| A | B |
|---|
| absolve: | to forgive or free from blame |
| acquiesce: | to comply passively, give in |
| abdicate: | to step down from a position of power |
| abridge: | shorten or condense |
| abysmal: | wretched or bottomless |
| affinity: | sympathy, attraction, kinship |
| advocate: | support, be in favor of |
| aggrandize: | to make appear great or greater |
| aesthetic: | concerned with beauty |
| agenda: | program, things to be done |
| anomalous: | irregular, abnormal, unusual |
| amnesty: | official pardon for a group |
| altruistic: | unselfish concern for others |
| animosity: | ill will, active dislike |
| allusion: | an indirect reference |
| arduous: | difficult to accomplish, laborious |
| austere: | stern in manner, morally strict |
| banal: | commonplace, trite, unoriginal |
| aversion: | fixed dislike, repugnance |
| augment: | increase or enlarge |
| benediction: | blessing |
| begrudge: | envy another's possessions |
| benign | gentle, not harmful, kind |
| baroque: | extravagantly, ornate |
| blanch: | to turn pale |
| blithe: | lighthearted, joyful |
| broach: | to open up a subject for discussion |
| buffoon: | clown, fool |
| botch: | to bungle, to foul up |
| bracing: | invigorating |
| bulwark: | something used as a defense |
| candor: | honesty and frankness |
| cache: | a hiding place or something hidden |
| callous: | unfeeling and sensitive |
| capitulate: | surrender |
| censure: | the act of blaming or condemning |
| caustic: | biting humour |
| chastise | to criticize severely |
| chronic: | constant, lasting a long time |
| catharsis | emotional purification or release |
| coalesce: | come together, fuse, unite |
| coherent: | making sense, logical |
| clemency: | disposition towards mercy |
| clique: | an exclusive group |
| circumspect: | careful, thought through |
| colloquial: | conversational, informal speech |
| copious: | abundant, lavish |
| compatible: | able to get along well |
| convey: | transport,conduct,communicate |
| conviction: | determination, being convinced |
| brief: | without much detail |
| corroborate: | support with evidence |
| craven: | cowardly |
| dearth: | a shortage |
| criterion: | a standard for judging |
| deft: | skillful |
| depravity: | moral corruption |
| delude: | to deceive or have false illusions |
| deference: | respect, courtesy |
| delineate: | to describe or picture in words |
| diatribe: | denunciation, a biting speech |
| depreciate: | to lessen in value, to belittle |
| didactic: | instructive, intended to educate |
| destitute: | poverty stricken |
| desecrate: | to treat with disrespect |
| digress: | to stray from the topic |
| diva: | an opera singer, prima donna |
| discount: | to deduct, to disregard |
| diffuse: | to spread widely |
| ebb: | to decline, recede |
| docile: | easily taught, submissive |
| dormant: | as though asleep |
| dupe: | to deceive, to trick |
| dogmatic: | positive about unproven ideas |
| eccentric: | unconventional, kooky |
| egocentric: | self-involved, selfish |
| efface: | to erase, to obscure |
| egregious: | extremely bad, flagrant |
| eclectic: | drawn from many sources |
| engaging | charming, interesting |
| emulate: | to imitate, strive to equal |
| elucidate | to make clear |
| embellish | add to, exaggerate, garnish |
| emissary | a messenger, an agent |
| enshroud: | to cover |
| enigma: | puzzle, baffling, obscure |
| exacerbate: | to make worse or more severe |
| esoteric: | understood only by a few |
| eulogize: | to speak in praise of someone |
| explicit: | clearly state, precisely shown |
| exalt: | to raise high, glorify |
| exacting: | greatly demanding, requiring |
| exorbitant: | extravagant |
| expedite: | to carry out promptly |
| expunge: | to erase, strike out |
| fallacy: | false idea, mistaken belief |
| facade: | a false appearance |
| extol | to praise highly |
| faction: | a group united on an issue |
| fidelity: | faithfulness, loyalty |
| feign: | to pretend, give a false impression |
| finesse: | skillful maneuvering |
| fawning: | overly flattering |
| feasible: | capable of being carried out |
| flourish: | to grow strong or abundantly |
| fodder: | cattle feed, raw material for a given end |
| fluke: | a chance event, a coincidence |
| foray: | an initial venture, a raid |
| fledgling | having flight feathers |
| futile: | useless, hopeless, without effect |
| forfeit: | to give up something as a penalty |
| fortuitous: | happening by chance, serendipity |
| galvanize: | to stimulate, spur into action |
| furtive: | secretive, stealthy, sly |
| gravity: | seriousness |
| gratuitous: | freely given, uncalled for |
| gamut: | the full range of something |
| genteel: | refined, polite, aristocratic |
| garner: | gather, stow, acquire by effort |
| grovel: | to beg persistently, to degrade onself |
| gullible: | easily deceived |
| guile: | cunning duplicity. deceit |
| guise: | an external appearance |
| grimace: | a disapproving facial expression |
| hiatus: | break from work, interruption |
| immutable: | not able to be changed |
| harbinger: | a precursor, a foreshadowing |
| heresy: | belief opposed to established practice |
| herald: | to hail, to greet |
| homogenous: | of the same kind, uniform |
| immaterial: | insignificant, unimportant |
| homage: | reverence, respect |
| hubris: | excessive pride |
| hyperbole: | extravagant exaggeration |
| incipient: | in an early stage of development |
| incessant: | unceasing, never ending |
| imperious: | lordly, arrogant |
| impotent: | lacking power, helpless |
| immutable: | unchangeable, permanent |
| incontrovertible: | not open to question |
| inhibit: | to restrain |
| indigenous: | native |
| infamy: | evil reputation |
| permanent: | immutable |
| inept | incompetent |
| insidious: | sly, having a gradual effect |
| intrepid: | fearless |
| insipid: | lacking taste, dull, bland |
| irreverent: | disrespectful, humorously mocking |
| jargon: | specialized vocabulary |
| juxtapose: | place side by side |
| jaunt: | a short pleasure trip |
| junction: | a meeting place, a linkup |
| jeopardy: | exposure to danger |
| judicious: | showing wise judgment |
| lament: | express regret |
| latent: | present but not apparent |
| laud: | praise, applaud, extol |
| laconic: | brief in speech |
| karma: | has to do with reincarnation |
| latent: | present but not visible |
| listless: | lacking energy |
| levity: | frivolity |
| legacy: | handed down from the past |
| liaison: | a connection |
| lax: | careless, too relaxed |
| magnanimous: | noble, generous, giving |
| luminous: | emitting light, glowing |
| malaise: | depression, uneasiness |
| lucid: | clear and easily understood |
| manifest: | made evident |
| marshal: | arrange in order |
| martyr: | one who suffers for a cause |
| meander: | to wander aimlessly |
| mercenary: | one who serves only for money |
| maverick: | a nonconformist |
| moot: | of no matter or consequence |
| negligent: | careless, remiss |
| nemesis: | unconquerable opponent |
| morose: | gloomy, bad tempered, sullen |
| myriad: | many |
| nullify: | repeal, cancel, render void |
| obliterate: | blot out, leave no trace, destroy |
| nominal: | insignificant, trifling, in name only |
| nuance: | a subtle distinction |
| novel: | new, original |
| nullify: | repeal, cancel, render void |
| odious: | hateful, evil, vile |
| obscure: | unclear, vague, hard to understand |
| obviate: | to make unnecessary, to avert |
| ogle: | to stare in a disrespectful way |
| odyssey: | a long adventurous journey |
| opaque: | unclear, dark, hard to see through |
| oust: | banish, reject, expel |
| oligarchy: | rule of the few |
| opportunist: | taking unprincipled advantage of |
| osmosis: | gradual or subtle absorption |
| partition: | a dividing wall, a division |
| overture: | an opening move |
| paltry: | tiny, insignificant, meager |
| pariah: | an outcast |
| palatable: | pleasant to the taste |
| penchant: | a strong liking, a predilection |
| predilection: | prepossession in favor of something |
| permeate: | seep through, penetrate, pervade |
| paucity: | scarcity |
| peruse: | study, read over leisurely |
| pedantic: | boringly scholarly |
| pious: | reverent, devout, dutiful |
| pivotal: | a shaft on which something turns |
| placate: | soothe, appease |
| philanthropy: | an act of generosity |
| pique: | hurt or rile feelings, irritate |
| preclude: | make impossible, shut out, bar |
| precept: | a principle guiding conduct |
| polemic: | strong argument in favor of a thesis |
| plausible: | believable |
| poignant: | emotionally moving |
| prudent: | careful, cautious |
| prolific: | marked by abundant production |
| prosaic: | dull, unimaginative |
| provincial: | limited outlook, narrow ideas |
| pretentious: | showy, self-important |
| raucous: | boisterous, loud, disorderly |
| quell: | put an end to, squelch, calm |
| quixotic: | impractical and idealistic |
| quaint: | pleasantly old fashioned |
| quintessential: | the most perfect example |
| rebuke: | criticize, reprimand sharply |
| reciprocal: | mutual, interchangeable |
| relic: | saintly object |
| relegate: | dismiss to a lesser position, banish |
| rescind: | to annul or cancel |
| reprehensible: | deserving of blame |
| resilient: | to recover from, adjust easily |
| reprove: | to criticize gently |
| replenish: | to refill, to resupply |
| robust: | strong and healthy, vigorous |
| saccharine: | excessively sweet |
| rustic: | primitive, rural, lacking amenities |
| respite: | an interval of rest, temporary delay |
| resplendent: | brilliant, gloriously bright |
| servile: | submissive, acting like a slave |
| sloth: | sluggish, lazy, indolent |
| scintillate: | sparkle, gleam, animated, brilliant |
| sardonic: | disdainful, scornfully mocking |
| scanty: | minimal, insufficient |
| static: | stationary, unchanging, |
| stagnate: | to be inactive, stay in one place |
| steadfast: | loyal, faithful |
| stoic: | indifferent to pain, apathetic |
| spurious: | false, fake, not genuine |
| stratagem: | trick or deceptive scheme |
| strident: | loud, harsh, grating |
| surfeit: | abundance, excessive amount |
| stymie: | hinder, block |
| succinct: | concise, clearly expressed |
| surmise: | to infer on minimal evidence |
| tedious: | boring, tiresome |
| temperance: | moderation, avoidance of excess |
| table: | to remove from consideration |
| teem: | to be present in large quantity |
| tenuous: | flimsy, thin, lacking substance |
| tenet: | principle, doctrine, belief |
| tepid: | lukewarm, unenthusiastic, halfhearted |
| terse: | concise, brief to a fault |
| tentative: | uncertain, temporary |
| tirade: | long, angry speech |
| thwart: | prevent, frustrate, hinder |
| tortuous: | winding, twisting, full of curves |
| theology: | study of God or religion |
| tonic: | a refreshing drink |
| travesty: | debased, distorted or incongruous |
| tout: | to brag publicly, to praise highly |
| transfix: | cause to remain motionless |
| trivial: | unimportant, insignificant |
| trite: | unoriginal, cliched, commonplace |
| tumult: | noisy commotion, uproar |
| undermine: | to weaken the support of |
| tryst: | a secret meeting of lovers |
| unilateral: | one sided |
| turpitude: | evil, shamefully wicked, depravity |
| verbose: | wordy |
| urbane: | suave, sophisticated, polished |
| usurp: | to seize wrongfully |
| vapid: | tasteless or dull |
| vehement: | intense, forceful, strong feeling |
| viable: | likely to succeed |
| vestige: | remains of something that doesn't exist |
| Latin for word: | verb |
| verbose: | wordy |
| villify: | defame, slander, tarnish |
| vie: | to compete |
| virulent: | poisonous, malignant, hateful |
| waver: | indecisive, inconstant, fluctuating |
| wanton: | immoral,lewd, malicious |
| vivacious: | lively, spacious |
| volatile: | explosive, quick to anger |
| zenith: | the highest point |
| wistful: | yearning, longing, desire |
| abeyance: | temporary suspension of activity |
| winsome: | charming, sweetly engaging |
| zealot: | having great enthusiasm |
| abscond: | leave quickly and secretly |
| abstinence: | voluntarily restraining |
| accolade: | award, honour, praise |
| abstruse: | hard to understand or grasp |
| abrogate: | to repeal, set aside, nullify |
| accoutrements: | accessory item of clothing or equipment |
| aegis: | protection under the law |
| adumbrate: | to foreshadow vaguely |
| acquit: | to find not guilty, to conduct oneself |
| adjure: | to command solemnly |
| alchemy: | seemingly transformed by magic that seems |
| akimbo: | having one's hands on the hips |
| ambulatory: | able to walk or move about |
| alacrity: | cheerful readiness |
| aggrieve: | to cause distress or mistreat |
| ancillary: | subsidiary or subordinate |
| antipodal: | exactly opposite |
| anathema: | one who is intently disliked |
| ameliorate: | to make better, ease or improve |
| anomie: | instability due to an erosion of values |
| arbiter: | judge, one who decides |
| apochryphal: | false, spurious of doubtful origin |
| aogee: | at the apex |
| apostasy: | the abandonment of religion |
| apoplexy: | stroke due to loss of blood to the brain |
| bacchanal: | a drunken revelry |
| assiduous: | hardworking, busy, diligent |
| bandy: | to toss back and forth |
| assignation: | something assigned or a tryst |
| ascetic: | hermit like, self-denial, austere |
| bathos: | transition from the illustrious |
| bilious: | ill-tempered, cranky, angry |
| behemoth: | enormous or monstrous |
| bivouac: | a temporary encampment |
| besmirch: | to stain or soil |
| bon vivant: | enjoying luxurious living |
| cabal: | a secret group of conspirators |
| cachet: | mark of distinction, prestige |
| capricious: | whimsical, fanciful, impulsive |
| castigate: | chastise, criticize severely |
| calumny: | slander, false statements |
| bumptious: | pushy, conceited, self-assertive |
| brook: | tolerate, put up with |
| bowdlerize: | censor prudishly, rewrite crudely |
| byzantine: | extremely intricate |
| chicanery: | deception, trickery |
| circumlocution: | wordy language |
| cataclysm: | violent upheaval, earthquake, flood |
| compunction: | remorse, feeling uneasy |
| comport: | behave |
| chimerical: | wildly fanciful, absurd |
| cogitate: | to think, meditate, ponder |
| cavil: | quibble, raise trivial objections |
| clout: | influence, a forceful blow |
| chary: | careful, cautious, wary |
| conflagration: | a large, disastrous fire |
| covet: | to wish for with envy |
| contentious: | argumentative over a point |
| cortege: | a group of attendants |
| depredate: | to kill or destroy in large number |
| deleterious: | harmful |
| coterie: | intimate group with a common interest |
| concomitant: | accompanying, going along with |
| debacle: | a disaster or violent breakdown |
| decimate: | originally to kill one in ten |
| discomfit: | to make uneasy |
| dilettante: | a dabbler in the fine arts |
| dichotomy: | division into two contradictory parts |
| diaspora: | the dispersal of the Jewish people |
| diurnal: | occurring during the day |
| dessicate: | dry out |
| determinism: | a belief in predestination |
| dissipate: | break up, squander, indulge |
| draconian: | severe, exceedingly harsh |
| endemic: | native to a specific region |
| elan: | vigor, distinctive, elegant style |
| doff: | take off |
| doggerel: | comic, somewhat crude verse |
| dossier: | a record of documents, letters etc. |
| dulcet: | melodious musical sound |
| elliptical: | oval, obscure in expression |
| effete: | lacking vitality |
| encomium: | eulogy, expression of high praise |
| enervate: | weaken, sap the strength of |
| erudite: | scholarly, learned, well read |
| ersatz: | an inferior substitute |
| ethnocentric: | a belief in racial superiority |
| exemplar: | excellent model, typical example |
| esconce: | to settle in snugly |
| extirpate: | to pull up by the roots |
| exigent: | urgent, demanding prompt action |
| espy: | glimpse, descry, catch sight of |
| flagellate: | to whip |
| facetious: | humorous, joking |
| fetter: | restrain, impede, hamper |
| fecund: | fertile, productive, fruitful |
| feral: | wild, savage |
| feckless: | ineffective |
| foment: | to stir up, to incite |
| forswear: | retract, renounce, recant |
| fey: | able to see into the future |
| habeas corpus: | a right to appear before a judge |
| gerrymander: | dividing election districts |
| halitosis: | bad breath |
| gestalt: | psychological phenomenon |
| garrulous: | talkative |
| gesticulate: | gesture |
| fusillade: | a spray of gunfire |
| gainsay: | to deny to speak or act against |
| gamine: | slim girl with an impish charm |
| hoary: | gray with age, ancient, stale |
| impecunious: | broke or penniless |
| husbandry: | livestock farming |
| impervious: | impenetrable |
| implacable: | not capable of being appeased |
| homeopathy: | a system of natural healing |
| histrionic: | overly dramatic, affected |
| hidebound: | excessively rigid, dry and stiff |
| ignominous: | disgraceful and dishonorable |
| imbroglio: | confused, complicated disagreement |
| iniquitous: | evil, unjust |
| juggernaut: | massive, unstoppable object |
| impugn: | attack someone's integrity |
| insouciant: | nonchalant, lighthearted |
| interregnum: | period between governments |
| inchoate: | at the beginning |
| irascible: | hot tempered, cranky |
| intransigent: | uncompromising, stubborn |
| macerate: | to soften by soaking |
| levee: | river embankment |
| lope: | to run at an steady, easy pace |
| libation: | drink for a religious ceremony |
| leitmotiv: | a dominant recurring theme |
| malapropism: | humorous misuse of a word |
| malfeasance: | an illegal act |
| libidnous: | lustful, lascivious |
| machination: | an evil scheme |
| lassitude: | weariness, lethargy |
| mirthful: | merry, gleeful |
| milieu: | environment, surroundings |
| mendacious: | dishonest, deceitful |
| melifluous: | sweetly flowing |
| maudlin: | overly sentimental |
| matriculate: | to enroll in college |
| miasma: | poisonous swamp vapor |
| martinent: | one who adheres to the rules |
| mordant: | sarcastic, incisive, caustic |
| mercurial: | emotionally unpredictable |
| nabob: | a wealthy, influential person |
| nascent: | coming into existence, being born |
| munificent: | generous |
| neophyte: | beginner, novice |
| niggardly: | stingy, small in a mean way |
| nihilism: | existence is senseless or useless |
| nepotism: | showing favourtism |
| myopia: | nearsightedness |
| moribund: | a dying or decaying condition |
| muckrake | to expose political misconduct |
