitude, morality, ci Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'peculiarity, essential quality']: from Old French propriete, from Latin proprietas [see property].
radical
synonyms:thoroughgoing, thorough, complete, total, comprehensive, exhaustive, sweeping, far-reaching, wide-ranging, extensive, across the board, profound, major, s Originlate Middle English [in the senses 'forming the root' and 'inherent']: from late Latin radicalis, from Latin radix, radic- 'root.
pusillanimous
synonyms: timid, timorous, cowardly, fearful, faint-hearted, lily-livered, spineless, craven, shrinking; informalchicken, gutless, wimpy, wimpi Origin late Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin pusillanimis [translating Greek olugopsukhos ], from pusillus 'very small' + animus 'mind,' + -ous.
profligate
synonyms: wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, improvident, prodigal ";profligate local authorities"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'overthrown, routed']: from Latin profligatus 'dissolute,' past participle of profligare 'overthrow, ruin,' from pro- 'forward, down' + fligere 'strike down.'
puissant
having great power or influence Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin posse 'be able.'
provoke
synonyms:arouse, produce, evoke, cause, give rise to, occasion, call forth, elicit, induce, excite, spark off, touch off, kindle, generat Originlate Middle English [also in the sense 'invoke, summon']: from Old French provoquer, from Latin provocare 'challenge,' from pro- 'forth' + vocare 'to call.
quail
feel or show fear or apprehension synonyms: cower, cringe, flinch, shrink, recoil, shy [away], pull back; shiver, tremble, shake, quake, blench ";the sound of gunfire made us quail"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'waste away, come to nothing']: of unknown origin.
quidnunc
an inquisitive and gossipy person Origin early 18th century: from Latin quid nunc? 'what now?'
prosaic
synonyms: ordinary, everyday, commonplace, conventional, straightforward, routine, r Origin late 16th century [as a noun denoting a prose writer]: from late Latin prosaicus, from Latin prosa 'straightforward [discourse]' [see prose]. Current senses of the adjective date from the mid 18th century.
rail
synonyms: protest [against], fulminate against, inveigh against, rage against, speak out against, make a stand against; expostulate about, criticize, denounce, con Origin late Middle English: from French railler, from Provençal ralhar 'to jest,' based on an alteration of Latin rugire 'to bellow.'
promulgate
synonyms:make known, make public, publicize, spread, communicate, propagate, disseminate, broadcast, promote, preach; lit Originmid 16th century: from Latin promulgat- 'exposed to public view,' from the verb promulgare, from pro- 'out, publicly' + mulgere 'cause to come forth' [literally 'to milk']
proscribe
forbid, especially by law synonyms: forbid, prohibit, ban, bar, interdict, make illegal, embargo, outlaw, disallow, veto; enjoin ";gambling was proscribed"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'to outlaw']: from Latin proscribere, from pro- 'in front of' + scribere 'write.'
raffish
unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive manner synonyms: rakish, unconventional, Bohemian; devil-may-care, casual, careless; louche, disreputable, dissolute, decadent ";donning a raffish cap"; Origin early 19th century: from riffraff + -ish1.
propensity
synonyms:tendency, inclination, predisposition, proneness, proclivity, readiness, liability, disposition, leaning, weakness ";his propen Originlate 16th century: from archaic propense [from Latin propensus 'inclined,' past participle of propendere, from pro- 'forward, down' + pendere 'hang'] + -ity
prosody
the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry Origin late 15th century: from Latin prosodia 'accent of a syllable,' from Greek prosōidia 'song sung to music, tone of a syllable,' from pros 'toward' + ōidē 'song.'
providential
synonyms: opportune, advantageous, favorable, auspicious, propitious, heaven-sent, welcome, golden, lucky, happy, fortunate, felicitous, timely, well timed, seasonable, convenient, expedient ";we won with the aid of a provid Origin mid 17th century: from providence, on the pattern of evidential .
proselyte
a person who has convert synonyms:convert, new believer, catechumen ";proselytes are not spiritually mature enough to be counseling others in church matters" Originlate Middle English: via late Latin from Greek prosēluthos 'stranger, convert,' from prosēluth-, past stem of proserkhesthai 'approach.
protagonist
synonyms:chief/central/principal/main/leading character, chief/central/principal/main/leading participant, chief/central/principal/main/leading figure, chief/central/principal/main/leading playe Originlate 17th century: from Greek prōtagōnistēs, from prōtos 'first in importance' + agōnistēs 'actor.
raillery
good-humored teasing synonyms: teasing, mockery, chaff, ragging; banter, badinage; informalleg-pulling, joshing, ribbing, kidding ";affectionate raillery"; Origin mid 17th century: from French raillerie, from railler 'to rail' [see rail2].
pugnacious
synonyms:combative, aggressive, antagonistic, belligerent, bellicose, warlike, quarrelsome, argumentative, contentious, disputatious, hostile, threatening, truculent; fiery, hot-tempered ";this Originmid 17th century: from Latin pugnax, pugnac- [from pugnare 'to fight,' from pugnus 'fist'] + -ious
quaff
synonyms: drink, swallow, gulp [down], guzzle, slurp, down, empty; imbibe, partake of, consume; informalkill, swig, swill, slug, knock back, toss off, chug, chugalug, scarf [down] ";they quaffed a few beers before heading hom Origin early 16th century: probably imitative of the sound of drinking.
prognosis
the likely course of a disease or ailment synonyms:forecast, prediction, prognostication, prophecy, divination, augury ";it is difficult to make an accurate prognosis" Originmid 17th century: via late Latin from Greek prognōsis, from pro- 'before' + gignōskein 'know.
querulous
synonyms: petulant, peevish, pettish, complaining, fractious, fretful, irritable, testy, tetchy, cross, snappish, crabby, crotchety, cantankerous, miserable, moody, grumpy, bad-tempered, sullen, sulk Origin late 15th century: from late Latin querulosus, from Latin querulus, from queri 'complain.'
propinquity
the state of being close to someone or something; proximity Origin late Middle English: from Old French propinquité, from Latin propinquitas, from propinquus 'near,' from prope 'near to.'
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redolent
strongly reminiscent or suggest synonyms: evocative, suggestive, reminiscent ";their pubs bear names redolent of the monarchy"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'fragrant']: from Old French, or from Latin redolent- 'giving out a strong smell,' from re[d]- 'back, again' + olere 'to smell.'
rent
a large tear in a piece of fabric synonyms: rip, tear, split, hole, slash, slit ";the rent in his pants"; gorge, chasm, fault, rift, fissure, crevasse ";a vast rent in the mountains"; Origin mid 16th century: from obsolete rent 'pull to pieces, lacerate,' variant of rend.
reprove
synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, reproach, scold, admonish, chastise, chide, upbraid, berate, take to task, rake/haul over the coals, criticize, censure Origin Middle English [also in the senses 'reject' and 'censure']: from Old French reprover, from late Latin reprobare 'disapprove' [see reprobate].
redivivus
come back to life; reborn Origin late 16th century: from Latin, from re[d]- 'again' + vivus 'living.'
retard
synonyms: delay, slow down, slow up, hold back, hold up, set back, postpone, put back, detain, decelerate; hinder, hamper, obstruct, inhibit, impede, check, restrain, restrict, trammel; literary Origin late 15th century: from French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- 'back' + tardus 'slow.'
recalcitrant
synonyms: uncooperative, intractable, obstreperous, truculent, insubordinate, defiant, rebellious, willful, wayward, headstrong, self-willed, contrary, perverse Origin mid 19th century: from Latin recalcitrant- 'kicking out with the heels,' from the verb recalcitrare, based on calx, calc- 'heel.'
recrudesce
break out again; recur Origin late 19th century: back-formation from recrudescence 'recurrence,' from Latin recrudescere 'become raw again,' from re- 'again' + crudus 'raw.'
rebuttal
a refutation or contradiction synonyms:refutation, denial, countering, invalidation, negation, contradiction ";now that you've heard the accusations, have you a rebuttal?"
repast
a meal synonyms: meal, feast, banquet; informalspread, feed, bite, bite to eat; formalcollation, refection ";a sumptuous repast"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French, based on late Latin repascere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + pascere 'to feed.'
redress
r synonyms:rectify, correct, right, put to rights, compensate for, amend, remedy, make good, resolve, settle ";we redressed the problem";even up, regulate, equalize ";we aim to redress the balance" OriginMiddle English: the verb from Old French redresser ; the noun via Anglo-Norman French redresse
repeat
synonyms: say again, restate, reiterate, go/run through again, recapitulate; informalrecap ";she repeated her story"; recite, quote, parrot, regurgitate ";children can repeat large chunks of Origin late Middle English: from Old French repeter, from Latin repetere, from re- 'back' + petere 'seek.'
requiem
[especially in the Roman Catholic Church] a Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead OriginMiddle English: from Latin [first word of the Mass], accusative of requies 'rest.
rescind
synonyms: revoke, repeal, cancel, reverse, overturn, overrule, annul, nullify, void, invalidate, quash, abolish; vacate; formalabrogate ";the court can rescind a bankruptcy order"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin rescindere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + scindere 'to divide, split.'
remonstrate
synonyms: protest, complain, expostulate; argue with, take issue with ";"I'm not a child!" he remonstrated" Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'make plain']: from medieval Latin remonstrat- 'demonstrated,' from the verb remonstrare, from re- [expressing intensive force] + monstrare 'to show.'
recondite
synonyms: obscure, abstruse, arcane, esoteric, recherché, profound, difficult, complex, complicated, involved; incomprehensible, unfathomable, impene Origin mid 17th century: from Latin reconditus 'hidden, put away,' past participle of recondere, from re- 'back' + condere 'put together, secrete.'
remit
cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting [a debt or pu synonyms: cancel, set aside, suspend, revoke; formalabrogate ";the fines were remitted"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin remittere 'send back, restore,' from re- 'back' + mittere 'send.' The noun dates from the early 20th century.
reproach
address [someone] in such a way as synonyms: disgrace, discredit, source of shame, blemish, stain, blot; literarysmirch ";this party is a reproach to Canadian politics"; Origin Middle English: from Old French reprochier [verb], from a base meaning 'bring back close,' based on Latin prope 'near.'
remission
the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty synonyms: cancellation, setting aside, suspension, revocation; formalabrogation ";the remission of all fees"; Origin Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin remissio[n-], from remittere 'send back, restore' [see remit].
rankle
synonyms: cause resentment to, annoy, upset, anger, irritate, offend, affront, displease, provoke, irk, vex, pique, nettle, gall Origin Middle English: from Old French rancler, from rancle, draoncle 'festering sore,' from an alteration of medieval Latin dracunculus, diminutive of draco 'serpent.'
refractory
synonyms: obstinate, stubborn, mulish, pigheaded, obdurate, headstrong, self-willed, wayward, willful, perverse, contrary, recalcitrant, obstreperous, disobedient, difficult; infor Origin early 17th century: alteration of obsolete refractary, from Latin refractarius 'stubborn' [see also refract].
rancor
synonyms: bitterness, spite, hate, hatred, resentment, malice, ill will, malevolence, animosity, antipathy, enmity, hostility, acrimony, venom, vitriol Origin Middle English: via Old French from late Latin rancor 'rankness,' [in the Vulgate 'bitter grudge'], related to Latin rancidus 'stinking.'
reprobate
synonyms: rogue, rascal, scoundrel, miscreant, good-for-nothing, villain, wretch, rake, degenerate, libertine, debauchee; informal,cad; archaicb Origin late Middle English [as a verb]: from Latin reprobat- 'disapproved,' from the verb reprobare, from re- [expressing reversal] + probare 'approve.'
recherché
rare, exotic, or obscure synonyms: obscure, rare, esoteric, abstruse, arcane, recondite, exotic, strange, unusual, unfamiliar, out of the ordinary ";most of the titles are recherché"; Origin French, literally 'carefully sought out,' past participle of rechercher .
redundant
not or no synonyms:unnecessary, not required, inessential, unessential, needless, unneeded, uncalled for; surplus, superfluous ";the system is hobbled by redundant paperwork" Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'abundant']: from Latin redundant- 'surging up,' from the verb redundare [see redound]
reconnoiter
synonyms: survey, make a reconnaissance of, explore; investigate, examine, scrutinize, inspect, observe, take a look at; patrol; informalcheck out, scope out, recon ";two of our best Origin early 18th century: from obsolete French reconnoître, from Latin recognoscere 'know again' [see recognize].
respite
a short period of rest or synonyms: rest, break, breathing space, interval, intermission, interlude, recess, lull, pause, time out; relief, relaxation, repose; informalbreather, letup ";a brief respite"; Origin Middle English: from Old French respit, from Latin respectus 'refuge, consideration.'
refulgent
shining brightly Origin late 15th century: from Latin refulgent- 'shining out,' from the verb refulgere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + fulgere 'to shine.'
redound
synonyms: contribute to, be conducive to, result in, lead to, effect; formalconduce to ";such sanctions would not redound to their benefit i Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'surge up, overflow']: from Old French redonder, from Latin redundare 'surge,' from re[d]- 'again' + unda 'a wave.'
recidivist
a convicted criminal who reoffends, especially repeatedly Origin late 19th century: from French récidiviste, from récidiver 'fall back,' based on Latin recidivus 'falling back,' from the verb recidere, from re- 'back' + cadere 'to fall.'
ramification
a conseq synonyms:consequence, result, aftermath, outcome, effect, upshot; development, implication; product, by-product ";the incident backfired on her and has had ramifications beyond anything she could have imagined" Originmid 17th century: from French, from ramifier 'form branches' [see ramify]
redoubtable
[o synonyms: formidable, awe-inspiring, fearsome, daunting; impressive, commanding, indomitable, invincible, doughty, mighty ";a redoubtable army commander"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French redoutable, from redouter 'to fear,' from re- [expressing intensive force] + douter 'to doubt.'
refute
prove [a statement or theory] to be wrong or false; disprove synonyms: disprove, prove wrong, prove false, debunk, discredit, invalidate; informalpoke holes in; formalconfute ";attempts to refute Einstein's theory"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin refutare 'repel, rebut.'
rambunctious
uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous synonyms: boisterous, rowdy, obstreperous, wild, turbulent, unruly, disorderly ";rambunctious preschoolers"; Origin mid 19th century: of unknown origin.
rebut
synonyms: deny, contradict, controvert, repudiate, counter, attempt to Origin Middle English [in the senses 'rebuke' and 'repulse']: from Anglo-Norman French rebuter, from Old French re- [expressing opposition] + boter 'to butt.' Sense 1 [originally a legal use] dates from the early 19th century.
rector
[in the Episcopal Church] a member of the clergy who has charge of a parish Origin late Middle English: from Latin rector 'ruler,' from rect- 'ruled,' from the verb regere .
restive
synonyms: unruly, diso Origin late 16th century: from Old French restif, -ive, from Latin restare 'remain.' The original sense, 'inclined to remain still, inert,' has undergone a reversal; the association with the refractory movements of a horse gave rise to the current sense 'fidgety, restless.'
recreant
cowardly Origin Middle English: from Old French, literally 'surrendering,' present participle of recroire, from medieval Latin [se] recredere 'surrender [oneself],' from re- [expressing reversal] + credere 'entrust.'
relegate
synonyms: downgrade, lower, lower in rank/status, put down, move down; demote, degrade ";cooperatives may be relegated to a secondary r Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'send into exile']: from Latin relegat- 'sent away, referred,' from the verb relegare, from re- 'again' + legare 'send.'
renege
synonyms: default on, fail to honor, go back on, break, back out of, withdraw from, retreat from, welsh on, backtrack on; br Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'desert [especially a faith or a person]']: from medieval Latin renegare, from Latin re- [expressing intensive force] + negare 'deny.'
reprise
a repeated passage in music Origin early 18th century: French, literally 'taken up again,' feminine past participle of reprendre [see reprieve].
repudiate
synonyms: reject, renounce, abandon, give up, turn one's back on, disown, cast off, lay aside; formalforswear, abjure; literaryforsake ";he repudiated Origin late Middle English [originally an adjective in the sense 'divorced']: from Latin repudiatus 'divorced, cast off,' from repudium 'divorce.'
rebus
a puzzle in which words are represented by combinations of pictures and individual letters; for instance, apex might be represented by a picture of an ape followed by a letter X Originearly 17th century: from French rébus, from Latin rebus, ablative plural of res 'thing.
reticent
synonyms: reserved, withdrawn, introverted, inhibited, diffident, shy; uncommunicative, unforthcoming, unresponsive, tight-lipped, buttoned-up, qui Origin mid 19th century: from Latin reticent- 'remaining silent,' from the verb reticere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + tacere 'be silent.'
reprimand
synonyms:rebuke, reproof, admonishment, admonition, reproach, scolding, upbraiding, finger-wagging, censure; informalrap over the knuckl Originmid 17th century: from French réprimande, via Spanish from Latin reprimenda 'things to be held in check,' neuter plural gerundive of reprimere [see repress]
repugnance
synonyms: revulsion, disgust, abhorrence, repulsion, loathing, hatred, detestation, aversion, distaste, antipath Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'opposition']: from Old French repugnance or Latin repugnantia, from repugnare 'oppose,' from re- [expressing opposition] + pugnare 'to fight.'
recant
synonyms: renounce, disavow, deny, repudiate, renege on; formalforswear, abjure ";he was forced to recant his political beliefs"; change one's mind, be apostate; raretergiversate ";he r Origin mid 16th century: from Latin recantare 'revoke,' from re- [expressing reversal] + cantare 'sing, chant.'
recumbent
[e synonyms: lying, flat, horizontal, stretched out, sprawled [out], reclining, prone, prostrate, supine; lying down ";he stepped over Sadie's recumbent body"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin recumbent- 'reclining,' from the verb recumbere, from re- 'back' + a verb related to cubare 'to lie.'
reprehend
reprimand Origin Middle English: from Latin reprehendere 'seize, check, rebuke,' from re- [expressing intensive force] + prehendere 'seize.'
remiss
synonyms: negligent, neglectful, irresponsible, careless, thoughtless, heedless, lax, slack, slipshod, lack Origin late Middle English: from Latin remissus 'slackened,' past participle of remittere . The early senses were 'weakened in color or consistency' and [in describing sound] 'faint, soft.'
rebarbative
unattractive and objectionable Origin late 19th century: from French rébarbatif, -ive, from Old French se rebarber 'face each other "beard to beard" aggressively,' from barbe 'beard.'
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scurvy
a disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, characterized by swollen bleeding gums and the opening of previously healed wounds, Origin late Middle English [as an adjective meaning 'scurfy']: from scurf + -y1. The noun use [mid 16th century] is by association with French scorbut [see scorbutic].
sacerdotal
relating to priests or the priesthood; priestly Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin sacerdotalis, from sacerdos, sacerdot- 'priest.'
rubric
Origin late Middle English rubrish [originally referring to a heading, section of text, etc., written in red for distinctiveness], from Old French rubriche, from Latin rubrica [terra ] 'red [earth or ocher as writing material],' from the base of rubeus 'red'; the later spelling is influenced by th
sacrament
a religious ceremony or act of the Christian Church that is regarded as an outward and visi Origin Middle English: from Old French sacrement, from Latin sacramentum 'solemn oath' [from sacrare 'to hallow,' from sacer 'sacred'], used in Christian Latin as a translation of Greek mustērion 'mystery.'
rubicund
[especially of someone's face] having a ruddy complexion; high-colored Originlate Middle English [in the general sense 'red']: from Latin rubicundus, from rubere 'be red.
retrench
synonyms: economize, cut back, make cutbacks, make savings, make economies, reduce expenditure, be economical, be frugal, tighten Origin late 16th century [in the now formal usage]: from obsolete French retrencher, variant of retrancher, from re- [expressing reversal] + trancher 'to cut, slice.'
sacrosanct
synonyms: sacred, hallowed, respected, inviolable, inviolate, unimpeachable, invulnerable, untouchable, inalienable; protected, defended, secure, safe ";the separation of churc Origin late 15th century: from Latin sacrosanctus, from sacro 'by a sacred rite' [ablative of sacrum ] + sanctus 'holy.'
salvation
deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be br synonyms: redemption, deliverance, reclamation ";salvation by way of repentance"; Origin Middle English: from Old French salvacion, from ecclesiastical Latin salvation- [from salvare 'to save'], translating Greek sōtēria .
sartorial
of or relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress Origin early 19th century: from Latin sartor 'tailor' [from sarcire 'to patch'] + -ial.
salubrious
health-giving; healthy synonyms: healthy, health-giving, healthful, beneficial, wholesome; archaicsalutary ";I found the climate salubrious"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin salubris [from salus 'health'] + -ous.
satire
the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's synonyms: mockery, ridicule, derision, scorn, caricature; irony, sarcasm ";he has become the subject of satire"; Origin early 16th century: from French, or from Latin satira, later form of satura 'poetic medley.'
salary
synonyms: pay, wages, earnings, payment, remuneration, fee[s], stipend, income; informaltake-home; formalemolument ";an annual raise in his s Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French salarie, from Latin salarium, originally denoting a Roman soldier's allowance to buy salt, from sal 'salt.'
secede
synonyms:withdraw from, break away from, break with, separate [oneself] from, leave, split with, split off from, disaffiliate from, resign from, pull out of; informalquit ";the southern states seceded from the Union, prec Originearly 18th century: from Latin secedere, from se- 'apart' + cedere 'go.
rift
a crack, split, or break in something synonyms:crack, fault, flaw, split, break, breach, fissure, fracture, cleft, crevice, cavity, opening ";a deep rift in the ice" OriginMiddle English: of Scandinavian origin; compare with Norwegian and Danish rift 'cleft, chink.
savor
taste [good food or drink] and enjoy it completely synonyms: relish, enjoy [to the full], appreciate, delight in, revel in, luxuriate in, bask in ";she wanted to savor every moment"; Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin sapor, from sapere 'to taste.'
ribald
referring to sexual matters in an amusingly rude or irreverent way Origin Middle English [as a noun denoting a lowly retainer or a licentious or irreverent person]: from Old French ribauld, from riber 'indulge in licentious pleasures,' from a Germanic base meaning 'prostitute.'
seminal
[of a w synonyms: influential, formative, groundbreaking, pioneering, original, innovative; major, important ";her paper is a seminal work on the subject"; Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French seminal or Latin seminalis, from semen 'seed.' Sense 1 dates from the mid 17th century.
rudiment
the first principles of a subject synonyms:basics, fundamentals, essentials, first principles, foundation; informalnuts and bolts, ABCs ";the rudiments of sign language" Originmid 16th century: from French, or from Latin rudimentum, from rudis 'unwrought,' on the pattern of elementum 'element.
satiate
another term for sate1 synonyms:fill, satisfy, sate; slake, quench; gorge, stuff, surfeit, glut, cloy, sicken, nauseate ";here, this stew should satiate you" Originlate Middle English: from Latin satiatus, past participle of satiare, from satis 'enough.
sedulous
synonyms: diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough, assiduous, attentive, industrious, conscientious, ultracareful, punctilious, scrupulous, painstaking, minute, rigorous, particular ";he picked the thorn from his leg with sedulous care Origin mid 16th century: from Latin sedulus 'zealous' + -ous.
sardonic
synonyms: mocking, satirical, sarcastic, ironical, ironic; cynical, scornful, contemptuous, derisive, d Origin mid 17th century: from French sardonique, earlier sardonien, via Latin from Greek sardonios 'of Sardinia,' alteration of sardanios, used by Homer to describe bitter or scornful laughter.
sallow
synonyms: yellowish, jaundiced, pallid, wan, pale, anemic, bloodless, pasty; unhealthy, sickly, washed out; informallike death warmed over; icteric ";a disturbingly sallow complex Origin Old English salo 'dusky,' of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse sǫlr 'yellow,' from a base meaning 'dirty.'
screed
a long speech or piece of writing, typically one regarded as tedious Origin Middle English: probably a variant of the noun shred. The early sense was 'fragment cut from a main piece,' then 'torn strip, tatter,' whence [via the notion of a long roll or list] sense 1 of the noun.
sapient
wise, or attempting to appear wise Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin sapient- 'being wise,' from the verb sapere .
scrupulous
synonyms: careful, meticulous, painstaking, thorough, assiduous, sedulous, attentive, conscientious, punctilious, searching, close, minute, rigorous, partic Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'troubled with doubts']: from French scrupuleux or Latin scrupulosus, from scrupulus [see scruple].
sangfroid
composure or coolne synonyms: composure, equanimity, self-possession, equilibrium, aplomb, poise, self-assurance, self-control, nerve, calm, presence of mind; informalcool, unflappability ";he recovered his usual sangfroid"; Origin mid 18th century: from French sang-froid, literally 'cold blood.'
salutary
[es synonyms: beneficial, advantageous, good, profitable, productive, helpful, useful, valuable, worthwhile; timely ";a salutary lesson on the fragility of nature"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun in the sense 'remedy']: from French salutaire or Latin salutaris, from salus, salut- 'health.'
riposte
a quick clever reply to an insult or criticism synonyms: retort, counter, rejoinder, sally, return, answer, reply, response; informalcomeback ";an indignant riposte"; Origin early 18th century: from French risposte [noun], risposter [verb], from Italian risposta 'response.'
schadenfreude
pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune Origin German Schadenfreude, from Schaden 'harm' + Freude 'joy.'
salacious
synonyms: pornographic, obscene, indecent, crude, lewd, vulgar, dirty, filthy; erotic, titillating, arousing, suggestive, sexy, risqué, ribald, smutty, bawdy; X-rated; informalporn, porno, blue, XXX; euphemisticadul Origin mid 17th century: from Latin salax, salac- [from salire 'to leap'] + -ious
revile
synonyms: criticize, censure, condemn, attack, inveigh against, rail against, castigate, lambaste, denounce; slander, libel, malign, vilify, abuse; informalknock, slam, pan, crucify, roast, tear into, badmouth, dis, pummel; form Origin Middle English: from Old French reviler, based on vil 'vile.'
scathing
synonyms:devastating, extremely critical, blistering, searing, withering, scorching, fierce, ferocious, savage, severe, stinging, biting, cutting, mordant, trenchant, virulent, caustic, vit OriginMiddle English: from Old Norse skathi [noun], skatha [verb]; related to Dutch and German schaden [verb]
sapid
having a strong, pleasant taste Origin early 17th century: from Latin sapidus, from sapere 'to taste.'
sententious
synonyms: moralistic, moralizing, sanctimonious, self-righteous, pietistic, pious, priggish, judgmental; pompous, pontific Origin late Middle English: from Latin sententiosus, from sententia 'opinion' [see sentence]. The original sense was 'full of meaning or wisdom,' later becoming depreciatory.
scruple
synonyms: qualms, compunction, pangs/twinges of conscience, hesitation, reservations, second thoughts, doubt[s], misgivings, uneasiness, reluctance ";he had no sc Origin late Middle English: from French scrupule or Latin scrupulus, from scrupus, literally 'rough pebble,' [figuratively] 'anxiety.'
saturnine
synonyms: gloomy, somber, melancholy, moody, lugubrious, dour, glum, morose, un Origin late Middle English [as a term in astrology]: from Old French saturnin, from medieval Latin Saturninus 'of Saturn' [identified with lead by the alchemists and associated with slowness and gloom by astrologers].
savant
synonyms: intellectual, scholar, sage, philosopher, thinker, wise/learned person; guru, master, pundit, pandit ";how out of place she was, a world-hungry young savant in a family of du Origin early 18th century: French, literally 'knowing [person],' present participle [used as a noun] of savoir .
salvo
a simultaneous discharge of artillery or other guns in a battle Originlate 16th century [earlier as salve ]: from French salve, Italian salva 'salutation.
searing
synonyms: scorching, blistering, sweltering, blazing [hot], burning, fiery, torrid; informalboiling [hot], baking [hot], sizzling, roasting ";the searing heat"; intense, excruciating, agonizing, sharp, stabbing, shooting, st Origin Old English sēar [adjective], sēarian [verb], of Germanic origin.
scion
a young shoot or twig of a plant, especially one cut for grafting or rooting synonyms: cutting, graft, slip; shoot, offshoot, twig ";a scion of the tree"; Origin Middle English: from Old French ciun 'shoot, twig,' of unknown origin.
revere
synonyms: respect, admire, honor, think highly of, esteem, hold in high esteem, hold in high regard, look up to, put on a pedestal, lionize, reverence ";she is revered as a na Origin mid 17th century: from French révérer or Latin revereri, from re- [expressing intensive force] + vereri 'to fear.'
risible
synonyms:laughable, ridiculous, absurd, comical, comic, amusing, funny, hilarious, humorous, droll, farcical, silly, ludicrous, hysterical; informalrib-tickling, Originmid 16th century [in the sense 'inclined to laughter']: from late Latin risibilis, from Latin ris- 'laughed,' from the verb ridere
sanguine
optimistic or synonyms: optimistic, bullish, hopeful, buoyant, positive, confident, cheerful, cheery; informalupbeat ";he is sanguine about the advance of technology"; Origin Middle English: from Old French sanguin[e ] 'blood-red,' from Latin sanguineus 'of blood,' from sanguis, sanguin- 'blood.'
secure
fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost synonyms: fastened, fixed, secured, done up; closed, shut, locked ";check to ensure that all bolts are secure"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'feeling no apprehension']: from Latin securus, from se- 'without' +
rhetoric
the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the us synonyms: oratory, eloquence, command of language, way with words ";a form of rhetoric"; Origin Middle English: from Old French rethorique, via Latin from Greek rhētorikē [tekhnē ] '[art] of rhetoric,' from rhētōr 'rhetor.'
sepulcher
a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, i synonyms: tomb, vault, burial chamber, mausoleum, crypt, undercroft, catacomb; grave ";an old family sepulcher on the grounds of the estate"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin sepulcrum 'burial place,' from sepelire 'bury.'
sap
a foolish and gullible person Origin early 19th century: abbreviation of dialect sapskull 'person with a head like sapwood,' from sap1 [in the sense 'sapwood'] + skull.
retreat
[of an army] withdraw fr synonyms: withdraw, retire, draw back, pull back/out, fall back, give way, give ground, beat a retreat, beat a hasty retreat ";the army retreated"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French retret [noun], retraiter [verb], from Latin retrahere 'pull back' [see retract].
rigmarole
a lengthy and comp synonyms:fuss, bother, trouble, palaver, ado, pother, song and dance, performance, to-do, pantomime, hassle, folderol ";the rigmarole of dressing up" Originmid 18th century: apparently an alteration of ragman roll, originally denoting a legal document recording a list of offenses
sacrilege
synonyms: desecration, profanity, blasphemy, impiety, irreligion, unholiness, irreverence, disrespect, profanation ";any form of gamb Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin sacrilegium, from sacrilegus 'stealer of sacred things,' from sacer, sacr- 'sacred' + legere 'take possession of.'
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stigma
a mark of dis synonyms: shame, disgrace, dishonor, ignominy, opprobrium, humiliation, [bad] reputation ";the stigma of bankruptcy"; Origin late 16th century [denoting a mark made by pricking or branding]: via Latin from Greek stigma 'a mark made by a pointed instrument, a dot'; related to stick1.
solicitous
characterized by or showing interest o synonyms: concerned, caring, considerate, attentive, mindful, thoughtful, interested; anxious, worried; compassionate, humane ";she was always solicitous about the welfare of her students"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin sollicitus [see solicit] + -ous.
smorgasbord
a buffet offering a variety of hot and cold meats, salads, hors d'oeuvres, etc OriginSwedish, from smörgås '[slice of] bread and butter' [from smör 'butter' + gås 'goose, lump of butter'] + bord 'table.
skiff
a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat with sharp bow and square stern Origin late 15th century: from French esquif, from Italian schifo, of Germanic origin; related to ship1.
sinew
a piece of tough fibrous tissue uniting muscle to bone or bone to bone; a tendon or ligament OriginOld English sin[e]we 'tendon,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zeen and German Sehne
slapdash
done too hurriedly and carelessly synonyms: careless, slipshod, hurried, haphazard, unsystematic, untidy, messy, hit-or-miss, negligent, neglectful, lax; informalsloppy, slaphappy, shambolic ";they did a slapdash job on the driveway";
spurious
synonyms: bogus, fake, false, counterfeit, forged, fraudulent, sham, artificial, imitation, simulated, feigned, deceptive, misleading, specious; informalphony, pretend ";an attempt to be excused due Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'born out of wedlock']: from Latin spurius 'false' + -ous.
sprightly
[especially of an old person] lively; full of synonyms:spry, lively, agile, nimble, energetic, active, full of energy, vigorous, spirited, animated, vivacious, frisky; informalfull of vim and vigor ";sprightly Irish folk dancers" Originlate 16th century: from spright [rare variant of sprite] + -ly1
stoic
a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining Origin late Middle English: via Latin from Greek stōïkos, from stoa [with reference to Zeno's teaching in the Stoa Poikilē or Painted Porch, at Athens].
sojourn
a temporary stay synonyms: stay, visit, stop, stopover; vacation ";a sojourn in France"; Origin Middle English: from Old French sojourner, based on Latin sub- 'under' + late Latin diurnum 'day.'
sibyl
a woman in ancient times supposed to utter the oracles and prophecies of a god Origin from Old French Sibile or medieval Latin Sibilla, via Latin from Greek Sibulla .
solecism
a grammatical mistake in speech or writing synonyms: [grammatical] mistake, error, blunder; informalhowler, blooper ";a poem marred by solecisms"; Origin mid 16th century: from French solécisme, or via Latin from Greek soloikismos, from soloikos 'speaking incorrectly.'
specter
a ghost synonyms:ghost, phantom, apparition, spirit, wraith, shadow, presence; informalspook; literaryphantasm, shade ";the specters in the crypt" Originearly 17th century: from French spectre or Latin spectrum [see spectrum]
strident
loud and harsh; grating synonyms: harsh, raucous, rough, grating, rasping, jarring, loud, shrill, screeching, piercing, ear-piercing ";a strident voice interrupted the consultation"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin strident- 'creaking,' from the verb stridere .
soporific
tending to induce drowsiness or sleep synonyms: sleep-inducing, sedative, somnolent, calmative, tranquilizing, narcotic, opiate; drowsy, sleepy, somniferous; hypnotic ";soporific drugs"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin sopor 'sleep' + -ific.
steep
soak [food or tea] in water or other liquid so as to extract its flavor or to soften it synonyms: marinade, marinate, soak, souse, macerate; pickle ";the ham is then steeped in brine"; Origin Middle English: of Germanic origin; related to stoup.
squalid
synonyms: dirty, filthy, grubby, grimy, mucky, slummy, foul, vile, poor, sorry, wretched, miserable, mean, seedy, shabby, sordid, insalubrious; neglected, uncared-for, broken-down, run-down, down-at-heel, down-at-t Origin late 16th century: from Latin squalidus, from squalere 'be rough or dirty.'
sinecure
a position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit synonyms: easy job, cushy job, soft option; informalpicnic, cinch, easy money, free ride, gravy train ";mowing the Ortons' lawn is a sinecure"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin sine cura 'without care.'
solipsism
the view or theory that the self is all that can be known to exist Origin late 19th century: from Latin solus 'alone' + ipse 'self' + -ism.
sere
[especially of vegetation] dry or withered Origin Old English sēar : see sear.
splenetic
synonyms: bad-tempered, ill-tempered, angry, cross, peevish, petulant, pettish, irritable, irascible, choleric, dyspeptic, testy, tetchy, snappish, waspish, Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting a person with a diseased spleen]: from late Latin spleneticus, from Greek splēn [see spleen].
sonorous
[of a person's voice or other sound] imposingly deep and full synonyms: resonant, rich, full, round, booming, deep, clear, mellow, orotund, fruity, strong, resounding, reverberant ";a sonorous voice"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin sonorus [from sonor 'sound'] + -ous.
sortilege
the practice of foretelling the future from a card or other item drawn at random from a collection Origin late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin sortilegium 'sorcery,' from Latin sortilegus 'sorcerer,' from sors, sort- 'lot, chance' + legere 'choose.'
stentorian
[of a person's voice] loud and powerful synonyms: loud, thundering, thunderous, ear-splitting, deafening; powerful, strong, carrying; booming, resonant; strident ";his stentorian voice resonated throughout the theater";
sodden
synonyms: soaking, soaked [through], wet [through], saturated, drenched, sopping wet, wringing wet ";his clothes were sodden"; waterlogged, soggy, saturated, boggy, swampy, miry, marshy; heavy, so Origin Middle English [in the sense 'boiled, cooked by boiling']: archaic past participle of seethe.
sporadic
synonyms: occasional, infrequent, irregular, periodic, scattered, patchy, isolated, odd; intermittent, spasmodic, fitful, desultory, erratic, unpredictable; nonconse Origin late 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek sporadikos, from sporas, sporad- 'scattered'; related to speirein 'to sow.'
simper
smile or gesture in an affectedly coquettish, coy, or ing synonyms: smile affectedly, smile coquettishly, look coy, smirk, giggle, titter ";she sat there simpering, knowing she would have the last laugh"; Origin mid 16th century: of unknown origin; compare with German zimpfer 'elegant, delicate.'
staid
synonyms: sedate, respectable, quiet, serious, serious-minded, steady, conventional, traditional, unadventurous, unenterprising, set in one's ways, sober, proper, decorous, formal, stuffy, stiff, priggish; informalstarchy, buttoned-down, Origin mid 16th century: archaic past participle of stay1.
simulacrum
an image or representation of someone or something Origin late 16th century: from Latin, from simulare [see simulate]
sinuous
having many curves and turns synonyms: winding, windy, serpentine, curving, twisting, meandering, snaking, zigzag, curling, coiling ";a sinuous river"; Origin late 16th century: from French sinueux or Latin sinuosus, from sinus 'a bend.'
solvent
havi synonyms: financially sound, debt-free, in the black, in credit, creditworthy, solid, secure, profit-making; unleveraged ";after years in debt, he finally knew what it meant to be solvent"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin solvent- 'loosening, unfastening, paying,' from the verb solvere .
sprite
an elf or fairy synonyms:fairy, elf, pixie, imp, brownie, puck, peri, leprechaun; nymph, sylph, naiad ";by light of moon the woodland sprites do dance and play" OriginMiddle English: alteration of sprit, a contraction of spirit
stanch
stop or restrict [a flow of blood] from a wound Origin Middle English: from Old French estanchier, from the base of staunch1.
soothsayer
a pers synonyms: seer, oracle, augur, prophet/prophetess, sage, prognosticator, diviner, fortune teller, crystal gazer, clairvoyant, psychic; literarysibyl; rareharuspex ";the most respected of the king's soothsayers"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'person who speaks the truth']: see sooth.
slake
quench or satisfy [one's thirst] synonyms: quench, satisfy, sate, satiate, relieve, assuage ";we longed for a mountain spring to slake our thirst"; Origin Old English slacian 'become less eager,' also 'slacken,' from the adjective slæc 'slack'; compare with Dutch slaken 'diminish, relax.'
serendipity
synonyms: [happy] chance, [happy] accident, fluke; luck, good luck, go Origin 1754: coined by Horace Walpole, suggested by The Three Princes of Serendip, the title of a fairy tale in which the heroes "were always making discoveries, by accidents and sagacity, of things they were not in quest of."
sisyphean
[of a task] such that it can never be completed Origin late 16th century: from Latin Sisypheius [based on Greek Sisuphos : see Sisyphus] + -an.
sidereal
of or with respect to the distant stars [i.e., the constellations or fixed stars, not the sun or planets] Origin mid 17th century: from Latin sidereus [from sidus, sider- 'star'] + -al.
sepulcher
a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in whic synonyms:tomb, vault, burial chamber, mausoleum, crypt, undercroft, catacomb; grave ";an old family sepulcher on the grounds of the estate" OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin sepulcrum 'burial place,' from sepelire 'bury.
strut
a rod or bar forming part of a framework and designed to resist compression synonyms: swagger, swank, parade, stride, sweep, sashay ";he strutted around his vast office"; Origin Old English strūtian 'protrude stiffly,' of Germanic origin. Current senses date from the late 16th century.
sophist
a paid teacher of philosophy and rhetoric in ancient Greece, associated in popular thought with moral skepticism and specious reasoning Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek sophistēs, from sophizesthai 'devise, become wise,' from sophos 'wise.'
staccato
with each sound or note sharply detached or separated from the others Origin Italian, literally 'detached.'
stolid
[of a person] calm, dependabl synonyms: impassive, phlegmatic, unemotional, cool, calm, placid, unexcitable; dependable; unimaginative, dull ";her stolid facade is somewhat unnerving"; Origin late 16th century: from obsolete French stolide or Latin stolidus [perhaps related to stultus 'foolish'].
somber
dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy synonyms: dark, drab, dull, dingy; restrained, subdued, sober, funereal ";somber clothes"; Origin mid 18th century: from French, based on Latin sub 'under' + umbra 'shade.'
sidle
walk in a furtive, unobtrusive, or timid manner, especially sideways or obliq synonyms: creep, sneak, slink, slip, slide, steal, edge, inch, move furtively ";the sheriff sidled up to the window on the north side of the cabin"; Origin late 17th century: back-formation from sideling [see sidelong].
simpatico
[of a person] likable and easy to get along with OriginItalian and Spanish, 'sympathetic.
stalwart
synonyms: staunch, loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dedicated, dependable, reliable, steady, constant, trusty, solid, hard-working, steadfast, redoubtable, unwavering ";a stalwart Origin late Middle English: Scots variant of obsolete stalworth, from Old English stǣl 'place' + weorth 'worth.'
specious
superficially plausible, but actually wrong synonyms: misleading, deceptive, false, fallacious, unsound, spurious, casuistic, sophistic ";specious reasoning"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beautiful']: from Latin speciosus 'fair,' from species [see species].
sordid
synonyms: sleazy, dirty, seedy, seamy, unsavory, tawdry, cheap, debased, degenerate, dishonorable, disreputa Origin late Middle English [as a medical term in the sense 'purulent']: from French sordide or Latin sordidus, from sordere 'be dirty.' The current senses date from the early 17th century.
strait
a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water synonyms: channel, sound, inlet, stretch of water ";a strait about six miles wide"; Origin Middle English: shortening of Old French estreit 'tight, narrow,' from Latin strictus 'drawn tight' [see strict].
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tendon
a flexible but inelastic cord of strong fibrous collagen tissue attaching a muscle to a bone Originlate Middle English: from French or medieval Latin tendo[n-], translating Greek tenōn 'sinew,' from teinein 'to stretch.
temperance
abstinence from alcoholic drink synonyms: teetotalism, abstinence, abstention, sobriety, self-restraint; prohibition ";a strict advocate of temperance"; Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French temperaunce, from Latin temperantia 'moderation,' from temperare 'restrain.'
subterfuge
synonyms: trickery, intrigue, deviousness, deceit, deception, dishonesty, cheating, duplicity, guile, cunning, craftiness, chicanery, pretense Origin late 16th century: from French, or from late Latin subterfugium, from Latin subterfugere 'escape secretly,' from subter- 'beneath' + fugere 'flee.'
sublime
synonyms: exalted, elevated, noble, lofty, awe-inspiring, majestic, magnificent, glorious, superb, wonderful, marvelous, spl Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'dignified, aloof']: from Latin sublimis, from sub- 'up to' + a second element perhaps related to limen 'threshold,' limus 'oblique.'
subsume
include or absorb [something] in something else Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'subjoin, add']: from medieval Latin subsumere, from sub- 'from below' + sumere 'take.' The current sense dates from the early 19th century.
sycophant
sy Origin mid 16th century [denoting an informer]: from French sycophante, or via Latin from Greek sukophantēs 'informer,' from sukon 'fig' + phainein 'to show'; the association with informing against the illegal exportation of figs from ancient Athens [recorded by Plutarch] is not substantiated.
surrealism
a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images Originearly 20th century: from French surréalisme [see sur-1, realism]
taciturn
synonyms: untalkative, uncommunicative, reticent, unforthcoming, quiet, secretive, tight-lipped, buttoned-up, close-mouthed; silent, mute, dumb, inarticulate; reserved, withdrawn ";our taciturn daughter has suddenly become Origin late 18th century: from Latin taciturnus, from tacitus [see tacit].
subside
synonyms:abate, let up, quiet down, calm, slacken [off], ease [up], relent, die down, recede, lessen, soften, diminish, decline, dwindle, weaken, fade, wane, ebb ";wait until the storm subsi Originlate 17th century: from Latin subsidere, from sub- 'below' + sidere 'settle' [related to sedere 'sit']
superfluous
synonyms: surplus [to requirements], nonessential, redundant, unneeded, excess, extra, [to] spare, remaining, unused, left over, in excess, waste ";superfluous material"; unnecessary, unneeded, redundant, un Origin late Middle English: from Latin superfluus, from super- 'over' + fluere 'to flow.'
teleology
the explanation of phenomena by the purpose they serve rather than by postulated causes Origin mid 18th century [denoting the branch of philosophy that deals with ends or final causes]: from modern Latin teleologia, from Greek telos 'end' + -logia [see -logy].
tacit
u synonyms: implicit, understood, implied, hinted, suggested; unspoken, unstated, unsaid, unexpressed, unvoiced; taken for granted, taken as read, inferred ";tacit promises"; Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'wordless, noiseless']: from Latin tacitus, past participle of tacere 'be silent.'
taint
synonyms: trace, touch, suggestion, hint, tinge; stain, blot, blemish, stigma, black mark, discredit, dishonor, di Origin Middle English [as a verb in the sense 'convict, prove guilty']: partly from Old French teint 'tinged,' based on Latin tingere 'to dye, tinge'; partly a shortening of attaint.
supersede
synonyms:replace, take the place of, take over from, succeed; supplant, displace, oust Originlate 15th century [in the sense 'postpone, defer']: from Old French superseder, from Latin supersedere 'be superior to,' from super- 'above' + sedere 'sit.' The current sense dates from the mid 17th century
succinct
synonyms: concise, short [and sweet], brief, compact, condensed, crisp, laconic, terse, to the point, pithy, epigrammatic, synoptic, gn Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'encircled']: from Latin succinctus 'tucked up,' past participle of succingere, from sub- 'from below' + cingere 'gird.'
stygian
of or relating to the Styx River
surfeit
an excessive amount synonyms: excess, surplus, abundance, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, glut, avalanche, deluge; overdose; informalbellyful, gutful, buttload ";a surfeit of apples"; Origin Middle English: from Old French surfeit, based on Latin super- 'above, in excess' + facere 'do.'
tenuous
very weak or slight synonyms: slight, insubstantial, meager, flimsy, weak, doubtful, dubious, questionable, suspect; vague, nebulous, hazy ";a tenuous connection"; Origin late 16th century: formed irregularly from Latin tenuis 'thin' + -ous.
suspire
breathe Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'yearn after']: from Latin suspirare, from sub- 'from below' + spirare 'breathe.
stymie
prevent or hinder the progress of Origin mid 19th century [originally a golfing term, denoting a situation on the green where a ball obstructs the shot of another player]: of unknown origin.
suppliant
a person making a humble plea to someone in power or authority synonyms: petitioner, supplicant, pleader, beggar, applicant ";they were not mere suppliants"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from French, 'beseeching,' present participle of supplier, from Latin supplicare [see supplicate].
synod
an assembly of the clergy and sometimes also the laity in a diocese or other division of a particular church Originlate Middle English: via late Latin from Greek sunodos 'meeting,' from sun- 'together' + hodos 'way.
suave
synonyms:charming, sophisticated, debonair, urbane, polished, refined, poised, self-possessed, dignified, civilized, gentlemanly, gall Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'gracious, agreeable']: from Old French, or from Latin suavis 'agreeable.' The current sense dates from the mid 19th century
succubus
a female demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping men Origin late Middle English: from medieval Latin succubus 'prostitute,' from succubare, from sub- 'under' + cubare 'to lie.'
sylvan
consisting of or associated with woods; wooded Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting an inhabitant of the woods]: from French sylvain or Latin Silvanus 'woodland deity,' from silva 'a wood.'
sustenance
food and drink regar synonyms: nourishment, food, nutriment, nutrition, provisions, provender, rations; informalgrub, chow; formalcomestibles; literaryviands; datedvictuals ";the creature needs sustenance"; Origin Middle English: from Old French soustenance, from the verb soustenir [see sustain].
tenacious
tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely synonyms:firm, tight, fast, clinging; strong, forceful, powerful, unshakable, immovable, iron ";his tenacious grip" Originearly 17th century: from Latin tenax, tenac- [from tenere 'to hold'] + -ious
sublunary
belonging to this world as contrasted with a better or more spiritual one Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'terrestrial']: from modern Latin sublunaris
tedium
the state of being tedious synonyms: monotony, boredom, ennui, uniformity, routine, dreariness, dryness, banality, vapidity, insipidity ";she loathed the tedium of housework"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin taedium, from taedere 'be weary of.'
stultify
synonyms: hamper, impede, thwart, frustrate, foil, suppress, smother ";social welfare was stultified by international trade regulations"; bore, make bored, dull, numb, benumb, stupefy ";he stultifies her with too Origin mid 18th century: from late Latin stultificare, from Latin stultus 'foolish.'
supplant
synonyms: replace, supersede, displace, take over from, substitute for, override ";paved highways supplanted the network of dirt roads"; oust, usurp, overthrow, remove, topple Origin Middle English: from Old French supplanter or Latin supplantare 'trip up,' from sub- 'from below' + planta 'sole.'
subjugate
synonyms: conquer, vanquish, defeat, crush, quash, bring someone to their knees, enslave, subdue, suppress ";the Normans had subjugated most of Ireland's Gaelic population Origin late Middle English: from late Latin subjugat- 'brought under a yoke,' from the verb subjugare, based on jugum 'yoke.'
tardy
delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late synonyms: late, behind schedule, running late; behind, overdue, belated, delayed; slow, dilatory ";Professor Wainwright is tardy again"; Origin mid 16th century: from French tardif, -ive, from Latin tardus 'slow.'
subvert
synonyms: destabilize, unsettle, overthrow, overturn; bring down, topple, depose, oust; disrupt, wreak havoc on, sabotage, ruin, undermine, weaken, damage ";a plot to subvert the Origin late Middle English: from Old French subvertir or Latin subvertere, from sub- 'from below' + vertere 'to turn.'
supine
[of a synonyms: flat on one's back, face upward, facing upward, flat, horizontal, recumbent, stretched out ";she lay supine on the sand"; Origin late Middle English: the adjective from Latin supinus 'bent backward' [related to super 'above']; the noun from late Latin supinum, neuter of supinus .
tendentious
expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one Origin early 20th century: suggested by German tendenziös .
sylph
an imaginary spirit of the air Origin mid 17th century: from modern Latin sylphes, sylphi and the German plural Sylphen, perhaps based on Latin sylvestris 'of the woods' + nympha 'nymph.'
stupefy
m synonyms:stun, daze, knock unconscious, knock out, lay out ";the blow had stupefied her";drug, sedate, tranquilize, intoxicate, inebriate; informaldope ";they were stupefied from the wine" Originlate Middle English: from French stupéfier, from Latin stupefacere, from stupere 'be struck senseless.
synthesis
synonyms: combination, union, amalgam, blend, mixture, compound, fusion, composite, alloy; unification, amalgamation, marrying ";the synthesis of their diverse styles makes for a wonderful new sound in cou Origin early 17th century: via Latin from Greek sunthesis, from suntithenai 'place together
succor
assistance a synonyms: aid, help, a helping hand, assistance; comfort, ease, relief, support, TLC ";they are providing succor in times of need"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin succursus, from Latin succurrere 'run to the help of,' from sub- 'from below' + currere 'run.'
tautology
synonyms: pleonasm, repetition, reiteration, redundancy, superfluity, duplication ";avoid such tautology as ";let's all work together, everyone, as a team"; Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek, from tautologos 'repeating what has been said,' from tauto- 'same' + -logos [see -logy].
tender
synonyms: offer, proffer, present, put forward, propose, sug Origin mid 16th century [as a legal term meaning 'formally offer a plea or evidence, or money to discharge a debt,' also as a noun denoting such an offer]: from Old French tendre, from Latin tendere 'to stretch, hold forth' [see tend1].
syncopate
displace the beats or accents in [music or a rhythm] so that strong beats become weak and vice versa Origin early 17th century: from late Latin syncopat- 'affected with syncope,' from the verb syncopare 'to swoon' [see syncope].
tempest
a violent windy storm synonyms:storm, gale, hurricane; tornado, whirlwind, cyclone, typhoon ";the skies opened and a tempest erupted" OriginMiddle English: from Old French tempeste, from Latin tempestas 'season, weather, storm,' from tempus 'time, season.
tenable
synonyms: defensible, justifiable, supportable, sustainable, arguable, able to hold water, reasonable, sensible, rational, sound, viable, plausible, credible, believable, conceivable ";O'Leary's confession has certai Origin late 16th century: from French, from tenir 'to hold,' from Latin tenere .
symposium
a conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject Origin late 16th century [denoting a drinking party]: via Latin from Greek sumposion, from sumpotēs 'fellow drinker,' from sun- 'together' + potēs 'drinker.'
suffrage
synonyms: franchise, right to vote, the vote, enfranchisement, bal Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'intercessory prayers,' also 'assistance']: from Latin suffragium, reinforced by French suffrage . The modern sense of 'right to vote' was originally US [dating from the late 18th century].
subpoena
a writ ordering a person to attend a court Originlate Middle English [as a noun]: from Latin sub poena 'under penalty' [the first words of the writ]. Use as a verb dates from the mid 17th century
temerity
excessive confidence or boldness synonyms:audacity, nerve, effrontery, impudence, impertinence, cheek, gall, presumption; daring; informalface, front, neck, chutzpah ";I doubt they'll have the temerity to print these accusations" Originlate Middle English: from Latin temeritas, from temere 'rashly.
superannuated
[of a position or synonyms: old, old-fashioned, antiquated, out of date, outmoded, broken-down, obsolete, disused, defunct ";superannuated computing equipment"; Origin mid 17th century: back-formation from superannuated, from medieval Latin superannuatus, from Latin super- 'over' + annus 'year.'
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thew
muscular strength Origin Old English thēaw 'usage, custom,' [plural] '[personal] manner of behaving,' of unknown origin. The sense 'good bodily proportions, muscular development' arose in Middle English.
truism
a statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting synonyms:platitude, commonplace, cliché, stock phrase, banality, [old] chestnut, [old] saw, axiom, bromide ";"look before you leap" is a truism that Sharon has rarely heeded"
umbrage
synonyms: take offense, take exception, be aggrieved, be affronted, be annoyed, be angry, be indig Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French, from Latin umbra 'shadow.' An early sense was 'shadowy outline,' giving rise to 'ground for suspicion,' whence the current notion of 'offense.'
tumid
[especially of a part of the body] swollen Origin mid 16th century: from Latin tumidus, from tumere 'to swell.'
unctuous
synonyms: sycophantic, ingratiating, obsequious, fawning, servile, groveling, subservient, cringing, humble, hypocritical, insincere, gushing, effusive; glib, s Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'greasy']: from medieval Latin unctuosus, from Latin unctus 'anointing,' from unguere 'anoint.'
traduce
synonyms: defame, slander, speak ill of, misrepresent, malign, vilify, denigrate, disparage, slur, impugn, smear, besmir Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'transport, transmit']: from Latin traducere 'lead in front of others, expose to ridicule,' from trans- 'over, across' + ducere 'to lead.'
travail
synonyms: ordeal, trial, tribulation, trial and tribulation, trouble, hardship, privation, stress; drudgery, toil, slog, effort, exertion, labor, work, endeavor, s Origin Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin trepalium 'instrument of torture,' from Latin tres 'three' + palus 'stake.'
troglodyte
[especially in prehistoric times] a person who lived in a cave Origin late 15th century: via Latin from Greek trōglodutēs, alteration of the name of an Ethiopian people, influenced by trōglē 'hole.'
Unstinting
given or giving without restrai synonyms: ungrudging, unsparing, free, ready, benevolent, big-hearted, kind-hearted, kind, unselfish; lavish, liberal, generous, magnanimous, openhanded, freely given, munificent, beneficent, bountiful; profuse, abundant, ample, gushing; literaryplenteous, bounteous
transpire
synonyms:happen, occur, take Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'emit as vapor through the surface']: from French transpirer or medieval Latin transpirare, from Latin trans- 'through' + spirare 'breathe.' The sense 'be revealed' [mid 18th century] is a figurative use comparable with 'leak out.
tirade
synonyms: diatribe, harangue, rant, onslaught, attack, polemic, denunciation, broadside, fulmination, condemnation, censure, invective, criticism, tongue-lashing; blast; lecture; Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'long speech,' from Italian tirata 'volley,' from tirare 'to pull.'
torpid
synonyms: lethargic, sluggish, inert, inactive, slow, lifeless; languid, listless, lazy, idle, indolent, slothful, supine, passive, apathetic, phlegmatic, somnolent, sleepy, weary, tired ";torpid tourists travele Origin late Middle English: from Latin torpidus, from torpere 'be numb or sluggish.'
tribulation
synonyms: suffering, distress, trouble, misery, wretchedness, unhappiness, sadness, heartach Origin Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin tribulatio[n-], from Latin tribulare 'press, oppress,' from tribulum 'threshing board [constructed of sharp points],' based on terere 'rub.'
ultramontane
advocating supreme papal authority in matters of faith and discipline Originlate 16th century [denoting a representative of the Roman Catholic Church north of the Alps]: from medieval Latin ultramontanus, from Latin ultra 'beyond' + mons, mont- 'mountain.
upbraid
synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, reprove, reproach, scold, berate, take to task, lambaste, give someon Origin late Old English upbrēdan 'allege [something] as a basis for censure,' based on braid in the obsolete sense 'brandish.' The current sense dates from Middle English.
urban
in, relating to, or characteristic of a city or town synonyms:town, city, municipal, civic, metropolitan, built-up, inner-city, downtown, suburban; urbanized, citified, townie ";crime rates are significantly higher in urban areas" Originearly 17th century: from Latin urbanus, from urbs, urb- 'city.
untrammeled
not deprived of freedom of action or expression; not restricted or hampered
turbid
[of a liquid] cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter synonyms: murky, opaque, cloudy, unclear, muddy, thick, milky, roily ";turbid waters"; Origin late Middle English [in the figurative sense]: from Latin turbidus, from turba 'a crowd, a disturbance.'
truant
a student who synonyms: absentee, runaway ";the truants were sent to Mr. Maurer's office"; Origin Middle English [denoting a person begging through choice rather than necessity]: from Old French, probably ultimately of Celtic origin; compare with Welsh truan, Scottish Gaelic truaghan 'wretched.'
tractable
synonyms: malleable, manageable, amenable, pliable, governable, yielding, complaisant, compliant, game, persuadable, accommodating, docile, biddable, obliging, obedient, submissive, meek ";our preschool t Origin early 16th century: from Latin tractabilis, from tractare 'to handle' [see tractate].
uxorious
having or showing an excessive or submissive fondness for one's wife Origin late 16th century: from Latin uxoriosus, from uxor 'wife.'
trenchant
synonyms: incisive, penetrating, sharp, keen, insightful, acute, focused, shrewd, razor-sharp, piercing; vigorous, forceful, strong, potent, telling, emphatic, forthright; mordant, Origin Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French, literally 'cutting,' present participle of trenchier [see trench].
usury
the illegal action or practice of lending money at unreasonably high rates of interest OriginMiddle English: from Anglo-Norman French usurie, or from medieval Latin usuria, from Latin usura, from usus 'a use' [see use]
ubiquitous
synonyms: omnipresent, ever-present, everywhere, all over the place, pervasive, universal, worldwide, global; rife, prevalent, far-reaching, inescapable ";after WWII, television became Origin mid 19th century: from modern Latin ubiquitas [from Latin ubique 'everywhere,' from ubi 'where'] + -ous.
undergird
secure or fasten from the underside, especially by a rope or chain passed underneath
transient
synonyms: transitory, temporary, short-lived, short-term, ephemeral, impermanent, brief, short, momentary, fleeting, passing, here today and gone tomorrow; literaryevanescent, Origin late 16th century: from Latin transient- 'going across,' from the verb transire, from trans- 'across' + ire 'go.'
untenable
[especially of a position or view] not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection synonyms:indefensible, insupportable, unsustainable, unjustified, unjustifiable, flimsy, weak, shaky ";these untenable explanations are not helping your case"
theophany
a visible manifestation to humankind of God or a god Origin Old English, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek theophaneia, from theos 'god' + phainein 'to show.'
tepid
[especially of a liquid] only slightly warm; lukewarm synonyms: lukewarm, warmish, slightly warm; at room temperature ";tepid water"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin tepidus, from tepere 'be warm.'
travesty
synonyms:perversion of, distortion of, corruption of, misrepresentation of, poor imi Originmid 17th century [as an adjective in the sense 'dressed to appear ridiculous']: from French travesti 'disguised,' past participle of travestir, from Italian travestire, from trans- 'across' + vestire 'clothe.
tutelary
serving as a protector, guardian, or patron Origin early 17th century: from Latin tutelarius, from tutela 'keeping' [see tutelage].
undulate
move with a smooth wavelike motion synonyms: rise and fall, surge, swell, heave, ripple, billow, flow, roll; wind, wobble, oscillate, fluctuate ";she watched the waves undulating from her stateroom window"; Origin mid 17th century: from late Latin undulatus, from Latin unda 'a wave.'
terse
synonyms:brief, short, to the point, concise, succinct, crisp, pith Originearly 17th century: from Latin tersus 'wiped, polished,' from the verb tergere . The original sense was 'polished, trim, spruce,' [relating to language] 'polished, polite,' hence 'concise and to the point' [late 18th century]
torpor
synonyms: lethargy, sluggishness, inertia, inactivity, lifelessness, listlessness, languor, lassitude, laziness, idleness, indolence, sloth, acedia, passivity, somnolence, weariness, sleepiness ";the feeling of torpor lin Origin late Middle English: from Latin, from torpere 'be numb or sluggish.'
uncanny
synonyms: eerie, unnatural, unearthly, preternatural, supernatural, otherworldly, ghostly, mysterious, strange, unsettling, abnormal, weird, bizarre, surreal, eldritch; informalc Origin late 16th century [originally Scots in the sense 'relating to the occult, malicious']: from un-1 'not' + canny.
tergiversate
make conflicting or evasive statements; equivocate Origin mid 17th century: from Latin tergiversat- 'with one's back turned,' from the verb tergiversari, from tergum 'back' + vertere 'to turn.'
turpitude
depravity; wickedness Origin late 15th century: from French, or from Latin turpitudo, from turpis 'disgraceful, base.'
truculent
synonyms: defiant, aggressive, antagonistic, combative, belligerent, pugnacious, confrontational, ready for a fight, obstreperous, argumentative, quarrelsome, uncooperative; bad-tempered, ornery, short-tempered, cross, sn Origin mid 16th century: from Latin truculentus, from trux, truc- 'fierce.'
toxophilite
a student or lover of archery Origin late 18th century: from Toxophilus [a name invented by Ascham, used as the title of his treatise on archery [1545], from Greek toxon 'bow' + -philos 'loving'] + -ite1.
twitterpated
infatuated or obsessed Origin 1940s: from twitter + -pated 'having a head or mind of a specified kind' [from pate]; popularized by the 1942 film Bambi .
timorous
showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'feeling fear']: from Old French temoreus, from medieval Latin timorosus, from Latin timor 'fear,' from timere 'to fear.'
tortuous
full of twists and tu synonyms: twisting, twisty, twisting and turning, winding, windy, zigzag, sinuous, snaky, serpentine, meandering, circuitous ";a tortuous route"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin tortuosus, from tortus 'twisting, a twist,' from Latin torquere 'to twist.'
threnody
a lament Origin mid 17th century: from Greek thrēnōidia, from thrēnos 'wailing' + ōidē 'song.'
transcend
be or go beyond the range or limits of [something abstract, typically a conceptual field or divisio synonyms:go beyond, rise above, cut across ";an issue that transcended party politics" OriginMiddle English: from Old French transcendre or Latin transcendere, from trans- 'across' + scandere 'climb.
tort
a wrongful act or an infringement of a right [other than under contract] leading to civil legal liability Origin Middle English [in the general sense 'wrong, injury']: from Old French, from medieval Latin tortum 'wrong, injustice,' neuter past participle of Latin torquere 'to twist.'
turgid
swollen and distended or congested synonyms: swollen, distended, tumescent, engorged, bloated, tumid ";the tissues become turgid"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin turgidus, from turgere 'to swell.'
trammeled
synonyms: restrict, restrain, constrain, hamper, confine, hinder, handicap, obstruct, impede, hold back, tie down, hamstring, sh Origin late Middle English [sense 2 of the noun]: from Old French tramail, from a medieval Latin variant of trimaculum, perhaps from Latin tri- 'three' + macula 'mesh.'
urbane
synonyms: suave, sophisticated, debonair, worldly, cultivated, cultured, civilized, cosmopolitan; smooth, polished, refined, self-possessed; courteous, polite, well mannered, mannerly, civil, charming Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'urban']: from French urbain or Latin urbanus [see urban].
unremitting
never relaxing or slackening; inces synonyms: relentless, incessant, unrelenting, continual, constant, continuous, unabating, uninterrupted, unbroken, unrelieved, sustained, unshakable, unceasing, ceaseless, endless, unending, persistent, perpetual, interminable; merciless ";the unremitting rain";
tyro
a beginner or novice synonyms: novice, beginner, learner, neophyte, newcomer, initiate, fledgling; apprentice, trainee, probationer, tenderfoot; informalrookie, newbie, greenhorn ";in 1925, he was a Capitol Hill tyro"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin tiro, medieval Latin tyro 'recruit.'
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wag
a person who makes facetious jokes Origin mid 16th century [denoting a young man or mischievous boy, also used as a term of endearment to an infant]: probably from obsolete waghalter 'person likely to be hanged' [see wag1, halter].
vilipend
regard as worthless or of little value; despise
zealot
synonyms: fanatic, enthusiast, extremist, radical, young Turk, diehard, true believer, activist, militant; bigot, dogmatist, sec Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'member of an ancient Jewish sect']: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek zēlōtēs, from zēloun 'be jealous,' from zēlos [see zeal].
vile
synonyms: foul, nasty, unpleasant, bad, disagreeable, horrid, horrible, dreadful, abominable, atrocious, offensive, obnoxious, odious, unsavory, repulsive, disgusting, distasteful, loathsome, hateful, nauseating, sickening; dis Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin vilis 'cheap, base.'
adroit
synonyms: skillful, adept, dexterous, deft, nimble, able, capable, skilled, expert, masterly, masterful, master, practiced, handy, polished, slick, proficient, accomplished, gifted, talented; quick-witted, quick-th Origin mid 17th century: from French, from à droit 'according to right, properly.'
absurd
synonyms: preposterous, ridiculous, ludicrous, farcical, laughable, risible, idiotic, stupid, foolish, silly, inane, imbecilic, insane, harebrained, cockamamie; unreasonable, irrational Origin mid 16th century: from Latin absurdus 'out of tune,' hence 'irrational'; related to surdus 'deaf, dull.'
agog
synonyms: eager, excited, impatient, keen, anxious, avid, in suspense, on tenterhooks, on the edge of one's seat, on pins and needles, waiting with bated breath ";tell us what happened—we're all agog!"; Origin mid 16th century: from Old French en gogues, from en 'in' + the plural of gogue 'fun.'
vertigo
a sensation of whirling and loss of balance, associated particularly with looking down from a great height, or c synonyms: dizziness, giddiness, lightheadedness, loss of balance ";the steep narrow stairs give me vertigo"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin, 'whirling,' from vertere 'to turn.'
abstemious
synonyms: self-denying, temperate, abstinent, moderate, self-disciplined, restrained, self-restrained, sober, austere, ascetic, puritanical, spartan, hair-shirt ";the monks here ha Origin early 17th century: from Latin abstemius [from ab- 'from' + a word related to temetum 'strong drink'] + -ous.
variegated
synonyms: multicolored, multicolor, many-colored, many-hued, polychromatic, varicolored, colorful, prismatic, rainbow, kaleidoscopic; mottled, striated, marbled, streaked, speckled Origin mid 17th century: from Latin variegat- 'made varied' [from the verb variegare, from varius 'diverse'] + -ed2.
waffle
fail to make up one's mind synonyms: waver, vacillate, equivocate, sit on the fence ";faced with this commitment, she waffled"; Origin late 17th century [originally in the sense 'yap, yelp']: frequentative of dialect waff 'yelp,' of imitative origin.
vex
synonyms: annoy, irritate, anger, infuriate, exasperate, irk, gall, pique, put out, antagonize, nettle, get on someone's nerves, ruffle someone's feathers, rattle someone's cage, make someone's hackles rise, ru Origin late Middle English: from Old French vexer, from Latin vexare 'shake, disturb.'
voracious
synonyms:insatiable, unquenchable, unappeasable, prodigious, uncontrollable, compulsive, gluttonous, greedy, rapacious; enthusiastic, eager, keen, avid, desirous, hungry, ravenous; informalpiggish; rareesurient ";her vo Originmid 17th century: from Latin vorax, vorac- [from vorare 'devour'] + -ious
abase
synonyms: humble, humiliate, belittle, demean, lower, degrade, debase, cheapen, discredit, bring Origin late Middle English: from Old French abaissier, from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + baissier 'to lower,' based on late Latin bassus 'short of stature.' The spelling has been influenced by base2.
verbatim
in exactly the same word synonyms: word for word, letter for letter, line for line, to the letter, literally, exactly, precisely, accurately, closely, faithfully ";I memorized his monologue verbatim"; Origin late 15th century: from medieval Latin, from Latin verbum 'word.' Compare with literatim.
verdant
[of countryside] green with grass or other rich vegetation synonyms: green, leafy, grassy; lush, rich; literaryverdurous ";the verdant spring mosses"; Origin late 16th century: perhaps from Old French verdeant, present participle of verdoier 'be green,' based on Latin viridis 'green.'
vulpine
of or relating to a fox or foxes Originearly 17th century: from Latin vulpinus, from vulpes 'fox.
viridescent
greenish or becoming green Origin mid 19th century: from late Latin viridescent- 'becoming green,' from the verb viridescere, from Latin viridis 'green.'
vitiate
spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of Origin mid 16th century: from Latin vitiat- 'impaired,' from the verb vitiare, from vitium [see vice1].
vapid
synonyms: insipid, uninspired, colorless, uninteresting, feeble, flat, dull, boring, tedious, tired, unexciting, uninspiring, unimaginative, uninvolving, lifeless, tame, vacuous, bland, Origin mid 17th century [used originally in description of drinks as 'lacking in flavor']: from Latin vapidus .
vocation
a strong feeling of synonyms:calling, life's work, mission, purpose, function; profession, occupation, career, job, employment, trade, craft, business, line, line of work, métier ";forestry is my vocation" Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin vocatio[n-], from vocare 'to call.
viscous
synonyms: glutinous, gelatinous, thick, viscid, mucous, mucoid, mucilaginous, gummy, gluey, adhesive, tacky, adherent, treacly, syrupy; technicalviscoelastic; informalgooey, gloppy " Origin late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French viscous or late Latin viscosus, from Latin viscum 'birdlime.'
venial
denoting a sin that is n synonyms: forgivable, pardonable, excusable, allowable, permissible; slight, minor, unimportant, insignificant, trivial, trifling; de minimis ";the venial indiscretions of my youth"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from late Latin venialis, from venia 'forgiveness.'
akimbo
with hands on the hips and elbows turned outward Origin late Middle English: from in kenebowe in Middle English, probably from Old Norse.
voluble
synonyms: talkative, loquacious, garrulous, verbose, wordy, Origin late 16th century: from French, or from Latin volubilis, from volvere 'to roll.' Earlier use in late Middle English included the senses 'rotating around an axis' and 'having a tendency to change,' also meanings of the Latin word.
victuals
food or provisions, ty Origin Middle English: from Old French vitaille, from late Latin victualia, neuter plural of Latin victualis, from victus 'food'; related to vivere 'to live.' The pronunciation still represents the early spelling vittel ; later spelling has been influenced by the Latin form.
verbose
synonyms: wordy, loquacious, garrulous, talkative, voluble; long-winded, flatulent, lengthy, prolix, tautological, pleonastic, periphrastic, circumlocutory, circuitous, wandering, discursive, digressive, rambling; informalmouthy, Origin late 17th century: from Latin verbosus, from verbum 'word.'
virulent
synonyms: poisonous, toxic, venomous, noxious, deadly, lethal, fatal, dangerous, harmful, injurious, pernicious, damaging, destructive; literarydeathly ";virulent herbicide Origin late Middle English [originally describing a poisoned wound]: from Latin virulentus, from virus 'poison' [see virus].
vivid
synonyms:graphic, evocative, realistic, lifelike, faithful, authentic, clear, detailed, lucid, eloquent, striking, arresting, impressive, colorful, rich, picturesque, dramatic, lively, stimulating, interesting, fascinating, scintilla Originmid 17th century: from Latin vividus, from vivere 'to live.
valediction
the action of saying farewell synonyms: farewell, goodbye, adieu, leave-taking; parting words ";he departed without a valediction"; Origin mid 17th century: based on Latin vale 'goodbye' + dicere 'to say,' on the pattern of benediction .
affliction
synonyms: disorder, disease, malady, complaint, ailment, illness, indisposition, handic Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'infliction of pain or humiliation,' specifically 'religious self-mortification']: via Old French from Latin afflictio[n-], from the verb affligere [see afflict].
verdure
lush green vegetation Origin late Middle English: via French from Old French verd 'green,' from Latin viridis .
volatile
[of a substance] easily evaporate synonyms: evaporative, vaporous; explosive, inflammable; unstable, labile ";a volatile organic compound"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'creature that flies,' also, as a collective, 'birds']: from Old French volatil or Latin volatilis, from volare 'to fly.'
vagrant
synonyms:street person, homeless person, tramp, hobo, drifter, down-and-out, derelict, beggar; itinerant, wanderer, nomad, traveler, vagabond, transient; informalbag lady, bum; literarywayfarer "; Originlate Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French vagarant 'wandering around,' from the verb vagrer
vicarious
experienced in synonyms: indirect, secondhand, secondary, derivative, derived, surrogate, substitute; empathetic, empathic ";I had the vicarious thrill of knowing my wife was to be named the next university president"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin vicarius 'substitute' [see vicar] + -ous.
virago
synonyms: harridan, shrew, dragon, termagant, vixen; fishwife, witch, hellcat, she-devil, tartar, m Origin Old English [used only as the name given by Adam to Eve, following the Vulgate], from Latin, 'heroic woman, female warrior,' from vir 'man.' The current sense dates from late Middle English.
vindicate
synonyms: acquit, clear, absolve, exonerate; discharge, liberate, free; informallet off, let off the hook; formalexculpate ";he was Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'deliver, rescue']: from Latin vindicat- 'claimed, avenged,' from the verb vindicare, from vindex, vindic- 'claimant, avenger.'
veracity
synonyms: truthfulness, truth, accuracy, correctness, faithfulness, fidelity; reputability, honesty, sincerity, trustworthiness, reliability, dependability, scrupulousness, ethi Origin early 17th century: from French véracité or medieval Latin veracitas, from verax 'speaking truly' [see veracious
vilify
synonyms: disparage, denigrate, defame, run down, revile, abuse, speak ill of, criticize, condemn, denounce; malign, slander, libel, slur; informaltear apart/into, l Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'lower in value']: from late Latin vilificare, from Latin vilis 'of low value' [see vile].
vouchsafe
give or grant [something] to [someone] in a gracious or condescending manner Origin Middle English: originally as the phrase vouch something safe on someone, i.e., 'warrant the secure conferment of [something on someone].'
vacillate
synonyms: dither, waver, be indecisive, be undecided, be ambivalent, hesitate, be of two minds, blow hot and cold, keep changing one's mind, be conflicted; fluctuate, oscillate, hem Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'sway unsteadily']: from Latin vacillat- 'swayed,' from the verb vacillare .
vicissitudes
synonyms: change, alteration, shift, reversal, twist, turn, downturn, variation; inconstancy, instability, uncertainty, chanciness, unpredictability, Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'alternation']: from French, or from Latin vicissitudo, from vicissim 'by turns,' from vic- 'turn, change.'
vitriol
cruel and bitter criticism Origin late Middle English [denoting the sulfate of various metals]: from Old French, or from medieval Latin vitriolum, from Latin vitrum 'glass.'
vaunt
synonyms: boast about, brag about, make much of, crow about, pa Origin late Middle English: the noun a shortening of obsolete avaunt 'boasting, a boast'; the verb [originally in the sense 'use boastful language'] from Old French vanter, from late Latin vantare, based on Latin vanus 'vain, empty.'
verdigris
a bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass by atmospheric oxidation, consisting of basic copper carbonate OriginMiddle English: from Old French verte-gres, earlier vert de Grece 'green of Greece.
vituperate
synonyms: scold, revile, upbraid, criticize; blame, abuse, insult, vilifiy, denounce, denigrate, disparage; formalcastigate ";he began vituperating the ";social Origin mid 16th century: from Latin vituperat- 'censured, disparaged,' from the verb vituperare, from vitium 'fault' + parare 'prepare.'
wraith
a ghost or ghostlike image of someone, especially one seen shortly be synonyms: ghost, specter, spirit, phantom, apparition, manifestation; informalspook; literaryshade, phantasm ";from a gray and billowy fog the wraith did appear"; Origin early 16th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.
venal
synonyms: corrupt, corruptible, bribable, open to bribery; dishonest, dishonorable, untrustworthy, unscrupulous, unprincipled; mercenary, greedy; Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'available for purchase,' referring to merchandise or a favor]: from Latin venalis, from venum 'thing for sale.'
vigil
a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray Origin Middle English [sense 2]: via Old French from Latin vigilia, from vigil 'awake.'
zest
synonyms: enthusiasm, gusto, relish, appetite, eagerness, keenness, avidity, zeal, fervor, ardor, passion; verve, vigor, liveliness, sparkle, fire, animation, vitality, dynamism, energy, brio, pep, spirit, exub Origin late 15th century: from French zeste 'orange or lemon peel,' of unknown origin.
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canard
an unfounded rumor or story Origin mid 19th century: from French, literally 'duck,' also 'hoax,' from Old French caner 'to quack.'
claque
a group of people hired to applaud [or heckle] a performer or public speaker Origin mid 19th century: French, from claquer 'to clap.' The practice of paying members of an audience for their support originated at the Paris opera.
bootless
[of a task or undertaking] ineffectual; useless Origin Old English bōtlēas 'not able to be compensated for by payment' [see boot2, -less].
bloviate
talk at length, especially in an inflated or empty way Origin mid 19th century: perhaps from blow1.
bluster
talk in a loud, aggressive, or indignant way with little effect synonyms: rant, rave, thunder, bellow, sound off; be overbearing; informalthrow one's weight around/about ";he started blustering about the general election"; Origin late Middle English: ultimately imitative.
cognoscenti
people who are considered to be especially well informed about a particular subject Origin late 18th century: from Italian conoscenti, literally 'people who know.' The g was added under the influence of Latin cognoscent- 'getting to know,' from the verb cognoscere [Italian conoscere ].
chartreuse
a pale green or yellow liqueur made from brandy and aromatic herbs Origin named after La Grande Chartreuse, the Carthusian monastery near Grenoble, France, where the liqueur [sense 1] was first made; sense 2 is an extended use.
bated
in great suspense; very anxiously or excitedly Origin late 16th century: from the past participle of obsolete bate 'restrain,' from abate.
clique
synonyms: coterie, set, circle, ring, in-crowd, group; club, society, fraternity, sorority; cabal, caucus; informalgang ";almost no one from her clique showed up at the reunion"; Origin early 18th century: from French, from Old French cliquer 'make a noise'; the modern sense is related to claque.
belligerent
synonyms: hostile, aggressive, threatening, antagonistic, warlike, warmongering, hawkish, pugnacious, bellicose, truculent, confrontational, contentious, militant, combative; informalspoi Origin late 16th century: from Latin belligerant- 'waging war,' from the verb belligerare, from bellum 'war.'
appall
synonyms: horrify, shock, dismay, distress, outrage, scandalize; disgust, repel, rev Origin Middle English: from Old French apalir 'grow pale,' from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + palir 'to pale.' The original sense was 'grow pale,' later 'make pale,' hence 'dismay, horrify' [late Middle English].
atrabilious
melancholy or ill-tempered Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'affected by black bile,' one of the four supposed cardinal humors of the body, believed to cause melancholy]: from Latin atra bilis 'black bile,' translation of Greek melankholia 'melancholy,' + -ious.
artillery
large-caliber synonyms: ordnance, [big] guns, cannon[s]; battery ";the relentless sound of artillery"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French artillerie, from artiller, alteration of atillier 'equip, arm,' probably a variant of atirier, from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + tire 'rank, order.'
colloquium
an academic conference or seminar Origin late 16th century [denoting a conversation or dialogue]: from Latin, from colloqui 'to converse,' from col- 'together' + loqui 'to talk.'
bumptious
synonyms: self-important, conceited, arrogant, self-assertive, pushy, pompous, overbearing, cocky, swaggering; proud, haughty, overweening, egotistical; informalsnooty, uppity ";our bumptious cousin thinks she's God's Origin early 19th century: humorously from bump, on the pattern of fractious .
bucolic
synonyms: rustic, rural, pastoral, country, countryside; literaryArcadian, sylvan, georgic ";their farm had been used as the bucolic setting for two major motion pictur Origin early 16th century [denoting a pastoral poem]: via Latin from Greek boukolikos, from boukolos 'herdsman,' from bous 'ox.'
colloquy
a conversation Origin late Middle English: from Latin colloquium 'conversation.'
avuncular
of or relating to an uncle Origin mid 19th century: from Latin avunculus 'maternal uncle,' diminutive of avus 'grandfather.'
cardinal
synonyms: fundamental, basic, main, chief, primary, crucial, pivotal, prime, principal, paramount, preemi Origin Old English, from Latin cardinalis, from cardo, cardin- 'hinge.' Sense 1 of the noun has arisen through the notion of the important function of such priests as "pivots" of church life.
aleatoric
another term for aleatory Origin 1960s: from Latin aleatorius, from aleator 'dice player,' from alea 'die,' + -ic.
austere
synonyms: severe, stern, strict, harsh, steely, flinty, dour, grim, cold, frosty, unemotional, unfriendly; formal, stiff, reserved, aloof, forbidding; grave, solemn, serious, unsmiling, unsympathetic, unforgi Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin austerus, from Greek austēros 'severe.'
bruise
an injur synonyms: contusion, lesion, mark, black-and-blue mark, discoloration, blackening; injury; swelling, lump, bump, welt; ecchymosis ";a bruise across her forehead"; Origin Old English brȳsan 'crush, injure or damage with a blow,' reinforced in Middle English by Old French bruisier 'break.'
anchorite
a religious recluse Origin late Middle English: from medieval Latin anchorita [ecclesiastical Latin anchoreta ], from ecclesiastical Greek anakhōrētēs, from anakhōrein 'retire,' from ana- 'back' + khōra, khōr- 'a place.'
catastrophe
synonyms: disaster, calamity, cataclysm, holocaust, havoc, ruin, ruination, tragedy; adversity, blight, Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'denouement']: from Latin catastropha, from Greek katastrophē 'overturning, sudden turn,' from kata- 'down' + strophē 'turning' [from strephein 'to turn'].
collateral
Origin late Middle English [as an adjective]: from medieval Latin collateralis, from col- 'together with' + lateralis [from latus, later- 'side']. Sense 1 of the noun [originally US] is from the phrase collateral security, denoting something pledged in addition to the main obligation of a contract
cerebration
the working of the brain; thinking
aplomb
synonyms: poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, calmness, composure, collectedness, levelheadedness, sangfroid, equilibrium, equanimity; informalunflappability ";the judge Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'perpendicularity, steadiness']: from French, from à plomb 'according to a plummet.'
cabal
a secret political clique or faction synonyms: clique, faction, coterie, cell, sect, junta, camarilla; lobby [group], pressure group ";a cabal of dissidents"; Origin late 16th century [denoting the cabbala]: from French cabale, from medieval Latin cabala [see Kabbalah].
cabalistic
relating to or associated with mystical interpretation or esoteric doctrine Origin earlly 17th century: variant of Kabbalistic: see Kabbalah.
bawdy
synonyms: ribald, indecent, risqué, racy, rude, spicy, sexy, suggestive, titillating, naughty, improper, indelicate, indecorous, off-color, earthy, barnyard, broad, locker-room, Rabelaisian; pornographic, obscene, vulgar, crude, coarse, lewd, dirty, filthy, smutty, unseemly, salacious, prurient, l
bigot
a person who is intolerant toward those holding differ synonyms: chauvinist, partisan, sectarian; racist, sexist, homophobe, dogmatist, jingoist ";he comes off as a naïve, close-minded bigot"; Origin late 16th century [denoting a superstitious religious hypocrite]: from French, of unknown origin.
caliginous
misty, dim; obscure, dark
camarilla
a small group of people, especially a group of advisers to a ruler or politician, with a shared, typically nefarious, purpose Origin mid 19th century: from Spanish, diminutive of camara 'chamber.'
augment
synonyms: increase, add to, supplement, build up, enlarge, expand, extend, raise, multiply, swell, grow; magnify, amplify, escalate; improve, boost; informalup, Origin late Middle English: from Old French augmenter [verb], augment [noun], or late Latin augmentare, from Latin augere 'to increase.'
ascendant
synonyms: rising [in power], on the rise, on the way up, up-and-coming, flourishing, prospering, burgeoning ";his onetime political supporters have become the ascendant electoral Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin ascendent- 'climbing up,' from the verb ascendere [see ascend].
burgeon
begin to grow or increa synonyms: flourish, thrive, prosper, improve, develop; expand, escalate, swell, grow, boom, mushroom, snowball, rocket ";the toy industry is burgeoning"; Origin Middle English: from Old French bourgeonner 'put out buds,' from borjon 'bud,' based on late Latin burra 'wool.'
amiable
synonyms: friendly, affable, amicable, cordial; war Origin late Middle English [originally in the senses 'kind' and 'lovely, lovable']: via Old French from late Latin amicabilis 'amicable.' The current sense, influenced by modern French aimable 'trying to please,' dates from the mid 18th century.
bathetic
producing an unintentional effect of anticlimax
climacteric
a critical period or event Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'constituting a critical period in life']: from French climactérique or via Latin from Greek klimaktērikos, from klimaktēr 'critical period,' from klimax 'ladder, climax.'
commodious
[especially of furniture or a synonyms: roomy, capacious, spacious, ample, generous, sizable, large, big, extensive ";a commodious armchair"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beneficial, useful']: from French commodieux or medieval Latin commodiosus, based on Latin commodus 'convenient.'
auxiliary
providing supplementary or additio synonyms: additional, supplementary, supplemental, extra, spare, reserve, backup, emergency, fallback, other ";an auxiliary power source"; ancillary, assistant, support ";auxiliary staff"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin auxiliarius, from auxilium 'help.'
brash
self-assertive in a rude, noisy, synonyms: self-assertive, pushy, cocksure, cocky, self-confident, arrogant, bold, audacious, brazen, bumptious, overweening, puffed up; More forward, impudent, insolent, rude ";a brash man"; Origin early 19th century [originally dialect]; perhaps a form of rash1.
clangor
a continuous loud banging or ringing sound Origin late 16th century: from Latin clangor, from clangere 'resound.'
assignation
an appointment to meet synonyms: rendezvous, date, appointment, meeting; literarytryst ";their secret assignation"; Origin late Middle English [in the senses 'command, appointment to office, or allotment of revenue']: via Old French from Latin assignatio[n-], from the verb assignare [see assign].
catholic
synonyms: universal, diverse, diversified, wide, broad, broad-based, eclectic, liberal, latitudinarian; compr Origin late Middle English [sense 2 of the adjective]: from Old French catholique or late Latin catholicus, from Greek katholikos 'universal,' from kata 'with respect to' + holos 'whole.'
byzantine
of or relating to Byzantium, the Byzantine Empire, or the Eastern Orthodox Church Originlate 16th century [denoting a bezant, a Byzantine coin]: from Latin Byzantinus, from Byzantium
codify
arrange [laws or rules] into a systematic code synonyms: systematize, systemize, organize, arrange, order, structure; tabulate, catalog, list, sort, index, classify, categorize, file, log ";the bill codified these standards for the first time";
allude
suggest or call atten synonyms: refer to, touch on, suggest, hint at, imply, mention [in passing], make an allusion to; formaladvert to ";the prosecutor alluded to Dixon's past"; Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'hint at, suggest']: from Latin alludere, from ad- 'toward' + ludere 'to play.'
aleatory
depending on the throw of a dice or on chance; random Origin late 17th century: from Latin aleatorius [see aleatoric].
bevy
a large group of people or things of a particular ki synonyms: group, crowd, herd, flock, horde, army, galaxy, assemblage, throng, company, gathering, band, body, pack, covey; knot, cluster; informalbunch, gaggle, posse ";a bevy of Vegas headliners"; Origin late Middle English: of unknown origin.
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deplete
synonyms: exhaust, use up, consume, expend, drain, empty, milk; reduce, decrease, diminish; slim down Origin early 19th century [earlier [mid. 17th century] as depletion ]: from Latin deplet- 'emptied out,' from the verb deplere, from de- [expressing reversal] + plere 'fill' [from plenus 'full'].
crotchet
a quarter note Origin Middle English [in the sense 'hook']: from Old French crochet, diminutive of croc 'hook,' from Old Norse krókr .
disparity
a great difference synonyms: discrepancy, inconsistency, imbalance; variance, variation, divergence, gap, gulf; difference, dissimilarity, contrast ";a disparity between their stories"; Origin mid 16th century: from French disparité, from late Latin disparitas, based on Latin paritas 'parity.'
deleterious
causing harm or damage synonyms: harmful, damaging, detrimental, injurious; adverse, disadvantageous, unfavorable, unfortunate, undesirable, bad ";the deleterious effects of smoking"; Origin mid 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek dēlētērios 'noxious' + -ous.
daft
synonyms: absurd, preposterous, ridiculous, ludicrous, farcical, laughable; idiotic, stupid, foolish, silly, inane, fatuous, harebrained, cockamamie, half-baked, crazy, cockeyed ";a daft i Origin Old English gedæfte 'mild, meek,' of Germanic origin; related to Gothic gadaban 'become or be fitting
ecstasy
an synonyms: rapture, bliss, elation, euphoria, transports, rhapsodies; joy, jubilation, exultation ";the ecstasy of loving him"; Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French extasie, via late Latin from Greek ekstasis 'standing outside oneself,' based on ek- 'out' + histanai 'to place.'
cosmopolitan
synonyms: worldly, worldly-wise, well travelled, experienced, unprovincial, cultivated, cultured, sophisticated, suave, urbane, glamorous, fashionable, stylish; informaljet-setting, cool, hip, styling/stylin' ";a cosmopolitan audience"; Origin mid 17th century [as a noun]: from cosmopolite + -an.
docile
synonyms: compliant, obedient, pliant, dutiful, submissive, deferential, unassertive, cooperative, amenable, accommodating, biddable, malleable ";his docile children do everything he asks o Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'apt or willing to learn']: from Latin docilis, from docere 'teach.'
ecumenical
synonyms: nondenominational, universal, catholic, latitudinarian, all-embracing, all-inclusive ";the local churches are sponsoring an ecumen Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'belonging to the universal Church']: via late Latin from Greek oikoumenikos, from oikoumenē 'the [inhabited] earth.'
drab
synonyms: colorless, gray, dull, washed out, muted, lackluster; dingy, dreary, dismal, cheerless, gloomy, somber ";a drab interior"; uninteresting, dull, boring, tedious, monotonous, dry, Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting undyed cloth]: probably from Old French drap 'cloth' [see drape].
decrepit
synonyms: feeble, infirm, weak, weakly, frail; disabled, incapacitated, crippled, doddering, tottering; old, elderly, aged, ancient, senile; informalpast it, over the hill, n Origin late Middle English: from Latin decrepitus, from de- 'down' + crepitus, past participle of crepare 'rattle, creak.'
divest
deprive [someone] of pow synonyms: deprive of, strip of, dispossess of, rob of, cheat out of, trick out of ";he intends to divest you of your power"; Origin early 17th century: alteration of devest, from Old French desvestir, from des- [expressing removal] + Latin vestire [from vestis 'garment'].
demiurge
a being responsible for the creation of the universe, in particular Origin early 17th century [denoting a magistrate in certain ancient Greek states]: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek dēmiourgos 'craftsman,' from dēmios 'public' [from dēmos 'people'] + -ergos 'working.'
condign
[of punishment or retribution] appropriate to the crime or wrongdoing; fitting and deserved Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'worthy, appropriate']: from Old French condigne, from Latin condignus, from con- 'altogether' + dignus 'worthy.'
dyspeptic
of or having indigesti synonyms: bad-tempered, short-tempered, irritable, snappish, testy, tetchy, touchy, crabby, crotchety, grouchy, cantankerous, peevish, cross, disagreeable, waspish, prickly; informalon a short fuse, cranky, ornery ";he never became the dyspeptic old man his father had been";
consternation
synonyms: dismay, perturbation, distress, disquiet, discomposure; surprise, amazement, astonishment; alarm, panic, fear, fright, shock ";much to his colleagues' consternat Origin early 17th century: from Latin consternatio[n-], from the verb consternare 'lay prostrate, terrify' [see consternate].
cryptic
synonyms: enigmatic, mysterious, confusing, mystifying, perplexing, puzzling, obscure, abstruse, arcane, oracular, Delphic, ambiguous, elliptical, oblique; Origin early 17th century: from late Latin crypticus, from Greek kruptikos, from kruptos 'hidden.' Sense 2 dates from the late 19th century.
condone
accept and allow [behavi synonyms: disregard, accept, allow, let pass, turn a blind eye to, overlook, forget; forgive, pardon, excuse, let go ";we cannot condone such dreadful behavior"; Origin mid 19th century: from Latin condonare 'refrain from punishing,' from con- 'altogether' + donare 'give.
disquiet
a feeling of anxiety or worry synonyms: unease, uneasiness, worry, anxiety, anxiousness, concern, disquietude; perturbation, consternation, upset, malaise, angst; agitation, restlessness, fretfulness; informaljitteriness ";grave public disquiet";
declaim
synonyms: make a speech, give an address, give a lecture, deliver a sermon; speak, hold forth, orate, preach, lecture, sermonize, moralize; informalsound off, spout, speec Origin late Middle English: from French déclamer or Latin declamare, from de- [expressing thoroughness] + clamare 'to shout.'
earthy
resembling or suggestive of earth or soil synonyms: soil-like, dirtlike ";an earthy smell";
delphic
of or relating to the ancient Greek oracle at Delphi
delegate
synonyms: representative, envoy, emissary, commissioner, agent, deputy, commissary; spokesperson, spokesman, spokeswoman; ambassador, plenipotentiary ";union delegat Origin late Middle English: from Latin delegatus 'sent on a commission,' from the verb delegare, from de- 'down' + legare 'depute.'
cull
select from a large quantity; obtain from a variety of sources synonyms: select, choose, pick, take, obtain, glean ";anecdotes culled from Greek history"; Origin Middle English: from Old French coillier, based on Latin colligere [see collect1].
declamation
the action or art of de synonyms: speech, address, lecture, sermon, homily, discourse, oration, recitation, disquisition, monologue ";he delivered a passionate declamation"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'a set speech']: from Latin declamatio[n-], from the verb declamare [see declaim].
continent
able to control movements of the bowels and bladder Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'characterized by self-restraint']: from Latin continent- 'holding together, restraining oneself,' from continere [see contain].
detract
synonyms: belittle, take away from, diminish, reduce, lessen, minimize, play down, trivialize, decry, depreciate, devalue, deprecate ";my reservations should not detract f Origin late Middle English: from Latin detract- 'drawn away,' from the verb detrahere, from de- 'away from' + trahere 'draw.'
connive
synonyms: conspire, collude, collaborate, intrigue, be hand in glove, plot, scheme; informalbe in cahoots ";at least two of the director Origin early 17th century: from French conniver or Latin connivere 'shut the eyes [to],' from con- 'together' + an unrecorded word related to nictare 'to wink.'
connotation
synonyms: overtone, undertone, undercurrent, implication, hidden meaning, nuance, hint, echo, vibrations, association, intimation, suggestion, suspicion, insinuation ";there was a connota Origin mid 16th century: from medieval Latin connotatio[n-], from connotare 'mark in addition' [see connote].
dire
synonyms: terrible, dreadful, appalling, frightful, awful, atrocious, grim, alarming; grave, serious, disastrous, calamitous, ruinous, hopeless, irretrievable, wretched, desperate, parlous; formalgrievous ";the dire economic situatio Origin mid 16th century: from Latin dirus 'fearful, threatening
denouement
the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the p synonyms: finale, final scene, epilogue, coda, end, ending, finish, close; culmination, climax, conclusion, resolution, solution ";the film's denouement"; Origin mid 18th century: French dénouement, from dénouer 'unknot.'
diligence
synonyms: conscientiousness, assiduousness, assiduity, hard work, application, concentration, effort, care, industriousness, rigor, meticulousness, tho Origin Middle English [in the sense 'close attention, caution']: via Old French from Latin diligentia, from diligent- 'assiduous' [see diligent].
debonair
synonyms: suave, urbane, sophisticated, cultured, self-possessed, self-assured, confident, charming, gracious, courteous, gallant, chivalrous, gentlemanly, refined, polishe Origin Middle English [in the sense 'meek or courteous']: from Old French debonaire, from de bon aire 'of good disposition.'
corrigible
capable of being corrected, rectified, or reformed Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'liable to or deserving punishment']: via French from medieval Latin corrigibilis, from Latin corrigere 'to correct.'
delirious
in an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication and characterized by restlessness, illusio synonyms: incoherent, raving, babbling, irrational; feverish, frenzied; deranged, demented, unhinged, mad, insane, out of one's mind ";she was delirious but had lucid intervals";
conform
synonyms: comply with, abide by, obey, observe, follow, keep to, stick to, adhere to, uphold, heed, accept, go along with, fall i Origin Middle English [in the sense 'make [something] like another thing']: from Old French conformer, from Latin conformare, from con- 'together' + formare 'to form.'
deprecate
synonyms: deplore, abhor, disapprove of, frown on, take a dim view of, take exception to, detest, despise; crit Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'pray against']: from Latin deprecat- 'prayed against [as being evil],' from the verb deprecari, from de- [expressing reversal] + precari 'pray.'
crotchety
synonyms: bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, grumpy, grouchy, cantankerous, short-tempered, tetchy, testy, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-humored, ill-natured, cross-grained, peevish, cross, fractious, pettish, waspish, crabbed, crabby, crusty, Origin early 19th century: from of crotchet + -y1.
costive
constipated Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin constipatus 'pressed together' [see constipated].
conflagration
an ext synonyms: fire, blaze, flames, inferno, firestorm ";the conflagration spread rapidly through the wooden buildings"; Origin late 15th century [denoting consumption by fire]: from Latin conflagratio[n-], from the verb conflagrare, from con- [expressing intensive force] + flagrare 'to blaze.'
degrade
synonyms: demean, debase, cheapen, devalue; shame, humiliate, humble, mortify, abase, dishonor; dehumanize, brutalize ";prisons should not degrade Origin late Middle English: from Old French degrader, from ecclesiastical Latin degradare, from de- 'down, away from' + Latin gradus 'step or grade.'
dearth
a scarcity or synonyms: lack, scarcity, shortage, shortfall, want, deficiency, insufficiency, inadequacy, paucity, sparseness, scantiness, rareness; absence ";a dearth of trained specialists"; Origin Middle English derthe [originally in the sense 'shortage and dearness of food'] [see dear, -th2].
degenerate
having lost the physical, synonyms: debased, degraded, corrupt, impure; formalvitiated ";a degenerate form of classicism"; Origin late 15th century: from Latin degeneratus 'no longer of its kind,' from the verb degenerare, from degener 'debased,' from de- 'away from' + genus, gener- 'race, kind.'
decrepit
synonyms: feeble, infirm, weak, weakly, frail; disabled, incapacitated, crippled, doddering, tottering; old, elderly, aged, ancient, senile; informalpast it, over the hill, n Origin late Middle English: from Latin decrepitus, from de- 'down' + crepitus, past participle of crepare 'rattle, creak.'
diffident
synonyms: shy, bashful, modest, self-effacing, unassuming, meek, unconfident, un Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'lacking confidence or trust in someone or something']: from Latin diffident- 'failing in trust,' from the verb diffidere, from dis- [expressing reversal] + fidere 'to trust.'
disdain
synonyms: contempt, scorn, scornfulness, contemptuousness, derision, disrespect; disparagement, condescension, s Origin Middle English: from Old French desdeign [noun], desdeignier [verb], based on Latin dedignari, from de- [expressing reversal] + dignari 'consider worthy' [from dignus 'worthy'].
debase
synonyms: degrade, devalue, demean, cheapen, prostitute, discredit, drag down, tarnish, blacken, blemish; disgrace, dishonor, Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'humiliate, belittle']: from de- 'down' + the obsolete verb base [compare with abase], expressing the notion 'bring down completely.'
delectable
synonyms: delicious, mouthwatering, appetizing, flavorful, toothsome, palatable; succulent, luscious, tasty; informalscrumptious, delish, yummy, finger-licking, lip-smacking, melt-in-your- Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin delectabilis, from delectare 'to charm' [see delight].
contumely
insolent or insulting language or treatment Origin late Middle English: from Old French contumelie, from Latin contumelia, perhaps from con- 'with' + tumere 'to swell.'
divagate
stray; digress Origin late 16th century: from Latin divagat- 'wandered around,' from the verb divagari, from di- 'widely' + vagari 'wander.'
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goad
provoke or annoy [someone] so as to stimulate some act synonyms: provoke, spur, prod, egg on, hound, badger, incite, rouse, stir, move, stimulate, motivate, prompt, induce, encourage, urge, inspire; impel, pressure, dragoon ";we were goaded into action"; Origin Old English gād, of Germanic origin
edifying
synonyms: educate, instruct, teach, school, Origin Middle English: from Old French edifier, from Latin aedificare 'build,' from aedis 'dwelling' + facere 'make' [compare with edifice]. The word originally meant 'construct a building,' also 'strengthen,' hence to "build up" morally or spiritually.
fortitude
courage in synonyms: courage, bravery, endurance, resilience, mettle, moral fiber, strength of mind, strength of character, strong-mindedness, backbone, spirit, grit, true grit, doughtiness, steadfastness; informalguts Origin Middle English: via French from Latin fortitudo, from fortis 'strong.'
hawkish
gild
cover thinly with gold synonyms: gold-plate; cover with gold, paint gold ";she gilded the picture frame"; Origin Old English gyldan, of Germanic origin; related to gold.
gargantuan
synonyms: huge, enormous, vast, gigantic, very big, giant, massive, colossal, mammoth, immense, mighty, monumental, mountainous, titanic, towering, tremendous, elephantine, ki Origin late 16th century: from Gargantua, the name of a voracious giant in Rabelais' book of the same name [1534], + -an.
humbug
deceptive or false talk or behavior Origin mid 18th century [in the senses 'hoax, trick' and 'deceiver']: of unknown origin.
habiliment
clothing Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'outfit, attire']: from Old French habillement, from habiller 'fit out,' from Latin habilis [see able].
forfeit
synonyms: lose, be deprived of, surren Origin Middle English [originally denoting a crime or transgression, hence a fine or penalty for this]: from Old French forfet, forfait, past participle of forfaire 'transgress,' from for- 'out' [from Latin foris 'outside'] + faire 'do' [from Latin facere ].
galvanize
synonyms: jolt, shock, startle, impel, stir, spur, prod, urge, motivate, stimulate, electrify, excite, rouse, arouse, awaken; invigorate, fire, animate, vitalize, energize, exhilarate Origin early 19th century [in the sense 'stimulate by electricity']: from French galvaniser [see Galvani, Luigi].
epitome
synonyms: personification, embodiment, incarnation, paragon; essence, quintessence, archetype, paradigm; exemplar, model, soul, example; height ";the sanatorium there is Origin early 16th century: via Latin from Greek epitomē, from epitemnein 'abridge,' from epi 'in addition' + temnein 'to cut.'
epicure
a person who takes particular pleasure in fine f synonyms: gourmet, gastronome, gourmand, connoisseur; informalfoodie ";she sipped at the water as an epicure would savor a good wine"; Origin late Middle English [denoting a disciple of Epicurus]: via medieval Latin from Greek Epikouros 'Epicurus.'
Fretful
synonyms: distressed, upset, miserable, unsettled, uneasy, ill at ease, uncomfortable, edgy, agitated, worked up, tense, stressed, restive, fidgety, antsy; querulous, irritable, cross, fractious, peevish, petulant, out of sorts, bad-tempered, irascible, grumpy, crotchety, captious, testy, tetchy,
Fabulist
a person who composes or relates fables Origin late 16th century: from French fabuliste, from Latin fabula [see fable].
harmony
the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progr synonyms: euphony, polyphony; tunefulness, melodiousness, mellifluousness ";musical harmony"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin harmonia 'joining, concord,' from Greek, from harmos 'joint
havoc
synonyms: devastation, destruction, Origin late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French havok, alteration of Old French havot, of unknown origin. The word was originally used in the phrase cry havoc [Old French crier havot ] 'to give an army the order havoc,' which was the signal for plundering.
heady
[of liquor] potent; intoxicating synonyms: potent, intoxicating, strong; alcoholic, vinous; formalspirituous ";heady wine";
flagitious
[of a person or their actions] criminal; villainous Origin late Middle English: from Latin flagitiosus, from flagitium 'importunity, shameful crime,' from flagitare 'demand earnestly.'
Frisson
a sudden strong feeling of excitement or fear; a thrill Origin late 18th century: French, literally 'a shiver or thrill.'
filched
pilfer or steal [somethi synonyms: steal, take, take for oneself, help oneself to, loot, pilfer, abscond with, carry off, shoplift; informalrun off with, walk off with, rob, swipe, snatch, nab, rip off, lift ";someone filched two pies from the bake sale"; Origin Middle English: of unknown origin.
fascist
an advocate or follower of fascism synonyms: authoritarian, totalitarian, autocrat, extreme right-winger, rightist; Nazi, blackshirt; nationalist, xenophobe, racist, anti-Semite, jingoist; neofascist, neo-Nazi ";he was branded a fascist";
extravagant
synonyms: spendthrift, profligate, improvident, wasteful, prodigal, lavish ";an extravagant li Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'unusual, abnormal, unsuitable']: from medieval Latin extravagant- 'diverging greatly,' from the verb extravagari, from Latin extra- 'outside' + vagari 'wander.'
hermetic
[of a seal or synonyms: airtight, tight, sealed, zip-locked, vacuum-packed; watertight, waterproof ";the documents are stored in a hermetic box"; Origin mid 17th century [sense 2]: from modern Latin hermeticus, from Hermes, identified with Thoth, regarded as the founder of alchemy and astrology.
execrable
synonyms: appalling, atrocious, lamentable, egregious, awful, dreadful, terrible; disgusting, deplorable, disgraceful, frightful, reprehens Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'expressing or involving a curse']: via Old French from Latin execrabilis, from exsecrari 'to curse' [see execrate].
fungible
[of goods contracted for without an individual specimen being specified] able to replace or be replaced by another identical item; mutually interchangeable Origin late 17th century: from medieval Latin fungibilis, from fungi 'perform, enjoy,' with the same sense as fungi vice 'serve in place of.'
genteel
Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'fashionable, stylish']: from French gentil 'well-born.' From the 17th century to the 19th century the word was used in such senses as 'of good social position,' 'having the manners of a well-born person,' 'well-bred.' The ironic or derogatory implication dat
hirsute
hairy synonyms:hairy, shaggy, bushy, hair-covered; woolly, furry, fleecy, fuzzy; bearded, unshaven, bristly ";they described him as unusually large and hirsute" Originearly 17th century: from Latin hirsutus
epaulet
an ornamental shoulder piece on an item of clothing, typically on the coat or jacket of a military uniform Origin late 18th century: from French épaulette, diminutive of épaule 'shoulder,' from Latin spatula in the late Latin sense 'shoulder blade.'
emend
synonyms: correct, rectify, repair, fix; improve, enhance, polish, refine, amend; edit, rewrite, revise, copyedit, redraft, recast, rephrase, reword, rework, alter, change, m Origin late Middle English: from Latin emendare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of' + menda 'a fault.' Compare with amend.
enfilade
a volley of gunfire directed along a line from end to end Origin early 18th century [denoting the position of a military post commanding the length of a line]: from French, from enfiler 'thread on a string, pierce from end to end,' from en- 'in, on' + fil 'thread.'
forestall
synonyms: preempt, get in before; anticipate, second-guess; nip in the bu Origin Old English foresteall 'an ambush' [see fore- and stall]. As a verb the earliest sense [Middle English] was 'intercept and buy up [goods] before they reach the market, so as to raise the price' [formerly an offense].
Futile
synonyms: fruitless, vain, pointless, useless, ineffectual, ineffective, inefficacious, to no effect, of no use, in vain, to no avail, unavailing; unsuccessful, failed, thwarted; unproductive, barren, unp Origin mid 16th century: from Latin futilis 'leaky, futile,' apparently from fundere 'pour.'
harridan
synonyms: shrew, termagant, virago, harpy, vixen, nag, hag, crone, dragon, ogress; fishwife, hellcat, she-devil, gorgon; martinet, tartar; informalold bag, old bat, battle-ax, witch; archaicscold ";Steve tried Origin late 17th century [originally slang]: perhaps from French haridelle 'old horse.'
efface
synonyms: erase, eradicate, expunge, blot out, rub out, wipe out, remove, eliminate; delete, cancel, obliterate ";the chalk drawings were eff Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'pardon or be absolved from [an offense]']: from French effacer, from e- [from Latin ex- 'away from'] + face 'face.'
gainsay
deny or contradict [a fact or statement] synonyms: deny, dispute, disagree with, argue with, dissent from, contradict, repudiate, challenge, oppose, contest, counter, controvert, rebut ";it was difficult to gainsay his claim"; Origin Middle English: from obsolete gain- 'against' + say.
elude
synonyms: evade, avoid, get away from, dodge, escape from, run from, run away from; lose, shake off, give the slip to, slip away from, throw off the scent; i Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'delude, baffle']: from Latin eludere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out, away from' + ludere 'to play.'
fructify
make [something] fruitful or productive Origin Middle English: from Old French fructifier, from Latin fructificare, from fructus 'fruit.'
genial
synonyms: friendly, affable, cordial, amiable, w Origin mid 16th century: from Latin genialis 'nuptial, productive,' from genius [see genius]. The Latin sense was adopted into English; hence the senses 'mild and conducive to growth' [mid 17th century], later 'cheerful, kindly' [mid 18th century].
edible
fit to be eaten [often used to contrast with unpalatable or synonyms: safe to eat, fit for human consumption, wholesome, good to eat; consumable, digestible, palatable; formalcomestible ";these berries may not be edible"; Origin late 16th century: from late Latin edibilis, from Latin edere 'eat.'
ethereal
extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this worl synonyms: delicate, exquisite, dainty, elegant, graceful; fragile, airy, fine, subtle; unearthly ";melodic phrases of ethereal beauty"; Origin early 16th century: via Latin from Greek aitherios [from aithēr 'ether'] + -al.
gingerly
synonyms: cautiously, carefully, with care, warily, charily, circumspectly, delicately; heedfully, watchfully, vigilantly, att Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'daintily, mincingly']: perhaps from Old French gensor 'delicate,' comparative of gent 'graceful,' from Latin genitus 'well-born.'
feasible
synonyms: practicable, practical, workable, achievable, attainable, realizable, viable, realistic, sensible, reasonable, within reason; suitable, possible, expedient; informaldoable ";a Origin late Middle English: from Old French faisible, from fais-, stem of faire 'do, make,' from Latin facere .
entreat
synonyms: implore, beg, plead with, pray, ask, request; bid, enjoin, appeal to, call on, petition, solicit Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'treat, act toward [someone]'; formerly also as intreat ]: from Old French entraitier, based on traitier 'to treat,' from Latin tractare 'to handle.'
entropy
a thermodynamic quantity representing the unavailabili synonyms: deterioration, degeneration, crumbling, decline, degradation, decomposition, breaking down, collapse; disorder, chaos ";life is a struggle against entropy"; Origin mid 19th century: from en-2 'inside' + Greek tropē 'transformation.'
embezzle
synonyms: misappropriate, steal, thieve, pi Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'steal']: from Anglo-Norman French embesiler, from besiler in the same sense [compare with Old French besillier 'maltreat, ravage'], of unknown ultimate origin. The current sense dates from the late 16th century.
herald
an official messenger bringing news synonyms: harbinger, sign, indicator, indication, signal, prelude, portent, omen; forerunner, precursor; literaryforetoken ";the first herald of spring"; Origin Middle English: from Old French herault [noun], herauder [verb], of Germanic origin.
georgic
a poem or book dealing with agriculture or rural topics Origin early 16th century: via Latin from Greek geōrgikos, from geōrgos 'farmer.'
haggard
synonyms: drawn, tired, exhausted, drained, careworn, unwell, unhealthy, spent, washed out, run-down; gaunt, pinched, peaked, hollow-cheeked, hollow-eyed, thin, emaciated, wasted, Origin mid 16th century [used in falconry]: from French hagard ; perhaps related to hedge; later influenced by hag1.
ennui
synonyms: boredom, tedium, listlessness, lethargy, lassitude, languor, weariness, enervation; malaise, dissatisfaction, melancholy, depression, world-weariness, Weltschmerz ";an ennui bred of l Origin mid 18th century: French, from Latin mihi in odio est 'it is hateful to me.' Compare with annoy.
flocculent
having or resembling tufts of wool Origin early 19th century: from Latin floccus 'tuft of wool' + -ulent.
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legate
a member of the clergy, especially a cardinal, representing the pope Origin late Old English, from Old French legat, from Latin legatus, past participle of legare 'depute, delegate, bequeath.'
libel
synonyms: defamation, defamation of character, character assassination, calumny, misrepresentation, scandalmongering; aspersions, denigration, vilificati Origin Middle English [in the general sense 'a document, a written statement']: via Old French from Latin libellus, diminutive of liber 'book.'
insular
synonyms: narrow-minded, small-minded, inward-looking, parochial, provincial, small-town, shortsighted, hidebound, blinkered; set in one's ways, inflexible, rigid, entrenched; illiberal, int Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting an islander]: from late Latin insularis, from insula 'island.'
imposing
grand and impressive in appearance synonyms: impressive, striking, arresting, eye-catching, impactful, dramatic, spectacular, stunning, awesome, awe-inspiring, formidable, splendid, grand, grandiose, majestic, stately, august ";an imposing mansion";
imbecile
a stupid person Origin mid 16th century [as an adjective in the sense 'physically weak']: via French from Latin imbecillus, literally 'without a supporting staff,' from in- [expressing negation] + baculum 'stick, staff.' The current sense dates from the early 19th century.
intuit
understand or work out by instinct Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'instruct, teach']: from Latin intuit- 'contemplated,' from the verb intueri, from in- 'upon' + tueri 'to look.'
insinuate
synonyms: imply, suggest, hint, intimate, indicate, let it be known, give someo Origin early 16th century [used in legal contexts in the sense 'enter [a document] in the official register']: from Latin insinuat- 'introduced tortuously,' from the verb insinuare, from in- 'in' + sinuare 'to curve.'
interloper
synonyms: intruder, encroacher, trespasser, invader, infiltrator; uninvited guest; outsider, st Origin late 16th century [denoting an unauthorized trader trespassing on the rights of a trade monopoly]: from inter- 'amid' + -loper as in archaic landloper 'vagabond' [from Middle Dutch landlooper ].
natty
synonyms: smart, stylish, fashionable, dapper, debonair, dashing, spruced up, well dressed, chic, elegant, trim; informalsnazzy, trendy, snappy, nifty, sassy, spiffy, fly, kicky, styling/stylin', sharp ";he's looking pretty da Origin late 18th century [originally slang]: perhaps related to neat1.
incise
mark or decorate [an object or surface] with a cut or a series of cuts Origin mid 16th century: from French inciser, from Latin incis- 'cut into, engraved,' from the verb incidere, from in- 'into' + caedere 'to cut.'
nacre
mother-of-pearl Origin late 16th century: French, from late Latin nacchara, nacara, perhaps from Arabic.
monolithic
formed of a single large block of stone synonyms: massive, huge, vast, colossal, gigantic, immense, giant, enormous; featureless, characterless ";a monolithic building";
malfeasance
wrongdoing, especially by a public official Origin late 17th century: from Anglo-Norman French malfaisance, from mal- 'evil' + Old French faisance 'activity.' Compare with misfeasance.
imbibe
synonyms: drink, consume, quaff, guzzle, gulp [down]; informalknock back, down, swill, chug ";they'd imbibed too much whiskey"; drink [ Origin late Middle English [in the senses 'absorb or cause to absorb moisture' and 'take into solution']: from Latin imbibere, from in- 'in' + bibere 'to drink.'
minion
synonyms: underling, henchman, flunky, lackey, hanger-on, follower, servant, hireling, vassal, stooge, toady, sycophant; informalyes-man, trained seal, bootlicker, brown-noser, suck-up ";if working for you means being your minion, I'm not t Origin late 15th century: from French mignon, mignonne .
kinship
blood relationship synonyms: family ties, blood ties, common ancestry, consanguinity ";the value of kinship in society";
mundane
synonyms: humdrum, dull, boring, tedious, monotonous, tiresome, wearisome, unexciting, uninteresting, uninvolving, uneventful, unvarying, u Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from Old French mondain, from late Latin mundanus, from Latin mundus 'world.' Sense 1 dates from the late 19th century.
iota
the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet [ Ι, ι ], transliterated as 'i. synonyms: bit, speck, mite, scrap, shred, ounce, scintilla, atom, jot, grain, whit, trace; informalsmidgen, smidge, tad; archaicscruple ";nothing she said made an iota of difference";
machicolation
[in medieval fortifications] an opening between the supporting corbels of a projecting parapet or the vault of a gate, through which stones or burning objects could be dropped on attackers
iniquity
synonyms: wickedness, sinfulness, immorality, impropriety; vice, evil, sin; villainy, criminality; odiousness, atrocity, egregiousness; outrage, monstrosity, obscenity, repr Origin Middle English: from Old French iniquite, from Latin iniquitas, from iniquus, from in- 'not' + aequus 'equal, just.'
jouissance
physical or intellectual pleasure, delight, or ecstasy Origin French, from jouir 'enjoy.'
notorious
famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed synonyms: infamous, scandalous; well known, famous, famed, legendary ";a notorious gunman of the Old West"; Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'generally known']: from medieval Latin notorius [from Latin notus 'known'] + -ous.
largess
synonyms: generosity, liberality, munificence, bounty, bountifulness, beneficence, altruism, charity, philanthropy, magnanimity, benevolence, charitableness, openhandedness, kindness, big-heartedness; formalbenefaction ";Bob too Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin largus 'copious.'
interpolate
synonyms: insert, interpose, interject, enter, add, incorporate, inset, put, introduce ";language models can be interpolated online Origin early 17th century: from Latin interpolat- 'refurbished, altered,' from the verb interpolare, from inter- 'between' + -polare [related to polire 'to polish'].
kowtow
synonyms: grovel to, be obsequious to, be servile to, be sycophantic to, fawn over/on, cringe to, bow and scrape to, toady to, truckle to, abase oneself before, humble oneself to; curry favor with, dance attendance on, i Origin early 19th century: from Chinese kētóu, from kē 'knock' + tóu 'head.'
maven
an expert or connoisseur Origin 1960s: Yiddish
neophyte
synonyms: beginner, learner, novice, newcomer; initiate, tyro, fledgling; trainee, apprentice, Origin late Middle English: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek neophutos, literally 'newly planted' but first used in the sense 'new convert' by St. Paul [1 Tim. 3:6], from neos 'new' + phuton 'plant.'
nimbus
a luminous cloud or a halo surrounding a supernatural being or a saint Origin early 17th century: from Latin, literally 'cloud, aureole.'
lucrative
synonyms: profitable, profit-making, gainful, remunerative, moneymaking, paying, high-income, well paid, bankable; rewarding, worthwhile; thriving, flourishing, successful, bo Origin late Middle English: from Latin lucrativus, from lucrat- 'gained,' from the verb lucrari, from lucrum [see lucre].
lackey
a servant, especially a synonyms: servant, flunky, footman, manservant, valet, steward, butler, attendant, houseboy, domestic; archaicscullion ";lackeys helped them from their carriage"; Origin early 16th century: from French laquais, perhaps from Catalan alacay, from Arabic al-ḵā'id 'the chief.'
medley
synonyms: assortment, miscellany, mixture, mélange, variety, mixed bag, grab bag, mix, coll Origin Middle English [denoting hand-to-hand combat, also cloth made of variegated wool]: from Old French medlee, variant of meslee 'melee,' based on medieval Latin misculare 'to mix'; compare with meddle.
manifest
synonyms: obvious, clear, plain, apparent, evident, patent, palpable, distinct, definite, blatant, overt, glaring, barefaced, explicit, transparent, conspicuous, undisguised, unmistakable, noticeable, perceptible, visible, recogni Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin manifestus .
modish
conforming to or following what is synonyms: fashionable, stylish, chic, modern, contemporary, all the rage, in vogue, voguish, up-to-the-minute, à la mode, du jour; informaltrendy, cool, with it, in, now, hip, styling/stylin', happening, phat, funky, kicky, tony, fly ";modish outfits for spring";
morass
an area of mu synonyms: quagmire, swamp, bog, marsh, muskeg, mire, marshland, wetland, slough, moor ";the muddy morass"; Origin late 15th century: from Dutch moeras, alteration [by assimilation to moer 'moor'] of Middle Dutch marasch, from Old French marais 'marsh,' from medieval Latin mariscus .
mercurial
synonyms: volatile, capricious, temperamental, excitable, fickle, changeable, unpredictable, variable, p Origin late Middle English [sense 3 of the adjective]: from Latin mercurialis 'relating to the god Mercury,' from Mercurius 'Mercury.' Sense 1 of the adjective dates from the mid 17th century.
instigate
synonyms: set in motion, get underway, get off the ground, start, commence, begin, initiate, launch, institute, set up, inaugurate, establ Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'urge on']: from Latin instigat- 'urged, incited,' from the verb instigare, from in- 'toward' + stigare 'prick, incite.'
malady
synonyms: illness, sickness, disease, infection, ailment, disorder, complaint, indisposition, affliction, infirmity, syndrome; informalbug, virus ";every time we visi Origin Middle English: from Old French maladie, from malade 'sick,' based on Latin male 'ill' + habitus 'having [as a condition].'
martinet
a strict disciplinarian, especially in the armed forces Origin late 17th century [denoting the drill system invented by Martinet]: named after Jean Martinet, 17th-century French drillmaster.
implore
beg someo synonyms: plead with, beg, entreat, beseech, appeal to, ask, request, call on; exhort, urge, enjoin, press, push, petition, bid, importune; supplicate ";his mother implored him to continue studying"; Origin early 16th century: from French implorer or Latin implorare 'invoke with tears.'
mar
synonyms: spoil, impair, disfigure, detract from, blemish, scar; mutilate, deface, deform ";an ugly scar marred his features"; spoil, ruin, impair, damage, wreck; harm, hurt, blight, taint, Origin Old English merran 'hinder, damage,' of Germanic origin; probably related to Dutch marren 'loiter.'
nuance
a subtle difference in synonyms: fine distinction, subtle difference; shade, shading, gradation, variation, degree; subtlety, nicety, overtone ";the nuances of light are very effective"; Origin late 18th century: from French, 'shade, subtlety,' from nuer 'to shade,' based on Latin nubes 'cloud.'
mien
synonyms: appearance, look, expression, countenance, aura, demeanor, attitude, air, manner, bearing; formalcomportment ";a scowling mien that did nothing to boost o Origin early 16th century: probably from French mine 'expression,' influenced by obsolete demean 'bearing, demeanor' [from demean2].
latent
[of a quality or state] existing but not synonyms: dormant, untapped, unused, undiscovered, hidden, concealed, underlying, invisible, unseen, undeveloped, unrealized, unfulfilled, potential ";his latent skills"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin latent- 'being hidden,' from the verb latere .
interminable
synonyms: [seemingly] endless, never-ending, unending, nonstop, everlasting, ceaseless, unceasing, incessant, constant, continual, uninterrupted, sustained; monotonous, tedi Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from late Latin interminabilis, from in- 'not' + terminare [see terminate].
nadir
the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organizatio synonyms: lowest point, lowest level, all-time low, bottom, rock-bottom; informalpits ";the nadir of his career"; Origin late Middle English [in the astronomical sense]: via French from Arabic naẓīr [as-samt ] 'opposite [to the zenith].'
immune
synonyms: resistant to, not subject to, not liab Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'free from [a liability]']: from Latin immunis 'exempt from public service or charge,' from in- 'not' + munis 'ready for service.' Senses relating to physiological resistance date from the late 19th century.
needling
synonyms: goad, provoke, bait, taunt, pester, harass, prick, prod, sting, tease; irritate, annoy, anger, vex, irk, nettle, pique Origin Old English nǣdl, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch naald and German Nadel, from an Indo-European root shared by Latin nere 'to spin' and Greek nēma 'thread.'
mellifluous
[of a voice or words] sweet or synonyms: sweet-sounding, dulcet, honeyed, mellow, soft, liquid, silvery, soothing, rich, smooth, euphonious, harmonious, tuneful, musical ";mellifluous dinner music"; Origin late 15th century: from late Latin mellifluus [from mel 'honey' + fluere 'to flow'] + -ous.
malaise
synonyms: unhappiness, uneasiness, unease, discomfort, melancholy, depression, despondency, dejection, angst, ennui; lassitude, listlessness, languor, weariness; indisposition, ailment, infirmity, i Origin mid 18th century: from French, from Old French mal 'bad' [from Latin malus ] + aise 'ease.'
legerdemain
skillful use of one's hands when performing conjuring tricks synonyms: sleight of hand, conjuring, magic, wizardry; formalprestidigitation; rarethaumaturgy ";stage magicians practicing legerdemain"; Origin late Middle English: from French léger de main 'dexterous,' literally 'light of hand.'
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plumb
measure [the depth of a body of water] synonyms: explore, probe, delve into, search, examine, investigate, fathom, penetrate, understand ";an attempt to plumb her psyche"; Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'sounding lead']: via Old French from Latin plumbum 'lead.'
opulent
synonyms: luxurious, sumptuous, palatial, lavish, lavishly appointed, rich, splendid, magnificent, grand, grandiose, fancy; informalplush, classy, ritzy, posh, swanky, swank "; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'wealthy, affluent']: from Latin opulent- 'wealthy, splendid,' from opes 'wealth.'
patrimony
property inherited from one's father or male ancestor synonyms: heritage, inheritance, birthright; legacy, bequest, endowment ";our cultural patrimony is in jeopardy"; Origin Middle English: from Old French patrimoine, from Latin patrimonium, from pater, patr- 'father.'
obtund
dull the sensitivity of; blunt; deaden Origin late Middle English: from Latin obtundere, from ob- 'against' + tundere 'to beat.'
pillory
a wooden framework with holes for the head and hands, in which an offender was i synonyms: stocks ";offenders were put in the pillory"; Origin Middle English: from Old French pilori, probably from Provençal espilori [associated by some with a Catalan word meaning 'peephole,' of uncertain origin].
prefatory
serving as an introduction; introductory synonyms: introductory, preliminary, opening, initial, preparatory, initiatory, precursory ";prefatory text";
protege
a person who is guid synonyms: student, pupil, trainee, apprentice; disciple, follower; discovery, find, ward ";his protégé was a young pianist from Belgium"; Origin late 18th century: French, literally 'protected,' past participle of protéger, from Latin protegere 'cover in front' [see protect].
protract
synonyms: prolong, lengthen, extend, draw out, drag out, spin out, stretch out, string out, elongate; carry on, continue, keep up, perpetuate ";the opposition will try to prot Origin mid 16th century: from Latin protract- 'prolonged,' from the verb protrahere, from pro- 'out' + trahere 'to draw.'
opalescent
showing varying colors as an opal does synonyms: iridescent, prismatic, rainbowlike, kaleidoscopic, multicolored, many-hued, lustrous, shimmering, glittering, sparkling, variegated, scintillating, shot, moiré, opaline, milky, pearly, nacreous ";opalescent sequins";
raconteur
a person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way synonyms: storyteller, teller of tales, spinner of yarns, narrator; rareanecdotist, anecdotalist ";an interviewer with his favorite raconteur, Studs Terkel"; Origin early 19th century: French, from raconter 'relate, recount.'
peregrine
a powerful falcon found on most continents, breeding chiefly on mountains and coastal cliffs and much used for falconry Origin late Middle English: from Latin peregrinus 'foreign,' from peregre 'abroad,' from per- 'through' + ager 'field.'
picaresque
of or relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero Origin early 19th century: from French, from Spanish picaresco . See picaro.
obsolete
synonyms: outdated, out of date, outmoded, old-fashioned, démodé, passé, out of fashion; no longer in use, disused, fallen into disuse, behind the times, superannuated, outworn Origin late 16th century: from Latin obsoletus 'grown old, worn out,' past participle of obsolescere 'fall into disuse.'
reverie
synonyms: daydream, daydreaming, trance, musing; inattention, inattentiveness, woolgathering, preoccupation, absorption, abstraction, lack Origin early 17th century: from obsolete French resverie, from Old French reverie 'rejoicing, revelry,' from rever 'be delirious,' of unknown ultimate origin.
ratiocinate
form judgments by a process of logic; reason Origin mid 17th century: from Latin ratiocinat- 'deliberated, calculated,' from the verb ratiocinari, from ratio [see ratio].
replete
synonyms: filled, full, well stocked, well supplied, crammed, packed, jammed, teeming, overflowing, bursting; informaljam-packed, chockablock, c Origin late Middle English: from Old French replet[e ] or Latin repletus 'filled up,' past participle of replere, from re- 'back, again' + plere 'fill.'
resonate
produce or be filled with a deep, full, reverberating sound Origin late 19th century: from Latin resonat- 'resounded,' from the verb resonare [see resound].
repose
a state of rest, sleep, or tranquility synonyms: rest, relaxation, inactivity; sleep, slumber ";a face in repose"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French repos [noun], reposer [verb], from late Latin repausare, from re- [expressing intensive force] + pausare 'to pause.'
repartee
synonyms: banter, badinage, bantering, raillery, witticism[s], ripostes, sallies, quips, joking, jesting; formalpersiflage ";an evening of wit and re Origin mid 17th century: from French repartie 'replied promptly,' feminine past participle of repartir, from re- 'again' + partir 'divide, depart.'
peccadilloes
a small, relatively unimportant offense or sin synonyms: misdemeanor, petty offense, indiscretion, lapse, misdeed ";I'm sure we can overlook a few peccadilloes"; Origin late 16th century: from Spanish pecadillo, diminutive of pecado 'sin,' from Latin peccare 'to sin.'
replenish
synonyms: refill, top up, fill up, recharge, freshen ";she replenished their glass Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'supply abundantly']: from Old French repleniss-, lengthened stem of replenir, from re- 'again' [also expressing intensive force] + plenir 'fill' [from Latin plenus 'full'].
reciprocate
respond to [a gesture or action] by making a correspondi synonyms: do the same [in return], respond in kind, return the favor ";I was happy to reciprocate"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin reciprocat- 'moved backwards and forwards' from the verb reciprocare, from reciprocus [see reciprocal].
ostentatious
characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; des synonyms: showy, pretentious, conspicuous, flamboyant, gaudy, brash, vulgar, loud, extravagant, fancy, ornate, overelaborate; informalflash, flashy, splashy, fancy-pants, over the top, glitzy, ritzy, superfly ";an ostentatious display of wealth";
recriminate
make counteraccusations Origin early 17th century: from medieval Latin recriminat- 'accused in return,' from the verb recriminari, from re- [expressing opposition] + criminare 'accuse' [from crimen 'crime'].
opus
a separate composition or set of compositions by a particular composer, usually ordered by date of publication synonyms: composition, work, work of art, oeuvre, piece, creation ";her latest opus is a critical success"; Origin early 18th century: from Latin, literally 'work.'
ramshackle
synonyms: tumbledown, dilapidated, derelict, decrepit, neglected, run-down, gone to rack and ruin, beat-up, crumbling, decaying; ri Origin early 19th century [originally dialect in the sense 'irregular, disorderly']: alteration of earlier ramshackled, altered form of obsolete ransackled 'ransacke
placid
synonyms: even-tempered, calm, tranquil, equable, unexcitable, serene, mild, 'calm, cool, and collected', composed, self-possessed, poised, easygoing, levelheaded, steady, unruffled, unperturbed, phlegm Origin early 17th century: from French placide, from Latin placidus, from placere 'to please.'
pleonasm
the use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning [e.g., see with one's eyes ], either as a fault of style or for emphasis Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein 'be superfluous.'
raft
a large amount of something Origin mid 19th century: alteration of dialect raff 'abundance' [perhaps of Scandinavian origin], by association with raft1 in the sense 'floating mass.'
raft
a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beam, rafter']: from Old Norse raptr 'rafter.' The verb dates from the late 17th century
payola
the practice of bribing someone to use their influence or position to promote a particular product or interest Origin 1930s: from pay1 + -ola as in Victrola, the name of a make of gramophone.
ramify
form branches or offshoots; spread or branch out Origin late Middle English: from Old French ramifier, from medieval Latin ramificare, from Latin ramus 'branch.'
ordinal
short for ordinal number Origin Middle English [sense 2 of the noun]: the noun from medieval Latin ordinale [neuter]; the adjective from late Latin ordinalis 'relating to order in a series,' from Latin ordo, ordin- [see order].
penitent
synonyms: repentant, contrite, remorseful, sorry, apologetic, regretful, conscience-stricken, rueful, ashamed, shamefaced, abject, in sackcloth and ashes ";she stood there looking like a penitent Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitent- 'repenting,' from the verb paenitere .
rave
talk wildly or incoherent synonyms: talk wildly, babble, jabber, talk incoherently ";he was raving about the fires of hell"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'show signs of madness']: probably from Old Northern French raver ; related obscurely to [Middle] Low German reven 'be senseless, rave.'
obeisance
d synonyms: respect, homage, worship, adoration, reverence, veneration, honor, submission, deference ";he made a very formal, elaborate gesture of obeisance"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'obedience']: from Old French obeissance, from obeissant 'obeying,' present participle of obeir .
provenance
t synonyms: origin, source, place of origin; birthplace, fount, roots, pedigree, derivation, root, etymology; formalradix ";the provenance of the paintings"; Origin late 18th century: from French, from the verb provenir 'come or stem from,' from Latin provenire, from pro- 'forth' + venire 'come.'
retreat
[of an army] withdraw fr synonyms: withdraw, retire, draw back, pull back/out, fall back, give way, give ground, beat a retreat, beat a hasty retreat ";the army retreated"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French retret [noun], retraiter [verb], from Latin retrahere 'pull back' [see retract].
officiate
synonyms: preside over, be in charge of, take charge of, direct, head [up]; oversee, superintend, supervise, conduct, run; referee, umpire, judge, adjudicate; emcee ";he officiated the gam Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin officiare 'perform divine service,' from officium [see office].
pilfer
synonyms: steal, thieve, take, snatch, purloin, loot; informalswipe, rob, nab, rip off, lift, "liberate", "borrow", filch, sna Origin late Middle English [as a noun in the sense 'action of pilfering, something pilfered']: from Old French pelfrer 'to pillage,' of unknown origin. Compare with pelf.
pollard
cut off the top and branches of [a tree] to encourage new growth at the top Origin early 17th century: from the verb poll + -ard.
outlandish
synonyms: weird, queer, far out, quirky, zany, eccentric, idiosyncratic, unconventional, unorthodox, funny, bizarre, unusual, singular, extraordinary, strange, unfamiliar, peculiar, odd, curious; More informaloffbeat, off t Origin Old English ūtlendisc 'not native,' from ūtland 'foreign country.'
penchant
synonyms: liking, fondness, preference, taste, relish, appetite, partiality, soft spot, love, passion, desire, fancy, whim, weakness, inclination, bent, bias, proclivity, predilection, predisposi Origin late 17th century: from French, 'leaning, inclining,' present participle of the verb pencher .
proponent
a person who advocates a theory, propo synonyms: advocate, champion, supporter, backer, promoter, protagonist, campaigner, booster, cheerleader ";a proponent of the youth basketball program"; OriginY late 16th century: from Latin proponent- 'putting forth,' from the verb proponere [see propound].
quagmire
a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot synonyms: swamp, morass, bog, marsh, muskeg, mire, slough; archaicquag ";the field became a quagmire"; Origin late 16th century: from quag + mire.
regurgitate
bring [swallowed food] up again to the mouth synonyms: disgorge, bring up ";a ruminant continually regurgitates food"; Origin late 16th century: from medieval Latin regurgitat-, from the verb regurgitare, from Latin re- 'again, back' + gurges, gurgit- 'whirlpool.'
rapacious
aggressively gree synonyms: grasping, greedy, avaricious, acquisitive, covetous; mercenary, materialistic; insatiable, predatory; informalmoney-grubbing, grabby ";poor Tom has fallen for a rapacious gold digger"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin rapax, rapac- [from rapere 'to snatch'] + -ious.
peevish
synonyms: irritable, fractious, fretful, cross, petulant, querulous, pettish, crabby, crotchety, cantankerous, curmudgeonly, sullen, grumpy, bad-tempered, short-tempered, touchy, testy, tetchy, snappish, ira Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'foolish, insane, spiteful']: of unknown origin.
quibble
Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'play on words, pun']: diminutive of obsolete quib 'a petty objection,' probably from Latin quibus, dative and ablative plural of qui, quae, quod 'who, what, which,' frequently used in legal documents and so associated with subtle distinctions or verbal nice
ramification
a synonyms: consequence, result, aftermath, outcome, effect, upshot; development, implication; product, by-product ";the incident backfired on her and has had ramifications beyond anything she could have imagined"; Origin mid 17th century: from French, from ramifier 'form branches' [see ramify].
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troglodyte
[especially in prehistoric times] a person who lived in a cave Origin late 15th century: via Latin from Greek trōglodutēs, alteration of the name of an Ethiopian people, influenced by trōglē 'hole.'
syncretism
the amalgamation or attempted amalgamation of different religions, cu Origin early 17th century: from modern Latin syncretismus, from Greek sunkrētismos, from sunkrētizein 'unite against a third party,' from sun- 'together' + krēs 'Cretan' [originally with reference to ancient Cretan communities].
trauma
synonyms: shock, upheaval, distress, stress, strain, pain, anguish, suffering, upset, agony, misery, sorrow, grief, heartache, heartbreak, torture; ordeal, trial, tribulation, trouble, worry, anxiety; nightmare, hell, hellishness; war-weari Origin late 17th century: from Greek, literally 'wound.'
stimulate
ra synonyms: restorative, tonic, invigorating, bracing, energizing, reviving, refreshing, revitalizing, revivifying, exhilarating; analeptic ";a stimulating effect on the circulation"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'sting, afflict']: from Latin stimulat- 'urged, goaded,' from the verb sti
wane
synonyms: decline, diminish, decrease, dwindle, shrink, tail off, ebb, fade [away], lessen, peter out, fall off, recede, slump, flag, weaken, give way, wither, crumble, evaporate, disintegrate, die out; literar Origin Old English wanian 'lessen,' of Germanic origin; related to Latin vanus 'vain.'
rococo
synonyms:ornate, fancy, elaborate, extravagant, baroque; Morefussy, busy, ostentatious, showy; flowery, florid, flamboyant, high-flown, magniloquent, orotund, bombastic, overwrought, overblown, inflated, turgid; informalhighfaluti Originmid 19th century: from French, humorous alteration of rocaille
wheedle
synonyms: coax, cajole, inveigle, induce, entice, charm, tempt, beguile, blandish, flatter, persuade, influence, win someone over, bring someone around, convince, prevail on, get around; informalsweet-talk Origin mid 17th century: perhaps from German wedeln 'cringe, fawn,' from Wedel 'tail, fan.'
virtuoso
synonyms: genius, expert, master, past master, maestro, artist, prodigy, marvel, adept, professional, doyen, veteran; star, champion; informalhotshot, wizard, magician, pro, ace ";the Origin early 17th century: from Italian, literally 'learned, skillful,' from late Latin virtuosus [see virtuous].
transcendent
synonyms: incomparable, matchless, peerless, unrivaled, inimitable, beyond compare/comparison, unparalleled, unequaled, without equal, second to none, unsurpassed, unsurpassable, nonp Origin late Middle English: from Latin transcendent- 'climbing over,' from the verb transcendere [see transcend].
swagger
synonyms: strut, parade, stride; walk confidently; informalsashay ";we swaggered into the arena"; boast, brag, bluster, crow, gloat; strut, posture, blow one's own horn, lord it; informalshow off, swank ";try to swagger less Origin early 16th century: apparently a frequentative of the verb swag.
saxicoline
another term for saxatile Origin late 19th century: from modern Latin saxicolus [from saxum 'rock' + colere 'inhabit'] + -ine1.
vassal
a holder of land by feudal tenur synonyms: serf, dependent, servant, slave, subject, bondsman, thrall, villein; historicalvavasour, helot ";he was born an English vassal"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin vassallus 'retainer,' of Celtic origin; compare with vavasour.
skeptical
not easily convinced; having doubts or synonyms: dubious, doubtful, taking something with a pinch of salt, doubting; cynical, distrustful, mistrustful, suspicious, disbelieving, unconvinced, incredulous, scoffing; pessimistic, defeatist ";she was wisely skeptical about his get-rich-quick scheme";
risque
synonyms: ribald, rude, bawdy, Rabelaisian, racy, earthy, indecent, suggestive, improper, naughty, locker-room; vulgar, dirty, smutty, crude, coarse, obscene, lewd, X-rated; informalblue, raunchy; off-color ";risqué stories"; Origin mid 19th century: French, past participle of risquer 'to risk.'
seething
[of a liquid] bubble up as a result of be synonyms: boil, bubble, simmer, foam, froth, fizz, effervesce ";the brew seethed"; teem, swarm, boil, swirl, churn, surge ";the water was seething with fish"; Origin Old English sēothan 'make or keep boiling,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zieden .
sloven
a person who is habitually messy or careless Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'person with base manners']: perhaps from Flemish sloef 'dirty' or Dutch slof 'careless, negligent.'
temperance
abstinence from alcoholic drink synonyms: teetotalism, abstinence, abstention, sobriety, self-restraint; prohibition ";a strict advocate of temperance"; Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French temperaunce, from Latin temperantia 'moderation,' from temperare 'restrain.'
twitterpated
infatuated or obsessed Origin 1940s: from twitter + -pated 'having a head or mind of a specified kind' [from pate]; popularized by the 1942 film Bambi .
trudge
walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh synonyms: plod, tramp, tromp, drag oneself, walk heavily, walk slowly, plow, slog, toil, trek; informaltraipse, galumph ";they trudged through two miles of wet snow"; Origin mid 16th century [as a verb]: of unknown origin.
wanton
synonyms: deliberate, willful, malicious, spiteful, wicked, cruel; gratuitous, unprovoked, motiveless, arbitrary, groundless, unjustifiable, needless, unnec Origin Middle English wantowen 'rebellious, lacking discipline,' from wan- 'badly' + Old English togen 'trained' [related to team and tow1].
serf
an agricultural laborer bound under the feudal system to work on his lord's estate Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'slave']: from Old French, from Latin servus 'slave.'
vestige
a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists synonyms: remnant, fragment, relic, echo, indication, sign, trace, residue, mark, legacy, reminder; remains ";the last vestiges of colonialism"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from Latin vestigium 'footprint.'
voluptuous
of, relating to, o synonyms: hedonistic, sybaritic, epicurean, pleasure-loving, self-indulgent; decadent, intemperate, immoderate, dissolute, sensual, licentious ";she was voluptuous by nature"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French voluptueux or Latin voluptuosus, from voluptas 'pleasure.'
sybarite
synonyms: hedonist, sensualist, voluptuary, libertine, pleasure-seeker, epicure, bon vivant, bon viveur ";an exclusive resort that ca Origin mid 16th century [originally denoting an inhabitant of Sybaris, an ancient Greek city in southern Italy, noted for luxury]: via Latin from Greek Subaritēs .
rustic
of or relating to the countryside; rural synonyms: rural, country, countryside, countrified, pastoral, bucolic; More agricultural, agrarian; literarysylvan, georgic ";a rustic setting"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'rural']: from Latin rusticus, from rus 'the country.'
sumptuous
synonyms: lavish, luxurious, opulent, magnificent, resplendent, gorgeous, splendid, grand, lavishly appointed, palatial, rich; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'made or produced at great cost']: from Old French somptueux, from Latin sumptuosus, from sumptus 'expenditure' [see sumptuary].
salubrious
health-giving; healthy synonyms: healthy, health-giving, healthful, beneficial, wholesome; archaicsalutary ";I found the climate salubrious"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin salubris [from salus 'health'] + -ous.
xenophobic
having or sh synonyms: ultranationalistic, ultranationalist, nationalistic, nationalist, isolationist, jingoistic; parochial, insular; ethnocentric, ethnocentrist, racist, racialist; prejudiced, bigoted, intolerant ";unemployment and lack of exposure to foreigners has fueled xenophobic sentiment";
termagant
a harsh-tempered or overbearing woman Origin Middle English [sense 2]: via Old French from Italian Trivigante, taken to be from Latin tri- 'three' + vagant- 'wandering,' and to refer to the moon "wandering" between heaven, earth, and hell under the three names Selene, Artemis, and Persephone.
uncouth
synonyms: uncivilized, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, unpolished, unsophisticated, bush-league, common, plebeian, low, rough, rough-hewn, coarse, loutish, boorish, oafish, troglodyte; ch Origin Old English uncūth 'unknown,' from un-1 'not' + cūth [past participle of cunnan 'know, be able'].
synopsis
a brief summary or general survey of so synonyms: summary, summarization, précis, abstract, outline, digest, rundown, roundup, abridgment ";the synopsis was so intriguing that I just had to buy the book"; Origin early 17th century: via late Latin from Greek, from sun- 'together' + opsis 'seeing.'
visage
a person's face, with reference to the form or proportions of the features synonyms: face, countenance, look, [facial] features, [facial] expression ";a visage marked by years of depression"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin visus 'sight,' from videre 'to see.'
swagger
synonyms: strut, parade, stride; walk confidently; informalsashay ";we swaggered into the arena"; boast, brag, bluster, crow, gloat; strut, posture, blow one's own horn, lord it; informalshow off, swank ";try to swagger less Origin early 16th century: apparently a frequentative of the verb swag.
toothsome
[of food] temptingly tasty synonyms: tasty, delicious, luscious, mouthwatering, delectable, succulent; tempting, appetizing, inviting; informalscrumptious, yummy, nummy, finger-licking, melt-in-your-mouth, lip-smacking ";a toothsome lemon tart";
sated
satisfy [a desire or an appetite] to the full Origin early 17th century: probably an alteration of dialect sade, from Old English sadian 'become sated or weary' [related to sad]. The change in the final consonant was due to association with satiate.
subtle
[especially of a change or distinction] so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or synonyms: fine, fine-drawn, nice, hair-splitting ";subtle distinctions"; Origin Middle English [also in the sense 'not easily understood']: from Old French sotil, from Latin subtilis 'fine, delicate.'
sap
synonyms: erode, wear away/down, deplete, reduce, l Origin Old English sæp, probably of Germanic origin. The verb [dating from the mid 18th century] is often interpreted as a figurative use of the notion "drain the sap from," but is derived originally from the verb sap2, in the sense 'undermine.'
sobriety
the state of being sober synonyms: soberness, clearheadedness; abstinence, teetotalism, nonindulgence, abstemiousness, temperance ";she noted his sobriety"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French sobriete or Latin sobrietas, from sobrius [see sober].
tryst
a private, romantic rendezvous between lovers Origin late Middle English [originally Scots]: variant of obsolete trist 'an appointed place in hunting,' from French triste or medieval Latin trista .
trappings
synonyms: accessories, accoutrements, appurtenances, trimmings, frills, accompaniments, extras, ornamentation, adornment, decoration; regalia, panoply, paraphernalia, apparatus, finery, equipment, gear, effects, things, bits and pieces ";she is sur Origin late Middle English: derivative of trap2.
rogue
synonyms: scoundrel, villain, miscreant, reprobate, rascal, good-for-nothin Origin mid 16th century [denoting an idle vagrant]: probably from Latin rogare 'beg, ask,' and related to obsolete slang roger 'vagrant beggar' [many such cant terms were introduced toward the middle of the 16th century].
traduce
synonyms: defame, slander, speak ill of, misrepresent, malign, vilify, denigrate, disparage, slur, impugn, smear, besmir Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'transport, transmit']: from Latin traducere 'lead in front of others, expose to ridicule,' from trans- 'over, across' + ducere 'to lead.'
titanic
synonyms: huge, great, enormous, gigantic, massive, colossal, monumental, mammoth, immense, tremendous, mighty, stupendous, prodigious, gargantuan, Herculean; informalhumongous, ginormous, Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'relating to the sun']: from Greek titanikos, from Titan [see Titan].
unctuous
synonyms: sycophantic, ingratiating, obsequious, fawning, servile, groveling, subservient, cringing, humble, hypocritical, insincere, gushing, effusive; glib, s Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'greasy']: from medieval Latin unctuosus, from Latin unctus 'anointing,' from unguere 'anoint.'
vehement
synonyms: passionate, forceful, ardent, Origin late Middle English [describing pain or temperature, in the sense 'intense, high in degree']: from French véhément or Latin vehement- 'impetuous, violent,' perhaps from an unrecorded adjective meaning 'deprived of mind,' influenced by vehere 'carry.'
strait
a narrow passage of water connecting two seas or two large areas of water synonyms: channel, sound, inlet, stretch of water ";a strait about six miles wide"; Origin Middle English: shortening of Old French estreit 'tight, narrow,' from Latin strictus 'drawn tight' [see strict].
ulterior
existing beyond what is obvious or admitted; intention synonyms: underlying, undisclosed, undivulged, concealed, hidden, covert, secret, personal, private, selfish ";his ulterior objectives were disguised by feigned concern"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, literally 'further, more distant.'
scintilla
a tiny trace synonyms: particle, iota, jot, whit, atom, speck, bit, trace, ounce, shred, crumb, fragment, grain, drop, spot, modicum, hint, touch, suggestion, whisper, suspicion; informalsmidgen, tad ";you haven't got a scintilla of evidence to back that up"; Origin late 17th century: from Latin.
substantive
having a firm basis in reality and therefore important, meaningful, or considerable Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'having an independent existence']: from Old French substantif, -ive or late Latin substantivus, from substantia 'essence' [see substance].
traipse
walk or move wearily or reluctantly synonyms: trudge, trek, tramp, tromp, trail, plod, drag oneself, slog, schlep ";I haven't the time to go traipsing around art galleries"; Origin late 16th century [as a verb]: of unknown origin. The noun [sense 2] is first recorded in the late 17th century.
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Engender
cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition).
bellicose
looking for a fight
loquacious
tending to talk a great deal; talkative.
zeal
great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective
homogenous
of the same kind; alike.
discountenance
refuse to approve of (something); disturb the composure of
tenet
idea held to be true
affable
friendly
dogma
idea held to be true
Volatile
liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
Abstain
restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something.
eulogize
to praise highly
laconic
(of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words.
precipitate
cause (an event or situation, typically one that is bad or undesirable) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely.
indubitable
undoubted
Gullible
easily persuaded to believe something; credulous.
Assuage
relieve, ease, alleviate, soothe, mitigate, allay, palliate, abate, suppress, subdue;
Placate
make (someone) less angry or hostile, pacify, mollify
deprecate
to express disapproval
succinct
not using many words
pseudointellectuals
false/silly
Laudable
(of an action, idea, or goal) deserving praise and commendation.
fallacious
falseness, deception
spurious
falseness
extol
to praise highly
Mitigate
make less severe, serious, or painful; lessen the gravity of (an offense or mistake).
audacious
fearless, valiant; insolent, defiant, shameless
polity
government
Adulterate
to degrade, contaminate, render (something) poorer in quality by adding another substance
pedant
a person who is excessively concerned with minor details and rules or with displaying academic learning.
fervid
intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree.
Capricious
given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior.
salutary
healthful
Prodigal
spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.
propriety
the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals.
Apathy
indifference, lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
ephemeral
lasting for a very short time, fleeting
lucid
very clearheaded
Equivocal
open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous.
sojourning
staying temporarily
Corroborate
confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).
pragmatic
dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations, practical
anomaly
something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.
opaque
not transparent, cloudy
apprehend
to learn
desiccate
lacking interest, passion, or energy.
blithe
cheerful, without worry
Enigma
mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand.
vacillate
alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.
erudite
having or showing great knowledge or learning.
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sinecure
a position requiring little or no work but giving the holder status or financial benefit
orator
excellent speaker
articulate
having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently.
amicable
(adj.) characterized by exhibiting goodwill The character from S.H.I.E.L.D. that was being protected by the "ghost" that had a crush on her. She was the epitome of good and was super religious.
acumen
(n.) mental sharpness, quickness of wit Jamily e una tiguera, she acumen.
ambient
(adj.) completely surrounding, encompassing
amatory
(adj.) of or pertaining to lovers or lovemaking
abdicate
(v.) to renounce or relinquish the throne
mercurial
(of a person) subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
apogee
the highest point in the development of something; the climax or culmination.
abashed
embarrassed
pliant
pliable, bending readily; flexible; supple; adaptable
imbue
inspire or permeate with a feeling or quality, saturate
amity
(n.) friendship, peaceful harmony Like amity district in Divergent.
placid
(of a person or animal) not easily upset or excited; even tempered, calm
regress
return to a former or less developed state.
inter
place (a corpse) in a grave or tomb, typically with funeral rites.
gainsaid
deny or contradict a fact or statement
baneful
harmful or destructive to someone or something
spurn
to reject scornfully
nonplussed
perplexed
exorbitant
unreasonably high, extortionate
acrimonious
(adj.) angry and bitter There was an acrimonious dispute about minimum wages.
dolorous
sad
frankness
honesty
tempestuous
characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion.
arrogates
take or claim (something) without justification.
acrimony
bitterness, resentment, ill will
capitulate
cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender.
translucent
lets light pass through, but objects on the other side can't be seen clearly
candor
honesty
diminutive
extremely or unusually small.
inamorata
(n.) female lover Like the Wattpad book about futuristic prostitutes.
ostentatious
showy, ornate, excessive
agnostic
(n.) one who believes the existence of God is not provable
impugn
dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive); call into question.
abhor
(v.) to hate, detest. Nicole abhors liver.
eschew
deliberately avoid using; abstain from.
facetious
flippant
ebullience
quality of being cheerful and full of energy; exuberance.
atrophy
(v.) the wasting of body tissue Without exercise, the muscles will atrophy.
cacophony
a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds.
agitate
(v.) to move violently; to disturb or upset
intrinsic
belonging naturally; essential.
ambidextrious
(adj.) able to use both hands equally well
petulant
(of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered.
immutable
unchanging over time or unable to be changed.
vociferous
vehement shouting or calling out, but to convey the insistency of a demand or protest
amoral
(adj.) neither moral or immoral
ignoble
not honorable in character or purpose, degenerate, inferior
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