ravenous
extremely hungry, voracious
ravine
narrow valley with steep sides, gorge, CF. gully, canyon
reactionary
strongly opposed to social or political change, opposing progress, politically ultraconservative, N. OP. radical
rebuff
reject bluntly, snub, beat back, Ex. She rebuffed his invitation, N.
recant
disclaim or disavow, retract a previous statement, openly confess error, Ex. recant one’s faith/a statement
recapitulate
summarize
receptive
quick or willing to receive (ideas, suggestions, etc.), Ex. receptive to the proposal
reciprocal
mutual, given and received in return, exchangeable, interacting, Ex. reciprocal trade agreement
reciprocate
do or give something in return, repay in kind, give or take mutually, interchange, move backwards and forwards, Ex. reciprocate his invitation by inviting him, N. reciprocity: reciprocal relationship, mutual interchange of advantages between two groups, Ex. reciprocity in trading rights
recline
lie down
recluse
hermit, loner, ADJ. reclusive
recourse
resorting to help when in trouble, Ex. without recourse to
recreant
disloyal, cowardly, N: disloyal and cowardly person
rectify
set right, correct, CF. rect-: right
rectitude
moral correctness, moral uprightness, moral virtue, correctness of judgment
recuperate
recover, return to health, regain, Ex. recuperate losses
recurrent
occurring again and again
redolent
odorous, fragrant, suggestive (of an odor), Ex. redolent of onions/mystery
redoubtable
formidable, causing fear
redress
remedy, compensation, Ex. seek redress for the damage to your car, V: put right, remedy or rectify (a wrong), make amends for
redundant
superfluous, more than is necessary, verbose, excessively wordy, repetitious
refractory
unmanageable, disobedient and stubborn, Ex. refractory horse
refute
disprove, prove to be false, N. refutation
regale
entertain
regent
a person who governs in place of a ruler who is ill, absent, or still a child, ADJ. Ex. the Prince regent
regicide
murder of a king or queen
regime
method of system or government
regimen
prescribed course of diet or exercise, prescribed diet and habits, Ex. daily regimen of a dancer
regiment
military unit, V: subject to strict order, Ex. regimented society
rehabilitate
restore to proper condition (health or useful life), restore the former rank of
reimburse
repay, pay back
reinstate
restore to a previous condition or position
reiterate
repeat
rejuvenate
make young again
relapse
return to a former state (esp. after improvement), N.
relegate
put into a lower or worse place, banish to an inferior position, delegate, assign, Ex. relegate the old furniture to the children’s room, Ex. relegated to the second division
relent
become less severe, give in(surrender), ADJ. relentless: unyielding, continuously severe
relevant
having importance, pertinent, referring to the case in hand, N. relevance, relevancy
relinquish
give up something (with reluctance), yield, release, Ex. relinquish power/the claim to the land/his hold on my arm
relish
enjoy, savor, N: enjoyment, zest
reminiscence
recollection, V. reminisce: recollect the past
reminiscent
suggestive of something (in the past), of reminiscence
remiss
negligent, careless about a duty
remission
temporary moderation (of disease symptoms), remitting of a debt or punishment, cancelation of a debt, pardon, Ex. The disease went into remission, Ex. Christians pray for the remission of sins.
remonstrate
protest, objection, V. remonstrate: say in protest
rendezvous
meeting place, meeting at a set time or place, V.
rendition
rendering, translation, artistic interpretation of a song, etc
renovate
restore to good condition, renew
reparable
capable of being repaired
reparation
compensation (for loss or wrong), amends, Ex. make reparation for the damage, CF. repair
repartee
quick clever reply
repeal
revoke, annul
repel
drive away, disgust, Ex. repel the attack/moisture, Ex. repelled by the dirty room, CF. repulsion
repellent
driving away, disgusting, offensive, repulsive, unattractive, N.
repine
fret, complain, be annoyed, Ex. repine over the undone work
replenish
fill up again
replete
fully filled, filled to the brim or to the point of being stuffed, abundantly supplied, Ex. report replete with errors
replica
copy
repository
storehouse
reprehensible
deserving blame, blameworthy, V. reprehend: blame
repress
hold back (the natural expression of), restrain, crush, oppress, Ex. repressed child, Ex. repress a laugh/rebellion
reprieve
postponement or cancelation of a punishment, temporary stay, V: postpone or cancel the punishment of
reprimand
reprove severely, rebuke, N.
reprisal
retaliation
reprobate
morally disapproved person, person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency, CF. disapproved by God ?
repudiate
disown, disavow, deny
repugnance
disgust, strong dislike, loathing, ADJ. repugnant: arousing disgust, repulsive
repulse
reject with rudeness or coldness (an offer or friendship), drive back (an enemy attack), CF. repulse $\neq$ cause repulsion
requiem
mass for the dead, dirge
requisite
necessary requirement, something required, ADJ: required, necessary
requite
make return for, repay, reciprocate, revenge, N. requittal
rescind
repeal, annul, cancel (a law, decision, or agreement)
residue
remainder, balance
resilient
elastic, having the power of springing back, able to recover quickly (as from misfortune)
resolve
decide, settle, solve, separate, make a determined decision, N. resolution
resonance
adj. Able to reinforce sound by sympathetic vibrations.
respite
time for rest, interval of relief, delay in punishment, reprieve
resplendent
brilliant, splendid in appearance, dazzling, glorious
restitution
returning something (lost or stolen) to the rightful owner, reparation, indemnification, compensation for loss, damage, or injury
resumption
taking up again, recommencement, V. resume: begin or take up again, take or occupy again, Ex. Kindly resume your seats.
resuscitate
revive, bring back to life or consciousness, Ex. resuscitate the drowned child
retaliate
repay in kind (usually for bad treatment), V. retaliate
reticent
inclined to silence, uncommunicative, reserved, Ex. He was reticent about the reasons, N. reticence
retinue
following, attendants
retort
quick sharp reply, V.
retract
withdraw, take back, draw back, Ex. retract a statement/an offer/claws, N. retraction, CF. retractile
retrench
cut down, cut down expenses, economize
retrieve
recover, put right, find and bring in, regain, Ex. retrieve the situation
retroactive
taking effect before its enactment (as a law) or imposition (as a tax), (of a law) having effect on the past as well as the future
retrograde
go backwards, recede, degenerate, deteriorate, ADJ.
retrospective
looking back on the past, N. retrospection, V. retrospect
reverent
respectful, worshipful, V. revere: regard with reverence, N. reverence: profound respect
revert
relapse, backslide, turn back to, return to the former owner, N. reversion
revile
attack with abusive language, vilify(slander)
revoke
cancel, retract, CF. irrevocable
rhapsody
excessively enthusiastic expression of feeling, musical composition of irregular form (as if made up as one plays it)
rhetoric
art of effective communication, art of using language effectively and persuasively, style of speaking or writing, grandiloquent language, Ex. political rhetoric, ADJ. rhetorical, CF. rhetorical question: question to which no answer is expected as ``Who knows it ?’’
ribald
marked by vulgar lewd humor, wanton, profane, N. ribaldry: ribald language or joke
rife
(of something bad) widespread, abundant, current
rig
arrangement of masts and sails, V: equip (a ship) with rigging, ADJ. rigging: ropes that hold up a ship’s sails
rightful
legally correct, Ex. rightful owner
rigor
severity, Ex. rigors of the Russian winter
rivulet
small stream, CF. rill < rivulet < river
robust
strong, vigorous
rote
repetition, memorization through repetition without understanding, Ex. learn poetry by rote
rotund
(of a person) fat and round
rudimentary
elementary, not developed, crude, N. rudiment: fundamental element or principle, Ex. rudiments of the language
rue
regret, lament, mourn, Ex. He will rue the day, N. ADJ. rueful
ruffian
violent scoundrel, bully
ruminant
animal that ruminates, ADJ.
ruminate
chew over and over (mentally or, like cows, physically), mull over(ponder)
rustic
pertaining to country people, unsophisticated, simple, crude, uncouth, (of furniture) rough with the bark left on, N. rural person, rustic person
sacrilegious
desecrating, profane, N. sacrilege: desecration, misuse, or theft of something sacred
sagacious
wise, perceptive, shrewd, having insight, N. sagacity
salacious
lascivious, lustful, Ex. salacious monk
salient
prominent, projecting beyond a line, conspicuous, Ex. salient features
saline
salty
salutary
tending to improve, beneficial, wholesome, Ex. The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy, CF. health
salvage
rescue (goods or property) from loss, N: saving, property saved
sanctimonious
displaying ostentatious or hypocritical devoutness, N. sanctimony: hypocritical piety
sanction
approve, ratify, N: permission, penalty intended to enforce compliance
sanguinary
bloody, with much bloodshed
sanguine
optimistic, cheerful, hopeful, of the color of blood, red
sarcasm
cutting ironic remark, scornful remarks, stinging rebuke, ADJ. sarcastic
sardonic
scornfully mocking, disdainful, sarcastic, cynical, Ex. sardonic smile
satiate
satisfy fully (physical needs such as hunger), sate, N. satiety: condition of being satiated
satire
form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack human vice and folly
satyr
half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus (resembling a goat), portrayed as wanton(unrestrained) and cunning, lecher, CF. faun, CF. goat: lecherous man
savor
enjoy, have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality, N: taste or smell, distinctive quality
scabbard
case for a sword blade, sheath
scintilla
trace, minute amount, shred, least bit, Ex. There is not a scintilla of truth, CF. spark
scintillate
sparkle, flash, be animated, be full of life, Ex. scintillating conversation
scruple
hesitate for ethical reasons, fret about, Ex. She did not scruple to read his diary, N: uneasy feeling arising from conscience, conscience
scrupulous
conscientious, extremely thorough, Ex. scrupulous worker
scurrilous
abusive, obscene, indecent, Ex. scurrilous remark
scuttle
sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull, scrap, discard, N: small hatch in a ship’s deck or hull
sear
burn the surface of, char or burn, brand, parch, cause (a plant) to wither
secession
withdrawal, V. secede: withdraw formally from membership
seclusion
isolation, solitude, V. seclude: set apart from others, isolate
sedate
composed (with no excitement), grave, V: administer a sedative to, CF. sedative
sedentary
requiring sitting, done while sitting, not moving from one place to another, settled, Ex. sedentary job/population
sedition
conduct or language inciting rebellion, rebellion, resistance to authority, insubordination, ADJ. seditious
seduce
lead away from proper conduct, entice, ADJ. seductive
sedulous
diligent, assiduous, paying attention, N. sedulity
seethe
be violently disturbed, boil, (of a liquid) move about wildly as if boiling, Ex. The nation was seething with discontent.
semblance
outward appearance, guise, Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.
seminary
school for training future ministers, secondary school, especially for young women
sensual
devoted to the pleasures of the sense, carnal, voluptuous, Ex. sensual woman/curves/lips
sensuous
giving pleasure to the senses, pertaining to the physical senses, operating through the senses, sensuous feeling of soft velvet on the skin
sentient
capable of sensation and conscious, aware, sensitive, Ex. sentient creature, N. sentience
sentinel
sentry, lookout
sepulcher
tomb, V: place in a sepulcher, ADJ. sepulchral
sequester
isolate, segregate, seclude, retire from public life
servitude
slavery, compulsory labor imposed as a punishment
sheer
pure, thin and transparent, very steep
shrewd
clever, astute
shuffle
mix together, jumble, move (something) from one place to another, slide (the feet) along the ground while walking, Ex. shuffle papers from one pile to another, N.
sidereal
relating to stars, Ex. sidereal day
significant
expressing a meaning, important, Ex. significant smile, N. significance: importance, meaning, V. signify: denote, mean, signal, make known, matter, be significant
simile
comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as
simulate
feign, imitate
sinecure
well-paid position with little responsibility, CF. sine cure: without care, CF. San Serif
sinister
evil, ominous
sinuous
twisting, winding, bending in and out, not morally honest
siren
apparatus for making sounds, womanlike creature
skeptic
sceptic, doubter, person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point of view, ADJ. skeptical, N. skepticism, scepticism
skiff
small light sailboat or rowboat
skirmish
minor fight, minor battle in war, V.
sleight
dexterity, CF. sleight of hand: legerdemain, quickness of the hands in doing tricks
slight
insult to one’s dignity, snub, V: treat as if of small importance, insult, snub, ADJ. small in size, of small importance
sluggard
lazy person
slur
pronounce indistinctly, speak indistinctly, mumble
solace
comfort in sorrow or trouble, consolation, V: comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble
solder
repair or make whole by using a metal alloy, N: metal alloy (usually tin and lead) used in the molten state to join metallic parts
solecism
nonstandard grammatical construction, construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically, violation of social etiquette
solicitor
lawyer in the lower court of law
soliloquy
talking to oneself (esp. in a play), CF. monologue: soliloquy, long speech by one person (often monopolizing a conversation)
solstice
point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator
soluble
able to be dissolved in a liquid, able to be worked out or solved
solvent
able to pay all depths, N. solvency
solvent
substance that dissolves another, ADJ: capable of dissolving another substance
somber
dark, gloomy, melancholy, depressing, CF. shadow
somnolent
half asleep, drowsy, N. somnolence
sonnet
14-line poetic verse form with a fixed rhyme pattern
sonorous
resonant, producing a full deep sound, producing sound
soothsayer
one who foretells the future
sophistry
seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning, sophism
sordid
filthy, foul, base, vile, Ex. sordid bed/story
sparse
not thick, thinly scattered, scanty
spartan
without attention to comfort, lacking luxury and comfort, sternly disciplined, Ex. spartan living condition/life
spasmodic
fitful, periodic, of or like a spasm, N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction, sudden burst of energy or emotion
specious
seemingly reasonable but incorrect, misleading (often intentionally)
spectrum
colored band produced when a beam of light passes through a prism, broad and continuous range, Ex. whole spectrum of modern thoughts
sprightly
lively
spurious
false, counterfeit, forged, illogical, Ex. spurious arguments
squabble
minor quarrel, bickering, V: engage in a minor quarrel, Ex. squabbling children
stagnant
(of water) not flowing (often bad-smelling), motionless, stale, not developing, inactive, dull, Ex. stagnant industrial output
staid
serious and sedate, sober, Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony
stanza
division of a poem (composed of two or more lines)
static
having no motion, unchanging, lacking development, N. stasis: stable state
statute
law enacted by the legislature
stealth
action of moving secretly or unseen, slyness, sneakiness, secretiveness, ADJ. stealthy
stellar
pertaining to the stars, of a star performer, outstanding, Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance
stifle
suppress, extinguish, inhibit, smother or suffocate
stigma
token of disgrace, brand, V. stigmatize: mark with a stigma, characterize as disgraceful
stint
supply, allotted amount of work, assigned portion of work, limitation, Ex. two-year stint in the army, Ex. without stint
stipend
pay for services
stolid
dull, impassive, showing little emotion when strong feelings are expected
stratagem
deceptive scheme, clever trick
stratum
layer of earth’s surface, layer of society, PL. strata
stringent
(of rules) binding, rigid, marked by scarcity of money, Ex. stringent economic conditions
strut
supporting bar, CF. airplane wing, building support
studious
given to diligent study
stultify
make stupid in mind, cause to appear or become stupid or inconsistent, suppress, frustrate or hinder, Ex. stultifying effect of uninteresting work, Ex. stultify free expression
stupor
state of being stupefied, state of apathy, daze, lack of awareness
subjugate
conquer, bring under control
subliminal
below the threshold of conscious perception, Ex. subliminal advertisement
submerge
place under water, dip, go under water, cover completely (as with water), Ex. submerged in work
subordinate
occupying a lower rank, inferior, submissive, N. V: put in a lower rank or class
subsequent
following in time or order, later
subservient
behaving like a slave, servile, obsequious, subordinate, N. subservience
subside
sink to a lower level, settle down, sink to the bottom (as a sediment), descend, grow quiet, become less, moderate, abate
subsistence
existence, means of subsisting, means of support, livelihood, V. subsist: exist, maintain life (at a meager level)
substantive
substantial, essential, pertaining to the substance, substantial, considerable, Ex. substantive issues
subterfuge
stratagem(deceptive scheme), pretense, evasion, Ex. resort to a harmless subterfuge
succulent
juicy, full of juice or sap, full of richness, N: succulent plant such as a cactus
succumb
yield (to something overwhelming), give in, die, Ex. succumb to the illness
suffuse
spread through or over (with a color or liquid), charge, Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
sumptuous
grand suggesting great expense, lavish, rich, Ex. sumptuous feast
supercilious
haughty, arrogant, condescending, patronizing, CF. eyebrow, cilium
superficial
of the surface, not deep, shallow, not thorough, trivial, Ex. superficial analysis/knowledge
superfluous
excessive, overabundant, unnecessary, N. superfluity
supernumerary
person or thing excess of what is necessary, extra, ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number
supersede
replace, cause to be set aside, make obsolete, N. supersession
supine
lying on back, passive, inactive, Ex. The defeated pugilist lay supine, Ex. supine acceptance of the decision
supplant
take the place of unfairly, usurp, replace
supple
flexible, limber, pliant
supplicant
one who supplicates, ADJ.
supplicate
petition humbly, pray to grant a favor
supposition
assumption, hypothesis, surmise, V. suppose
suppress
put an end to forcibly, subdue, stifle, overwhelm, inhibit the expression of, check, prevent from being published or made public, Ex. suppress a smile, Ex. suppress the magazine/truth
surfeit
satiate, feed or supply to excess, stuff, indulge to excess in anything, N: surfeiting, excessive amount, Ex. surfeit of food
surmise
guess, N.
surmount
overcome
surreptitious
done secretly, secret, furtive, sneaky, hidden
surrogate
substitute, person or thing used in place of another, Ex. surrogate mother, ADJ.
susceptible
impressionable, easily influenced, sensitive, having little resistance as to a disease, likely to suffer, receptive to, capable of accepting, Ex. susceptible to persuasion/colds, Ex. The agreement is not susceptible of alteration, N. susceptibility
suspense
state of being undecided, anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty
sustenance
sustaining, means of livelihood, support, food, nourishment, something that maintains life, food
swarthy
(of a skin or complexion) dark, dusky, Ex. swarthy Italian ?
sybarite
lover of luxury, person devoted to pleasure and luxury, CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy
sycophant
servile flatterer, bootlicker, yes man, ADJ. sycophantic
symmetry
arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained, congruity, ADJ. symmetrical
tacit
understood (without actually being expressed), not put into words, Ex. tacit agreement
taciturn
habitually silent, talking little
tact
skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence
tangible
able to be touched, real, concrete, palpable, possible to realize or understand, Ex. tangible proof
tantalize
tease, excite by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach, torture with disappointment, CF. Tantalus: Greek mythological figure
tantamount
equivalent in effect or value, Ex. This invasion is tantamount to a declaration of war, CF. amount
tarnish
make or become dull or discolored, N.
taut
tight, strained, tense, ready, OP. slack
temerity
boldness, nerve, rashness, Ex. temerity to ask for a pay increase after only three day’s work
temporal
of time, not lasting forever, limited by time, temporary, secular, worldly
temporize
gain time as by postponing an action, avoid committing oneself
tenacious
holding fast (as to a belief), persistent
tenant
one that pays rent to use property owned by another
tenet
doctrine, dogma
tentative
not fully worked out or developed, provisional, experimental, uncertain, hesitant, not definite or positive, Ex. tentative agreement/reply
tenure
holding of an office or real estate, time during which such an office is held
terminal
part that forms the end, railroad or bus station, ADJ. forming an end, ending in death, fatal, Ex. terminal cancer
termination
end, V. terminate
terminus
last stop of railroad, end
terse
concise, abrupt, pithy
testator
maker of a will, CF. testatrix
theocracy
government run by religious leaders
theoretical
based on theory, not practical or applied, hypothetical
thermal
pertaining to heat, producing heat, warm, Ex. thermal bath, N: rising current of warm air
thesis
opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments
thrall
slave, bondage, slavery, Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall, CF. enthrall
timbre
quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument (which distinguishes it from others of the same pitch)
timorous
fearful, timid, demonstrating fear
tinge
give a slight degree of a color or quality to, N: slight degree of a color or quality, Ex. tinged with grey/jealousy
tirade
long angry denunciatory speech, diatribe, harangue, extended scolding, denunciation
titanic
gigantic, N. titan
topography
physical features of a region (such as the shape and height), CF. topo-: place
torpor
lethargy, sluggishness, dormancy, ADJ. torpid: lethargic, lazy, inactive, (of an animal) dormant, hibernating
torrid
(of weather) hot or scorching, passionate, Ex. torrid love affairs
tortuous
winding, full of curves, Ex. tortuous mountain road
tractable
docile, easily managed, (of something) easily changed or molded, N. tractability
trajectory
path taken by a projectile, Ex. trajectory of a bullet
transcendent
exceeding ordinary limits, superior, surpassing, V. transcend: go beyond, exceed, surpass, N. transcendancy
transcribe
copy, write a copy of, N. transcription
transient
staying for a short time, momentary, temporary, N: one that is transient
transition
going from one state of action to another
transitory
transient, impermanent, fleeting, N. transitoriness
translucent
partly transparent
transmute
transform, change, convert to something different
transparent
permitting light to pass through freely, easily detected, obvious, clear, Ex. transparent lie
transpire
(of a fact) become known, be revealed, happen, give off (watery waste matter) through pores
travail
strenuous work, toil, painful labor, labor of childbirth
travesty
copy or example of something that completely misrepresents the true nature of the real thing, comical parody or imitation, treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous, Ex. travesty of justice, OP. paragon
treatise
article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
tremor
trembling, slight quiver (as of the earth or from nervous agitation)
tremulous
trembling, wavering
trenchant
cutting, incisive, keen
trepidation
fear, nervous apprehension
tribune
official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights, protector of the people
trident
three-pronged spear
trite
hackneyed, commonplace
truculence
aggressiveness, ferocity, ADJ. truculent: aggressive, pugnacious, fierce
truism
self-evident truth
turgid
swollen, distended (as from liquid)
turpitude
depravity, baseness, Ex. moral turpitude
tutelage
guardianship, training, function of a tutor, instruction
tyranny
oppression, cruel government, ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny, despotic, V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically, oppress
tyro
beginner, novice
ubiquitous
being everywhere, omnipresent, N. ubiquity
ulterior
intentionally hidden, beyond what is evident, situated beyond, unstated and often questionable, Ex. ulterior motive
ultimate
final, not susceptible to further analysis, fundamental, Ex. The sun is the ultimate source of energy.
ultimatum
last demand, last warning, last statement of conditions that must be met, Ex. They have ignored our ultimatum.
umbrage
resentment, anger, sense of injury or insult, Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness
unaccountable
unexplicable, impossible to account for, unreasonable or mysterious
unanimity
complete agreement, ADJ. unanimous
unbridled
violent, uncontrolled, Ex. unbridled rage/greed
unconscionable
unscrupulous, not guided by conscience, excessive, beyond reason, Ex. unconscionable demand
unction
the act of anointing with oil, Ex. extreme unction
unctuous
oily, bland, insincerely suave
undermine
weaken gradually, sap, dig a mine beneath
understate
state with less truth than seems warranted by the facts, Ex. He understated the seriousness of the crime, N. understatement, OP. overstate
ungainly
(of someone) awkward in movement, clumsy, (of something) unwieldy, Ex. ungainly dancer/instrument
unguent
ointment
uninhibited
unrepressed, free in behavior and feelings
unique
without an equal, single in kind
unison
unity of pitch (in musical performance), complete accord, Ex. The choir sang in unison.
untoward
unexpected and adverse, unfortunate or unlucky, Ex. untoward encounter
unwieldy
awkward (to carry or move), cumbersome, unmanageable
upbraid
reprimand, severely scold
uproarious
marked by commotion or uproar, very noisy (esp. with laughter), hilarious, causing loud laughter, extremely funny
urchin
mischievous child (usually a boy), CF. urchin: hedgehog, CF. porcupine: pig with spikes ?, CF. sea urchin
usage
act or manner of using, accepted practice, way in which words are actually used
usurp
seize another’s power or rank (without legal authority), supplant, appropriate, N. usurpation, CF. take for one’s own use
usury
lending money at illegal high rates of interest
vacillate
waver (in opinion), fluctuate, sway to and fro, N. vacillation
vacuous
empty, lacking in ideas, inane, stupid, Ex. vacuous expression, N. vacuity
vagabond
wanderer (without a permanent home), tramp
vagrant
wandering from place to place, roving, stray, moving in a random fashion, Ex. vagrant thoughts, N. vagrancy
vagrant
homeless wanderer
valediction
saying farewell, expression of leave-taking
valedictory
pertaining to farewell, N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)
valid
logically convincing, sound, legally acceptable, effective, Ex. valid reasoning/passport
vapid
lacking liveliness, dull and unimaginative, insipid and flavorless, Ex. vapid lecture
variegate
change the appearance of (by marking with different colors)
vassal
in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord, subordinate or dependent
vegetate
live in a monotonous way (without interests or activity), CF. vegetation: plants of an area, CF. vegetarian, CF. vegan
vehement
forceful, intensely emotional, with marked vigor, strong, N. vehemence
velocity
speed
venal
capable of being bribed, corrupt, CF. vernal
vendor
seller
veneer
thin surface layer (of good quality wood, glued to a base of inferior material), cover, surface show, fa\c{c}ade, V.
venerable
deserving high respect, commanding respect, CF. command: deserve and get
venerate
revere, treat with great respect
venial
(of a fault or sin) forgivable, trivial
venison
meat of a deer, CF. cow: beef, CF. pig: pork, ham, bacon, CF. calf: veal, CF. sheep: mutton, CF. lamb: lamb
venom
poison (of an animal), hatred, Ex. remarks full of venom, ADJ. venomous
vent
release or discharge through a vent, express (esp. unfairly), utter, Ex. He vented his wrath on his family.
veracious
(of a person) truthful
veracity
truthfulness, adherence to the truth
verbatim
word for word, in the same words, repeating the actual words exactly
verbiage
pompous array of words, too many unnecessary words, wordiness
verbose
wordy, N. verbosity
verdant
green, covered with green plants or grass, lush in vegetation, Ex. verdant meadows
verity
quality of being true, lasting truth or principle, Ex. the verity of his testimony, Ex. one of the eternal verities
vernacular
living language (as compared to the official language), language spoken in a country or region, natural style, Ex. lapse into the vernacular
vernal
pertaining to spring
versatile
having many talents, capable of working in many fields, having many uses or functions, N. versatility
vertex
summit, highest point, PL. vertices
vertigo
severe dizziness, giddiness
vestige
trace, remains, Ex. vestiges of some ancient religion
veto
vested power to reject a bill, exercise of this right, V: prevent or forbid by exercising the power of veto
vicarious
experienced as if one were taking part in the experience of another, done by a deputy for other people, acting as a substitute, Ex. vicarious thrill at the movies, Ex. the vicarious sufferings of Christ
vicissitude
change (esp. from good to bad), change of fortune, CF. the last emperor of China
vie
contend, compete
vigilant
watchful, on the alert, watchfully awake, alert to spot danger, N. vigilance
vignette
small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter, picture, short literary sketch, short written description of a character or scene
vindicate
clear from blame, free from blame or accusation (with supporting proof), exonerate, substantiate, justify or support, avenge, Ex. vindicate one’s client, Ex. vindicate one’s claim, CF. vindicator
virile
manly, having masculine spirit or strength, full of strength
virtual
in essence, existing in essence though not in actual form, for practical purposes, Ex. virtual ruler/space
virtuoso
highly skilled artist (esp. in music), Ex. piano virtuoso
virulent
(of a disease or poison) extremely harmful or poisonous, (of a feeling) hostile, bitter, N. virulence, CF. virus, CF. venom
visage
face, appearance
vitiate
spoil the effect of, make inoperative, corrupt morally
vivisection
act of dissecting living animals
vociferous
clamorous, noisy, V. vociferate: cry out loudly (when complaining)
vogue
popular fashion, Ex. Jeans became the vogue.
volatile
changeable, of a quickly changing nature (as of temper), mercurial, tending to violence, evaporating rapidly, Ex. volatile character/situation in the street
volition
act of using one’s will, act of making a conscious choice, Ex. She selected this dress of her own volition.
voluble
fluent, talkative, glib, N. volubility
voluptuous
sensual, of or giving sensual pleasure, indulging in sensual pleasures, Ex. voluptuous lines, Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans, N. voluptuary: voluptuous person
voracious
ravenous, eating large quantities of food, exceedingly eager, insatiable, Ex. voracious animal/reader
vortex
whirlwind, whirlpool, center of turbulence, predicament into which one is inexorably plunged
vulnerable
susceptible to wounds or attack, N. vulnerability
waif
homeless child or animal, Ex. waifs and strays
waive
give up temporarily, yield, N. waiver: waiving a right or claim, document that waives a right or claim
wane
decrease in size or strength (after being full), grow gradually to an end, Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month, N.
wean
accustom a baby not to nurse, accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling, give up a cherished activity, cause to gradually leave (an interest or habit), Ex. wean oneself from cigarettes
well-bred
of good upbringing, well-mannered and refined
welter
wallow (as in mud or high seas), lie soaked (as in blood), Ex. The victims weltered in their blood.
whine
complain (in a sad voice), make a high sad sound (as in pain or supplication)