The Stormlight Archive Flashcards
(319 cards)
1
Q
Penchant
A
noun
a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something.
“he has a penchant for adopting stray dogs”
2
Q
Deprivation
A
noun
1. the damaging lack of material benefits considered to be basic necessities in a society.
“low wages mean that 3.75 million people suffer serious deprivation”
2. the lack or denial of something considered to be a necessity.
“sleep deprivation”
ARCHAIC
3. the action of depriving someone of office, especially an ecclesiastical office.
3
Q
Discerning
A
adjective
having or showing good judgement.
“the brasserie attracts discerning customers”
4
Q
Pandemonium
A
noun
wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.
“there was complete pandemonium—everyone just panicked”
5
Q
Jerkin
A
noun
1. a sleeveless jacket.
HISTORICAL
2. a man’s close-fitting jacket, typically made of leather.
6
Q
Supernal
A
adjective
1. being in or belonging to the heaven of divine beings; heavenly, celestial, or divine.
2. lofty; of more than earthly or human excellence, powers, etc.
3. being on high or in the sky or visible heavens.
7
Q
Penumbra
A
noun
1. the partially shaded outer region of the shadow cast by an opaque object.
2. a peripheral or indeterminate area or group.
“an immense penumbra of theory surrounds any observation”
8
Q
Intersperse
A
verb
1. scatter among or between other things; place here and there.
“deep pools interspersed by shallow shingle banks”
2. diversify (a thing or things) with other things at intervals.
“the debate was interspersed with angry exchanges”
9
Q
Profane
A
adjective
1. not relating to that which is sacred or religious; secular.
“a talk that tackled topics both sacred and profane”
2. (of a person or their behaviour) not respectful of religious practice; irreverent.
“a profane person might be tempted to violate the tomb”
verb
treat (something sacred) with irreverence or disrespect.
“it was a serious matter to profane a tomb”
10
Q
Tenacious
A
adjective
1. tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely.
“a tenacious grip”
2. not readily relinquishing a position, principle, or course of action; determined.
“this tenacious defence of local liberties”
3. persisting in existence; not easily dispelled.
“a tenacious local legend”
11
Q
Perilous
A
adjective
1. full of danger or risk.
“a perilous journey south”
2. exposed to imminent risk of disaster or ruin.
“the economy is in a perilous state”
12
Q
Sidle
A
verb
walk in a furtive, unobtrusive, or timid manner, especially sideways or obliquely.
“I sidled up to her”
noun
an act or instance of sidling somewhere.
“a sidle into the hallway”
13
Q
Appease
A
verb
1. pacify or placate (someone) by acceding to their demands.
“amendments have been added to appease local pressure groups”
2. assuage or satisfy (a demand or a feeling).
“we give to charity because it appeases our guilt”
14
Q
Clangorous
A
adjective
characterized by or making a continuous loud banging or ringing sound.
“harsh, clangorous percussion”
15
Q
Tonality
A
noun
1. the character of a piece of music as determined by the key in which it is played or the relations between the notes of a scale or key.
“the sonata is noteworthy for its extensive variations of mood and tonality”
2. the colour scheme or range of tones used in a picture.
“the five canvases are predominantly blue in tonality”
16
Q
Clipped
A
adjective
(of speech) having short, sharp vowel sounds and clear pronunciation.
“his cold clipped tones”
17
Q
Pointedly
A
adverb
in a direct and unambiguous way, often indicating criticism or displeasure.
“he pointedly refused to shake hands”
18
Q
Daub
A
verb
carelessly coat or smear (a surface) with a thick or sticky substance.
“the walls were daubed with splashes of paint”
noun
1. a patch or smear of a thick or sticky substance.
“a daub of paint”
2. plaster, clay, or another substance used for coating a surface, especially when mixed with straw and applied to laths or wattles to form a wall.
“wattle and daub”
19
Q
Buffet
A
verb
1. (especially of wind or waves) strike repeatedly and violently; batter.
“rough seas buffeted the coast”
2. knock (someone) off course.
“he was buffeted from side to side”
3. (of difficulties) afflict (someone) over a long period.
“they were buffeted by a major recession”
noun
DATED
1. a blow or punch.
2. a shock or misfortune.
“the daily buffets of urban civilization”
AERONAUTICS
3. another term for buffeting.
“fifteen degrees of flap induce marked buffet”
20
Q
Laggard
A
noun
a person who makes slow progress and falls behind others.
“staff were under enormous pressure and there was no time for laggards”
adjective
slower than desired or expected.
“a bell to summon laggard children to school”
21
Q
Swindle
A
verb
use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions.
“a businessman swindled investors out of millions of pounds”
noun
a fraudulent scheme or action.
“he is mixed up in a £10 million insurance swindle”
22
Q
Poignant
A
adjective
1. painfully affecting the feelings; piercing.
2. deeply affecting; touching.
3. designed to make an impression; cutting.
“poignant satire”
4. pleasurably stimulating.
5. being to the point; apt.
6. pungently pervasive.
“a poignant perfume”
23
Q
Affluent
A
adjective
1. (especially of a group or area) having a great deal of money; wealthy.
“the affluent societies of the western world”
ARCHAIC
2. (of water) flowing freely or in great quantity.
noun ARCHAIC
a tributary stream.
24
Q
Demure
A
adjective
1. reserved, modest, and shy (typically used of a woman).
“a demure young lady”
2. (of clothing) giving a modest appearance.
“a demure knee-length skirt”
25
Reveller/reveler
*noun*
**a person who is enjoying themselves in a lively and noisy way.**
"drunken revellers brawled in the town centre in the early hours"
26
Hark back
*phrasal verb of hark*
**1. mention or remember something from the past.**
"if it was such a rotten holiday, why hark back to it?"
**2. evoke an older style or genre.*
"the paintings hark back to Constable and Turner"
27
Preliminary
*adjective*
**preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important.**
"a preliminary draft"
*noun*
**a preliminary action or event.**
"the bombardment was resumed as a preliminary to an infantry attack"
28
Supplication
*noun*
**the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly.**
"he fell to his knees in supplication"
29
Cloistered
*adjective*
**1. enclosed by or having a cloister.**
"a cloistered walkway"
**2. kept away from the outside world; sheltered.**
"a cloistered upbringing"
30
Perpetually
*adverb*
**in a way that never ends or changes; constantly.**
"perpetually hungry teenage boys"
31
Conspicuous
*adjective*
**1. clearly visible.**
"he was very thin, with a conspicuous Adam's apple"
**2. attracting notice or attention.**
"he showed conspicuous bravery"
32
Implicate
*verb*
**1. show (someone) to be involved in a crime.**
"he was implicated in a price-fixing scandal"
**2. convey (a meaning) indirectly through what one says, rather than stating it explicitly.**
"by saying that coffee would keep her awake, Mary implicated that she didn't want any"
*noun* LOGIC
**a thing implied.**
33
Reconciliation
*noun*
**1. the act of causing two people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement.**
**2. the process of finding a way to make two different ideas, facts, etc., exist or be true at the same time.**
34
Unshod
*adjective*
**not wearing shoes.**
"her unshod feet"
35
Exceedingly
*adverb*
**1. extremely.**
"the team played exceedingly well"
ARCHAIC
**2. to a great extent.**
"the supply multiplied exceedingly"
36
Pique
*noun*
**a feeling of irritation or resentment resulting from a slight, especially to one's pride.**
"he left in a fit of pique"
*verb*
**1. arouse (interest or curiosity).**
"with his scientific curiosity piqued, he was looking forward to being able to analyse his find"
**2. feel irritated or resentful.**
37
Treatise
*noun*
**a written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject.**
"his treatise on Scottish political theory"
38
Purveyor
*noun*
**1. a person who sells or deals in particular goods.**
"a purveyor of large luxury vehicles"
**2. a person or group who spreads or promotes an idea, view, etc.**
"a purveyor of traditional Christian values"
39
Tardiness
*noun*
**the quality or fact of being late; lateness.**
"forgive my tardiness, I had some very important business to attend to"
40
Spinster
*noun* DEROGATORY•DATED
**an unmarried woman, typically an older woman beyond the usual age for marriage.**
41
Rescind
*verb*
**1. to take away; remove.**
**2. take back; cancel.**
“refused to rescind the order”
**3. to abrogate (a contract) and restore the parties to the positions they would have occupied had there been no contract.**
**4. to make void by action of the enacting authority or a superior authority; repea.**
42
Pejorative
*adjective*
**expressing contempt or disapproval.**
"permissiveness is used almost universally as a pejorative term"
*noun*
**a word expressing contempt or disapproval.**
"most of what he said was inflammatory and filled with pejoratives"
43
Latent
*adjective*
**1. (of a quality or state) existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed.**
"they have a huge reserve of latent talent"
BIOLOGY
**2. lying dormant or hidden until circumstances are suitable for development or manifestation.**
"axillary buds or eyes in the leaf axils are latent growth buds"
**3. (of a disease) not yet manifesting the usual symptoms.**
"diabetes may be latent for some years before diagnosis"
44
Pontificate
*verb*
**1. express one's opinions in a pompous and dogmatic way.**
"he was pontificating about art and history"
**2. (in the Roman Catholic Church) officiate as bishop, especially at Mass.**
"he pontificated at three Christmas Masses"
*noun*
**(in the Roman Catholic Church) the office or period of office of a pope or bishop.**
"Pope Gregory VIII enjoyed only a ten-week pontificate"
45
Dislocation
*noun*
**1. disturbance from a proper, original, or usual place or state.**
"rapid urban and industrial development brought immense social dislocation in its wake"
**2. injury or disability caused when the normal position of a joint or other part of the body is disturbed.**
"congenital dislocation of the hip"
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
**3. a displacement of part of a crystal lattice structure.**
"dislocations are present due to the accidents of imperfect growth"
46
Heedless
*adjective*
**showing a reckless lack of care or attention.**
"‘Elaine!’ she shouted, heedless of attracting unwanted attention"
47
Suture
*noun*
**1. a stitch or row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical incision.**
"sutures are removed on the 5th to 7th day after the operation"
**2. an immovable junction between two bones, such as those of the skull.**
*verb*
**stitch up (a wound or incision) with a suture.**
"the small incision was sutured"
48
Insubordinate
*adjective*
**defiant of authority; disobedient to orders.**
"an insubordinate attitude"
49
Bleary
*adjective*
**(of the eyes) looking or feeling dull and unfocused from sleep or tiredness.**
"Boris opened a bleary eye"
50
Bleat
*verb*
**(of a sheep, goat, or calf) make a characteristic weak, wavering cry.**
"the lamb was bleating weakly"
*noun*
**the weak, wavering cry made by a sheep, goat, or calf.**
"the distant bleat of sheep"
51
Paunch
*noun*
**1. a large or protruding belly.**
"his body was powerful and square, with the beginnings of a paunch"
ARCHAIC•NAUTICAL
**2. a thick strong mat used to give protection from chafing on a mast or spar.**
*verb*
*disembowel (an animal).**
"one of the things I had to do was to paunch and skin a hare"
52
Tenet
*noun*
**a principle or belief, especially one of the main principles of a religion or philosophy.**
"the tenets of a democratic society"
53
Impede
*verb*
**delay or prevent (someone or something) by obstructing them; hinder.**
"the sap causes swelling which can impede breathing"
54
Subdued
*adjective*
**1. (of a person or their manner) quiet and rather reflective or depressed.**
"I felt strangely subdued as I drove home"
**2. (of colour or lighting) soft and restrained.**
"a subdued glow came through the curtains"
55
Err
*verb* FORMAL
**1. be mistaken or incorrect; make a mistake.**
"the judge had erred in ruling that the evidence was inadmissible"
**2. fail to adhere to the proper or accepted standards; do wrong.**
"he has erred and strayed as many of us have"
56
Ungainly
*adjective*
**(of a person or movement) awkward; clumsy.**
"an ungainly walk"
57
Tantalizing
*adjective*
**1. tormenting or teasing with the sight or promise of something unobtainable.**
"a tantalizing glimpse of the career he might have had"
**2. exciting one's senses or desires.**
"the tantalizing fragrance of fried bacon"
58
Supposition
*noun*
**a belief held without proof or certain knowledge; an assumption or hypothesis.**
"they were working on the supposition that his death was murder"
59
Reprobate
*noun*
**1. an unprincipled person.**
"he had to present himself as more of a lovable reprobate than a spirit of corruption"
ARCHAIC
**2. (in Calvinism) a sinner who is not of the elect and is predestined to damnation.**
*adjective*
**1. unprincipled.**
"reprobate behaviour"
ARCHAIC
**2. (in Calvinism) predestined to damnation.**
*verb* ARCHAIC
**express or feel disapproval of.**
"his neighbours reprobated his method of proceeding"
60
Admonition
*noun*
**a firm warning or reprimand.**
"he received numerous admonitions for his behaviour"
61
Foible
*noun*
**1. a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's character.**
"they have to tolerate each other's little foibles"
FENCING
**2. the part of a sword blade from the middle to the point.**
62
Corroborate
*verb*
**confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).**
"the witness had corroborated the boy's account of the attack"
63
Pervasive
*adjective*
**spread throughout so thoroughly as to be seen or felt everywhere.**
“the pervasive influence of television”
64
Relinquish
*verb*
**1. to withdraw or retreat from; leave behind.**
**2. give up.**
“relinquish a title”
**3. to stop holding physically; release.**
“slowly relinquished his grip on the bar”
**4. to give over possession or control of; yield.**
“few leaders willingly relinquish power”
65
Lustrous
*adjective*
**having lustre; shining.**
"large, lustrous eyes"
66
Addled
*adjective*
**1. unable to think clearly; confused.**
"this might just be my addled brain playing tricks"
**2. (of an egg) rotten.**
67
Tributary
*noun*
**1. a river or stream flowing into a larger river or lake.**
"the Illinois River, a tributary of the Mississippi"
HISTORICAL
**2. a person or state that pays tribute to another state or ruler.**
"tributaries of the Ottoman Empire"
68
Accrued
*adjective*
**1. (of a benefit or sum of money) received or accumulated in regular or increasing amounts over time.**
"the accrued interest"
**2. (of a charge or cost relating to work done but not yet invoiced) made provision for at the end of a financial period.**
"accrued expenses"
69
Vapid
*adjective*
**offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland.**
"tuneful but vapid musical comedies"
70
Rear
*verb*
**1. bring up and care for (a child) until they are fully grown.**
"Nigel was born and reared in Bath"
**2. (of a horse or other animal) raise itself upright on its hind legs.**
"the horse reared in terror"
71
Terse
*adjective*
**sparing in the use of words; abrupt.**
"a terse statement"
72
Presume
*verb*
**1. suppose that something is the case on the basis of probability.**
"I presumed that the man had been escorted from the building"
**2. be arrogant or impertinent enough to do something.**
"kindly don't presume to issue me orders in my own house"
73
Derision
*noun*
**contemptuous ridicule or mockery.**
"my stories were greeted with derision and disbelief"
74
Caliginous
*adjective*
**dark and misty and gloomy.**
75
Scruple
*noun*
**1. a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the morality or propriety of a course of action.**
"I had no scruples about eavesdropping"
HISTORICAL
**2. a unit of weight equal to 20 grains, used by apothecaries.**
"give, daily, one scruple of sulphate of quinine"
*verb*
**hesitate or be reluctant to do something that one thinks may be wrong.**
"she doesn't scruple to ask her parents for money"
76
Sanctimonious
*adjective* DEROGATORY
**making a show of being morally superior to other people.**
"what happened to all the sanctimonious talk about putting his family first?"
77
Dote
*verb*
**1. be extremely and uncritically fond of.**
"she doted on her two young children"
ARCHAIC
**2. be silly or feeble-minded, especially as a result of old age.**
"the parson is now old and dotes"
*noun* INFORMAL•IRISH
a sweet or adorable person.
"he's gorgeous and the twins are dotes"
78
Subordinate
*adjective*
**lower in rank or position.**
"his subordinate officers"
*noun*
**a person under the authority or control of another within an organization.**
"he was mild-mannered, especially with his subordinates"
*verb*
**treat or regard as of lesser importance than something else.**
"practical considerations were subordinated to political expediency"
79
Equitable
*adjective*
**1. fair and impartial.**
"the equitable distribution of resources"
LAW
**2. valid in equity as distinct from law.**
"the difference between legal and equitable rights"
80
Requisite
*adjective*
**made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations.**
"the application will not be processed until the requisite fee is paid"
*noun*
**a thing that is necessary for the achievement of a specified end.**
"she believed privacy to be a requisite for a peaceful life"
81
Affront
*verb*
**offend the modesty or values of.**
"she was affronted by his familiarity"
82
Dowel
*noun*
**a projecting peg used for holding together components of a structure.**
*verb*
**fasten with a dowel or dowels.**
"the pivot bearings are doweled into the face of the limb butts"
83
Dismay
*noun*
**concern and distress caused by something unexpected.**
"to his dismay, she left him"
*verb*
**cause (someone) to feel concern and distress.**
"they were dismayed by the U-turn in policy"
84
Frond
*noun*
**1. a large leaf (especially of a palm or fern) usually with many divisions.**
**2. a thallus or thalloid shoot (as of a lichen or seaweed) resembling a leaf.**
85
Opulent
*adjective*
**1. ostentatiously costly and luxurious.**
"the opulent comfort of a limousine"
**2. wealthy.**
"his more opulent tenants"
86
Vehement
*adjective*
**showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense.**
"her voice was low but vehement"
87
Incongruous
*adjective*
**not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something.**
"the duffel coat looked incongruous with the black dress she wore underneath"
88
Putrid
*adjective*
**1. (of organic matter) decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smell.**
"a butcher who sold putrid meat"
INFORMAL
**2. very unpleasant; repulsive.**
"the cocktail is a putrid pink colour"
89
Hale
*adjective*
**(of an old person) strong and healthy.**
"he's only just sixty, very hale and hearty"
90
Infatuation
*noun*
**1. a feeling of foolish or obsessively strong love for, admiration for, or interest in someone or something; strong and unreasoning attachment.**
**2. the object of an unreasoning or foolish attachment.**
91
Encroachment
*noun*
**1. intrusion on a person's territory, rights, etc.**
"minor encroachments on our individual liberties"
**2. a gradual advance beyond usual or acceptable limits.**
"urban encroachment of habitat"
92
Feeble
*adjective*
**1. lacking physical strength, especially as a result of age or illness.**
"by now, he was too feeble to leave his room"
**2. (of a sound) faint.**
"her feeble cries of pain"
**3. lacking strength of character.**
"I know it's feeble but I've never been one to stand up for myself"
93
Peforated
*adjective
**1. pierced with a hole or holes.**
"the walls are clad in perforated leather panels"
**2. (of paper) having one or more rows of small holes so that a part may be torn off easily.**
"this notebook comes with perforated pages"
94
Falter
*verb*
**1. lose strength or momentum.**
"the music faltered, stopped, and started up again"
**2. speak hesitantly.**
"‘A-Adam?’ he faltered"
**3. move unsteadily or hesitantly.**
"he faltered and finally stopped in mid-stride"
95
Abrade
*verb*
**scrape or wear away by friction or erosion.**
"it was a landscape slowly abraded by a fine, stinging dust"
96
Rote
*noun*
**mechanical or habitual repetition of something to be learned.**
"a poem learnt by rote in childhood"
97
Palpate
*verb*
**to examine by touch especially medically**
98
Tumult
*noun*
**1. a loud, confused noise, especially one caused by a large mass of people.**
"a tumult of shouting and screaming broke out"
**2. a state of confusion or disorder.**
"the whole neighbourhood was in a state of fear and tumult"
99
Absolve
*verb*
**1. declare (someone) free from guilt, obligation, or punishment.**
"the pardon absolved them of any crimes"
**2. (in church use) give absolution for (a sin).**
"she asked the bishop to absolve her sins"
100
Brusque
*adjective*
**abrupt or offhand in speech or manner.**
"she could be brusque and impatient"
101
Intently
*adverb*
**with earnest and eager attention.**
"he gazed at her intently"
102
Grueling/gruelling
*adjective*
**extremely tiring and demanding.**
"a gruelling schedule"
103
Nonchalant
*adjective*
**having an air of easy unconcern or indifference.**
104
Folio
*noun*
**1. an individual leaf of paper or parchment, either loose as one of a series or forming part of a bound volume, which is numbered on the recto or front side only.**
**2. a sheet of paper folded once to form two leaves (four pages) of a book.**
105
Abbreviate
*verb*
**1. shorten (a word, phrase, or text).**
"‘network’ is often abbreviated to ‘net’"
**2. shorten the duration of; cut short.**
"I decided to abbreviate my stay in Cambridge"
106
Capitulate
*verb*
**cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; yield.**
"the patriots had to capitulate to the enemy forces"
107
Temerity
*noun*
**excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.**
"no one had the temerity to question his conclusions"
108
Dowry
*noun*
**an amount of property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage.**
"Elizabeth's dowry was to be £45,000 in diamonds"
109
Coif
*noun*
**1. a woman's close-fitting cap, now only worn under a veil by nuns.**
"her black habit and white starched coif"
INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN
**2. short for coiffure.**
*verb*
**style or arrange (someone's hair).**
"Gloria's hair was coiffed in its usual way"
110
Vestigial
*adjective*
**1. forming a very small remnant of something that was once greater or more noticeable.**
"he felt a vestigial flicker of anger from last night"
BIOLOGY
**2. (of an organ or part of the body) degenerate, rudimentary, or atrophied, having become functionless in the course of evolution.**
"the vestigial wings of kiwis are entirely hidden"
111
Lavish
*adjective*
**sumptuously rich, elaborate, or luxurious.**
"a lavish banquet"
*verb*
**bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on.**
"the media couldn't lavish enough praise on the film"
112
Inquest
*noun*
LAW
**1. a judicial inquiry to ascertain the facts relating to an incident.**
INFORMAL
**2. a discussion or investigation into something that has happened, especially something undesirable.**
"an inquest by New York newspapers into a subway fire"
113
Relish
*noun*
**1. great enjoyment.**
"she swigged a mouthful of wine with relish"
**2. a piquant sauce or pickle eaten with plain food to add flavour.**
"use salsa as a relish with grilled meat or fish"
*verb*
**1. enjoy greatly.**
"he was relishing his moment of glory"
ARCHAIC
**2. make pleasant to the taste; add relish to.**
"I have also a novel to relish my wine"
114
Concierge
*noun*
**1. (especially in France) a resident caretaker of a block of flats or a small hotel.**
**2. a hotel employee whose job is to assist guests by booking tours, making theatre and restaurant reservations, etc.**
115
Subsist
*verb*
**1. maintain or support oneself, especially at a minimal level.**
"he subsisted on welfare and casual labour"
LAW
**2. remain in force or effect.**
"the court may treat a contract as still subsisting"
116
Totter
*verb*
**1. move in a feeble or unsteady way.**
"a hunched figure was tottering down the path"
**2. (of a structure) shake or sway as if about to collapse.**
"the building began to totter and then the roof gave way"
*noun*
**a feeble or unsteady gait.**
117
Strop
*noun*
**a device, typically a strip of leather, for sharpening razors.**
*verb*
**sharpen on or with a strop.**
"he stropped a knife razor-sharp on his belt"
118
Disdain
*noun*
**the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect.**
"her upper lip curled in disdain"
*verb*
**consider to be unworthy of one's consideration.**
"he disdained his patients as an inferior rabble"
119
Reprehensible
*adjective*
**deserving censure or condemnation.**
"his complacency and reprehensible laxity"
120
Exonerate
*verb*
**1. (of an official body) absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or wrongdoing.**
"an inquiry exonerated those involved"
**2. release someone from (a duty or obligation).**
"Pope Clement V exonerated the king from his oath to the barons"
121
Undulating
*adjective*
**having a smoothly rising and falling form or outline.**
"the undulating country lanes of Northern Ireland"
122
Avowed
*adjective*
**that has been asserted, admitted, or stated publicly.**
"an avowed atheist"
123
Embellishment
*noun*
**1. a decorative detail or feature added to something to make it more attractive.**
"architectural embellishments"
**2. a detail, especially one that is untrue, added to a statement or story to make it more interesting.**
"stripped of her embellishments, the core of hard fact was disappointingly small"
**3. the action of adding decorative details.**
"the embellishment of church interiors through the use of the visual arts"
124
Gorge
*noun*
**1. a narrow valley between hills or mountains, typically with steep rocky walls and a stream running through it.**
ARCHAIC
**2. the throat.**
*verb*
**eat a large amount greedily; fill oneself with food.**
"they gorged themselves on Cornish cream teas"
125
Aggravation
*noun*
**1. the state of becoming worse or more serious; exacerbation.**
"the patient experienced an aggravation of symptoms"
INFORMAL
**2. annoyance or exasperation.**
"the whole business has caused me a lot of aggravation"
126
Futility
*noun*
**1. the quality of being futile; ineffectiveness; uselessness.**
**2. a trifle or frivolity.**
“the large collection of futilities that clutter our minds”
**3. a futile act or event**
127
Motley
*adjective*
**1. incongruously varied in appearance or character; disparate.**
"a motley crew of discontents and zealots"
ARCHAIC
**2. (of clothing) made up of a variety of colours.**
"they wore the motley coat of jesters"
*noun*
**1. an incongruous mixture.**
"a motley of interacting interest groups"
HISTORICAL
**2. the multicoloured costume of a jester.**
"life-size mannequins in full motley"
128
Antiquated
*adjective*
**old-fashioned or outdated.**
"this antiquated central heating system"
129
Colloquial
*adjective*
**(of words and expressions) informal and conversational, and more suitable for use in speech than in writing.**
130
Conjecture
*noun*
**an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.**
"conjectures about the newcomer were many and varied"
*verb*
**form an opinion or supposition about (something) on the basis of incomplete information.**
"many conjectured that the jury could not agree"
131
Unplumbed
*adjective*
**1. not fully explored or understood.**
"one-dimensional performances that leave the play's psychological depths unplumbed"
**2. (of a building or room) not having water and drainage pipes installed and connected.**
"an unplumbed outhouse"
132
Sermon
*noun*
**1. a talk on a religious or moral subject, especially one given during a church service and based on a passage from the Bible.**
"I preached my first sermon on original sin"
INFORMAL
**2. a long or tedious piece of admonition or reproof; a lecture.**
"he understood that if he said any more he would have to listen to another lengthy sermon"
133
Requisition
*noun*
**an official order laying claim to the use of property or materials.**
"I had to make various requisitions for staff and accommodation"
*verb*
**demand the use or supply of (something) by official order.**
134
Sconce
*noun*
**1. a candle holder that is attached to a wall with an ornamental bracket.**
"a wall sconce"
**2. a flaming torch or candle secured in a sconce.**
"the sconces burning in the passage provided some light"
135
Glum
*adjective*
**looking or feeling dejected; morose.**
"the princess looked glum but later cheered up"
136
Stammer
*verb*
**speak with sudden involuntary pauses and a tendency to repeat the initial letters of words.**
"he turned red and started stammering"
*noun*
**a tendency to stammer.**
"as a young man, he had a dreadful stammer"
137
Erstwhile
*adjective*
**former.**
"the erstwhile president of the company"
*adverb* ARCHAIC
**formerly.**
"Mary Anderson, erstwhile the queen of America's stage"
138
Furor
*noun*
**1. an outbreak of public anger or excitement.**
"the verdict raised a furore over the role of courtroom psychiatry"
ARCHAIC
**2. a wave of enthusiastic admiration; a craze.**
"it was little thought that they would excite such a furore among stamp collectors"
139
Irate
*adjective*
**feeling or characterized by great anger.**
"a barrage of irate letters"
140
Mettle
*noun*
**a person's ability to cope well with difficulties; spirit and resilience.**
"the team showed their true mettle in the second half"
141
Exaltation
*noun*
**1. a feeling or state of extreme happiness.**
"she was in a frenzy of exaltation and terror"
**2. the action of elevating someone in rank or power.**
"the exaltation of Jesus to the Father's right hand"
142
Gauze
*noun*
**1. a thin transparent fabric of silk, linen, or cotton.**
"a hat swathed in green gauze"
**2. avery fine wire mesh.**
143
Mollify
*verb*
**1. appease the anger or anxiety of (someone).**
"nature reserves were set up around the power stations to mollify local conservationists"
RARE
**2. reduce the severity of (something).**
"the women hoped to mollify the harsh wilderness environment"
144
Nary
*adjective* INFORMAL•DIALECT
**non-standard form of not.**
"there was nary a murmur or complaint"
145
Assent
*noun*
**the expression of approval or agreement.**
"a loud murmur of assent"
*verb*
**express approval or agreement.**
"the Prime Minister assented to the change"
146
Testy
*adjective*
**easily irritated; impatient and somewhat bad-tempered.**
"his testy, disapproving father"
147
Dignitary
*noun*
**a person considered to be important because of high rank or office.**
"the guests included former shareholders, local dignitaries, and many of the people directly involved with the project"
148
Adjudicate
*verb*
**1. make a formal judgement on a disputed matter.**
"the Committee adjudicates on all betting disputes"
**2. act as a judge in a competition.**
"we asked him to adjudicate at the local flower show"
**3. pronounce or declare judicially.**
"he was adjudicated bankrupt"
149
Sepulchre/sepulcher
*noun*
**a small room or monument, cut in rock or built of stone, in which a dead person is laid or buried.**
*verb* LITERARY
**lay or bury in or as if in a sepulchre.**
"tomes are soon out of print and sepulchred in the dust of libraries"
150
Desiccated
*adjective*
**1. having had all moisture removed; dried out.**
"the withered, desiccated landscape"
**2. lacking vitality or interest.**
"a desiccated history of ideas"
151
Codex
*noun*
**1. an ancient manuscript text in book form.**
"the great legal compilation known as the Codex Euricianus"
**2. an official list of medicines, chemicals, etc.**
152
Proverbial
*adjective*
**(of a word or phrase) referred to in a proverb or idiom.**
"I'm going to stick out like the proverbial sore thumb"
*noun*
**used to stand for a word or phrase that is normally part of a proverb or idiom but is not actually uttered.**
"one word out of line, and the proverbial hits the fan"
153
Ponderous
*adjective*
**1. slow and clumsy because of great weight.**
"a swarthy, ponderous giant of a man"
**2. (especially of speech or writing) dull or laborious.**
"the show is loaded down with ponderous one-liners"
154
Pocked
*adjective*
**having holes or hollow marks on the surface.**
“the surface of the moon is pocked with craters”
155
Unbidden
*adjective*
**1. without having been commanded or invited.**
"unbidden guests"
**2. (especially of a thought or feeling) arising without conscious effort.**
"unbidden tears came to his eyes"
156
Interminable
*adjective*
**endless or apparently endless (often used hyperbolically).**
"we got bogged down in interminable discussions"
157
Flotilla
*noun*
**1. a fleet of ships or boats
especially; a navy organizational unit consisting of two or more squadrons of small warships.**
**2. an indefinite large number.**
158
Carouser
*noun*
**someone who enjoys riotous drinking.**
159
Inane
*adjective*
**lacking sense or meaning; silly.**
"don't badger people with inane questions"
160
Hamper
*verb*
**hinder or impede the movement or progress of.**
"their work is hampered by lack of funds"
*noun*
**1. a basket with a carrying handle and a hinged lid, used for food, cutlery, and plates on a picnic.**
"a picnic hamper"
NAUTICAL
**2. necessary but cumbersome equipment on a ship.**
161
Vigil
*noun*
**1. a period of keeping awake during the time usually spent asleep, especially to keep watch or pray.**
"my birdwatching vigils lasted for hours"
**2. (in the Christian Church) the eve of a festival or holy day as an occasion of religious observance.**
162
Refutation
*noun*
**the action of proving a statement or theory to be wrong or false.**
"scientific theory is always tentative, open to refutation"
163
Loftily
*adverb*
**in a way that shows you think you are better than other people.**
"’your views are too simplistic for me,’ said the young politician loftily”
164
Cajole
*verb*
**persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.**
"he hoped to cajole her into selling the house"
165
Haggard
*adjective*
**1. looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering.**
"she was pale and haggard"
**2. (of a hawk) caught for training as a wild adult of more than twelve months.*
*noun*
**a haggard hawk.**
166
Sinuous
*adjective*
**1. having many curves and turns.**
"the river follows a sinuous trail through the dale"
**2. lithe and supple.**
"the sinuous grace of a cat"
167
Intercede
*verb*
**intervene on behalf of another.**
"I prayed that she would intercede for us"
168
Postulate
*verb*
**1. suggest or assume the existence, fact, or truth of (something) as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.**
"his theory postulated a rotatory movement for hurricanes"
**2. (in ecclesiastical law) nominate or elect (someone) to an ecclesiastical office subject to the sanction of a higher authority.**
"the chapter was then allowed to postulate the bishop of Bath"
*noun* FORMAL
**a thing suggested or assumed as true as the basis for reasoning, discussion, or belief.**
"perhaps the postulate of Babylonian influence on Greek astronomy is incorrect"
169
Trite
*adjective*
**(of a remark or idea) lacking originality or freshness; dull on account of overuse.**
"this point may now seem obvious and trite"
170
Impious
*adjective*
**1. showing a lack of respect for God or religion.**
"the emperor's impious attacks on the Church"
**2. (of a person or act) wicked.**
"impious villains"
171
Impediment
*noun*
**1. a hindrance or obstruction in doing something.**
"a serious impediment to scientific progress"
**2. a defect in a person's speech, such as a lisp or stammer.**
172
Acerbic
*adjective*
**1. (especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright.**
"his acerbic wit"
ARCHAIC•TECHNICAL
**2. tasting sour or bitter.**
173
Implacable
*adjective*
**1. unable to be appeased or placated.**
"he was an implacable enemy of Ted's"
**2. unable to be stopped; relentless.**
"the implacable advance of the enemy"
174
Unseemly
*adjective*
**(of behaviour or actions) not proper or appropriate.**
"an unseemly squabble"
175
Dissension
*noun*
**disagreement that leads to discord.**
"these issues caused bitter dissension in the party"
176
Wile
*noun*
**devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants.**
"she didn't employ any feminine wiles to capture his attention"
*verb*
ARCHAIC
**1. lure; entice.**
"she could be neither driven nor wiled into the parish kirk"
**2. another way of saying while something away (see while).**
"the gang had played monopoly as they wiled away the hours"
177
Placid
*adjective*
**1. not easily upset or excited.**
"a placid, contented man"
**2. calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity.**
"the placid waters of a small lake"
178
Ramshackle
*adjective*
**(especially of a house or vehicle) in a state of severe disrepair.**
"a ramshackle cottage"
179
Swarthy
*adjective*
**dark-complexioned.**
"swarthy men with gleaming teeth"
180
Palatial
*adjective*
**resembling a palace in being spacious and splendid.**
"her palatial apartment in Mayfair"
181
Tenement
*noun*
**1. (especially in Scotland or the US) a room or a set of rooms forming a separate residence within a house or block of flats.
a house divided into and let as separate residences.**
**2. tenement house**
182
Shrewd
*adjective*
**1. having or showing sharp powers of judgement; astute.**
"she was shrewd enough to guess the motive behind his gesture"
ARCHAIC
**2. (especially of weather) piercingly cold.**
"a shrewd east wind"
183
Latticework
*noun*
**interlacing strips of wood, metal, or other material forming a lattice.**
"the cottages were covered with trellises and rustic latticework"
184
Clemency
*noun*
**mercy; lenience.**
"an appeal for clemency"
185
Diatribe
*noun*
**a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.**
"a diatribe against consumerism"
186
Profusion
*noun*
**an abundance or large quantity of something.**
"a rich profusion of flowers"
187
Inducement
*noun*
$$1. a thing that persuades or leads someone to do something.**
"companies were prepared to build only in return for massive inducements"
**2. a bribe.**
"it is claimed that she was offered an inducement to plead guilty"
188
Dowager
*noun*
**1. a widow with a title or property derived from her late husband.**
"the dowager duchess"
INFORMAL
**2. a dignified elderly woman.**
"a handsome dowager was standing in front of the mirror"
189
Goad
*verb*
**1. provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction.**
"he was trying to goad her into a fight"
**2. drive (an animal) with a spiked stick.**
"the cowboys goaded their cattle across the meadows"
*noun*
**a spiked stick used for driving cattle.**
190
Secede
*verb*
**withdraw formally from membership of a federal union, an alliance, or a political or religious organization.**
"the kingdom of Belgium seceded from the Netherlands in 1830"
191
Innocuous
*adjective*
**not harmful or offensive.**
"it was an innocuous question"
192
Disparage
*verb*
**regard or represent as being of little worth.**
"he never missed an opportunity to disparage his competitors"
193
Inflection
*noun*
GRAMMAR
**1. a change in the form of a word (typically the ending) to express a grammatical function or attribute such as tense, mood, person, number, case, and gender.**
"a set of word forms differing only in respect of inflections"
**2. the modulation of intonation or pitch in the voice.**
"she spoke slowly and without inflection"
194
Amelioration
*noun* FORMAL
**the act of making something better; improvement.**
"progress brings with it the amelioration of the human condition"
195
Spindly
*adjective*
**1. long or tall and thin.**
"spindly arms and legs"
**2. weak or insubstantial in construction.**
"spindly chairs"
196
Affirm
*verb*
**1. state emphatically or publicly.**
"he affirmed the country's commitment to peace"
**2. offer (someone) emotional support or encouragement.**
"there are five common ways parents fail to affirm their children"
197
Stratification
*noun*
**1. the arrangement or classification of something into different groups.**
"wealth is the main symbol of social stratification"
**2. the formation of strata in rock.**
"rock seams without any distinct stratification"
**3. the placing of seeds close together in layers in moist sand or peat to preserve them or to help them germinate.**
"following cold stratification, seeds were germinated in greenhouses"
198
Insipid
*adjective*
**1. lacking flavour; weak or tasteless.**
"mugs of insipid coffee"
**2. lacking vigour or interest.**
"many artists continued to churn out insipid, shallow works"
199
Coincide
*verb*
**1. occur at the same time.**
"publication is timed to coincide with a major exhibition"
**2. correspond in nature; tally.**
"the interests of employers and employees do not always coincide"
200
Strive
*verb*
**1. make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.**
"national movements were striving for independence"
**2. struggle or fight vigorously.**
"scholars must strive against bias"
201
Preposterous
*adjective*
**contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous.**
"a preposterous suggestion"
202
Patricide
*noun*
**1. the killing of one's father.**
**2. a person who kills their father.**
203
Frenetic
*adjective*
**fast and energetic in a rather wild and uncontrolled way.**
"a frenetic pace of activity"
204
Attenuated
*adjective*
**1. having been reduced in force, effect, or value.**
"it appears likely that the courts will be given an attenuated role in the enforcement of these decisions"
**2. thin or reduced in thickness.**
"his attenuated fingers"
205
Regicide
*noun*
**1. the action of killing a king.**
**2. a person who kills or takes part in killing a king.**
206
Belie
*verb*
**1. (of an appearance) fail to give a true impression of (something).**
"his lively, alert manner belied his years"
**2. fail to fulfil or justify (a claim or expectation).**
"the quality of the music seems to belie the criticism"
207
Mien
*noun*
**a person's appearance or manner, especially as an indication of their character or mood.**
"he has a cautious, academic mien"
208
Salacious
*adjective*
**having or conveying undue or inappropriate interest in sexual matters.**
"salacious stories"
209
Odious
*adjective*
**extremely unpleasant; repulsive.**
"a pretty odious character"
210
Cuplable
*adjective*
**deserving blame.**
"mercy killings are less culpable than ‘ordinary’ murders"
211
Delineate
*verb*
**1. describe or portray (something) precisely.**
"the law should delineate and prohibit behaviour which is socially abhorrent"
**2. indicate the exact position of (a border or boundary).**
"his finger found a precisely outlined section delineated in red marker"
212
Temerarious
*adjective* LITERARY
**reckless; rash.**
"a young officer of a brave and even temerarious disposition"
213
Gaunt
*adjective*
**(of a person) lean and haggard, especially because of suffering, hunger, or age.**
"a tall, gaunt woman in black"
**(of a building or place) grim or desolate in appearance.**
"gaunt tenement blocks"
214
Tantamount
*adjective*
**equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as.**
"the resignations were tantamount to an admission of guilt"
215
Hie
*verb*
**1. to go quickly; hasten.**
“thither we advise you to hie”
**2. to cause (oneself) to go quickly.**
“hie you to church”
216
Extricate
*verb*
**free (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty.**
"he was trying to extricate himself from official duties"
217
Detritus
*noun*
**1. waste or debris of any kind.**
"the streets were foul with detritus"
**2. gravel, sand, silt, or other material produced by erosion.**
**3. organic matter produced by the decomposition of organisms.**
218
Wanton
*adjective*
**1. (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked.**
"sheer wanton vandalism"
DATED
**2. sexually unrestrained or having many casual sexual relationships (typically used of a woman).**
"her cheeks burned as she recalled how forward she had been, how wanton"
*noun* ARCHAIC
**a sexually unrestrained woman.**
"she'd behaved like a wanton"
*verb* ARCHAIC•LITERARY
**1. play; frolic.**
"they sat gazing at the white-flecked pure blue sea and the various gulls that wantoned in the wake"
**2. behave in a sexually unrestrained way.**
"women who have wantoned with suitors"
219
Affidavit
*noun* LAW
**a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation, for use as evidence in court.**
"a former employee swore an affidavit relating to his claim for unfair dismissal"
220
Perfunctory
*adjective*
**(of an action) carried out without real interest, feeling, or effort.**
"he gave a perfunctory nod"
221
Crenel
*noun*
**an indentation in the battlements of a fort or castle, used for shooting or firing missiles through.**
222
Dross
*noun*
**1. something regarded as worthless; rubbish.**
"there are bargains if you have the patience to sift through the dross"
**2. foreign matter, dregs, or mineral waste, in particular scum formed on the surface of molten metal.**
"alchemists tried to create gold from dross"
223
Eclectic
*adjective*
**1. deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.**
"universities offering an eclectic mix of courses"
PHILOSOPHY
**2. denoting or belonging to a class of ancient philosophers who did not belong to or found any recognized school of thought but selected doctrines from various schools of thought.**
*noun*
**a person who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.**
224
Tacit
*adjective*
**understood or implied without being stated.**
"your silence may be taken to mean tacit agreement"
225
Bristling
*adjective*
**1. (especially of hair) short, stiff, and spiky.**
"a bristling beard"
**2. aggressively brisk or tense.**
"he fills the screen with a restless, bristling energy"
226
Congenial
*adjective*
**1. (of a person) pleasing or liked on account of having qualities or interests that are similar to one's own.**
"his need for some congenial company"
**2. (of a thing) pleasant or agreeable because suited to one's taste or inclination.**
"he went back to a climate more congenial to his cold stony soul"
227
Apoplexy
*noun*
DATED
**1. unconsciousness or incapacity resulting from a cerebral haemorrhage or stroke.**
"Browne died of apoplexy"
INFORMAL
**2. extreme anger.**
"the decision has aroused apoplexy among environmentalists"
228
Whimsical
*adjective*
**1. playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way.**
"a whimsical sense of humour"
**2. acting or behaving in a capricious manner.**
"the whimsical arbitrariness of autocracy"
229
Dainty
*adjective*
**1. delicately small and pretty.**
"a dainty lace handkerchief"
**2. fastidious, especially concerning food.**
"a dainty appetite"
*noun*
**something good to eat; a delicacy.**
"home-made breads, jams, and dainties"
230
Sultry
*adjective*
**1. (of the air or weather) hot and humid.**
"the sultry late summer weather had brought swarms of insects"
**2. suggesting or expressing a passionate or strongly sexual nature or attraction.**
"she delivered a sultry look to the camera"
231
Debase
*verb*
**1. reduce (something) in quality or value; degrade.**
"the love episodes debase the dignity of the drama"
HISTORICAL
**2. lower the value of (coinage) by reducing the content of precious metal.**
"the King was forced to debase the coinage"
232
Enunciate
*verb*
**1. say or pronounce clearly.**
"she enunciated each word slowly"
**2. express (a proposition, theory, etc.) in clear or definite terms.**
"a written document enunciating this policy"
233
Lurid
*adjective*
**1. unpleasantly bright in colour, especially so as to create a harsh or unnatural effect.**
"lurid food colourings"
**2. presented in vividly shocking or sensational terms.**
"the more lurid details of the massacre were too frightening for the children"
234
Ingratiate
*verb*
**bring oneself into favour with someone by flattering or trying to please them.**
"a sycophantic attempt to ingratiate herself with the local aristocracy"
235
Magnanimous
*adjective*
**generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or less powerful person.**
"she should be magnanimous in victory"
236
Cadger
*noun*
**a person who tries to get something from someone else without paying for it.**
“watch out - he’s a cadger who will borrow anything you have and never return it”
237
Victual
ARCHAIC
*noun*
**food or provisions.**
"turkey and other savoury victuals were served"
*verb*
**provide with food or other stores.**
"the ship wasn't even properly victualled"
238
Moribund
*adjective*
**1. (of a person) at the point of death.**
"on examination she was moribund and dehydrated"
**2. (of a thing) in terminal decline; lacking vitality or vigour.**
"the moribund commercial property market"
239
Fecundity
*noun*
**1. the ability to produce an abundance of offspring or new growth; fertility.**
"multiply mated females show increased fecundity"
**2. the ability to produce many new ideas.**
"the immense fecundity of his imagination made a profound impact on European literature"
240
Emblazon
*verb*
**1. conspicuously inscribe or display a design on.**
"T-shirts emblazoned with the names of baseball teams"
**2. depict (a heraldic device) on something.**
"the Queen's coat of arms is emblazoned on the door panel"
ARCHAIC
**3. celebrate or extol publicly.**
"their success was emblazoned"
241
Brisk
*adjective*
**active and energetic.**
"a good brisk walk"
*verb*
**quicken something.**
"Mary brisked up her pace"
242
Bedevil
*verb*
**1. (of something bad) cause great and continual trouble to.**
"projects like this are bedevilled by a shortage of cash"
**2. (of a person) torment or harass.**
"he bedevilled them with petty practical jokes"
243
Expunge
*verb*
**obliterate or remove completely (something unwanted or unpleasant).**
"the kind of man that could expunge an unsatisfactory incident from his memory"
244
Unequivocal
*adjective*
**leaving no doubt; unambiguous.**
"an unequivocal answer"
245
Redress
*verb*
**1. remedy or set right (an undesirable or unfair situation).**
"the power to redress the grievances of our citizens"
ARCHAIC
**2. set upright again.**
"some ambitious Architect being called to redress a leaning Wall"
*noun*
**remedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance.**
"those seeking redress for an infringement of public law rights"
246
Acrimony
*noun*
**anger and bitterness; harsh or biting sharpness especially of words, manner, or feelings.**
“the dispute continued with increased acrimony”
247
Acquiesce
*verb*
**accept something reluctantly but without protest.**
"Sara acquiesced in his decision"
248
Rotund
*adjective*
**1. (of a person) large and plump.**
"her brother was slim where she was rotund"
**2. (of speech or literary style) sonorous; grandiloquent.**
249
Beset
*verb*
**1. (of a problem or difficulty) trouble (someone or something) persistently.**
"the social problems that beset the UK"
ARCHAIC
**2. be covered or studded with.**
"springy grass all beset with tiny jewel-like flowers"
250
Didactic
*adjective*
**1. intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.**
"a didactic novel that set out to expose social injustice"
**2. in the manner of a teacher, particularly so as to appear patronizing.**
"his tone ranged from didactic to backslapping"
251
Quay
*noun*
**a stone or metal platform lying alongside or projecting into water for loading and unloading ships.**
252
Vacillate
*verb*
**waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.**
"I vacillated between teaching and journalism"
253
Luster/lustre
*noun*
**1. a gentle sheen or soft glow.**
"the lustre of the Milky Way"
**2. the manner in which the surface of a mineral reflects light.**
**3. glory or distinction.**
"a celebrity player to add lustre to the line-up"
**4. a thin coating containing unoxidized metal which gives an iridescent glaze to ceramics.**
**5. ceramics with an iridescent metallic glaze; lustreware.**
"lustre jugs"
**6. a fabric or yarn with a sheen or gloss.**
"lustre yarn"
BRITISH
**7. a thin dress material with a cotton warp, woollen weft, and a glossy surface.**
**8. a prismatic glass pendant on a chandelier or other ornament.**
"a chandelier dripping with glass lustres"
a cut-glass chandelier or candelabrum.
254
Plaintive
*adjective*
**sounding sad and mournful.**
"a plaintive cry"
255
Nonplussed
*adjective*
**1. so surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react.**
"Henry looked completely nonplussed"
INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN
**2. not disconcerted; unperturbed.**
"I remember students being nonplussed about the flooding in the city, as they had become accustomed to it over the years"
256
Lintel
*noun*
**a horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window.**
257
Mire
*verb*
**1. cause to become stuck in mud.**
"sometimes a heavy truck gets mired down"
**2. cover or spatter with mud.**
"the horse waded through the red mud that mired it to its hocks"
**3. involve someone or something in (a difficult situation).**
"the economy is mired in its longest recession since the war"
258
Succour/succor
*noun*
**assistance and support in times of hardship and distress.**
"the wounded had little chance of succour"
*verb*
**give assistance or aid to.**
"prisoners of war were liberated and succoured"
259
Bilk
*verb*
INFORMAL
**1. obtain or withhold money from (someone) unfairly or by deceit; cheat or defraud.**
"an apparently benevolent elderly gentleman bilked me of twenty dollars"
ARCHAIC
**2. evade; elude.**
260
Denigrate
*verb*
**criticize unfairly; disparage.**
"doom and gloom merchants who denigrate their own country"
261
Avail
*verb*
LITERARY
**1. help or benefit.**
"no amount of struggle availed Charles"
INDIAN
**2. use or take advantage of (an opportunity or available resource).**
"you can avail discounts on food"
*noun*
**use or benefit.**
"he begged her to reconsider, but to no avail"
262
minutiae
*noun*
**the small, precise, or trivial details of something.**
"the minutiae of everyday life"
263
Scuttle
*noun*
**1. a metal container with a handle, used to fetch and store coal for a domestic fire.
the amount of coal held in a scuttle.**
"carrying endless scuttles of coal up from the cellar"
BRITISH
**2. the part of a car's bodywork between the windscreen and the bonnet.**
**3. an act or sound of scuttling.**
"I heard the scuttle of rats across the room"
**4. an opening with a cover in a ship's deck or side.**
"a shaft of sunlight blazed through the cabin scuttle"
*verb*
**1. run hurriedly or furtively with short quick steps.**
"a mouse scuttled across the floor"
**2. sink (one's own ship) deliberately by holing it or opening its seacocks to let water in.**
"the ship was scuttled by its German prize crew, who took to the boats"
**3. deliberately cause (a scheme) to fail.**
"some of the stockholders are threatening to scuttle the deal”
264
Espouse
*verb*
**1. adopt or support (a cause, belief, or way of life).**
"she espoused the causes of justice and freedom for all"
ARCHAIC
**2. marry.**
"Edward had espoused the lady Grey"
265
Rumination
*noun*
**1. a deep or considered thought about something.**
"philosophical ruminations about life and humanity"
**2.the action of chewing the cud.**
"cows slow down their rumination"
266
Craven
*adjective*
**contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly.**
"a craven abdication of his moral duty"
*noun* ARCHAIC
**a cowardly person.**
267
Transpose
*verb*
**1. cause (two or more things) to exchange places.**
"the situation might have been the same if the parties in opposition and government had been transposed"
**2. transfer to a different place or context.**
"an evacuation order transposed the school from Kent to Shropshire"
*noun* MATHEMATICS
**a matrix obtained from a given matrix by interchanging each row and the corresponding column.**
"the new matrix is called the transpose of A"
268
Lattice
*noun*
**1. a structure consisting of strips of wood or metal crossed and fastened together with square or diamond-shaped spaces left between, used as a screen or fence or as a support for climbing plants.**
"honeysuckle was growing up a lattice round the door"
**2. an interlaced structure or pattern resembling a lattice.**
"the lattice of branches above her"
PHYSICS
**3. a regular repeated three-dimensional arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in a metal or other crystalline solid.**
269
Surmount
*verb*
**1. overcome (a difficulty or obstacle).**
"all manner of cultural differences were surmounted"
**2. stand or be placed on top of.**
"the tomb was surmounted by a sculptured angel"
270
Equidistant
*adjective*
**at equal distances.**
"the line joins together all points which are equidistant from the two axes"
271
Staccato
*adjective* MUSIC
**performed with each note sharply detached or separated from the others.**
"a staccato rhythm"
*adverb* MUSIC
**with each note sharply detached or separated from the others.**
"I find arpeggio playing is easily done staccato"
*noun* MUSIC
**a piece or passage marked to be performed staccato.**
272
Preside
*verb*
**1. be in the position of authority in a meeting or other gathering.**
"the prime minister will preside at an emergency cabinet meeting"
**2. play (a musical instrument, especially a keyboard instrument) at a public gathering.**
273
Corral
*verb*
**1. gather together and confine (a group of people or things).**
"the organizers were corralling the crowd into marching formation"
NORTH AMERICAN
**2. put or keep (livestock) in a corral.**
"sheep and goats grazed the plains during the day but they were corralled at night"
*noun* NORTH AMERICAN
**a pen for livestock, especially cattle or horses, on a farm or ranch.**
"he was galloping a pony very fast round a tiny corral"
274
Dearth
*noun*
**1. a scarcity or lack of something.**
"there is a dearth of evidence"
ARCHAIC
**2. a situation where food is in short supply.**
275
Extraneous
*adjective*
**1. irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with.**
"one is obliged to wade through many pages of extraneous material"
**2. of external origin.**
"when the transmitter pack is turned off no extraneous noise is heard"
276
Relegation
*noun*
**1. the action of assigning to an inferior rank or position.**
"the relegation of experienced party members to the status of second-class citizens"
BRITISH
**2. the transfer of a sports team or player to a lower division of a league.**
"the team manager refuses to throw in the towel and admit that relegation is inevitable"
277
Amble
*verb*
**walk or move at a slow, relaxed pace.**
"they ambled along the riverbank"
*noun*
**a walk at a slow, relaxed pace, especially for pleasure.**
"a peaceful riverside amble"
278
Miserly
*adjective*
**1. of or characteristic of a miser.**
"his miserly great-uncle proved to be worth nearly £1 million"
**2. (of a quantity) pitiably small or inadequate.**
"the prize for the winner will be a miserly £3,500"
279
Ubiquity
*noun*
**the fact of appearing everywhere or of being very common.**
"the ubiquity of mobile phones means you don't really need a watch"
280
Insensate
*adjective*
**1. lacking physical sensation.**
"a patient who was permanently unconscious and insensate"
**2. completely lacking sense or reason.**
"insensate jabbering"
281
Purview
*noun* FORMAL
**1. the scope of the influence or concerns of something.**
"such a case might be within the purview of the legislation"
**2. range of experience or thought.**
"social taboos meant that little information was likely to come within the purview of women generally"
282
Vista
*noun*
**1. a pleasing view.**
"sweeping lawns and landscaped vistas"
**2. a long, narrow view as between rows of trees or buildings, especially one closed by a building or other structure.**
**3. a mental view of a succession of remembered or anticipated events.**
"vistas of freedom seemed to open ahead of him"
283
Perambulate
*verb*
FORMAL•HUMOROUS
**1. walk or travel through or round a place or area, especially for pleasure and in a leisurely way.**
"the locals perambulate up and down the thoroughfare"
HISTORICAL•BRITISH
**2. walk round (a parish, forest, etc.) in order to officially assert and record its boundaries.**
"commissioners were appointed to perambulate the Devon forests before Whitsun 1319"
284
Ornery
*adjective* INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN
**bad-tempered or difficult to deal with.**
"an ornery old military man"
285
Pallid
*adjective*
**1. (of a person's face) pale, typically because of poor health.**
"his face, with its wrinkled, pallid complexion”
**2. lacking vigour or intensity; insipid.**
"a pallid ray of winter sun"
286
Imprudent
*adjective*
**not showing care for the consequences of an action; rash.**
"it would be imprudent to leave her winter coat behind"
287
Sully
*verb* LITERARY
**1. damage the purity or integrity of.**
"they were outraged that anyone should sully their good name"
**2. make dirty.**
"she wondered if she dared sully the gleaming sink"
288
Erroneous
*adjective*
**wrong; incorrect.**
"employers sometimes make erroneous assumptions"
289
Posit
*verb*
**1. put forward as fact or as a basis for argument.**
"the Confucian view posits a perfectible human nature"
**2. put in position; place.**
"the Professor posits Cohen in his second category of poets"
*noun* PHILOSOPHY
**a statement which is made on the assumption that it will prove to be true.**
290
Finagle
*verb* INFORMAL•US
**1. obtain by dishonest or devious means.**
"Ted attended all the football games he could finagle tickets for"
**2. act in a dishonest or devious manner.**
"they wrangled and finagled over the fine points"
291
Permeable
*adjective*
**(of a material or membrane) allowing liquids or gases to pass through it.**
"a frog's skin is permeable to water"
292
Adze
*noun*
**a tool similar to an axe, with an arched blade at right angles to the handle, used for cutting or shaping large pieces of wood.**
*verb*
**cut away the surface of (a piece of wood) with an adze.**
"by the time it has been adzed out, you will only have a small edge to clean up"
293
Disparate
*adjective*
**essentially different in kind; not able to be compared.**
"they inhabit disparate worlds of thought"
*noun* ARCHAIC
**things so unlike that there is no basis for comparison.**
294
Persnickety
*adjective* INFORMAL•NORTH AMERICAN
**1. placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy.**
"she's very persnickety about her food"
**2. requiring a particularly precise or careful approach.**
"it's hard to find a film more persnickety and difficult to use than black-and-white infrared"
295
Recommence
*verb*
**begin or cause to begin again.**
"the war recommenced"
296
Myopia
*noun*
**nearsightedness.**
297
Immiscible
*adjective*
**(of liquids) not forming a homogeneous mixture when mixed.**
"two immiscible liquids"
298
Reel
*noun*
**1. a cylinder on which film, wire, thread, or other flexible materials can be wound.**
"a cotton reel"
**2. a lively Scottish or Irish folk dance.**
"we put on the record player and danced reels"
*verb*
**1. wind something on to a reel by turning the reel.**
"sailplanes are often launched by means of a wire reeled in by a winch"
**2. lose one's balance and stagger or lurch violently.**
"he punched Connolly in the ear, sending him reeling"
299
Recourse
*noun*
**1. a source of help in a difficult situation.**
"surgery may be the only recourse"
**2. the use of (someone or something) as a source of help in a difficult situation.**
"a means of solving disputes without recourse to courts of law"
**3. the legal right to demand compensation or payment.**
"the bank has recourse against the exporter for losses incurred"
300
Enervated
*adjective*
**drained of energy or vitality.**
"Daniel felt too enervated to resist"
301
Confound
*verb*
**1.cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by not according with their expectations.**
"the inflation figure confounded economic analysts"
**2.mix up (something) with something else.**
"he was forever confounding managerialism with idealism"
*exclamation* DATED
**used to express anger or annoyance.**
"oh confound it, where is the thing?"
302
Occlude
*verb* FORMAL•TECHNICAL
**1. stop, close up, or obstruct (an opening, orifice, or passage).**
"thick make-up can occlude the pores"
**2. hide or obscure from prominence or view.**
"voices are completely occluded from participating in the debate"
303
Charnel
*noun*
**short for charnel house.**
*adjective*
**associated with death.**
"I gagged on the charnel stench of the place"
304
Amenable
*adjective*
**1. open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled.**
"parents who have amenable children"
**2. capable of being acted upon in a particular way; susceptible.**
"cardiac failure not amenable to medical treatment"
305
Virulent
*adjective*
**1. (of a disease or poison) extremely severe or harmful in its effects.**
"a virulent strain of influenza"
**2. bitterly hostile.**
"his involvement with the temperance movement led to his virulent attack on the drink trade"
306
Indisposed
*adjective*
**1. slightly unwell.**
"my mother is indisposed"
**2. averse; unwilling.**
"the potential audience seemed indisposed to attend"
307
Obsequious
*adjective*
**obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.**
"they were served by obsequious waiters"
308
Drivel
*noun*
**nonsense.**
"don't talk such drivel!"
*verb*
**1. talk nonsense.**
"he was drivelling on about the glory days"
ARCHAIC
**2. let saliva or mucus flow from the mouth or nose.**
"the nurse leaves you to drivel, and never wipes your nose"
309
Sagacious
*adjective*
**having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement; wise or shrewd.**
"they were sagacious enough to avoid any outright confrontation"
310
Puerile
*adjective*
**childishly silly and immature.**
"a puerile argument"
311
Complexion
*noun*
**1. the natural colour, texture, and appearance of a person's skin, especially of the face.**
"a smooth, pale complexion"
**2. the general aspect or character of something.**
"the complexion of the game changed"
312
Volition
*noun*
**the faculty or power of using one's will.**
"without conscious volition she backed into her office"
313
Volition
*noun*
**the faculty or power of using one's will.**
"without conscious volition she backed into her office"
314
Modulate
*verb*
**1. exert a modifying or controlling influence on.**
"the state attempts to modulate private business's cash flow"
**2. vary the strength, tone, or pitch of (one's voice).**
"we all modulate our voice by hearing it"
315
Ardent
*adjective*
**1. very enthusiastic or passionate.**
"an ardent supporter of the cause of education"
ARCHAIC•LITERARY
**2. burning; glowing.**
"the ardent flames"
316
Stellar
adjective
1. relating to a star or stars.
"stellar structure and evolution"
INFORMAL
2. featuring or having the quality of a star performer or performers.
"a stellar cast had been assembled"
317
Bandeau
noun
1. a narrow band worn round the head to hold the hair in position.
2. a woman's strapless top formed from a band of fabric fitting around the bust.
"a bandeau bikini top"
318
Bard
noun
a rasher of fat bacon placed on meat or game before roasting.
verb
cover (meat or game) with rashers of fat bacon.
"the venison was barded and marinated"
319
Isthmus
noun
1. a narrow strip of land with sea on either side, forming a link between two larger areas of land.
ANATOMY
2. a narrow organ, passage, or piece of tissue connecting two larger parts.
