| A | B |
|---|
| circumlocution | the use of roundabout expressions or wordy and indirect language |
| discourse | verbal expression in the form of speech or writing |
| euphemism | act or example of the substitution of an inoffensive word for one that is considered offensive, pleasant, or too direct |
| falter | to speak hesitatingly; stammer. To waver in confidence |
| literate | able to read and write |
| prattle | to talk idly or meaninglessly; babble |
| raconteur | a person who tells stories and anecdotes with skill and wit |
| reiterate | to say over again; repeat |
| utterance | the act of expressing vocally |
| verbose | using or containing an excessive number of words |
| ascribe | to regard as caused by; assign; attribute |
| circumscribe | to draw a line around; encircle |
| inscribe | to write, print, carbe, or engrave words or letters on a surface |
| nondescript | lacking in distinctive or interesting qualities and therefore difficult to desribe; dull; drab |
| prescribe | to order or recommend the use of a remedy or treatment |
| proscribe | to prohibit |
| scripture | a sacred writing book |
| subscribe | to contract to receive and pay in advance for something |
| subscript | a letter or numeral, written below and to the right of a letter or number |
| transcribe | to make a written or typewriten copy of |
| aficionado | a fan |
| bonanza | a source of wealth or luck |
| bravado | false bravery |
| embargo | a government order preventing or prohibiting trade with a given nation |
| flotilla | a small fleet |
| hacienda | a large estate, ranch, or plantation |
| junta | a group of rulers, particularly one seizing power after the overthrow of a government |
| peccadillo | a small fault or transgression |
| peon | an unskilled laborer |
| renegade | a traitor or outlaw; a rebel |
| asser | to state or express positively, forcefullym or boldly; affirm |
| dauntless | not able to be discouraged or threatened |
| ferocity | savagery; fierceness; barbarity |
| flout | to show scorn or contempt for; show defiance |
| headstrong | determined to have one's own way and to do as one please; obstinate |
| incisive | sharp; keen; perceptive. able to analyze in depth |
| outspoken | spoken without reserve; frank; unrestrained in speech; forthright |
| temerity | foolish or heedless disregard of danger |
| vehement | showing intense emotion or passion |
| vibrant | pulsing with energy; vigorous; lively |
| arbitrary | based on whim or impulse rather than on reason or law |
| coincidental | occuring as a combination of circumstances that, although accidental, is so remarkable that it seems to have been planned or arranged |
| contrive | to plan cleverly; to plot or scheme with evil intent |
| deliberation | careful thought in decision makin or action |
| fortuitous | occurring unexpectedly or without any known cause; lucky |
| haphazard | lacking any definite plan or order |
| intent | an aim or purpose |
| premeditated | planned, arranged or plotted in advance |
| spontaneous | happening without external cause; impulsive |
| unwitting | not knowing; unaware |
| affectation | artificial behavior adopted to impress others |
| beneficiary | a person who receives funds from an insurance policy or will upon another's death |
| defect | a flaw or imperfection |
| efficacy | the power or capacity to produce the desired effect; effectiveness |
| faction | a group of persons forming a united minoriy within a larger group |
| factor | something that helps bring about a certain result; ingredient |
| officiate | to serve in a position of authority |
| officious | excessivelyforward in offering one's services or advice to others |
| prolific | causing or mainaining abundant growth |
| suffice | to mee present needs; be adequate |
| adept | very skilled or capable |
| aptitude | a talent or natural ability |
| astute | shrewd in judgment |
| dexterity | skill in the use of the hands |
| finese | delicacy and refinement of performance |
| inspiration | a creative stimulus for the mind or the emotions |
| precocious | having unusual mental development at an early age |
| prodigy | a person who is exeptionally gifted, usually at a young age |
| resourceful | capable; effective; able to meet most situations effectively |
| virtuoso | one skilled in the technique of an art, especially music |
| arrogant | excessively and unpleasantly convinced of one's own importance |
| diffident | hesitant through lack of self-confidence; timid |
| egocentric | interested only in one's own activities or needs; self-centered; selfish |
| esteem | favorable regard; respect |
| gloat | to feel or display truimphant, and often spiteful, satisfaction or delight |
| humililty | the quality of being humble |
| modest | having or showing a moderate estimation of one's own talents |
| pompous | charcterized by an exaggerated show of dignity or self-importance |
| swagger | to walk or conduct oneself in a conceited or boastful manner; strut |
| vaunt | to call attention to, often proudly or boastfully |
| accolade | an expression of strong approval or praise |
| adulation | enthusiastic or even excessive praise |
| anathema | something that is strongly disapproved of and avoided |
| commend | to mention approvingly; praise |
| eulogy | a speech or written tribute of praise |
| extol | to praise highly |
| homage | particular respect or honor shown publicly |
| laudable | worthy or praise |
| reproach | to blame or criticize for something |
| reverence | a feeling of great respect, even of awe or love; veneration |
| assess | to determine the segnificance or importance of |
| disregard | to pay little or no attention to |
| enthrall | to captivate; hold spellbound |
| heedless | unmindful; inattentive; unobservant |
| indifferent | marked by a lack or interest |
| oblivious | lacking conscious awareness |
| preoccupy | to hold the attention of |
| receptive | ready or willing to receive something |
| scrutinize | to pay close attention to minute detail |
| vigilant | watchful; on the alert; wary |
| contract | a formal agreement |
| detract | to take away something desireable |
| distraction | something that draws the mind away from the original direction of attention or interest |
| entreaty | an earnest request or plea |
| extract | or pull or draw out forcibly |
| portray | to make a likeness or representation of |
| protracted | prolonged |
| retract | to draw back; withdraw |
| tract | a stretch of land |
| trait | a distinguishing quality or feature |
| dogmatic | expressing a belief or opinion as if it were fact |
| pensive | dreamily, and often sadly, thoughtful |
| philosophy | the study of reality based on logical reasoning rather than factual observation |
| plausible | appearing true or reasonable |
| ponder | to thingk about something carefully and at length |
| postulate | to assume he truth of something without proof |
| rational | consistent with or based on reason; logical |
| reverie | the condition of being lost in thought |
| skeptical | doubt; questioning |
| speculation | an idea based on imconplete evidence; guessing |
| apologist | a person who argues in defense of something |
| contend | to maintain or assert; argue |
| dissuade | to discourage |
| fallacy | a false notion |
| hypothesis | a theory |
| indisputable | undeniable; true beyond all doubt |
| inference | a conclusion based on evidence |
| red herring | something that draws attention away from |
| refute | to prove a person or idea to be wrong |
| substantiate | to support with proof or evidence; verify |
| cognizant | aware; fully informed |
| connoisseur | one knowledgeable in any area, but especially in the arts |
| conscientious | thorough and attentive; careful; painstaking |
| consciousness | awareness of one's thoughts and perceptions |
| diagnosis | a critical analysis of the nature of something |
| notoriety | fame of and unfavorable kind |
| omniscient | knowing all things |
| prognosis | a forecast of a probable result |
| recognition | acknowledgement or attention; favorable notice |
| unconscionable | unrestrained by conscience; unreasonable; unjust |
| appraisal | an evaluation of something; a judgement |
| base | mean or comtemptible; shameful; inferior in quality |
| candid | without pretense or reserve; straightforward; honest |
| criterion | a standard, rule, or test on which a judgement or decision can be based |
| legitimate | authentic; genuine; real |
| mediocre | of moderate to low quality |
| subtle | not immediately obvious |
| truism | a statement of an obvious or self-evident truth |
| meritorious | having superior value; deserving praise |
| validate | to confirm or support on a sound basis or authority; verify; substantiate |
