Gre Quizlet Flashcards

abash

synonyms: embarrassed, ashamed, shamefaced, remorseful, conscience-stricken, mortified, humiliated, humbled, chagrined, crestfallen, sheepish Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French abaÃ¯ss- ; compare with Old French esbaÃ¯ss-, lengthened stem of esbaÃ¯r, from es- 'utterly' + baÃ¯r 'astound.'

abate

synonyms: subside, die down/away/out, lessen, ease [off], let up, decrease, diminish, moderate, d Origin Middle English [in the legal sense 'put a stop to [a nuisance]']: from Old French abatre 'to fell,' from a- [from Latin ad 'to, at'] + batre 'to beat' [from Latin battere, battuere 'to beat'].

abdicate

synonyms: resign, retire, stand down, step down, bow out, renounce the throne; archaicdemit ";the king abdicated in 1936"; resign from, relinquish, renounce, give up, surren Origin mid 16th century: from Latin abdicat- 'renounced,' from the verb abdicare, from ab- 'away, from' + dicare 'declare.'

aberrant

synonyms: deviant, deviating, divergent, abnormal, atypical, anomalous, irregular; nonconformist, rogue; strange, odd, peculiar, uncommon, freakish, quirky; twisted, Origin mid 16th century: from Latin aberrant- 'wandering away,' from the verb aberrare, from ab- 'away, from' + errare 'to stray.'

abeyance

synonyms:in suspension, in a state of suspension, in a state of dormancy, in a state of uncertainty, in remission; pending, suspended, deferredOriginlate 16th century [in the legal sense]: from Old French abeance 'aspiration to a title,' from abeer 'aspire after,' from a- 'toward' + beer 'to gape.

abhor

regard with disgust and hatred synonyms: detest, hate, loathe, despise, execrate, regard with disgust, shrink from, recoil from, shudder at; formalabominate ";I abhor the taste of liver"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin abhorrere, from ab- 'away from' + horrere 'to shudder.'

abjure

synonyms: renounce, relinquish, reject, forgo, disavow, abandon, deny, repudiate, give up, wash one's hands of; eschew, abstain from, refrain from; informalkick, pack in; disaffirm; literaryforsake; formalforswear, Origin late Middle English: from Latin abjurare, from ab- 'away' + jurare 'swear.'

ablution

the act of washing oneself [often used Origin late Middle English: from Latin ablutio[n-], from abluere, from ab- 'away' + luere 'wash.' The original use was as a term in chemistry and alchemy meaning 'purification by using liquids,' hence 'purification of the body by washing' [mid 16th century].

abound

synonyms:be plentiful, be abundant, be numerous, proliferate, superabound, be thick on the ground; informalgrow on trees ";cafeOriginMiddle English [in the sense 'overflow, be abundant']: from Old French abunder, from Latin abundare 'overflow,' from ab- 'from' + undare 'surge' [from unda 'a wave']

aboveboard

legitimate, honest, and open synonyms: legitimate, lawful, legal, licit, honest, fair, open, frank, straight, overt, candid, forthright, unconcealed, trustworthy, unequivocal; informallegit, kosher, by the book, street legal, fair and square, square, on the level, on the up and up, upfront

abrogate

synonyms: repeal, revoke, rescind, repudiate, overturn, annul; disallow, cancel, invalidate, nullify, void, negate, dissolve, countermand, declare null and void, disc Origin early 16th century: from Latin abrogat- 'repealed,' from the verb abrogare, from ab- 'away, from' + rogare 'propose a law.'

abscess

synonyms: ulcer, ulceration, cyst, boil, blister, sore, pustule, carbuncle, pimple, wen, whitlow, canker; inflamm Origin mid 16th century: from Latin abscessus 'a going away,' from the verb abscedere, from ab- 'away from' + cedere 'go,' referring to the elimination of infected matter via the pus.

abscission

the natural detachment of parts of a plant, typically dead leaves and ripe fruit Origin early 17th century: from Latin abscissio[n-], from abscindere, from ab- 'off, away' + scindere 'to cut.'

abscond

synonyms: run away, escape, bolt, flee, make off, take flight, take off, decamp; make a break for it, take to one's heels, make a quick getaway, beat a hasty ret Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'hide, conceal [oneself]']: from Latin abscondere 'hide,' from ab- 'away, from' + condere 'stow.'

absolve

synonyms: exonerate, discharge, acquit, vindicate; release, relieve, liberate, free, deliver, clear, exempt, let off; formalexculpate ";this fact does not absolve you from responsibility"; for Origin late Middle English: from Latin absolvere 'set free, acquit,' from ab- 'from' + solvere 'loosen.'

abstain

synonyms: refrain from, desist from, hold back from, forbear; give up, renounce, avoid, shun, eschew, forgo, go without, do without; refuse, decline; informalcut out; formalabjure ";Benjamin Origin late Middle English: from Old French abstenir, from Latin abstinere, from ab- 'from' + tenere 'hold

abstruse

synonyms: obscure, arcane, esoteric, little known, recherchÃ©, rarefied, recondite, difficult, hard, puzzling, perplexing, cryptic, enigmatic, Delphic, complex, compli Origin late 16th century: from Latin abstrusus 'put away, hidden,' from abstrudere 'conceal,' from ab- 'from' + trudere 'to push.'

abysmal

synonyms: very bad, dreadful, awful, terrible, frightful, atrocious, disgraceful, deplorable, shameful, hopeless, lamentable; informalrotten, appalling, crummy, pathetic, pitiful, woeful, useless, lousy, dir Origin mid 17th century [sense 2]: from abysm. Sense 1 dates from the early 19th century.

abyss

synonyms: chasm, gorge, ravine, canyon, fissure, rift, crevasse, hole, gulf, pit, cavity, void, bottomless pit ";a recurring nightmare in which he falls in Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'infernal pit']: via late Latin from Greek abussos 'bottomless,' from a- 'without' + bussos 'depth.'

accede

synonyms: agree to, consent to, accept, assent to, acquiesce in, comply with, go along with, concur with, surrender to, yield to, give in to, give way to, def Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'come forward, approach']: from Latin accedere, from ad- 'to' + cedere 'give way, yield.'

accomplice

synonyms: partner in crime, associate, accessory, abettor, confe Origin mid 16th century: alteration [probably by association with accompany] of Middle English complice 'an associate,' via Old French from late Latin complex, complic- 'allied,' from com- 'together' + the root of plicare 'to fold.'

accrete

grow by accumulation or coalescence Origin late 18th century: from Latin accret- 'grown,' from the verb accrescere, from ad- 'to' + crescere 'grow.'

accretion

the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of synonyms: accumulation, formation, collecting, cumulation, buildup, accrual; growth, increase ";the accretion of sediments"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin accretion-, from accrescere 'become larger' [see accrete].

accrue

[of sums of mone synonyms: result from, arise from, follow from, ensue from; be caused by, attend ";financial benefits will accrue from restructuring"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French acreue, past participle of acreistre 'increase,' from Latin accrescere 'become larger' [see accrete].

accurate

synonyms: correct, precise, exact, right, error-free, perfect; factual, fact-based, literal, faithful, true, truthful, true to life, authentic, realistic; informalon the Origin late 16th century: from Latin accuratus 'done with care,' past participle of accurare, from ad- 'toward' + cura 'care.'

acerbic

synonyms: sharp, sarcastic, sardonic, mordant, trenchant, cutting, razor-edged, biting, piercing, stinging, searing, scathing, caustic, bitter, acrimonious, astringent, abrasive, harsh, wounding, hurtful, unkind, cruel, virulent, v Origin mid 19th century: from Latin acerbus 'sour-tasting' + -ic.

acolyte

synonyms: assistant, helper, attendant, aide, minion, underling, lackey, henchman; follower, disciple, supporter, votary; informalsidekick, groupie, hanger-on ";surrounded by eager ac Origin Middle English: from Old French acolyt or ecclesiastical Latin acolytus, from Greek akolouthos 'follower.'

action

the fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aimsynonyms:measures, steps, activity, movement, work, operation ";the need for local community action"Originlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin actio[n-], from agere 'do, act.

acumen

synonyms: astuteness, shrewdness, acuity, sharpness, sharp-wittedness, cleverness, smartness, brains; judgment, understanding, awareness, sense, common sense, canniness, discernment, wisdom, wit, sagacity Origin late 16th century: from Latin, 'sharpness, point,' from acuere 'sharpen' [see acute].

adage

synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, proverb, aphorism, saw, dictum, byword, precept, motto, truism, platitude, clichÃ©, apophthegm, commonplace ";I should have remembered the old adage 'look befor Origin mid 16th century: from French, from Latin adagium 'saying,' based on an early form of aio 'I say.'

addle

synonyms: muddled, confused, muzzy, fuddled, befuddled, dazed, disoriented, disorientated, fuzzy; informalwoozy ";Patricia was noticeably addled after Pete sudden Origin Middle English: from Old English adela 'liquid filth,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch aal and German Adel 'mire, puddle.'

adduce

cite as evidencesynonyms:cite, quote, name, mention, instance, point out, refer to; put forward, present, offer, advance, propose, proffer ";evidence adduced to support their argument"Originlate Middle English: from Latin adducere, from ad- 'toward' + ducere 'to lead.

adumbrate

report or represent in outlineOriginlate 16th century: from Latin adumbrat- 'shaded,' from the verb adumbrare, from ad- 'to' [as an intensifier] + umbrare 'cast a shadow' [from umbra 'shade']

adventitious

synonyms: unplanned, unpremeditated, accidental, chance, fortuitous, serendipitous, coincidental, casual, random ";he felt that the conversation was not entirely adven Origin early 17th century: from Latin adventicius 'coming to us from abroad' [from advenire 'arrive'] + -ous [see also -itious2].

advocate

synonyms:champion, upholder, supporter, backer, promoter, proponent, exponent, spokesman, spokeswoman, spokesperson, campaigner, fOriginMiddle English: from Old French avocat, from Latin advocatus, past participle [used as a noun] of advocare 'call [to one's aid],' from ad- 'to' + vocare 'to call.

aegis

synonyms:protection, backing, support, patronage, sponsorship, charge, care, guidance, control, guardianship, trusteeship, agency, safeguarding, shelter, umbrella, aid, assisOriginearly 17th century [denoting armor or a shield, especially that of a god]: via Latin from Greek aigis 'shield of Zeus.

aesthetic

Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'relating to perception by the senses']: from Greek aisthÄtikos, from aisthÄta 'perceptible things,' from aisthesthai 'perceive.' The sense 'concerned with beauty' was coined in German in the mid 18th century and adopted into English in the early 19th century

affable

synonyms:friendly, amiable, genial, congenial, cordial, warm, pleasant, nice, likable, personable, charming, agreeable, sympathetic, simpatico, good-humored, good-natured, jolly, kindlOriginlate Middle English: via Old French from Latin affabilis, from the verb affari, from ad- 'to' + fari 'speak.

affliction

synonyms: disorder, disease, malady, complaint, ailment, illness, indisposition, handic Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'infliction of pain or humiliation,' specifically 'religious self-mortification']: via Old French from Latin afflictio[n-], from the verb affligere [see afflict].

aggrandize

increase the power, status, or wealth of Origin mid 17th century [in the general sense 'increase, magnify']: from French agrandiss-, lengthened stem of agrandir, probably from Italian aggrandire, from Latin grandis 'large.' The ending was changed by association with verbs ending in -ize.

aggravate

synonyms: annoy, irritate, exasperate, bother, put out, nettle, provoke, antagonize, get on someone's nerves, ruffle [someone's feathers], try someone's patience; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin aggravat- 'made heavy,' from the verb aggravare, from ad- [expressing increase] + gravis 'heavy.'

aggregate

a whole formed by combining several [typically disparate] elements synonyms: total, sum total, sum, grand total ";he won with an aggregate of 325"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin aggregat- 'herded together,' from the verb aggregare, from ad- 'toward' + grex, greg- 'a flock.'

agile

synonyms:nimble, lithe, supple, limber, acrobatic, fleet-footed, light-footed, light on one's feet; literaryfleet, lightsome ";she was as agile as a monkey";alert, sharp, acute, shrewd, astute, perceptive, quick-witted ";an agOriginlate Middle English: via French from Latin agilis, from agere 'do.

agitate

synonyms: upset, perturb, fluster, ruffle, disconcert, unnerve, disquiet, disturb, distress, unsettle, unhinge; informalrattle, faze, discombobulate ";a Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'drive away']: from Latin agitat- 'agitated, driven,' from agitare, frequentative of agere 'do, drive.'

ailurophile

a cat loverOrigin1930s: from Greek ailuros 'cat' + -phile

alacrity

synonyms: eagerness, willingness, readiness; enthusiasm, ardor, avidity, fervor, keenness; promptness, haste, swiftness, dispatch, speed ";we want to move with alacrity, and put a stop to improper conduct while it's still goin Origin late Middle English: from Latin alacritas, from alacer 'brisk.'

allay

diminish or put at rest [fear, suspicion, or worry] synonyms: reduce, diminish, decrease, lessen, assuage, alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, soften, calm, take the edge off ";nothing would allay his fears"; Origin Old English Älecgan 'lay down or aside.'

alleviate

synonyms: reduce, ease, relieve, take the edge off, deaden, dull, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, mitigate, a Origin late Middle English: from late Latin alleviat- 'lightened,' from the verb alleviare, from Latin allevare, from ad- 'to' + levare 'raise,' influenced by levis 'light.'

alloy

synonyms:mixture, mix, amalgam, fusion, meld, blend, compound, combination, composite, union; technicaladmixture ";modern pewter is an alloy of tiOriginlate 16th century: from Old French aloi [noun] and French aloyer [verb], both from Old French aloier, aleier 'combine,' from Latin alligare 'bind.

allure

synonyms: attraction, lure, draw, pull, appeal, allurement, enticement, temptation, charm, seduction, fascination ";the allure Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'tempt, entice']: from Old French aleurier 'attract,' from a- [from Latin ad 'to'] + luere 'a lure' [originally a falconry term].

amalgam

a mixture or blendOriginlate 15th century: from French amalgame or medieval Latin amalgama, from Greek malagma 'an emollient.

amalgamate

synonyms: combine, merge, unite, fuse, blend, meld; join [together], join forces, band [together], link [up], team up, go into partnership; literarycommingle Origin early 17th century: from medieval Latin amalgamat- 'formed into a soft mass,' from the verb amalgamare, from amalgama [see amalgam].

amanuensis

a literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscriptsOriginearly 17th century: Latin, from [servus] a manu '[slave] at hand[writing], secretary' + -ensis 'belonging to.

ambiguous

synonyms: equivocal, ambivalent, open to debate/argument, arguable, debatable; obscure, unclear, imprecise, vague, a Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'indistinct, obscure']: from Latin ambiguus 'doubtful' [from ambigere 'waver, go around,' from ambi- 'both ways' + agere 'to drive'] + -ous.

ambivalent

synonyms: equivocal, uncertain, unsure, doubtful, indecisive, inconclusive, irresolute, of two minds, undecided, torn, in a quandary, on the fence, hesitating, wavering, vacillating, equivocating Origin early 20th century: from ambivalence [from German Ambivalenz ], on the pattern of equivalent .

ambrosia

the food of the gods Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek, 'elixir of life,' from ambrotos 'immortal.'

ameliorate

synonyms: improve, make better, better, make improvements to, enhance, help, benefit, boost, amend; relieve, ease, mitigate; informaltweak, patch up ";measures were taken to ameliorate the si Origin mid 18th century: alteration of meliorate, influenced by French amÃ©liorer, from meilleur 'better.'

amenable

synonyms: cooperative, acq Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'liable to answer [to a law or tribunal]']: an Anglo-Norman French legal term, from Old French amener 'bring to,' from a- [from Latin ad ] 'to' + mener 'bring' [from late Latin minare 'drive [animals],' from Latin minari 'threaten'

anachronism

a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned Origin mid 17th century: from Greek anakhronismos, from ana- 'backward' + khronos 'time.'

analogous

comparable in certain respects, typically in a way that makes clearer the nature of synonyms: comparable, parallel, similar, like, akin, corresponding, related, kindred, equivalent ";their lab results were analogous"; Origin mid 17th century: via Latin from Greek analogos 'proportionate' + -ous.

anathema

synonyms: an abomination, an outrage, an abhorrence, a disgrace, an evil, a bane, a Origin early 16th century: from ecclesiastical Latin, 'excommunicated person, excommunication,' from Greek anathema 'thing dedicated,' [later] 'thing devoted to evil, accursed thing,' from anatithenai 'to set up.'

ancestor

a person, typically one more remote than synonyms:forebear, forefather, predecessor, antecedent, progenitor, primogenitor ";he could trace his ancestors back to colonial Boston"OriginMiddle English: from Old French ancestre, from Latin antecessor, from antecedere, from ante 'before' + cedere 'go.

ancillary

synonyms: additional, auxiliary, supporting, helping, extra, supplementary, supplemental, accessory, attendant; subsidiary, secondary; adjuvant; rareadminicular ";the Administrative Procedures Act and ancillary documents" Origin mid 17th century: from Latin ancillaris, from ancilla 'maidservant.'

animadvert

pass criticism or censure on; speak out againstOriginlate Middle English [in the sense 'pay attention to']: from Latin animadvertere, from animus 'mind' + advertere [from ad- 'toward' + vertere 'to turn']

annex

append or add as an extra or subordinate part, especially to a synonyms:take over, take possession of, appropriate, seize, conquer, occupy ";Charlemagne annexed northern Italy"Originlate Middle English: from Old French annexer, from Latin annectere 'connect,' from ad- 'to' + nectere 'tie, fasten.

anodyne

not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive, often deliberately so Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek anÅdunos 'painless,' from an- 'without' + odunÄ 'pain.'

anomalous

synonyms: abnormal, atypical, irregular, aberrant, exceptional, freak, freakish, odd, bizarre, peculiar, unusual, out of the ordinary; deviant, mutant; formalheteroclite ";it's an anomalous birth Origin mid 17th century: via late Latin from Greek anÅmalos [from an- 'not' + homalos 'even'] + -ous.

antagonize

synonyms: arouse hostility in, alienate; anger, annoy, provoke, vex, irritate; rub the wrong way; informalaggravate, rile, needle, rattle som Origin mid 18th century [in the sense 'struggle against']: from Greek antagÅnizesthai, from ant- 'against' + agÅnizesthai 'struggle' [from agÅn 'contest'].

antebellum

occurring or existing before a particular war, especially the American Civil War Origin mid 19th century: from Latin, from ante 'before' and bellum 'war.'

antecedent

a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another synonyms: precursor, forerunner, predecessor ";the guitar's antecedent"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French or from Latin antecedent- 'going before,' from antecedere, from ante 'before' + cedere 'go.'

antediluvian

of or belonging to the time before the biblical Floodsynonyms:out of date, outdated, outmoded, old-fashioned, antiquated, behind the times, passÃ© ";her antediluvian attitudes"Originmid 17th century: from ante- + Latin diluvium 'deluge' + -an

antic

grotesque or bizarreOriginearly 16th century: from Italian antico 'antique,' used to mean 'grotesque.

antipathy

synonyms: hostility, antagonism, animosity, aversion, animus, enmi Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'opposition of feeling, nature, or disposition']: from French antipathie or Latin antipathia, from Greek antipatheia, from antipathÄs 'opposed in feeling,' from anti 'against' + pathos 'feeli

antithesis

Origin late Middle English [originally denoting the substitution of one grammatical case for another]: from late Latin, from Greek antitithenai 'set against,' from anti 'against' + tithenai 'to place.' The earliest current sense, denoting a rhetorical or literary device, dates from the early 16th

aphorism

a pithy observation synonyms: saying, maxim, axiom, adage, epigram, dictum, gnome, proverb, saw, tag; rareapophthegm ";she was a fount of Orwellian aphorisms"; Origin early 16th century: from French aphorisme or late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos 'definition,' from aphorizein 'define.'

aplomb

synonyms:poise, self-assurance, self-confidence, calmness, composure, collectedness, levelheadedness, sangfroid, equilibrium, equanimity; informalunflappability ";the judges werOriginlate 18th century [in the sense 'perpendicularity, steadiness']: from French, from Ã plomb 'according to a plummet.

apocryphal

[of a story or statement] of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being tsynonyms:fictitious, made-up, untrue, fabricated, false, spurious; unverified, unauthenticated, unsubstantiated; bogus ";the possibly apocryphal account of the meeting between Diogenes and Alexander the Great"

apogee

the highest point in the development of something; the climax or culmination Origin late 16th century: from French apogÃ©e or modern Latin apogaeum, from Greek apogaion [diastÄma ] '[distance] away from earth,' from apo 'from' + gaia, gÄ 'earth.'

apostate

synonyms: dissenter, defector, deserter, traitor, backslider, turncoat; nonconformist; schismatic; archaicheretic; rarerecusant, recreant, tergiversator ";after 50 years as an apostate, he r Origin Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin apostata, from Greek apostatÄs 'apostate, runaway slave.'

apothecary

a person who prepared and sold medicines and drugs Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin apothecarius, from Latin apotheca, from Greek apothÄkÄ 'storehouse.'

apothegm

a concise saying or maxim; an aphorism Origin mid 16th century: from French apophthegme or modern Latin apothegma, from Greek, from apophthengesthai 'speak out.'

apotheosis

the highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax Origin late 16th century: via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek apotheÅsis, from apotheoun 'make a god of,' from apo 'from' + theos 'god.'

appellation

a name or tit synonyms: name, title, designation, tag, sobriquet, byname, nickname, cognomen; informalmoniker, handle; formaldenomination ";";the Eternal City"; is an appellation for Rome"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin appellatio[n-], from the verb appellare [see appeal].

appetence

a longing or desire Origin early 17th century: from Latin appetentia, from appetere 'seek after' [see appetite].

appetite

a natural desire to satisfy a bodily need, espe synonyms: hunger, ravenousness, hungriness; taste, palate ";a walk sharpens the appetite"; Origin Middle English: from Old French apetit [modern appÃ©tit ], from Latin appetitus 'desire for,' from appetere 'seek after,' from ad- 'to' + petere 'seek.'

apply

synonyms:put in an application for, put in for, try [out] for, bid for, appeal for, petition for, sue for, register for, audition for; request, seek, solicit [for], claim, asOriginlate Middle English: from Old French aplier, from Latin applicare 'fold, fasten to,' from ad- 'to' + plicare 'to fold.

apposite

synonyms: appropriate, suitable, fitting, apt, befitting; relevant, pertinent, appurtenant, to the point, applicable, germane, material, congruous, felicitous; formalad rem ";an Origin late 16th century: from Latin appositus, past participle of apponere 'apply,' from ad- 'toward' + ponere 'put.'

approbate

approve formally; sanction Origin late Middle English: from Latin approbat- 'approved,' from the verb approbare, from ad- 'to' + probare 'try, test' [from probus 'good'].

approbation

synonyms: approval, acceptance, endorsement, appreciation, respect, admiration, commendation, praise, congratulations, acclaim, esteem, applause; consent; rarelaudation ";at age 45, he w Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin approbatio[n-], from the verb approbare [see approbate].

appropriate

synonyms:suitable, proper, fitting, apt, right; Morerelevant, pertinent, apposite; convenient, opportune; seemly, befitting; formalad rem; archaicmeet ";tOriginlate Middle English: from late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare 'make one's own,' from ad- 'to' + proprius 'own, proper.

appurtenant

belonging; pertinent Origin late Middle English: from Old French apartenant 'appertaining,' from the verb apartenir [see appertain].

arabesque

an ornamental design consisting of intertwined flowing lines, originally found in Arabic or Moorish decorationOriginmid 17th century: from French, from Italian arabesco 'in the Arabic style,' from arabo 'Arab.

arbitrate

synonyms: adjudicate, judge, referee, umpire; mediate, conciliate, intervene, intercede; settle, decide, resolve, pass judgment ";a third and disinterested party was brought in to arbitrat Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arbitrat- 'judged,' from arbitrari, from arbiter 'judge, supreme ruler.'

arbor

synonyms: bower, pergola; alcove, grotto, Origin Middle English [also denoting a lawn or flower bed]: from Old French erbier, from erbe 'grass, herb,' from Latin herba . The phonetic change to ar- [common in words having er- before a consonant] was assisted by association with Latin arbor 'tree.'

arcane

understood by few; mysteri synonyms: mysterious, secret; enigmatic, esoteric, cryptic, obscure, abstruse, recondite, recherchÃ©, impenetrable, opaque ";processes as old and arcane as the language of the law"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arcanus, from arcere 'to shut up,' from arca 'chest.'

arch

deliberately or affectedly playful and teasing synonyms: mischievous, teasing, knowing, playful, roguish, impish, cheeky, tongue-in-cheek; informalsaucy ";an arch grin"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'chief, principal']: from arch-, because of its association with words such as rogue .

archaic

synonyms: obsolete, out of date, old-fashioned, outmoded, behind the times, bygone, anachronistic, antiquated, superannuated, antediluvian, old world, old-fangled; ancient, old, extinct, d Origin mid 19th century: from French archaÃ¯que, from Greek arkhaikos, from arkhaios, from arkhÄ 'beginning.'

ardent

enthu synonyms: passionate, fervent, zealous, fervid, wholehearted, vehement, intense, fierce, fiery; enthusiastic, keen, eager, avid, committed, dedicated; literaryperfervid ";an ardent soccer fan"; Origin Middle English: from Old French ardant, from Latin ardens, ardent-, from ardere 'to burn.'

ardor

enthusiasm or passion synonyms: passion, fervor, zeal, vehemence, intensity, verve, fire, emotion; enthusiasm, eagerness, avidity, gusto, keenness, dedication ";approaching the project with ardor"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin ardor, from ardere 'to burn.'

arduous

synonyms: onerous, taxing, difficult, hard, heavy, laborious, burdensome, strenuous, vigorous, back-breaking; demanding, tough, challenging, formidable; exhausting, tiring, punishing, grueling; uphill, steep; informalkilling; t Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arduus 'steep, difficult' + -ous.

argot

the jargon or slang of a particular group or cl synonyms: jargon, slang, idiom, cant, parlance, vernacular, patois; dialect, speech, language; informallingo ";the argot of the theater"; Origin mid 19th century [originally denoting the jargon or slang of criminals]: from French, of unknown origin.

arrant

complete, utter synonyms: utter, complete, total, absolute, downright, outright, thorough, out-and-out, sheer, pure, unmitigated, unqualified; blatant, flagrant ";what arrant nonsense!"; Origin Middle English: variant of errant, originally in phrases such as arrant thief 'outlawed, roving thief.'

arrogate

synonyms: assume, take, claim, appropriate, seize, expropriate, wrest, usurp, commandeer ";the board arrogated to itself the task of determining what medical facilities will b Origin mid 16th century: from Latin arrogat- 'claimed for oneself,' from the verb arrogare, from ad- 'to' + rogare 'ask.'

ascertain

synonyms:find out, discover, get to know, work out, make out, fathom, learn, deduce, divine, discern, see, understand, comprehend; establish, determine, verify, confirm; figOriginlate Middle English [in the sense 'assure, convince']: from Old French acertener, based on Latin certus 'settled, sure.

ascetic

synonyms: austere, self-denying, abstinent, abstemious, self-disciplined, self-abnegating; simple, puritanical, monastic; reclusive, eremitic, hermitic; celibate, chaste ";an Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin asceticus or Greek askÄtikos, from askÄtÄs 'monk,' from askein 'to exercise.'

askance

with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval synonyms: suspiciously, skeptically, cynically, mistrustfully, distrustfully, doubtfully, dubiously; disapprovingly, contemptuously, scornfully, disdainfully ";they look askance at anything foreign"; Origin late 15th century: of unknown origin.

asperity

harshness of tone or synonyms: harshness, sharpness, abrasiveness, roughness, severity, acerbity, astringency, tartness, sarcasm ";he replied with some asperity in his tone"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'hardship, rigor']: from Old French asperite, or Latin asperitas, from asper 'rough.'

aspersion

synonyms: vilify, disparage, denigrate, defame, run down, impugn, belittle, criticize, condemn, decry, denounce, pillory; malign, slander, libel, discredit; Origin late Middle English [denoting the sprinkling of water, especially at baptism]: from Latin aspersio[n-], from aspergere [see asperse].

aspire

synonyms:desire, hope for, dream of, long for, yearn for, set one's heart on, wish for, want, be desirous of; aim for, seek, pursue, set one's sights on ";Jen aspires to a career in veterinary mediciOriginlate Middle English: from French aspirer or Latin aspirare, from ad- 'to' + spirare 'breathe.

assay

synonyms:evaluation, assessment, appraisal, analysis, examination, test/tests, testing, inspecOriginMiddle English [in the general sense 'testing, or a test of, the merit of someone or something']: from Old French assai [noun], assaier [verb], variant of essai 'trial,' essayer 'to try' [see essay]

asset

synonyms:benefit, advantage, blessing, good point, strong point, selling point, strengthOriginmid 16th century [in the plural in the sense 'sufficient estate to allow discharge of a will']: from an Anglo-Norman French legal term, from Old French asez 'enough,' based on Latin ad 'to' + satis 'enoug

asseveration

the solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something Origin mid 16th century: from Latin asseveratio[n-], from the verb asseverare, from ad- 'to' + severus 'serious.'

assiduous

synonyms: diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough, sedulous, attentive, conscientious, punctilious, painstaking, rigorous, particular; persevering ";she was assiduous in pointing out every feat Origin mid 16th century: from Latin assiduus, from assidere 'be engaged in doing' [see assess], + -ous.

assuage

make [ansynonyms:relieve, ease, alleviate, soothe, mitigate, allay, palliate, abate, suppress, subdue; moderate, lessen, diminish, reduce ";a pain that could never be assuaged"OriginMiddle English: from Old French assouagier, asouagier, based on Latin ad- 'to' [expressing change] + suavis 'sweet.

assume

synonyms:presume, suppose, take it [as given], take for granted, take as read, conjecture, surmise, conclude, deduce, infer, reckon, reason, think, fancy, believe, understand, gather, figure ";I assumed he wanted me tOriginlate Middle English: from Latin assumere, from ad- 'toward' + sumere 'take.

astringent

causing the contraction of body tis synonyms: constricting, constrictive, contracting; styptic ";the lotion has an astringent effect on pores"; Origin mid 16th century: from French, from Latin astringent- 'pulling tight,' from the verb astringere, from ad- 'toward' + stringere 'bind, pull tight.'

attain

synonyms: achieve, accomplish, reach, obtain, gain, procure, secure, get, hook, net, win, earn, acquire; realize, fulfill; inform Origin Middle English [in the senses 'bring to justice' and 'reach [a state]']: from Old French ateindre, from Latin attingere, from ad- 'at, to' + tangere 'to touch.'

attenuate

reduce the force, effect, o synonyms: weakened, reduced, lessened, decreased, diminished, impaired ";the patient's muscle activity was much attenuated"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin attenuat- 'made slender,' from the verb attenuare, from ad- 'to' + tenuare 'make thin' [from tenuis 'thin'].

attest

synonyms: certify, corroborate, confirm, verify, substantiate, authenticate, evidence, demonstrate, show, prove; endorse, support, affirm, bear out, give credence Origin early 16th century: from French attester, from Latin attestari, from ad- 'to' + testari 'to witness' [from testis 'a witness'].

attrition

the action o synonyms: wearing down, wearing away, weakening, debilitation, enfeebling, sapping, attenuation; gradual loss ";the battle would result in further attrition of their already lame naval force"; Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from late Latin attritio[n-], from atterere 'to rub.'

audacious

synonyms: bold, daring, fearless, intrepid, brave, courageous, valiant, heroic, plucky; daredevil, devil-may-care, reckless, madcap; venturesome, mettlesome; informalgutsy, gutty, spunky, ballsy, skookum; liter Origin mid 16th century: from Latin audax, audac- 'bold' [from audere 'dare'] + -ious.

augment

synonyms: increase, add to, supplement, build up, enlarge, expand, extend, raise, multiply, swell, grow; magnify, amplify, escalate; improve, boost; informalup, Origin late Middle English: from Old French augmenter [verb], augment [noun], or late Latin augmentare, from Latin augere 'to increase.'

augur

synonyms: bode, portend, herald, be a sign of, warn of, forewarn of, foreshadow, be an omen of, presage, indicate, signify, signal, promise, threaten, spell, denote; predict, prophesy; literarybetoken, foretoken, forebode ";the war he Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Latin, 'diviner.'

auspice

a divine or prophetic token Origin mid 16th century [originally denoting the observation of bird flight in divination]: from French, or from Latin auspicium, from auspex 'observer of birds,' from avis 'bird' + specere 'to look.'

aver

state or assert to be the case Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'declare or confirm to be true']: from Old French averer, based on Latin ad 'to' [implying 'cause to be'] + verus 'true.'

avocation

a hobby or minor occupationOriginmid 17th century: from Latin avocatio[n-], from avocare 'call away,' from ab- 'from' + vocare 'to call.

avouch

affirm or assert Origin late 15th century: from Old French avochier, from Latin advocare 'summon in defense,' from ad- 'to' + vocare 'to call.'

awry

away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course; amiss synonyms: amiss, wrong; informalup ";something was awry"; Origin late Middle English: from a-2 'on' + wry.

baleful

synonyms: menacing, threatening, unfriendly, hostile, antagonistic, evil, evil-intentioned, vindictive, wicked, nasty, bitter, acrimonious, malevolent, malicious, malignant, malign, sinister; harmful, injurious, dangerous, destructive, noxious, pern Origin Old English bealufull [see bale2, -ful].

balk

Origin late Old English balc, from Old Norse bÃ¡lkr 'partition.' The original use was 'unplowed ridge,' in late Middle English 'land left unplowed by mistake,' hence 'blunder, omission' [giving rise to the verb sense 'miss [a chance]']. A late Middle English sense 'obstacle' gave rise to the verb s

banter

the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks synonyms: repartee, witty conversation, raillery, wordplay, cut and thrust, kidding, ribbing, badinage, joshing ";a brief exchange of banter"; Origin late 17th century: of unknown origin.

bedlam

synonyms:uproar, pandemonium, commotion, mayhem, confusion, disorder, chaos, anarchy, lawlessness; furor, upheaval, hubbub, hoopla, turmoil, riot, Originlate Middle English: early form of Bethlehem, referring to the hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem in London, used as an institution for the insane

behemoth

a huge or monstrous creatureOriginlate Middle English: from Hebrew bÄhÄmÅá¹¯, intensive plural of bÄhÄmÄh 'beast.

belabor

synonyms: overelaborate, labor, dwell on, harp on about, hammer away at; overdo, overplay, overdramatize, make too much of, place too much emphasis on; informalbeat to death, drag out, make a big thing of, blow out o Origin late Middle English: from be- [expressing transitivity] + the verb labor.

beleaguer

lay siege to synonyms: besieged, under siege, blockaded, surrounded, encircled, beset, hemmed in, under attack ";the beleaguered garrison"; Origin late 16th century: from Dutch belegeren 'camp around,' from be- '[all] around' + leger 'a camp.'

bellicose

synonyms: belligerent, aggressive, hostile, warlike, warmongering, hawkish, antagonistic, pugnacious, truculent, confrontational, contentious, militant, combative; informalspoiling for a fight, scrappy Origin late Middle English: from Latin bellicosus, from bellicus 'warlike,' from bellum 'war.'

bigot

a person who is intolerant toward those holding differ synonyms: chauvinist, partisan, sectarian; racist, sexist, homophobe, dogmatist, jingoist ";he comes off as a naÃ¯ve, close-minded bigot"; Origin late 16th century [denoting a superstitious religious hypocrite]: from French, of unknown origin.

billow

a large undulating mass of something, typically cloud, smoke, or steam synonyms: cloud, mass ";billows of smoke"; Origin mid 16th century: from Old Norse bylgja .

blandishment

a flattering or pleasing statement or action used to persuade someone gently to do something synonyms: flattery, cajolery, coaxing, wheedling, persuasion, palaver, honeyed words, smooth talk, blarney; informalsweet talk, soft soap, buttering up, smarm ";the blandishments of advertisers";

blatant

Origin late 16th century: perhaps an alteration of Scots blatand 'bleating' It was first used by Spenser as an epithet for a thousand-tongued monster produced by Cerberus and Chimera, a symbol of calumny, which he called the blatant beast . It was subsequently used to mean 'clamorous, offensive to

blinkered

[of a horse] wearing blinders synonyms: narrow-minded, inward-looking, parochial, provincial, insular, small-minded, close-minded, shortsighted; hidebound, illiberal, inflexible, entrenched, prejudiced ";blinkered politicians must be challenged by the voters";

blithe

showing a casual and cheerful indifference co synonyms: casual, indifferent, unconcerned, unworried, untroubled, uncaring, careless, heedless, thoughtless; nonchalant, blasÃ© ";a blithe disregard for the rules"; Origin Old English blÄ«the, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch blijde, also to bliss.

bolster

synonyms: strengthen, reinforce, boost, fortify, renew; support, sustain, buoy up, prop up, shore up, maintain, aid, help; augment, increase ";an occasional word of thanks wou Origin Old English [in the sense 'long, thick pillow'], of Germanic origin; related to Dutch bolster and German Polster .

bombastic

high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated synonyms: pompous, blustering, turgid, verbose, orotund, high-flown, high-sounding, overwrought, pretentious, ostentatious, grandiloquent; informalhighfalutin, puffed up; rarefustian ";his bombastic speeches could send thousands into the streets";

boor

synonyms: lout, oaf, ruffian, thug, yahoo, barbarian, Neanderthal, brute, beast, lubber; informalclod, roughneck, troglodyte, knuckle-dragger, pig, peasant ";a civilized affair guarant Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'peasant']: from Low German bÅ«r or Dutch boer 'farmer.' Compare with Boer.

bourgeois

of or characteristic of the middle class, typically with reference to its perc synonyms: middle-class, propertied; conventional, conservative, conformist; provincial, suburban, small-town; informalwhite-bread ";a bourgeois family"; Origin mid 16th century: from French bourg. Compare with burgess.

brash

self-assertive in a rude, noisy, synonyms: self-assertive, pushy, cocksure, cocky, self-confident, arrogant, bold, audacious, brazen, bumptious, overweening, puffed up; More forward, impudent, insolent, rude ";a brash man"; Origin early 19th century [originally dialect]; perhaps a form of rash1.

brevet

a former type of military commission conferred especially for outstanding service by which an officer was promoted to a higher rank without the cor Origin late Middle English [denoting an official letter, especially a papal indulgence]: from Old French brievet 'little letter,' diminutive of bref .

breviary

a book containing the service for each day, to be recited by those in orders in the Roman Catholic Church Origin late Middle English [also denoting an abridged version of the psalms]: from Latin breviarium 'summary, abridgment,' from breviare 'abridge,' from brevis 'short, brief.'

broadside

a nearly simultaneous firing of all the guns from one side of a warship synonyms: salvo, volley, cannonade, barrage, blast, fusillade ";the gunners fired broadsides";

bromide

2.a trite and unoriginal idea or remark, typically intended to soothe or placate."feel-good bromides create the illusion of problem solving"

brook

synonyms: tolerate, allow, stand, bear, abide, put up with, endure; accept, permi Origin Old English brÅ«can 'use, possess,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch bruiken and German brauchen . The current sense dates from the mid 16th century, a figurative use of an earlier sense 'digest, stomach.'

brummagem

cheap, showy, or counterfeitOriginmid 17th century: dialect form of Birmingham, England, with reference to counterfeit coins and plated goods once made there

buck

oppose or resist (something that seems oppressive or inevitable)."the shares bucked the market trend"synonyms: resist, oppose, defy, fight, kick against"it takes guts to buck the system"

burnish

polish [something, especially metal] by rubbing synonyms: polish, shine, buff, rub, gloss ";marks can be removed by burnishing the metal"; Origin Middle English: from Old French burniss-, lengthened stem of burnir, variant of brunir 'make brown,' from brun 'brown.'

bursar

a person who manages the financial affairs of a college or university Origin late Middle English: from French boursier or [sense 1] medieval Latin bursarius, from bursa 'bag, purse' [see bursa].

bursary

a scholarship to attend a college or university Origin late 17th century [sense 2]: from medieval Latin bursaria, from bursa 'bag, purse' [see bursa].

cacophony

a harsh, discordant mixture of soundssynonyms:din, racket, noise, clamor, discord, dissonance, discordance, uproar ";despite the cacophony, Rita slept on"Originmid 17th century: from French cacophonie, from Greek kakophÅnia, from kakophÅnos 'ill-sounding,' from kakos 'bad' + phÅnÄ 'sound.

cadaver

a corpse synonyms: corpse, body, dead body, remains, carcass; informalstiff; archaiccorse ";each student is assigned a cadaver"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin, from cadere 'to fall.'

cadge

Origin early 17th century [in the dialect sense 'carry around']: back-formation from the noun cadger, which dates from the late 15th century, denoting [in northern English and Scots] an itinerant dealer, whence the verb sense 'hawk, peddle,' giving rise to the current verb senses from the early 19

caitiff

a contemptible or cowardly person Origin Middle English [denoting a captive or prisoner]: from Old French caitif 'captive,' based on Latin captivus '[person] taken captive' [see captive].

caldron

a large metal pot with a lid and handle, used for cooking over an open fire synonyms: pot, kettle ";a black cast-iron cauldron"; Origin Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French caudron, based on Latin caldarium, calidarium 'cooking pot,' from calidus 'hot.'

callipygian

having well-shaped buttocksOriginlate 18th century: from Greek kallipÅ«gos [used to describe a famous statue of Venus], from kallos 'beauty' + pÅ«gÄ 'buttocks,' + -ian

callow

synonyms:immature, inexperienced, juvenile, adolescent, naive, green, raw, untried, unworldly, unsophisticated; informalwet behind the ears ";she toyed OriginOld English calu 'bald'; probably from Latin calvus 'bald.' This was extended to mean 'unfledged,' which led to the present sense 'immature.

calorific

relating to the amount of energy contained in food or fuel Origin late 17th century: from Latin calorificus, from calor 'heat.'

calumny

the synonyms: slander, defamation [of character], character assassination, libel; vilification, traducement, obloquy, verbal abuse; informalmudslinging, trash-talk; rarecontumely ";voters were tired of the candidates' endless barrage of calumny"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin calumnia .

camarilla

a small group of people, especially a group of advisers to a ruler or politician, with a shared, typically nefarious, purpose Origin mid 19th century: from Spanish, diminutive of camara 'chamber.'

candor

synonyms: frankness, openness, honesty, candidness, truthfulness, sincerity, forthrightness, directness, plai Origin late Middle English [in the Latin sense]: from Latin candor 'whiteness.' The current sense dates from the mid 18th century; the development of the senses paralleled that of candid.

canny

synonyms: shrewd, astute, smart, sharp, sharp-witted, discerning, penetrating, discriminating, perceptive, perspicacious, wise, worldly-wise, sagacious; cunning, crafty, wily, as sharp as a tack, savvy; dat Origin late 16th century [originally Scots]: from can1 [in the obsolete sense 'know'] + -y

canonic

in canon form Origin Old English [as a noun]: from Old French canonique or Latin canonicus 'canonical,' from Greek kanonikos, from kanon 'rule' [see canon1]. The adjective dates from the late 15th century.

cant

Origin early 16th century: probably from Latin cantare 'to sing' [see chant]. The early meaning was 'musical sound, singing'; in the mid 17th century this gave rise to the senses 'whining manner of speaking' and 'form of words repeated mechanically in such a manner' [for example a beggar's plea],

cantankerous

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperativeOriginmid 18th century: of unknown origin; perhaps a blend of Anglo-Irish cant 'auction' and rancorous [see rancor]

capriccio

a lively piece of music, typically Origin early 17th century [denoting a sudden change of mind]: from Italian, literally 'head with the hair standing on end,' hence 'horror,' later 'a sudden start' [influenced by capra 'goat,' associated with frisky movement], from capo 'head' + riccio 'hedgehog.'

capricious

given to sudden and unaccount synonyms: fickle, inconstant, changeable, variable, mercurial, volatile, unpredictable, temperamental; whimsical, fanciful, flighty, quirky, faddish ";the capricious workings of fate"; Origin early 17th century: from French capricieux, from Italian [see capriccioso].

capstan

a revolving cylinder with a vertical axis used for winding a rope or cable, powered by a motor or pushed around by levers Origin late Middle English: from ProvenÃ§al cabestan, from cabestre 'halter,' from Latin capistrum, from capere 'seize.'

captious

[of a person] tending to find fault or raise petty objections Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'intended to deceive someone']: from Old French captieux or Latin captiosus, from captio[n-] 'seizing,' [figuratively] 'deceiving' [see caption].

carping

synonyms: complain, cavil, grumble, grouse, whine, bleat, nag; informalgripe, grouch, beef, bellyache, moan, bitch, whinge, kvetch ";they could always find som Origin Middle English [in the sense 'talk, chatter']: from Old Norse karpa 'brag'; later influenced by Latin carpere 'pluck at, slander.'

castigate

synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, admonish, chastise, chide, censure, upbraid, reprove, reproach, scold, berate, take to task, lambaste, give someone a piece of one's mind; informalrake/haul over the coals, tell off Origin early 17th century: from Latin castigare 'reprove,' from castus 'pure, chaste.'

cataclysm

synonyms: disaster, catastrophe, calamity, tragedy, devastation, holocaust, ruin, ruination, upheaval, Origin early 17th century [originally denoting the biblical Flood described in Genesis]: from French cataclysme, via Latin from Greek kataklusmos 'deluge,' from kata- 'down' + kluzein 'to wash.'

catalysis

the acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst Origin mid 19th century: from modern Latin, from Greek katalusis, from kataluein 'dissolve,' from kata- 'down' + luein 'loosen.'

catharsis

synonyms: emotional release, relief, release, venting; purging, purgation, purification, cleansing; abreac Origin early 19th century [sense 2]: from Greek katharsis, from kathairein 'cleanse,' from katharos 'pure.' The notion of "release" through drama [sense 1] derives from Aristotle's Poetics .

caucus

a meeting of the members of a legislative body who are members of a pa synonyms: meeting, assembly, gathering, congress, conference, convention, rally, convocation ";caucuses will be held in eleven states"; Origin mid 18th century [originally US]: perhaps from Algonquian cau'-cau'-as'u 'adviser.'

caustic

able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical actionsynonyms:corrosive, corroding, abrasive, mordant, acid ";a caustic cleaner"Originlate Middle English: via Latin from Greek kaustikos, from kaustos 'combustible,' from kaiein 'to burn.

cauterize

burn the skin or flesh of [a wound] with a heated instrument or caustic substance, typically to stop bleeding or prevent the wound from Originlate Middle English: from Old French cauteriser, from late Latin cauterizare, from Greek kautÄriazein, from kautÄrion 'branding iron,' from kaiein 'to burn.

cavalier

a supporter of King Charles I in the English Civil Warsynonyms:horseman, equestrian; Morecavalryman, trooper, knight ";foot soldiers and cavaliers"Originmid 16th century: from French, from Italian cavaliere, based on Latin caballus 'horse.' Compare with caballero and chevalier

cavil

make petty or unnecessary objections Origin mid 16th century: from French caviller, from Latin cavillari, from cavilla 'mockery.'

celerity

swiftness of movement Origin late 15th century: from Old French celerite, from Latin celeritas, from celer 'swift.'

certain

synonyms:unquestionable, sure, definite, beyond question, not in doubt, indubitable, undeniable, irrefutable, indisputable; obvious, evident, recognized, confirmed, accepted, acknowledged, undisputed, undoubted, unquestionOriginMiddle English: from Old French, based on Latin certus 'settled, sure.

cession

the formal giving up of rights, property, or territory, especially by a stateOriginlate Middle English: from Latin cession-, from cedere 'cede.

chagrin

synonyms: annoyance, irritation, vexation, exasperation, displeasure, dissatisfaction, discontent; anger, rage, fury, wrath, indignation, resentm Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'melancholy']: from French chagrin [noun], literally 'rough skin, shagreen,' chagriner [verb], of unknown origin.

charnel

short for charnel house Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from medieval Latin carnale, neuter [used as a noun] of carnalis 'relating to flesh' [see carnal].

chicane

an artificial narrowing or turn on a road or auto-racing course Origin late 17th century [in the senses 'chicanery' and 'use chicanery']: from French chicane [noun], chicaner [verb] 'quibble,' of unknown origin.

chimera

[in Greek mythology] a fire-breathing f synonyms: illusion, fantasy, delusion, dream, daydream, pipe dream, figment of the/one's imagination, castle in the air, mirage ";is this great love of hers merely a chimera?"; Origin late Middle English: via Latin from Greek khimaira 'she-goat or chimera.'

choleric

synonyms:bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, angry, grumpy, grouchy, crotchety, testy, cranky, crusty, cantankerous, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, peevish, cross, fracOriginMiddle English [in the sense 'bilious']: from Old French cholerique, via Latin from Greek kholerikos, from kholera [see choler]

chortle

laugh in a breathy, gleeful way; chucklesynonyms:chuckle, laugh, giggle, titter, tee-hee, snigger ";they were chortling behind their hands, as if we didn't notice"Origin1871: coined by Lewis Carroll in Through the Looking Glass ; probably a blend of chuckle and snort

churlish

rude in a mean-spirited and surly way synonyms: rude, ill-mannered, ill-bred, discourteous, impolite, unmannerly, uncivil, unchivalrous; inconsiderate, uncharitable, surly, sullen ";it seemed churlish to refuse her invitation"; Origin Old English cierlisc, ceorlisc [see churl, -ish1].

chutzpah

shameless audacity; impudence synonyms: audacity, cheek, guts, nerve, boldness, temerity ";it took a lot of chutzpah for her to walk in on Owen's bachelor party"; Origin late 19th century: Yiddish, from Aramaic á¸¥u á¹£pÄ .

cincture

a girdle or belt Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'encircling or enclosure']: from Latin cinctura, from cinct- 'encircled,' from the verb cingere .

circumvent

find a way around [an obstacle] synonyms: avoid, get around, get past, evade, bypass, sidestep, dodge; informalduck ";the checkpoints were easy to circumvent"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin circumvent- 'skirted around,' from the verb circumvenire, from circum 'around' + venire 'come.'

circumvolution

a winding movement, especially of one thing around another Origin late Middle English: from Latin circumvolut- 'rolled around,' from the verb circumvolvere, from circum 'around' + volvere 'roll.'

claim

state or assert that something is the case, typical synonyms: assert, declare, profess, maintain, state, hold, affirm, avow; argue, contend, allege; formalaver ";Davies claimed that she was lying"; Origin Middle English: from Old French claime [noun], clamer [verb], from Latin clamare 'call out.'

clairvoyant

synonyms: psychic, fortune teller, crystal gazer; medium, spiritualist; telepath, mind-reader ";a woman c Origin late 17th century [in the sense 'clear-sighted, perceptive']: from French, from clair 'clear' + voyant 'seeing' [from voir 'to see']. The current sense dates from the mid 19th century.

clamour

a loud and confu synonyms: din, racket, rumpus, loud noise, uproar, tumult, shouting, yelling, screaming, roaring; commotion, brouhaha, hue and cry, hubbub, hullabaloo, hoopla ";her voice rose above the clamor"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin clamor, from clamare 'cry out.'

climax

synonyms: peak, pinnacle, height, high[est] point, top; acme, zenith; culmination, crowning point, crown, crest; highlight, high spot, high-water mar Origin mid 16th century [in rhetoric]: from late Latin, from Greek klimax 'ladder, climax.' The sense 'culmination' arose in the late 18th century.

cloister

a covered walk in a convent synonyms: walkway, covered walk, arcade, loggia, gallery ";the convent's shadowed cloisters"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'place of religious seclusion']: from Old French cloistre, from Latin claustrum, clostrum 'lock, enclosed place,' from claudere 'to close.'

coagulate

[of a fluid, especially blood] change to a solid or semisolid state synonyms: congeal, clot, thicken, jell; solidify, harden, set, dry ";a drug that helps the blood to coagulate"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin coagulat- 'curdled,' from the verb coagulare, from coagulum 'rennet.'

cogent

synonyms: convincing, compelling, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, weighty, impactful, effective; valid, sound, plausible, telling; impressive, persuasive, eloquent, credible, inf Origin mid 17th century: from Latin cogent- 'compelling,' from the verb cogere, from co- 'together' + agere 'drive

cogitate

synonyms: think about/on/over, contemplate, consider, mull over, meditate on, muse on/over, ponder, reflect on, deliberate on/over, ruminate on/over; dwell on, Origin late 16th century: from Latin cogitat- 'considered,' from the verb cogitare, from co- 'together' + agitare 'turn over, consider.'

collate

collect synonyms: collect, gather, accumulate, assemble; combine, aggregate, put together; arrange, organize ";the system is used to collate information"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'confer [a benefice] upon']: from Latin collat- 'brought together,' from the verb conferre [see confer].

collide

hit wi synonyms: crash into, hit, strike, impact, run into, bump into, meet head-on, cannon into, plow into, barrel into ";the trains collided with each other"; Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'cause to collide']: from Latin collidere, from col- 'together' + laedere 'to strike or damage.'

colossus

a statue that is much bigger than life sizeOriginlate Middle English: via Latin from Greek kolossos [applied by Herodotus to the statues of Egyptian temples]

colporteur

a peddler of books, newspapers, and similar literature Origin late 18th century: French, from the verb colporter, probably an alteration of comporter, from Latin comportare 'carry with one.'

comely

[typically of a woman] pleasant to look at; attractive Origin Middle English: probably shortened from becomely 'fitting, becoming,' from become.

commensurate

synonyms:equivalent, equal, corresponding, correspondent, comparable, proportionate, proportional ";they had privileges but commensurate duties";appropriate to, in keeOriginmid 17th century: from late Latin commensuratus, from com- 'together' + mensuratus, past participle of mensurare 'to measure.

compatible

[of two things] able to exist or occur together without conflict synonyms: well suited, suited, well matched, like-minded, in tune, in harmony; reconcilable ";they were never compatible"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from medieval Latin compatibilis, from compati 'suffer with.'

compel

synonyms:force, pressure, press, push, urge; dragoon, browbeat, bully, intimidate, strong-arm; oblige, require, make; informallean on, put the screws on ";he compelled them to leave their land";exact, extort, dOriginlate Middle English: from Latin compellere, from com- 'together' + pellere 'drive.

compendious

synonyms: succinct, pithy, short and to the point, concise, compact, condensed, compressed, abridged, summarized, synoptic, capsule; informalsnap Origin late Middle English: from Old French compendieux, from Latin compendiosus 'advantageous, brief,' from compendium 'profit, saving, abbreviation.'

compendium

a coll synonyms: collection, compilation, anthology, treasury, digest; summary, synopsis, prÃ©cis, outline ";a compendium of Civil War narratives"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin,'profit, saving' [literally 'what is weighed together'], from compendere, from com- 'together' + pendere 'weigh.'

compete

synonyms: take part, participate, play, be a competitor, be involved; enter ";they competed in a tennis tournament"; contend with, vie with, battle Origin early 17th century: from Latin competere, in its late sense 'strive or contend for [something],' from com- 'together' + petere 'aim at, seek.'

complicate

synonyms:make [more] difficult, make complicated, mix up, confuse, muddle; informalmess up, screw up, snarl up ";involOriginearly 17th century [in the sense 'combine, entangle, intertwine']: from Latin complicat- 'folded together,' from the verb complicare, from com- 'together' + plicare 'to fold.

comport

conduct oneself; behave synonyms: behave, conduct oneself, act, acquit oneself; archaicdeport oneself ";try to comport yourself with a little dignity"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'tolerate']: from Latin comportare, from com- 'together' + portare 'carry, bear.'

compunction

synonyms: scruples, misgivings, qualms, worries, unease, uneasiness, doubts, reluctance, reservations; Origin Middle English: from Old French componction, from ecclesiastical Latin compunctio[n-], from Latin compungere 'prick sharply,' from com- [expressing intensive force] + pungere 'to prick.'

concede

admit that something is true or valid after first denying or res synonyms: admit, acknowledge, accept, allow, grant, recognize, own, confess; agree ";I had to concede that I'd overreacted"; Origin late 15th century: from French concÃ©der or Latin concedere, from con- 'completely' + cedere 'yield.'

concern

synonyms: be about, deal with, have to do with, cover; discuss, go into, examine, study, review, analyze; relate to, p Origin late Middle English: from French concerner or late Latin concernere [in medieval Latin 'be relevant to'], from con- [expressing intensive force] + cernere 'sift, discern.'

conciliate

stop [someone] fr synonyms: appease, placate, pacify, mollify, assuage, soothe, humor, reconcile, win over, make peace with ";he tried to conciliate the peasantry"; Origin mid 16th century [sense 2]: from Latin conciliat- 'combined, gained,' from the verb conciliare, from concilium [see council].

concomitant

synonyms: attendant, accompanying, associated, related, connected; resultant, consequent ";the rise of urbanism brought a concomitant risk Origin early 17th century: from late Latin concomitant- 'accompanying,' from concomitari, from con- 'together with' + comitari, from Latin comes 'companion.'

concord

agreement or harmony between people or gro synonyms: agreement, harmony, accord, consensus, concurrence, unity ";council meetings rarely ended in concord"; Origin Middle English: from Old French concorde, from Latin concordia, from concors 'of one mind,' from con- 'together' + cor, cord- 'heart.'

concubine

[in polygamous societies] a woman who lives with a man but synonyms:mistress, courtesan, kept woman; lover, paramour; archaicdoxy; historicalhetaera ";she was the reluctant concubine of Prince Percival"OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin concubina, from con- 'with' + cubare 'to lie.

condone

accept and allow [behavior thsynonyms:disregard, accept, allow, let pass, turn a blind eye to, overlook, forget; forgive, pardon, excuse, let go ";we cannot condone such dreadful behavior"Originmid 19th century: from Latin condonare 'refrain from punishing,' from con- 'altogether' + donare 'give.

confabulate

engage in conversation; talk Origin early 17th century: from Latin confabulat- 'chatted together,' from the verb confabulari, from con- 'together' + fabulari [from fabula 'fable'].

conflagration

an ext synonyms: fire, blaze, flames, inferno, firestorm ";the conflagration spread rapidly through the wooden buildings"; Origin late 15th century [denoting consumption by fire]: from Latin conflagratio[n-], from the verb conflagrare, from con- [expressing intensive force] + flagrare 'to blaze.'

conflate

synonyms: mix, blend, fuse, unite, integrate ";the plot gets weighed down when the writers conflate too many issues into one e Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'fuse or melt down metal']: from Latin conflat- 'kindled, fused,' from the verb conflare, from con- 'together' + flare 'to blow.'

conform

synonyms: comply with, abide by, obey, observe, follow, keep to, stick to, adhere to, uphold, heed, accept, go along with, fall i Origin Middle English [in the sense 'make [something] like another thing']: from Old French conformer, from Latin conformare, from con- 'together' + formare 'to form.'

congregate

synonyms: assemble, gather, collect, come together, convene, rally, rendezvous, muster, meet, cluster, group ";huge crowds o Origin late Middle English: from Latin congregat- 'collected [into a flock], united,' from the verb congregare, from con- 'together' + gregare [from grex, greg- 'a flock'].

congruent

in agreement or harmonyOriginlate Middle English: from Latin congruent- 'agreeing, meeting together,' from the verb congruere, from con- 'together' + ruere 'fall or rush.

congruous

in agreement or harmonyOriginlate 16th century: from Latin congruus, from congruere 'agree' [see congruent], + -ous

conjecture

synonyms: speculation, guesswork, surmise, fancy, presumption, assumption, theory, postulation, supposi Origin late Middle English [in the senses 'to divine' and 'divination']: from Old French, or from Latin conjectura, from conicere 'put together in thought,' from con- 'together' + jacere 'throw

connect

synonyms: attach, join, fasten, fix, affix, couple, link, secure, hitch; stick, adhere, fuse, pin, screw, bolt, clamp, clip, hook [up]; add Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'be united physically'; rare before the 18th century]: from Latin connectere, from con- 'together' + nectere 'bind.'

consanguineous

relating to or denoting people descended from the same ancestor Origin early 17th century: from Latin consanguineus 'of the same blood' [from con- 'together' + sanguis 'blood'] + -ous.

consecrate

synonyms:sanctify, bless, make holy, make sacred; dedicate to God, devote, reserve, set apart; anoint, ordain; Originlate Middle English: from Latin consecrat- 'dedicated, devoted as sacred,' from the verb consecrare, from con- [expressing intensive force] + sacrare 'dedicate,' from sacer 'sacred.

consequential

following as a result or effe synonyms: resulting, resultant, ensuing, consequent; following, subsequent; attendant, accompanying, concomitant; collateral, associated, related ";a fire and the consequential smoke damage"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin consequentia [see consequence] + -al.

constrict

make narrower, especially by enci synonyms: narrow, make narrower, tighten, compress, contract, squeeze, strangle, strangulate; archaicstraiten ";fat constricts the blood vessels"; Origin mid 18th century: from Latin constrict- 'bound tightly together,' from the verb constringere [see constrain].

consummate

synonyms:complete, conclude, finish, accomplish, achieve; exOriginlate Middle English [as an adjective in the sense 'completed, accomplished']: from Latin consummat- 'brought to completion,' from the verb consummare, from con- 'altogether' + summa 'sum total,' feminine of summus 'highest, supreme.

contagion

synonyms: disease, infection, illness, plague, blight; informalbug, virus; archaicpestilence ";European ships transported contagions to and from the New Origin late Middle English [denoting a contagious disease]: from Latin contagio[n-], from con- 'together with' + the base of tangere 'to touch.'

contend

stru synonyms: cope with, face, grapple with, deal with, take on, pit oneself against ";the pilot had to contend with torrential rain"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'compete for [something]']: from Old French contendre or Latin contendere, from con- 'with' + tendere 'stretch, strive.'

contiguous

sharing a co synonyms: adjacent, neighboring, adjoining, bordering, next-door; abutting, connecting, touching, in contact, proximate ";the contiguous Gulf states"; Origin early 16th century: from Latin contiguus 'touching,' from the verb contingere 'be in contact, befall' [see contingent] + -ous.

contingent

Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'of uncertain occurrence']: from Latin contingere 'befall,' from con- 'together with' + tangere 'to touch.' The noun sense was originally 'something happening by chance,' then 'a person's share resulting from a division, a quota'; the current sense dates fr

contort

twist or bend out of its normal shapesynonyms:twist, bend out of shape, distort, misshape, warp, buckle, deform ";her face was contorted with grief"Originlate Middle English: from Latin contort- 'twisted around, brandished,' from the verb contorquere, from con- 'together' + torquere 'twist.

contrite

synonyms: remorseful, repentant, penitent, regretful, sorry, apologetic, rueful, sheepish, hangdog, ashamed, chastened, shamefaced, cons Origin Middle English: from Old French contrit, from Latin contritus, past participle of conterere 'grind down, wear away,' from con- 'together' + terere 'rub.'

contrive

synonyms: bring about, engineer, manufacture, orchestrate, stage-manage, create, devise, concoct, construct, plan, fabricate, plot, hatch; informalwangle, set Origin Middle English: from Old French contreuve-, stressed stem of controver 'imagine, invent,' from medieval Latin contropare 'compare.'

contumacious

[especially of a defendant's behavior] stubbornly or willfully disobedient to authority Origin late 16th century: from Latin contumax, contumac- [perhaps from con- 'with' + tumere 'to swell'] + -ious.

contuse

injure [a part of the body] without breaking the skin, forming a bruise Origin late Middle English: from Latin contus- 'bruised, crushed,' from the verb contundere, from con- 'together' + tundere 'beat, thump.'

conurbation

an extended urban area, typically consisting of several towns merging with the suburbs of one or more citiesOriginearly 20th century: from con- 'together' + Latin urbs, urb- 'city' + -ation

convalesce

recover one's health and strength over a period of time after a synonyms: recuperate, get better, recover, get well, get back on one's feet ";he went abroad to convalesce"; Origin late 15th century: from Latin convalescere, from con- 'altogether' + valescere 'grow strong' [from valere 'be well'].

conversant

synonyms: familiar with, acquainted with, au fait with, au courant with, at home with, well versed in, well Origin Middle English: from Old French, present participle of converser [see converse1]. The original sense was 'habitually spending time in a particular place or with a particular person.'

convivial

synonyms: friendly, genial, affable, amiable, congenial, agreeable, good-humored, cordial, warm, sociable, outgoing, gregarious, companionable, cl Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'fit for a feast, festive']: from Latin convivialis, from convivium 'a feast,' from con- 'with' + vivere 'live.'

convocation

a large formal assembly of peoplesynonyms:assembly, gathering, meeting, conference, convention, congress, council, symposium, colloquium, conclave, synod ";a convocation of church leaders"Originlate Middle English: from Latin convocatio[n-], from the verb convocare [see convoke]

convoluted

synonyms:complicated, complex, involved, elaborate, serpentine, labyrinthine, tortuous, tangled, Byzantine; Rube Goldberg; confused, confusing, bewiOriginlate 18th century: past participle of convolute, from Latin convolutus, past participle of convolvere 'roll together, intertwine' [see convolve]

convolve

roll or coil together; entwineOriginlate 16th century [in the sense 'enclose in folds']: from Latin convolvere 'roll together,' from con- 'together' + volvere 'roll.

coquette

a woman who flirts Origin mid 17th century: French, feminine of coquet 'wanton,' diminutive of coq 'cock.'

corps

a main subdivision of an armed force in the field, consisting of two or more divisions synonyms: unit, division, detachment, section, company, contingent, squad, squadron, regiment, battalion, brigade, platoon ";an army corps"; Origin late 16th century: from French, from Latin corpus 'body.'

corpulent

synonyms: fat, obese, overweight, plump, portly, stout, chubby, paunchy, beer-bellied, heavy, bulky, chunky, well upholstered, well padded, well covered, meaty, fleshy, rotund, broad in the beam; informaltubby, pudgy, beefy, Origin late Middle English: from Latin corpulentus, from corpus 'body.'

corroborate

synonyms: confirm, verify, endorse, ratify, authenticate, validate, certify; support, back up, uphold, bear Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'make physically stronger']: from Latin corroborat- 'strengthened,' from the verb corroborare, from cor- 'together' + roborare, from robur 'strength.'

coruscate

[of light] flash or sparkle Origin early 18th century: from Latin coruscat- 'glittered,' from the verb coruscare .

Cosset

synonyms: pamper, indulge, overindulge, mollycoddle, coddle, baby, pet, mother, nanny, nursemaid, pander to, spoil Origin mid 16th century [as a noun denoting a lamb brought up by hand, later a spoiled child]: probably from Anglo-Norman French coscet 'cottager,' from Old English cotsÇ£ta 'cottar.'

coterminous

having the same boundaries or extent in space, time, or meaning Origin late 18th century: alteration of conterminous.

council

synonyms: advisory body, board, committee, brain trust, commission, assembly, panel; synod, co Origin Old English [in the sense 'ecclesiastical assembly']: from Anglo-Norman French cuncile, from Latin concilium 'convocation, assembly,' from con- 'together' + calare 'summon.' Compare with counsel.

countenance

synonyms: face, features, physiognomy, profile; [facial] expression, look, appearance, aspect, mien; informalmug Origin Middle English: from Old French contenance 'bearing, behavior,' from contenir [see contain]. The early sense was 'bearing, demeanor,' also 'facial expression,' hence 'the face.'

countermand

synonyms: revoke, rescind, reverse, undo, repeal, retract, withdraw, quash, overturn, overrule, cancel, annul, invalidate, nullify, n Origin late Middle English: from Old French contremander [verb], contremand [noun], from medieval Latin contramandare, from contra- 'against' + mandare 'to order.'

countervail

offset the effect of [something] by countering it with something of equal force Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'be equivalent to in value, compensate for']: from Anglo-Norman French contrevaloir, from Latin contra valere 'be of worth against.'

covenanted

agree, especially by synonyms: undertake, contract, guarantee, pledge, promise, agree, engage, warrant, commit oneself, bind oneself ";the landlord covenants to repair the property"; Origin Middle English: from Old French, present participle of covenir 'agree,' from Latin convenire [see convene].

coveted

yearn to possess synonyms:desire, yearn for, crave, have one's heart set on, want, wish for, long for, hanker after/for, hunger after/for, thirst for ";even with all they have, they covet the wealth of others"OriginMiddle English: from Old French cuveitier, based on Latin cupiditas [see cupidity]

coy

synonyms: arch, simpering, coquettish, flirtatious, kitte Origin Middle English: from Old French coi, quei, from Latin quietus [see quiet]. The original sense was 'quiet, still' [especially in behavior], later 'modestly retiring,' and hence [of a woman] 'affecting to be unresponsive to advances.'

cozen

trick or deceive Origin late 16th century: perhaps from obsolete Italian cozzonare 'to cheat,' from cozzone 'middleman, broker,' from Latin cocio 'dealer.'

craven

synoOriginMiddle English cravant 'defeated,' perhaps via Anglo-Norman French from Old French cravante, past participle of cravanter 'crush, overwhelm,' based on Latin crepare 'burst.' The change in the ending in the 17th century was due to association with past participles ending in -en [see -en3]

credence

belief in or acceptance of something as true synonyms: belief, faith, trust, confidence, reliance ";the government placed little credence in the scheme"; Origin Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin credentia, from Latin credent- 'believing,' from the verb credere .

creditable

[of a performance, effort, or action] deserving public acknowledgment and praise but not necessarily outstanding or successful synonyms: commendable, praiseworthy, laudable, admirable, honorable, estimable, meritorious, worthy, deserving, respectable ";her forty years of creditable stage work";

credo

a statement of the belsynonyms:statement of belief[s], article of faith, doctrine, creed, axiom, dogma, tenet, canon; theory, thesis, premise, conviction, position; ideology, code of belief ";he announced his credo in his first editorial"OriginMiddle English: Latin,'I believe.' Compare with creed

credulous

synonyms: gullible, naive, too trusting, easily taken in, impressionable, unsuspecting, unsuspicious, unwary, unquestioning; innocent, ingenuous, inexperienced, unsophistica Origin late 16th century [in the general sense 'inclined to believe']: from Latin credulus [from credere 'believe'] + -ous.

crepuscular

of, resembling, or relating to twilightOriginmid 17th century: from Latin crepusculum 'twilight' + -ar1

crescendo

a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music Origin late 18th century: Italian, present participle of crescere 'to increase,' from Latin crescere 'grow.'

curate

a member of the clergy engaged as assistant to a vicar, rector, or parish priest Origin Middle English: from medieval Latin curatus, from Latin cura 'care.'

curmudgeon

a bad-tempered or surly personOriginlate 16th century: of unknown origin

cursory

hasty and therefore not thorough or detasynonyms:perfunctory, desultory, casual, superficial, token; sketchy, half-done, incomplete; hasty, quick, hurried, rapid, brief, passing, fleeting ";a cursory inspection"Originearly 17th century: from Latin cursorius 'of a runner,' from cursor [see cursor]

curt

synonyms: terse, brusque, abrupt, clipped, blunt, short, monosyllabic, summary; snappish, snappy, sharp, tart; gruff, offhand, unceremonious, ungracious, rude, impolite, discourteous, uncivil "; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'short, shortened']: from Latin curtus 'cut short, abridged.'

cynic

synonyms:skeptic, doubter, doubting ThoOriginmid 16th century [sense 2]: from Latin cynicus, from Greek kunikos ; probably originally from Kunosarges, the name of a gymnasium where Antisthenes taught, but popularly taken to mean 'doglike, churlish,' kuÅn, kun- 'dog' becoming a nickname for a Cynic

cynosure

a person or thOriginlate 16th century: from French, or from Latin cynosura, from Greek kunosoura 'dog's tail' [also 'Ursa Minor'], from kuÅn, kun- 'dog' + oura 'tail.' The term originally denoted the constellation Ursa Minor, or the star Polaris that it contains, long used as a guide by navigators

dawdle

waste time; be slow synonyms: linger, dally, take one's time, be slow, waste time, idle; delay, procrastinate, stall, dilly-dally, lollygag; archaictarry ";they dawdled over breakfast"; Origin mid 17th century: related to dialect daddle, doddle 'dally.'

debilitate

synonyms: weaken, enfeeble, enervate, devitalize, sap, drain, exhaust, weary, fatigue, prostrate; undermine, impair, indispose, incapacitate, cripple, disable, paralyze, immobilize; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin debilitat- 'weakened,' from the verb debilitare, from debilitas [see debility].

decorum

synonyms: propriety, seemliness, decency, good taste, correctness; politeness, courtesy, good manners; dignity, respectability, modesty, demureness ";he had acted wit Origin mid 16th century [as a literary term, denoting suitability of style]: from Latin, neuter of the adjective decorus 'seemly.'

decoy

synonyms: lure, bait, red herring; enticement, i Origin mid 16th century [earlier as coy ]: from Dutch de kooi 'the decoy,' from Middle Dutch de kouw 'the cage,' from Latin cavea 'cage.' Sense 2 of the noun is from the practice of using tamed ducks to lead wild ones along channels into captivity.

decry

synonyms: denounce, condemn, criticize, censure, attack, rail against, run down, pillory, lambaste, vilify, revile; disparage, deprecat Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'decrease the value of coins by royal proclamation']: from de- 'down' + cry, on the pattern of French dÃ©crier 'cry down.'

defer

synonyms: postpone, put off, delay, hold over, hold off [on], put back; shelve, suspend, sta Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'put on one side']: from Old French differer 'defer or differ,' from Latin differre, from dis- 'apart' + ferre 'bring, carry.' Compare with defer2 and differ.

deference

synonyms: respect, respectfulness, dutifulness; submissiveness, submission, obedience, surrender, accession, capitulation, acquiescence, complaisance, obeisance ";his writings show excessive deference to the wealth Origin mid 17th century: from French dÃ©fÃ©rence, from dÃ©fÃ©rer 'refer' [see defer2].

defile

sully, mar, or spoil synonyms: spoil, sully, mar, impair, debase, degrade; poison, taint, tarnish; destroy, ruin Origin late Middle English: alteration of obsolete defoul, from Old French defouler 'trample down,' influenced by obsolete befile 'befoul, defile.'

defray

synonyms: pay [for], cover, meet, square, settle, clear, discharge ";the reserve fun Origin late Middle English [in the general sense 'spend money']: from French dÃ©frayer, from dÃ©- [expressing removal] + obsolete frai 'cost, expenses' [from medieval Latin fredum 'a fine for breach of the peace'].

defunct

synonyms: disused, unused, inoperative, nonfunctioning, unusable, obsolete; no longer existing, discontinued; extinct " Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'deceased']: from Latin defunctus 'dead,' past participle of defungi 'carry out, finish,' from de- [expressing reversal] + fungi 'perform.'

delineate

synonyms: describe, set forth/out, present, outline, sketch, depict, represent; map out, define, specify, id Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'trace the outline of something']: from Latin delineat- 'outlined,' from the verb delineare, from de- 'out, completely' + lineare [from linea 'line'].

delphic

of or relating to the ancient Greek oracle at Delphi

deluge

a severe floodsynonyms:flood, torrent, spate ";homes were swept away by the deluge"Originlate Middle English: from Old French, variant of diluve, from Latin diluvium, from diluere 'wash away.

demur

synonyms:object, take exception, take issue, protest, cavil, dissent; voice reservations, be unwilling, be reluctant, balk, think twice; drag OriginMiddle English [in the sense 'linger, delay']: from Old French demourer [verb], demeure [noun], based on Latin de- 'away, completely' + morari 'delay.

demure

synonymOriginlate Middle English [in the sense 'sober, serious, reserved']: perhaps from Old French demoure, past participle of demourer 'remain, stay' [see demur]; influenced by Old French mur 'grave,' from Latin maturus 'ripe or mature.' The sense 'reserved, shy' dates from the late 17th century

denigrate

synonyms: disparage, belittle, deprecate, decry, cast aspersions on, criticize, attack; speak ill of, give someone Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'blacken, make dark']: from Latin denigrat- 'blackened,' from the verb denigrare, from de- 'away, completely' + nigrare [from niger 'black'].

deportment

a person's behavior or manners synonyms: behavior, conduct, performance; manners, practices, actions ";unprofessional deportment"; Origin early 17th century: from French dÃ©portement, from the verb dÃ©porter [see deport].

depraved

synonyms:corrupt, perverted, deviant, degenerate, debased, immoral, unprincipled; debauched, dissolute, licOriginlate Middle English [in the sense 'pervert the meaning or intention of something']: from Old French depraver or Latin depravare, from de- 'down, thoroughly' + pravus 'crooked, perverse.

deracinate

tear [something] up by the rootsOriginlate 16th century: from French dÃ©raciner, from dÃ©- [expressing removal] + racine 'root' [based on Latin radix ]

derelict

synonyms: damned, doomed, lost, condemned to hell; censured, faulted, convicted; literaryaccursed ";a condemned construction site"; dilapidated, ramshackle, r Origin mid 17th century: from Latin derelictus 'abandoned,' past participle of derelinquere, from de- 'completely' + relinquere 'forsake.'

deride

synonyms: ridicule, mock, scoff at, jibe at, make fun of, poke fun at, laugh at, hold up to ridicule, pillory; disdain, disparage, denigrate, dismiss, slight; sneer at, scorn, insult; informalknock, pooh-pooh ";the kid I used to deride in j Origin mid 16th century: from Latin deridere 'scoff at.'

derision

synonyms: mockery, ridicule, jeers, sneers, taunts; disdain, disparagement, denigration, disrespect, insults; scorn, contempt; lampooning, satire ";Quincy's memoirs incited the derision of his siblin Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin derisio[n-], from deridere 'scoff at.'

descry

catch sight of Origin Middle English: perhaps confused with obsolete descry 'describe,' variant of obsolete descrive [via Old French from Latin describere 'write down'], which also had the meaning 'perceive.'

desiccate

remove the moisture from [something, especially food], typically in order to preserve it synonyms: dried, dry, dehydrated, powdered ";desiccated coconut"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin desiccat- 'made thoroughly dry,' from the verb desiccare .

desideratum

something that is needed or wanted synonyms: requirement, prerequisite, need, indispensable thing, sine qua non, essential, requisite, necessary ";integrity was a desideratum"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, 'something desired,' neuter past participle of desiderare [see desiderate].

despicable

synonyms:contemptible, loathsome, hateful, detestable, reprehensible, abhorrent, abominable, awful, heinous; odious, vile, low, mean, abject, shameful, ignominious, shabby, ignoble, disreputable, discreditable, unwoOriginmid 16th century: from late Latin despicabilis, from despicari 'look down on.

destitute

synonyms: penniless, poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken, impecunious, without a cent/penny [to one's name]; needy, Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'deserted, abandoned, empty']: from Latin destitutus, past participle of destituere 'forsake,' from de- 'away from' + statuere 'to place.'

destitute

synonyms:penniless, poor, impoverished, poverty-stricken, impecunious, without a cent/penny [to one's name]; needy, in straOriginlate Middle English [in the sense 'deserted, abandoned, empty']: from Latin destitutus, past participle of destituere 'forsake,' from de- 'away from' + statuere 'to plac

desuetude

a state of disuse Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'cessation']: from French, from Latin desuetudo, from desuet- 'made unaccustomed,' from the verb desuescere, from de- [expressing reversal] + suescere 'be accustomed.'

desultory

synonyms:casual, cursory, superficial, token, perfunctory, half-hearted, lukewarm; random, aimless, erratOriginlate 16th century [also in the literal sense 'skipping around']: from Latin desultorius 'superficial' [literally 'relating to a vaulter'], from desultor 'vaulter,' from the verb desilire

detest

synonyms: abhor, hate, loathe, despise, shrink from, be unable to bear, find intolerable, dislike, disdain, have an aversion to; formalabominate ";the only vegetabl Origin late 15th century: from Latin detestari, from de- 'down' + testari 'witness, call upon to witness' [from testis 'a witness'].

detriment

synonyms: harm, damage, injury, hurt, impairment, loss, disadvantage, disservice, mischief ";local merchants fear the detriment to business that Origin late Middle English in the sense 'loss sustained by damage': from Old French, from Latin detrimentum, from detri-, stem of deterere 'wear away.'

devolve

synonyms: delegate, depute, pass [down/on], download, hand down/over/on, transfer, transmit, assign, consign, convey, entrust, turn over, give, cede, surrender, relinquish, deliver; be Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'roll down']: from Latin devolvere, from de- 'down' + volvere 'to roll.

diadem

a jeweled crown or headband worn as a symbol of sovereignsynonyms:crown, coronet, tiara, circlet, chaplet; literarycoronal ";the queen's jeweled diadem"OriginMiddle English: from Old French diademe, via Latin from Greek diadÄma 'the regal headband of the Persian kings,' from diadein 'bind around.

diaphanous

synonyms: sheer, fine, delicate, light, thin, insubstantial, floaty, flimsy, filmy, silken, chiffony, gossamer, gossamer-thin, gauzy; translucent, transparent, see-through ";a Origin early 17th century: from medieval Latin diaphanus, from Greek diaphanÄs, from dia 'through' + phainein 'to show.'

diathermy

a medical and surgical technique involving the production of heat in a part of the body by high-frequency electric currents, to stimulate the circulation, relieve pain, destroy unhealthy tissue, or cause bleeding vessels to clot Origin early 20th century: from dia- 'through' + thermon 'heat.'

diatribe

synonyms: tirade, harangue, onslaught, attack, polemic, denunciation, broadside, fulmination, condemnation, censure, criticism; informa Origin late 16th century [denoting a disquisition]: from French, via Latin from Greek diatribÄ 'spending of time, discourse,' from dia 'through' + tribein 'rub.'

dictum

a formal prono synonyms: pronouncement, proclamation, direction, injunction, dictate, command, commandment, order, decree, edict, mandate, diktat ";he received the dictum with evident reluctance"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin, literally 'something said,' neuter past participle of dicere .

didactic

intended to teach, particularly in h synonyms: instructive, instructional, educational, educative, informative, informational, edifying, improving, preceptive, pedagogic, moralistic ";the reforming, didactic function of art"; Origin mid 17th century: from Greek didaktikos, from didaskein 'teach.'

diffident

synonyms: shy, bashful, modest, self-effacing, unassuming, meek, unconfident, un Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'lacking confidence or trust in someone or something']: from Latin diffident- 'failing in trust,' from the verb diffidere, from dis- [expressing reversal] + fidere 'to trust.'

digress

synonyms:deviate, go off on a tangent, get off the subject, get sidetracked, lose the thread, turn aside/away, depart, drift, stray, wander ";I have digressed from the original plOriginearly 16th century: from Latin digress- 'stepped away,' from the verb digredi, from di- 'aside' + gradi 'to walk.

dilate

make or become wider, larger, or more opensynonyms:enlarge, widen, expand, distend ";her nostrils dilated"Originlate Middle English: from Old French dilater, from Latin dilatare 'spread out,' from di- 'apart' + latus 'wide.

dilatory

slow to actsynonyms:slow, tardy, unhurried, sluggish, sluggardly, snaillike, lazy ";he had been dilatory in appointing an executor"Originlate Middle English: from late Latin dilatorius 'delaying,' from Latin dilator 'delayer,' from dilat- 'deferred,' from the verb differre

dilettante

a person who cultivates an area of interest, such asynonyms:dabbler, amateur, nonprofessional, nonspecialist, layman, layperson ";there is no room for the dilettante in this business"Originmid 18th century: from Italian, 'person loving the arts,' from dilettare 'to delight,' from Latin delectare

dilute

make [a liquid] thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent to itsynonyms:make weaker, weaken, water down; thin out, thin; doctor, adulterate; informalcut ";strong bleach can be diluted with water"Originmid 16th century: from Latin dilut- 'washed away, dissolved,' from the verb diluer

diminutive

synonyms:tiny, small, little, petite, elfin, minute, miniature, mini, minuscule, compact, pocket, toy, midget, unOriginlate Middle English [as a grammatical term]: from Old French diminutif, -ive, from late Latin diminutivus, from Latin deminut- 'diminished,' from the verb deminuere [see diminish]

dinosaur

a fossil reptile of the Mesozoic era, often reaching an enormous sizeOriginmid 19th century: from modern Latin dinosaurus, from Greek deinos 'terrible' + sauros 'lizard.

dirge

synonyms: elegy, lament, burial hymn, threnody, requiem, funeral march; keen ";a lone bagpiper played the woeful di Origin Middle English [denoting the Office for the Dead]: from Latin dirige! [imperative] 'direct!,' the first word of an antiphon [Psalm 5:8] used in the Latin Office for the Dead.

disaffected

synonyms: dissatisfied, disgruntled, discontented, malcontent, frustrated, alienated; disloyal, rebellious, mutinous, seditious, dissident, up in arms; Origin mid 17th century: past participle of disaffect, originally in the sense 'dislike or disorder,' from dis- [expressing reversal] + affect2.

disburse

pay out synonyms: pay out, spend, expend, dole out, dish out, hand out, part with, donate, give; informalfork out/over, shell out, lay out, ante up, pony up ";the proceeds were disbursed weekly"; Origin mid 16th century: from Old French desbourser, from des- [expressing removal] + bourse 'purse.'

discern

synonyms: perceive, make out, pick out, detect, recognize, notice, observe, see, spot; identify, determine, distinguish; literarydescry, espy ";they could discern a slender figure, probabl Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin discernere, from dis- 'apart' + cernere 'to separate.'

discomfit

synonyms: embarrass, abash, disconcert, discompose, discomfort, take aback, unsettle, unnerve, Origin Middle English [in the sense 'defeat in battle']: from Old French desconfit, past participle of desconfire, based on Latin dis- [expressing reversal] + conficere 'put together' [see confection].

discreet

synonyms: careful, circumspect, cautious, wary, chary, guarded; tactful, diplomatic, prude Origin Middle English: from Old French discret, from Latin discretus 'separate,' past participle of discernere 'discern,' the sense arising from late Latin discretio [see discretion]. Compare with discrete.

discrete

individually separate and distinct synonyms: separate, distinct, individual, detached, unattached, disconnected, discontinuous, disjunct, disjoined ";discrete units of sound"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin discretus 'separate'; compare with discreet.

discursive

synonyms: rambling, digressive, meandering, wandering, maundering, diffuse, long, lengthy, wordy, verbose, long-winded, prolix; circuitous Origin late 16th century: from medieval Latin discursivus, from Latin discurs-, literally 'gone hastily to and fro,' from the verb discurrere [see discourse].

disingenuous

not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does synonyms: insincere, dishonest, untruthful, false, deceitful, duplicitous, lying, mendacious; hypocritical ";that innocent, teary-eyed look is just part of a disingenuous act"

dismal

synonyms:dingy, dim, dark, gloomy, dreary, drab, dull, bleak, cheerless, depressOriginlate Middle English: from earlier dismal [noun], denoting the two days in each month that in medieval times were believed to be unlucky, from Anglo-Norman French dis mal, from medieval Latin dies mali 'evil days.

disparage

synonyms: belittle, denigrate, deprecate, trivialize, make light of, undervalue, underrate, play down; rid Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'marry someone of unequal rank,' also 'bring discredit on']: from Old French desparagier 'marry someone of unequal rank,' based on Latin par 'equal.'

dispensation

exemption from a rule or usual requirement synonyms: exemption, immunity, exception, exoneration, reprieve, remission ";a dispensation from the Pope"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin dispensatio[n-], from the verb dispensare [see dispense].

disport

enjoy oneself unrestrainedly; frolic Origin late Middle English: from Old French desporter, from des- 'away' + porter 'carry' [from Latin portare ].

dissemble

synonyms: dissimulate, pretend, feign, act, masquerade, sham, fake, bluff, posture, hide one's feelings, put on a false front ";she's being honest and Origin late Middle English: alteration [suggested by semblance] of obsolete dissimule, via Old French from Latin dissimulare 'disguise, conceal.'

disseminate

synonyms: spread, circulate, distribute, disperse, promulgate, propagate, publicize, communicate, pass on, put about, make known ";much of our funding is used to d Origin late Middle English: from Latin disseminat- 'scattered,' from the verb disseminare, from dis- 'abroad' + semen, semin- 'seed.'

dissipated

synonyms: dissolute, debauched, decadent, intemperate, profligate, self-indulgent, wild, depraved; licentious, promiscuous; drunken ";it was in college that he bec Origin late Middle English: from Latin dissipat- 'scattered,' from the verb dissipare, from dis- 'apart, widely' + supare 'to throw.'

dissolution

the closing down synonyms: cessation, conclusion, end, ending, termination, winding up/down, discontinuation, suspension, disbanding; prorogation, recess ";the dissolution of the legislative session"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin dissolutio[n-], from the verb dissolvere [see dissolve].

distaff

a stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound for spinningOriginOld English distÃ¦f : the first element is apparently related to Middle Low German dise, disene 'distaff, bunch of flax'; the second is staff1. The extended sense arose because spinning was traditionally done by women

distend

swell or cause to swell by pressure from inside synonyms: swollen, bloated, dilated, engorged, enlarged, inflated, expanded, extended, bulging, protuberant ";a distended abdomen"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin distendere, from dis- 'apart' + tendere 'to stretch.'

distrait

synonyms: distracted, preoccupied, absorbed, abstracted, distant, faraway; absentminded, vague, inattentive, in a brown study, woolgathering, with Origin mid 18th century: French, from Old French destrait, past participle of destraire 'distract,' from Latin distrahere 'pull apart' [see distract].

dither

synonyms: hesitate, falter, waver, vacillate, change one's mind, be of two minds, be indecisive, be undecided; informalshilly-shally, dilly-dally ";stop dithering and make a decision" Origin mid 17th century [in the dialect sense 'tremble, quiver']: variant of dialect didder ; related to dodder1.

divulge

synonyms: disclose, reveal, tell, communicate, pass on, publish, broadcast, proclaim; expose, uncover, make public, give away, let slip; inform Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'announce publicly']: from Latin divulgare, from di- 'widely' + vulgare 'publish' [from vulgus 'common people'].

doggerel

comic verse composed in irregular rhythm Origin late Middle English [as an adjective describing such verse]: apparently from dog [used contemptuously, as in dog Latin] + -rel.

dogma

a principle or set of princi synonyms: teaching, belief, tenet, principle, precept, maxim, article of faith, canon; creed, credo, set of beliefs, doctrine, ideology ";a dogma of the Sikh religion"; Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek dogma 'opinion,' from dokein 'seem good, think.'

dotard

an old person, especially one who has become weak or senile Origin late Middle English: from dote + -ard.

doughty

synonyms: fearless, dauntless, determined, resolute, indomitable, intrepid, plucky, spirited, bold, valiant, brave, stouthearted, courageous; informalgutsy, gutty, spunky, feisty, Origin late Old English dohtig, variant of dyhtig, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch duchtig and German tÃ¼chtig .

dour

synonyms: stern, unsmiling, unfriendly, severe, forbidding, gruff, surly, grim, sullen, solemn, austere, stony ";they were barely acknowledged by the dour r Origin late Middle English [originally Scots]: probably from Scottish Gaelic dÃºr 'dull, obstinate, stupid,' perhaps from Latin durus 'hard.'

doxy

a lover or mistressOriginmid 16th century [originally slang]: of unknown origin

doyen

the most respected or prominent person in a particular field Origin late 17th century: via French from Old French deien [see dean1].

doyenne

a woman who is the most respected or prominent person in a particular field Origin mid 19th century: from French, feminine of doyen [see doyen].

droll

synonyms: funny, humorous, amusing, comic, comical, mirthful, hilarious; clownish, farcical, zany, quirky; jocular, lighthearted, whimsical, facetious, witty, clever, wry, tongue-in-che Origin early 17th century [as an adjective]: from French drÃ´le, perhaps from Middle Dutch drolle 'imp, goblin.'

dross

something regarde synonyms: rubbish, junk; debris, chaff, detritus, flotsam and jetsam, garbage, trash, dreck ";trying to find something decent among the discount-house dross"; Origin Old English drÅs [in the sense 'scum on molten metal']; related to Dutch droesem and German Drusen 'dregs, lees.'

dudgeon

a feeling of offense or deep resentment synonyms: indignantly, resentfully, angrily, furiously; in a temper, in anger, with displeasure; informalin a huff, seeing red ";the sponsors from Cleveland stormed out in high dudgeon"; Origin late 16th century: of unknown origin.

dulcet

synonyms: sweet, soothing, mellow, honeyed, mellifluous, euphonious, pleasant, agreeable; melodious, melodic, lilting, lyrical, silvery, golden Origin late Middle English doucet, from Old French doucet, diminutive of doux, from Latin dulcis 'sweet.' The Latin form influenced the modern spelling.

duplicity

synonyms: deceitfulness, deceit, deception, double-dealing, underhandedness, dishonesty, fraud, fraudulence, sharp practice, chicanery, trickery, subterfuge, skulduggery, tre Origin late Middle English: from Old French duplicite or late Latin duplicitas, from Latin duplic- 'twofold' [see duplex].

dyke

a lesbian synonyms: embankment, levee; ditch, trench, gutter ";the dikes were destroyed in the flood"; Origin 1940s [earlier as bulldyke]: of unknown origin.

ebullient

synonyms:exuberant, buoyant, cheerful, joyful, cheery, merry, jolly, sunny, jaunty, lighthearted, elated; animated, sparkling, vivacious,Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'boiling']: from Latin ebullient- 'boiling up,' from the verb ebullire, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + bullire 'to boil.

eccentric

synonyms: unconventional, uncommon, abnormal, irregular, aberrant, anomalous, odd, queer, strange, peculiar, we Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting a circle or orbit not having the earth precisely at its center]: via late Latin from Greek ekkentros, from ek 'out of' + kentron 'center.'

eclectic

synonyms: wide-ranging, broad-based, extensive, comprehensive, encyclopedic; varied, diverse, catholic, all-embracing, multifaceted, multifarious, heterogeneous, m Origin late 17th century [as a term in philosophy]: from Greek eklektikos, from eklegein 'pick out,' from ek 'out' + legein 'choose.'

edacious

of, relating to, or given to eating Origin early 19th century: from Latin edax, edac- [from edere 'eat'] + -ious.

edict

synonyms: decree, order, command, commandment, mandate, proclamation, pronouncement, dictate, fiat, promulgation; law, statute, act, bill, rul Origin Middle English: from Latin edictum 'something proclaimed,' neuter past participle of edicere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + dicere 'say, tell.'

edifying

synonyms: educate, instruct, teach, school, Origin Middle English: from Old French edifier, from Latin aedificare 'build,' from aedis 'dwelling' + facere 'make' [compare with edifice]. The word originally meant 'construct a building,' also 'strengthen,' hence to "build up" morally or spiritually.

effable

able to be described in words Origin early 17th century: from Latin effabilis, from effari 'utter.'

effete

synonyms: affected, pretentious, precious, mannered, overrefined; ineffectual; informalla-di-da ";effete trendies" Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'no longer fertile, past bearing young']: from Latin effetus 'worn out by bearing young,' from ex- 'out' + fetus 'breeding'; related to fetus.

effulgent

shining brightly; radiant Origin mid 18th century: from Latin effulgent- 'shining brightly,' from the verb effulgere, from ex- 'out' + fulgere 'to shine.'

egalitarian

of, relating to, or believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities Origin late 19th century: from French Ã©galitaire, from Ã©gal 'equal,' from Latin aequalis [see equal].

egress

the action of going out of or leaving a placesynonyms:departure, exit, withdrawal, retreat, exodus; escape ";a means of egress"Originmid 16th century: from Latin egressus 'gone out,' from the verb egredi, from ex- 'out' + gradi 'to step.

elegy

a poem of serious reflection, typically a lament for the dead synonyms: lament, requiem, threnody, dirge; literaryplaint; keen ";an elegy for his father"; Origin early 16th century: from French Ã©lÃ©gie, or via Latin, from Greek elegeia, from elegos 'mournful poem.'

elicit

synonyms: obtain, draw out, extract, bring out, evoke, call forth, bring forth, induce, prompt, generate, engender, trigger, provoke; fo Origin mid 17th century: from Latin elicit- 'drawn out by trickery or magic,' from the verb elicere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + lacere 'entice, deceive.'

eloquent

synonyms: fluent, articulate, expressive, silver-tongued; persuasive, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, well expressed, effective, lucid, vivid, graphic; smooth-tongued, glib "; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin eloquent- 'speaking out,' from the verb eloqui [see eloquence].

embellish

synonyms:decorate, adorn, ornament; beautify, enhance, grace; trim, garnish, gild; deck, bedeck, festoon, emblazon; informaltart up, pimp; literarybejewel, bedizen ";weapoOriginlate Middle English: from Old French embelliss-, lengthened stem of embellir, based on bel 'handsome,' from Latin bellus

embroiled

involve [someone] deeply in an argument, conflict, or difficult situation synonyms: involve, entangle, ensnare, enmesh, catch up, mix up, bog down, mire ";I don't want to get embroiled in your crazy schemes"; Origin early 17th century: from French embrouiller 'to muddle.'

emollient

having the quality of softening or soothing the skin synonyms: moisturizing, soothing, softening ";a rich emollient shampoo"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin emollient- 'making soft,' from the verb emollire, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + mollis 'soft.'

emulate

synonyms: imitate, copy, mirror, echo, follow, model oneself on; match, equal, parallel, be on a par with, be in the same league as, come close to; compete with, contend with, rival, su Origin late 16th century: from Latin aemulat- 'rivaled, equaled,' from the verb aemulari, from aemulus 'rival.'

encaustic

[especially in painting and ceramics] using pigments mixed with hot wax that are burned in as an inlay Origin late 16th century: via Latin from Greek enkaustikos, from enkaiein 'burn in,' from en- 'in' + kaiein 'to burn.'

encomium

a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or someth synonyms: eulogy, panegyric, paean, accolade, tribute, testimonial; praise, acclaim, acclamation, homage ";the poet's encomium to the king"; Origin mid 16th century: Latin, from Greek enkÅmion 'eulogy,' from en- 'within' + komos 'revel.'

encumber

synonyms: hamper, hinder, obstruct, impede, cramp, inhibit, restrict, limit, constrain, restrain, bog down, retard, slow [do Origin Middle English [in the sense 'cause trouble to, entangle'; formerly also as incumber ]: from Old French encombrer 'block up,' from en- 'in' + combre 'river barrage.'

enervate

synonyms: exhaust, tire, fatigue, weary, wear out, devitalize, drain, sap, weaken, enfeeble, debilitate, incapacitate, prostrate; i Origin early 17th century: from Latin enervat- 'weakened [by extraction of the sinews],' from the verb enervare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of' + nervus 'sinew.'

engender

synonyms:cause, be the cause of, give rise to, bring about, occasion, lead to, result in, produce, create, generate, arouse, rouse, inspire, provoke, OriginMiddle English [formerly also as ingender ]: from Old French engendrer, from Latin ingenerare, from in- 'in' + generare 'beget' [see generate]

enigma

a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to und synonyms: mystery, puzzle, riddle, conundrum, paradox, problem, quandary; a closed book; informalposer ";how it works is an enigma to me"; Origin mid 16th century: via Latin from Greek ainigma, from ainissesthai 'speak allusively

enjoin

synonyms: urge, encourage, admonish, press; instruct, direct, require, order, command, tell, call on, demand, charge; formaladjure; Origin Middle English [formerly also as injoin ]: from Old French enjoindre, from Latin injungere 'join, attach, impose,' from in- 'in, toward' + jungere 'to join.'

ensconce

synonyms:settle, install, plant, position, seat, sit; establish, nestle; hide away, tuck away; informalpark, plonk ";Agnes ensconced herself iOriginlate 16th century [in the senses 'fortify' and 'shelter within or behind a fortification'; formerly also as insconce ]: from en-1, in-2 'in' + sconce2

ephebe

[in ancient Greece] a young man of 18-20 years undergoing military training Origin via Latin from Greek ephÄbos 'adolescent boy,' from epi 'near to' + hÄbÄ 'early manhood.'

ephemeral

lasting for a very short time synonyms: transitory, transient, fleeting, passing, short-lived, momentary, brief, short; temporary, impermanent, short-term; fly-by-night ";last year's ephemeral fashions"; Origin late 16th century: from Greek ephÄmeros [see ephemera] + -al.

epigram

synonyms: witticism, quip, jest, pun, bon mot; saying, maxim, adage, aphorism, apophthegm; informalone-liner, wisecrack, [old] chestnut ";a collection of humorous Origin late Middle English: from French Ã©pigramme, or Latin epigramma, from Greek, from epi 'upon, in addition' + gramma [see -gram1].

epiphany

the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi [Matthew 2:1-12] Origin Middle English: from Greek epiphainein 'reveal.' The sense relating to the Christian festival is via Old French epiphanie and ecclesiastical Latin epiphania .

epoch

Origin early 17th century [in the Latin form epocha ; originally in the general sense of a date from which succeeding years are numbered]: from modern Latin epocha, from Greek epokhÄ 'stoppage, fixed point of time,' from epekhein 'stop, take up a position,' from epi 'upon, near to' + ekhein 'stay,

equanimity

synonyms: composure, calm, level-headedness, self-possession, coolheadedness, presence of mind; serenity, tranquility, phlegm, imperturbability, equilibrium; poise Origin early 17th century [also in the sense 'fairness, impartiality']: from Latin aequanimitas, from aequus 'equal' + animus 'mind.'

equitable

synonyms:fair, just, impartial, even-handed, unbiased, unprejudiced, egalitarian; disinterested, objective, neutral, nonpartisan, open-minded; informalfair and square ";a plan to distribute the burden of taxes in an equitable wOriginmid 16th century: from French Ã©quitable, from Ã©quitÃ© [see equity]

equivocate

synonyms: prevaricate, be evasive, be noncommittal, be vague, be ambiguous, dodge the question, beat ar Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'use a word in more than one sense']: from late Latin aequivocat- 'called by the same name,' from the verb aequivocare, from aequivocus [see equivocal].

eradicate

synonyms:eliminate, get rid of, remove, obliterate; exterminate, destroy, annihilate, kill, wipe out; abolishOriginlate Middle English [in the sense 'pull up by the roots']: from Latin eradicat- 'torn up by the roots,' from the verb eradicare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out' + radix, radic- 'root.

errant

synonyms: offending, guilty, culpable, misbeha Origin Middle English [sense 2]: sense 1 from Latin errant- 'erring,' from the verb errare ; sense 2 from Old French errant 'traveling,' present participle of errer, from late Latin iterare 'go on a journey,' from iter 'journey.' Compare with arrant.

ersatz

[of a product] made or used as a synonyms: artificial, substitute, imitation, synthetic, fake, false, faux, mock, simulated; pseudo, sham, bogus, spurious, counterfeit; manufactured, man-made; informalphony, wannabe ";ersatz coffee"; Origin late 19th century: from German, literally 'replacement.'

erudite

synonyms:learned, scholarly, educated, knowledgeable, well read, well informed, intellectual; intelligent, clever, academic, literary; bookish, highbrow, sophisticated, ceOriginlate Middle English: from Latin eruditus, past participle of erudire 'instruct, train' [based on rudis 'rude, untrained']

eschew

synonyms: abstain from, refrain from, give up, forgo, shun, renounce, steer clear of, have nothing to do with, fight shy of; relinquish, reject, disavow, abandon Origin late Middle English: from Old French eschiver, ultimately of Germanic origin and related to German scheuen 'shun,' also to shy1.

esoteric

synonyms: abstruse, obscure, arcane, recherchÃ©, rarefied, recondite, abstract; enigmatic, inscrutable, cryptic, Delphic; complex, complicated, incomprehensible, o Origin mid 17th century: from Greek esÅterikos, from esÅterÅ, comparative of esÅ 'within,' from es, eis 'into.' Compare with exoteric.

essay

synonyms: artic Origin late 15th century [as a verb in the sense 'test the quality of']: alteration of assay, by association with Old French essayer, based on late Latin exagium 'weighing,' from the base of exigere 'ascertain, weigh'; the noun [late 16th century] is from Old French essai 'trial.'

esurient

hungry or greedy Origin late 17th century: from Latin esurient- 'being hungry,' from the verb esurire, from esse 'eat.'

etiology

the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition Origin mid 16th century: via medieval Latin from Greek aitiologia, from aitia 'a cause' + -logia [see -logy].

eulogy

synonyms: accolade, panegyr Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'high praise']: from medieval Latin eulogium, eulogia [from Greek eulogia 'praise'], apparently influenced by Latin elogium 'inscription on a tomb' [from Greek elegia 'elegy']. The current sense dates from the late 16th century.

euphemism

synonyms: polite term, indirect term, circumlocution, substitute, alternative, understatement, genteelism ";'influential person' is the local euphemism for underworld don" Origin late 16th century: from Greek euphÄmismos, from euphÄmizein 'use auspicious words,' from eu 'well' + phÄmÄ 'speaking.'

evanesce

pass out of sight, memory, or existenceOriginmid 19th century: from Latin evanescere, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of' + vanus 'empty.

evanescent

synonyms: vanishing, fading, evaporating, melting away, disappearing; ephemeral, fleeting, short-lived, short-term, transitory, transient, fugitive, tem Origin early 18th century [in the sense 'almost imperceptible']: from Latin evanescent- 'disappearing,' from the verb evanescere [see evanesce].

evince

synonyms:reveal, show, make plain, manifest, indicate, display, exhibit, demonstrate, evidence, attest to; convey, communicate, proclaim, bespeak; informalooze ";his letters evOriginlate 16th century [in the sense 'prove by argument or evidence']: from Latin evincere 'overcome, defeat' [see evict]

evoke

synonyms:bring to mind, put one in mind of, conjure up, summon [up], invoke, elicit, induce, kindle, stimulate, stir up, awaken, arouse, call forth; recall, echo, capture ";the music Originearly 17th century [sense 2]: from Latin evocare, from e- [variant of ex- ] 'out of, from' + vocare 'to call.

exacerbate

synonyms: aggravate, worsen, inflame, compound; intens Origin mid 17th century: from Latin exacerbat- 'made harsh,' from the verb exacerbare, from ex- [expressing inducement of a state] + acerbus 'harsh, bitter.' The noun exacerbation [late Middle English] originally meant 'provocation to anger.'

exacting

synonyms: demanding, stringent, testing, challengin Origin late Middle English [as a verb]: from Latin exact- 'completed, ascertained, enforced,' from the verb exigere, from ex- 'thoroughly' + agere 'perform.' The adjective dates from the mid 16th century and reflects the Latin exactus 'precise.'

exalt

hold [someone or something] in very synonyms: extol, praise, acclaim, esteem; pay homage to, revere, venerate, worship, lionize, idolize, look up to; informalput on a pedestal, laud ";they exalted their hero"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin exaltare, from ex- 'out, upward' + altus 'high.'

example

a thing characteristisynonyms:specimen, sample, exemplar, exemplification, instance, case, illustration, case in point ";a fine example of Chinese porcelain"Originlate Middle English: from Old French, from Latin exemplum, from eximere 'take out,' from ex- 'out' + emere 'take.' Compare with sample

exasperated

synonyms: infuriate, incense, anger, annoy, irritate, madden, enrage, antagonize, provoke, irk, vex, get on someone's nerves, ruffle someone's feathers, rub the wrong way; infor Origin mid 16th century: from Latin exasperat- 'irritated to anger,' from the verb exasperare [based on asper 'rough'].

excerpt

a synonyms: extract, part, section, piece, portion, snippet, clip, bit, sample; reading, citation, quotation, quote, line, passage ";an excerpt from the poem"; Origin mid 16th century [as a verb]: from Latin excerpt- 'plucked out,' from the verb excerpere, from ex- 'out of' + carpere 'to pluck.'

excoriate

censure or criticize severely synonyms: abrade, rub away, rub raw, scrape, scratch, chafe; strip away, skin ";the skin had been excoriated"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin excoriat- 'skinned,' from the verb excoriare, from ex- 'out, from' + corium 'skin, hide.'

exculpate

show or declare that [someone] is not guilty of wrongdoing Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin exculpat- 'freed from blame,' from the verb exculpare, from ex- 'out, from' + Latin culpa 'blame.'

execrate

feel or express great loathing for Origin mid 16th century: from Latin exsecrat- 'cursed,' from the verb exsecrari, based on sacrare 'dedicate' [from sacer 'sacred'].

exegesis

critical explanation or interpretation of a text, especially of scripture synonyms: interpretation, explanation, exposition, explication ";the exegesis of ancient texts"; Origin early 17th century: from Greek exÄgÄsis, from exÄgeisthai 'interpret,' from ex- 'out of' + hÄgeisthai 'to guide, lead.'

exempt

free from an obligation or liability imposed on otherssynonyms:free from, not liable to, not subject to, exempted from, excepted from, excused of/from, absolved of ";they are exempt from all charges"Originlate Middle English: from Latin exemptus 'taken out, freed,' past participle of eximere

exhort

synonyms: urge, encourage, call on, enjoin, charge, press; bid, appeal to, entreat, implore, beg; formaladjure; literarybeseech ";the president exhorted state legislatures to beef Origin late Middle English: from Old French exhorter or Latin exhortari, from ex- 'thoroughly' + hortari 'encourage.'

exigent

pressing; demandingOriginearly 17th century: from Latin exigent- 'completing, ascertaining,' from the verb exigere [see exact]

exiguous

very small synonyms: meager, inadequate, insufficient, small, scanty, paltry, negligible, modest, deficient, miserly, niggardly, beggarly; informalmeasly, stingy, piddling ";Bob Cratchit's exiguous wages"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin exiguus 'scanty' [from exigere 'weigh exactly'] + -ous.

exonerate

[especially of an official body] absolve [someone] from synonyms:absolve, clear, acquit, find innocent, discharge; formalexculpate ";the inquiry exonerated them"Originlate Middle English: from Latin exonerat- 'freed from a burden,' from the verb exonerare, from ex- 'from' + onus, oner- 'a burden.

expansive

covering a wide area in terms of space or scope; extensive or wide-rangingsynonyms:extensive, sweeping, rolling ";expansive grassland";wide-ranging, extensive, broad, wide, comprehensive, thorough, full-scale ";expansive coverage"

expatiate

synonyms: speak/write at length, go into detail, expound, dwell, dilate, expand, enlarge, elaborate; formalperorate ";he Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'roam freely']: from Latin exspatiari 'move beyond one's usual bounds,' from ex- 'out, from' + spatiari 'to walk' [from spatium 'space'].

expendable

[of an object] designed to be used only once synonyms: dispensable, replaceable, nonessential, inessential, unnecessary, noncore, unneeded, not required, superfluous, disposable ";an accountant decided Mathers was expendable"; disposable, throwaway, single-use ";an expendable satellite launcher";

expiate

synonyms: atone for, make amends for, make up for, do penance for, pay for, redress, redee Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'end [rage, sorrow, etc.] by suffering it to the full']: from Latin expiat- 'appeased by sacrifice,' from the verb expiare, from ex- 'out' + piare [from pius 'pious'].

expletive

syno Origin late Middle English [as an adjective]: from late Latin expletivus, from explere 'fill out,' from ex- 'out' + plere 'fill.' The general noun sense 'word used merely to fill out a sentence' [early 17th century] was applied specifically to an oath or swear word in the early 19th century.

explicate

synonyms: explain, make explicit, clarify, make plain/clear, spell out, untangle; interpret, translate, elucidate, expound, illuminate, throw light on ";I'm not sure anyone could Origin mid 16th century: from Latin explicat- 'unfolded,' from the verb explicare, from ex- 'out' + plicare 'to fold.'

exposition

a comprehensive description an synonyms: explanation, description, elucidation, explication, interpretation; account, commentary, appraisal, assessment, discussion, exegesis ";a lucid exposition"; Origin Middle English: from Latin expositio[n-], from the verb exponere 'put out, exhibit, explain.'

expostulate

synonyms: remonstrate with, disagree with, argue with, take issue with, protest against, reason against, express disagr Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'demand how or why, state a complaint']: from Latin expostulat- 'demanded,' from the verb expostulare, from ex- 'out' + postulare 'demand.'

expound

OriginMiddle English expoune [in the sense 'explain [what is difficult]']: from Old French espon-, present tense stem of espondre, from Latin exponere 'expose, publish, explain,' from ex- 'out' + ponere 'put.' The origin of the final -d [recorded from the Middle English period] is uncertain [compar

expunge

synonyms: erase, remove, delete, rub out, wipe out, efface; cross out, strike out, blot out, destroy, obliterate, scratch, eradicate, eliminate, deep-six ";a moment that ca Origin early 17th century: from Latin expungere 'mark for deletion by means of points,' from ex- 'out' + pungere 'to prick.'

extant

synonyms: still existing, in existence, existent, surviving, remaining, undestroyed ";ext Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'accessible, able to be publicly seen or reached']: from Latin exstant- 'being visible or prominent, existing,' from the verb exstare, from ex- 'out' + stare 'to stand.'

extenuating

synonyms:excuse, mitigate, palliate, make allowances for, make excuses for, defend, vindicate, justify; diminish, lessen, moderate, qualify, play down "Originlate Middle English [in the sense 'make thin, emaciate']: from Latin extenuat- 'made thin,' from the verb extenuare [based on tenuis 'thin']

extirpate

synonyms: weed out, destroy, eradicate, stamp out, root out, wipe out, eliminate, suppress, crush, put down, put an end to, get rid of ";the use of every legal measure to extirpate this horrible Origin late Middle English [as extirpation ]: from Latin exstirpare, from ex- 'out' + stirps 'a stem.'

extol

synonyms: praise enthusiastically, go into raptures about/over, wax lyrical about, sing the praises of, praise to the skies, acclaim, exalt, eulogize, adulate, rhapsodize over, rave about, enthuse about/ov Origin late Middle English: from Latin extollere, from ex- 'out, upward' + tollere 'raise.'

extrude

thrust or force out synonyms: force out, thrust out, express, eject, expel, release, emit ";machines extrude the plastics that become jars and bottles"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin extrudere, from ex- 'out' + trudere 'to thrust.'

exult

synonyms: rejoice, be joyful, be happy, be delighted, be elated, be ecstatic, be overjoyed, be jubilant, be rapturous, be in raptures, be thrilled, jump for joy, be on c Origin late 16th century: from Latin exsultare, frequentative of exsilire 'leap up,' from ex- 'out, upward' + salire 'to leap.'

facetious

synonyms:flippant, flip, glib, frivolous, tongue-in-cheek, ironic, sardonic, joking, jokey, jocular, playful, sportive, teasing, mischievous; witty, Originlate 16th century [in the general sense 'witty, amusing']: from French facÃ©tieux, from facÃ©tie, from Latin facetia 'jest,' from facetus 'witty.

facetious

facile

[especially of a theory or argument] appearing nea synonyms: simplistic, superficial, oversimplified; shallow, glib, jejune, naive; dime-store ";a facile explanation"; Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'easily accomplished']: from French, or from Latin facilis 'easy,' from facere 'do, make.'

facsimile

synonyms: copy, reproduction, duplicate, photocopy, replica, likeness, print, reprin Origin late 16th century [originally as fac simile, denoting the making of an exact copy, especially of writing]: modern Latin, from Latin fac! [imperative of facere 'make'] and simile [neuter of similis 'like'].

faction

synonyms: clique, coterie, caucus, cabal, bloc, camp, group, grouping, sector, section, wing, arm, branch, set; ginger group, pressure group ";a faction of the pa Origin late 15th century [denoting the action of doing or making something]: via French from Latin factio[n-], from facere 'do, make.'

factitious

synonyms: bogus, fake, specious, false, counterfeit, fraudulent, spurious, sham, mock, feigned, affected, pretended, contrived, engineered, inauthentic, ersa Origin mid 17th century [in the general sense 'made by human skill or effort']: from Latin facticius 'made by art,' from facere 'do, make.'

fallacy

synonyms: misconception, misbelief, delusion, mistaken impression, error, misapprehension, misinterpretation, m Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'deception, guile'; gradually superseding Middle English fallace ]: from Latin fallacia, from fallax, fallac- 'deceiving,' from fallere 'deceive.'

fanatic

Origin mid 16th century [as an adjective]: from French fanatique or Latin fanaticus 'of a temple, inspired by a god,' from fanum 'temple.' The adjective originally described behavior or speech that might result from possession by a god or demon, hence the earliest sense of the noun 'a religious ma

farrow

a litter of pigs Origin Old English fearh, fÃ¦rh 'young pig,' from an Indo-European root shared by Greek porkos and Latin porcus 'pig.'

fastidious

synonyms: scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, meticulous; perfectionist, fussy, finicky, overparticu Origin late Middle English: from Latin fastidiosus, from fastidium 'loathing.' The word originally meant 'disagreeable, distasteful,' later 'disgusted' Current senses date from the 17th century.

fate

the development synonyms: destiny, providence, the stars, chance, luck, serendipity, fortune, kismet, karma ";what has fate in store for me?"; Origin late Middle English: from Italian fato or Old French fat or [later] from their source, Latin fatum 'that which has been spoken,' from fari 'speak.'

fatuous

silly and pointless synonyms: silly, foolish, stupid, inane, idiotic, vacuous, asinine; pointless, senseless, ridiculous, ludicrous, absurd; informaldumb, daft ";the irritation of fatuous questions"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin fatuus 'foolish' + -ous.

fawn

synonyms: be obsequious to, be sycophantic to, curry favor with, flatter, play up to, crawl to, ingratiate oneself with, dance attendance on; informalsuck up to, be all over, brown-nose, toady Origin late Middle English: from Old French faon, based on Latin fetus 'offspring'; compare with fetus.

Fay

a fairy Origin late Middle English: from Old French fae, faie, from Latin fata 'the Fates,' plural of fatum [see fate]. Compare with fairy.

fealty

a feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord Origin Middle English: from Old French feau[l]te, fealte, from Latin fidelitas [see fidelity].

feckless

synonyms: useless, worthless, incompetent, inept, good-for-nothing, ne'er-do-well; lazy, idle, slothful, indolent, irresponsible, shiftless; informalno-good, no-account ";the feckless Origin late 16th century: from Scots and northern English dialect feck [from effeck, variant of effect] + -less.

felicific

relating to or promoting increased happiness Origin mid 19th century: from Latin felicificus, from felix, felic- 'happy.'

Felicitous

well chosen or suited to the circumstances synonyms: apt, well chosen, fitting, suitable, appropriate, apposite, pertinent, germane, relevant ";his nickname was particularly felicitous";

fell

of terrible evil or ferocity; deadly synonyms: murderous, savage, violent, vicious, fierce, ferocious, barbarous, barbaric, monstrous, cruel, ruthless; archaicsanguinary ";a fell intent"; Origin Middle English: from Old French fel, nominative of felon 'wicked [person'] [see felon1].

feral

[especially of an animal] in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication synonyms: wild, untamed, untamable, undomesticated, untrained ";feral dogs"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin fera 'wild animal' [from ferus 'wild'] + -al.

ferret

synonyms: rummage, feel around, grope around, forage around, fish around/about, poke around/about; search through, hunt through, rifle through ";she ferreted Origin late Middle English: from Old French fuiret, alteration of fuiron, based on late Latin furo 'thief, ferret,' from Latin fur 'thief.'

fervid

synonyms: fervent, ardent, passionate, impassioned, intense, vehement, wholehearted, heartfelt, sincere, earnest; literaryperfervid ";fervid protestations of love" Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'glowing, hot']: from Latin fervidus, from fervere 'to boil.' Compare with fervent and fervor.

fetid

synonyms: stinking, smelly, foul-smelling, malodorous, reeking, pungent, acrid, high, rank, foul, noxious, humming; informalfunky; literarynoisome, miasmic, miasmal; i Origin late Middle English: from Latin fetidus [often erroneously spelled foetidus ], from fetere 'to stink.' Compare with fetor.

fetor

a strong, foul smell Origin late 15th century: from Latin, from fetere 'to stink.' Compare with fetid.

fetter

a chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the synonyms: shackles, manacles, handcuffs, irons, leg irons, chains, restraints; informalcuffs, bracelets; historicalbilboes ";bound by fetters of iron"; Origin Old English feter ; from an Indo-European root shared by foot.

fey

giving an impression of vague unworldliness Origin Old English fÇ£ge [in the sense 'fated to die soon'].

fidelity

faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by continuing synonyms:loyalty, allegiance, obedience; historicalhomage, fealty ";fidelity to your king"Originlate Middle English: from Old French fidelite or Latin fidelitas, from fidelis 'faithful,' from fides 'faith.' Compare with fealty

filial

of or due from a son or daughtersynonyms:dutiful, devoted, compliant, respectful, affectionate, loving ";a display of filial affection"Originlate Middle English: from Old French, or from ecclesiastical Latin filialis, from filius 'son,' filia 'daughter.

finagle

obtain [something] by devious or dishonest means Origin 1920s [originally U.S.]: from dialect fainaigue 'cheat'; perhaps from Old French fornier 'deny.'

finesse

intricate and refined delicacy synonyms: skill, skillfulness, expertise, subtlety, flair, panache, elan, polish, artistry, virtuosity, mastery ";masterly finesse"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'purity, delicacy']: from French, related to fine1.

flag

synonyms: tire, grow tired/weary, weaken, grow weak, wilt, droop, fade, run out of steam ";they were flagging toward the finish"; fade, decline, wane, ebb, diminish, decrease, lessen, Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'flap about loosely, hang down']: related to obsolete flag 'hanging down.'

flagrant

synonyms: blatant, glaring, obvious, overt, conspicuous, barefaced, shameless, brazen, undisguised, unconcealed; outrageous, scandalous, shocking, disgraceful, Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'blazing, resplendent']: from French, or from Latin flagrant- 'blazing,' from the verb flagrare .

flippant

synonyms:frivolous, facetious, tongue-in-cheek; disrespectful, iOriginearly 17th century: from flip1 + -ant, perhaps on the pattern of heraldic terms such as couchant and rampant . Early senses included 'nimble' and 'talkative,' hence 'playful,' giving rise to the current use 'lacking seriousness.

flocculant

a substance that promotes the clumping of particles, especially one used in treating waste water

florid

having a red or flushed complexion synonyms: ruddy, red, red-faced, rosy, rosy-cheeked, pink; flushed, blushing, high-colored; archaicsanguine ";a florid complexion"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin floridus, from flos, flor- 'flower.'

flout

synonyms: defy, refuse to obey, disobey, break, violate, fail to comply with, fail to observe, contravene, infringe, Origin mid 16th century: perhaps from Dutch fluiten 'whistle, play the flute, hiss [in derision']; German dialect pfeifen auf, literally 'pipe at,' has a similar extended meaning.

flustered

synonyms: unsettle, make nervous, unnerve, agitate, ruffle, upset, bother, put on edge, disquiet, disturb, worry, perturb, disconcert, confuse, throw o Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'make slightly drunk']: perhaps of Scandinavian origin and related to Icelandic flaustra 'hurry, bustle.'

foible

synonyms: weakness, failing, shortcoming, flaw, imperfection, blemish, Origin late 16th century [as an adjective in the sense 'feeble']: from obsolete French, in Old French fieble [see feeble]. Both noun senses also formerly occurred as senses of the word feeble and all date from the 17th century

folderol

trivial or nonsensical fuss

foment

synonyms: instigate, incite, provoke, agitate, excite, stir up, whip up, encourage, urge, fan the flames of ";they were accused of fomenti Origin late Middle English [sense 2]: from French fomenter, from late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum 'poultice, lotion,' from fovere 'to heat, cherish.'

ford

a shallow place in a river or stream allowing one to walk or drive across synonyms: crossing place, crossing; shallow place ";a ford across the river"; Origin Old English; related to Dutch voorde, also to fare.

forfend

avert, keep away, or prevent [something evil or unpleasant]

forlorn

synonyms: unhappy, sad, miserable, sorrowful, dejected, despon Origin Old English forloren 'depraved, morally abandoned,' past participle of forlÄosan 'lose,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch verliezen and German verlieren, and ultimately to for- and lose. Sense 1 dates from the 16th century.

fortuitous

synonyms: chance, adventitious, unexpected, unanticipated, unpredictable, unforeseen, unlooked-for, serendipitous, casual, incidental, coincidental, random, accidental, inadvertent, unintentional, uni Origin mid 17th century: from Latin fortuitus, from forte 'by chance,' from fors 'chance, luck.'

founder

[of a ship] fill with water and sink synonyms: sink, go to the bottom, go down, be lost at sea ";the ship foundered"; Origin Middle English [in the sense 'knock to the ground']: from Old French fondrer, esfondrer 'submerge, collapse,' based on Latin fundus 'bottom, base.'

fracas

synonyms: disturbance, brawl, melee, rumpus, skirmish, struggle, scuffle, scrum, clash, fisticuffs, altercation; informalscrap, dust-up, set-to, donnybrook; vulgar slangshitstorm ";the fracas in the alley Origin early 18th century: French, from fracasser, from Italian fracassare 'make an uproar.'

fraction

synonyms: tiny part, fragment, snippet, snatch, smattering, selection ";only a fraction of the collection"; tiny amount, little, bit, touch, soupÃ§on, trifle, mite, Origin late Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin fractio[n-] 'breaking [bread],' from Latin frangere 'to break.'

fractious

synonyms: grumpy, bad-tempered, irascible, irritable, crotchety, grouchy, cantankerous, short-tempered, tetchy, testy, curmudgeonly, ill-tempered, ill-humored, peevish, cross, waspish, crabby, crusty, Origin late 17th century: from fraction, probably on the pattern of the pair faction, factious .

fratricide

the killing of one's brother or sisterOriginlate 15th century [denoting a person who kills their brother or sister, derived from Latin fratricida ]: the primary current sense comes via French from late Latin fratricidium, from frater 'brother' + -cidium [see -cide]

fresco

a painting done rapidly in watercolor on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling, so that the colors penetrate the plaster an Origin late 16th century: Italian, literally 'cool, fresh.' The word was first recorded in the phrase in fresco, representing Italian affresco, al fresco 'on the fresh [plaster].'

frieze

a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration, especially on a wall near the ceiling Origin mid 16th century: from French frise, from medieval Latin frisium, variant of frigium, from Latin Phrygium [opus ] '[work] of Phrygia.'

frugal

synonyms: thrifty, economical, careful, cautious, prudent, provident, unwasteful, sparing, scrimping; abstemious, abstinent, austere, self-denying, ascetic, monkish, spartan; parsimonious, mi Origin mid 16th century: from Latin frugalis, from frugi 'economical, thrifty,' from frux, frug- 'fruit.'

fulminate

Origin late Middle English: from Latin fulminat- 'struck by lightning,' from fulmen, fulmin- 'lightning.' The earliest sense [derived from medieval Latin fulminare ] was 'denounce formally,' later 'issue formal censures' [originally said of the pope]. A sense 'emit thunder and lightning,' based on

fulsome

synonyms: excessive, extravagant, overdone, immoderate, inordinate, over-appreciative, flattering, adulatory, fawning, unctuous, ingratiating, cloying, saccharine; enthusiastic, effusive, rapturous, glowing, gushing, profuse, g Origin Middle English [in the sense 'abundant']: from full1 + -some1.

fumigate

synonyms: disinfect, purify, sterilize, sanitize, decontaminate, cleanse, clean out ";the prisoners' quarters Origin mid 16th century [earlier [late Middle English] as fumigation, in the sense 'the action of perfuming']: from Latin fumigat- 'fumigated,' from the verb fumigare, from fumus 'smoke.'

fusillade

a series of shots fired or missiles throw synonyms: salvo, volley, barrage, bombardment, cannonade, battery, burst, blast, hail, shower, rain, stream; historicalbroadside ";a fusillade of missiles"; Origin early 19th century: from French, from fusiller 'to shoot,' from fusil [see fusil1] + -ade1.

fustian

Origin Middle English: from Old French fustaigne, from medieval Latin fustaneum, from [pannus] fustaneus 'cloth from Fostat,' a suburb of Cairo; sense 2 perhaps from the fact that fustian was sometimes used to cover pillows and cushions, implying that the language was "padded"; compare with bombas

fusty

smelling stale, damp, or stuffy synonyms: stale, musty, dusty; stuffy, airless, unventilated; damp, mildewed, mildewy ";the room smelt fusty"; Origin late 15th century: from Old French fuste 'smelling of the cask,' from fust 'cask, tree trunk,' from Latin fustis 'cudgel.'

gambit

[in ch synonyms: stratagem, scheme, plan, tactic, maneuver, move, course/line of action, device; machination, ruse, trick, ploy, wangle ";the most ambitious financial gambit in history"; Origin mid 17th century: originally gambett, from Italian gambetto, literally 'tripping up,' from gamba 'leg.'

garrulous

synonyms: talkative, loquacious, voluble, verbose, chatty, chattering, gossipy; effusive, expansive, forthcoming, conversational, communicative; informalmouthy, gabby, gassy, windy, having the gift of [the Origin early 17th century: from Latin garrulus [from garrire 'to chatter, prattle'] + -ous.

gauche

synonyms: awkward, gawky, inelegant, graceless, ungraceful, ungainly, maladroit, klutzy, inept; lacking in social grace[s], unsophisticated, uncultured, uncultivated, unrefined, raw, inexperienced, unworldly ";Rose was embarrassed by her gauche r Origin mid 18th century: French, literally 'left.'

gauntlet

a stout glove with a long loose wristOriginlate Middle English: from Old French gantelet, diminutive of gant 'glove,' of Germanic origin

germane

synonyms: relevant, pertinent, applicable, apposite, material; apropos, appropriate, apt, fitting, suitable; connected, related, akin Origin early 17th century: variant of german, with which it was synonymous from Middle English. The current sense has arisen from a usage in Shakespeare's Hamlet .

gibe

an insulting or mocking remark; a taunt synonyms: snide remark, cutting remark, taunt, sneer, jeer, insult, barb; informaldig, put-down ";vicious gibes"; Origin mid 16th century [as a verb]: perhaps from Old French giber 'handle roughly' [in modern dialect 'kick']; compare with jib2.

gird

encircle [a person or part of the synonyms: surround, enclose, encircle, circle, encompass, border, bound, edge, skirt, fringe; close in, confine ";the island was girded by rocks"; Origin Old English gyrdan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch gorden and German gÃ¼rten, also to girdle and girth.

glean

extract [information] from various sourc synonyms: obtain, get, take, draw, derive, extract, cull, garner, gather; learn, find out ";what were you able to glean from questioning the witness?"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French glener, from late Latin glennare, probably of Celtic origin.

glib

synonyms: slick, pat, fast-talking, smooth-talking; disingenuous, insincere, facile, shallow, superficial, flippant; smooth, silver- Origin late 16th century [also in the sense 'smooth, unimpeded']: ultimately of Germanic origin; related to Dutch glibberig 'slippery' and German glibberig 'slimy.'

glut

an excessively abundant supply of something synonyms: surplus, excess, surfeit, superfluity, overabundance, superabundance, oversupply, plethora ";a glut of cars"; Origin Middle English: probably via Old French from Latin gluttire 'to swallow'; related to glutton.

gossamer

a fine, filmy substance consistin synonyms: cobwebs; silk, gauze, chiffon ";her dress swirled like gossamer"; Origin Middle English: apparently from goose + summer1, perhaps from the time of year around St. Martin's summer, i.e., early November, when geese were eaten [gossamer being common then].

graft

syno Origin late Middle English graff, from Old French grafe, via Latin from Greek graphion 'stylus, writing implement' [with reference to the tapered tip of the scion], from graphein 'write.' The final -t is typical of phonetic confusion between -f and -ft at the end of words; compare with tuft.

grandiloquent

synonyms: pompous, bombastic, magniloquent, pretentious, ostentatious, high-flown, orotund, florid, flowery; overwro Origin late 16th century: from Latin grandiloquus, literally 'grand-speaking,' from grandis 'grand' + loqui 'speak.' The ending was altered in English by association with eloquent.

grate

reduce [something, especially food] to small shreds by rubbing it on a grater synonyms: shred, pulverize, mince, grind, granulate, crush, crumble ";she grated the cheese"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French grater, of Germanic origin; related to German kratzen 'to scratch.'

gregarious

[of a person] fond of company; sociab synonyms: sociable, company-loving, convivial, companionable, outgoing, friendly, affable, amiable, genial, warm, comradely; informalchummy ";he was fun-loving and gregarious"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin gregarius [from grex, greg- 'a flock'] + -ous.

grouse

a medium to large g synonyms: grumble, complain, protest, whine, bleat, carp, cavil, make a fuss; informalmoan, bellyache, gripe, beef, bitch, grouch, sound off, kvetch ";she groused about the food"; Origin early 16th century: perhaps related to medieval Latin gruta or to Old French grue 'crane.'

guile

synonyms: cunning, craftiness, craft, artfulness, art, artifice, wiliness, slyness, deviousness; wiles, ploys, schemes, stratagems, maneuvers, tricks, subterfuges, ruses; deception, deceit, duplicity, underhandedn Origin Middle English: from Old French, probably from Old Norse; compare with wile.

gumption

synonyms: initiative, resourcefulness, enterprise, ingenuity, imagination; astuteness, shrewdness, acumen, sense, common sense, wit, mother wit, practicality; spirit, backbone, pluck, mettle, nerve, courage, wherewithal; informalget Origin early 18th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.

gustation

the action or faculty of tasting Origin late 16th century: from Latin gustatio[n-], from gustare 'to taste,' from gustus 'taste.'

guy

a rope or line fixed to the ground to secure a tent or other structure Origin late Middle English: probably of Low German origin; related to Dutch gei 'brail' and German Geitaue 'brails.'

gyrate

move or cause to move in a circle or spiral, esp synonyms: rotate, revolve, wheel, turn around, whirl, circle, pirouette, twirl, swirl, spin, swivel ";the disk gyrates atop an aluminum pole"; Origin early 19th century: from Latin gyrat- 'revolved,' from the verb gyrare, from Greek guros 'a ring.'

hack

cut with rough or heavy blows synonyms: cut, chop, hew, lop, saw; slash ";Stuart hacked the padlock off"; Origin Old English haccian 'cut in pieces'; related to Dutch hakken and German hacken .

hagiography

the writing of the lives of saints

hagiolatry

the worship of saints

halcyon

synonyms: happy, golden, idyllic, carefree, blissful, joyful, joyous, contented; flourishing, thriving, prosperous, successful; se Origin late Middle English [in the mythological sense]: via Latin from Greek alkuÅn 'kingfisher' [also halkuÅn, by association with hals 'sea' and kuÅn 'conceiving'].

harangue

synonyms: tirade, diatribe, lecture, polemic, rant, fulmination, broadside, attack, onslaught; crit Origin late Middle English: from Old French arenge, from medieval Latin harenga, perhaps of Germanic origin. The spelling was later altered to conform with French harangue [noun], haranguer [verb].

harbinger

Origin Middle English: from Old French herbergere, from herbergier 'provide lodging for,' from herberge 'lodging,' from Old Saxon heriberga 'shelter for an army, lodging' [from heri 'army' + a Germanic base meaning 'fortified place'], related to harbor. The term originally denoted a person who pro

harried

feeling strained as a result of having demands persi synonyms: attack, assail, assault; charge, rush, strike, set upon; bombard, shell, strafe ";they harried the retreating enemy"; Origin Old English herian, hergian, of Germanic origin, probably influenced by Old French harier, in the same sense.

haruspex

[in ancient Rome] a religious official who interpreted omens by inspecting the entrails of sacrificial animals Origin Latin, from an unrecorded element meaning 'entrails' [related to Sanskrit hirÄ 'artery'] + -spex [from specere 'look at'].

hebetude

the state of being dull or lethargic Origin early 17th century: from late Latin hebetudo, from hebes, hebet- 'blunt.'

hector

synonyms: bully, intimidate, browbeat, harass, t Origin late Middle English: from the Greek name Hector. Originally denoting a hero, the sense later became 'braggart or bully' [applied in the late 17th century to a member of a gang of youths in London, England], hence 'talk to in a bullying way.'

hedonism

synonyms: self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking, self-gratification, lotus-eating, sybaritism; intemperance, immoderation, extravagance, luxury, high living ";they feel that television promotes hedonism among all its viewers, especially ch Origin mid 19th century: from Greek hÄdonÄ 'pleasure' + -ism.

hegemony

leadership or dominance, especiall synonyms: leadership, dominance, dominion, supremacy, authority, mastery, control, power, sway, rule, sovereignty ";the Prussian hegemony of the nineteenth century"; Origin mid 16th century: from Greek hÄgemonia, from hÄgemÅn 'leader,' from hÄgeisthai 'to lead.'

heinous

synonyms: odious, wicked, evil, atrocious, monstrous, abominable, detestable, contemptible, reprehensible, despicable, egregious, horrific, terrible, awful, abhorrent, loathsome, hideous, unspeakable, ex Origin late Middle English: from Old French haineus, from hair 'to hate,' of Germanic origin.

hetaera

a courtesan or mistress, especially one in ancient Greece akin to the modern geishaOriginfrom Greek hetaira, feminine of hetairos 'companion.

heteroclite

abnormal or irregular Origin late 15th century: via late Latin from Greek heteroklitos, from heteros 'other' + -klitos 'inflected' [from klinein 'to lean, inflect'].

heterodox

synonyms: unorthodox, nonconformist, dissenting, dissident, rebellious, renegade; heretical, blasphemous, recusant, apostate, skeptical; f Origin early 17th century [originally as a noun denoting an unorthodox opinion]: via late Latin from Greek heterodoxos, from heteros 'other' + doxa 'opinion.'

hiatus

synonyms: pause, break, gap, lacuna, interval, intermission, interlude, interruption, suspension, lull, respite, time out, time off, recess; informalbreather, letup ";the sp Origin mid 16th century [originally denoting a physical gap or opening]: from Latin, literally 'gaping,' from hiare 'gape.'

histrionic

synonyms: melodramatic, theatrical, dramatic, exaggerated, stagy, actorly, showy, affected, artificial, overacted, overdone; informalhammy, ham, campy ";a Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'dramatically exaggerated, hypocritical']: from late Latin histrionicus, from Latin histrio[n-] 'actor.'

hoi polloi

synonyms: masses, common people, populace, public, multitude, rank and file, lower order[s], plebeians, proletariat; mob; derogatoryrabble, riffraff, [great] unwashed, [common] herd, proles, plebs; humoroussheeple; historicalthird estate ";in da Origin mid 17th century: Greek, literally 'the many

homily

a synonyms: sermon, lecture, discourse, address, lesson, talk, speech, oration ";a guest preacher delivered today's homily"; Origin late Middle English: via Old French from ecclesiastical Latin homilia, from Greek, 'discourse, conversation' [in ecclesiastical use, 'sermon'], from homilos 'crowd.'

homogenous

synonyms: uniform, identical, unvaried, consistent, indistinguishable, homologous, homogenized; alike, similar, the same, much the same, all of a piece, melting-pot ";should the members of a society become so homogeneo Origin late 19th century: from homo- 'same' + Greek genos 'race, kind' + -ous.

hubris

excessive pride or self-confidence synonyms: arrogance, conceit, haughtiness, hauteur, pride, self-importance, egotism, pomposity, superciliousness, superiority; informalbig-headedness, cockiness ";the hubris among economists was shaken"; Origin Greek.

humor

Origin Middle English [as humour ]: via Old French from Latin humor 'moisture,' from humere [see humid]. The original sense was 'bodily fluid' [surviving in aqueous humor and vitreous humor, fluids in the eyeball]; it was used specifically for any of the cardinal humors [sense 3 of the noun], when

iconoclast

synonyms: critic, skeptic; heretic, unbeliever, dissident, dissenter, infidel; rebel, renegade, mutineer ";in terms of the money culture in Washington, she is an Origin mid 17th century [sense 2]: via medieval Latin from ecclesiastical Greek eikonoklastÄs, from eikÅn 'likeness' + klan 'to break.'

idiosyncrasy

synonyms: peculiarity, oddity, eccentricity, mannerism, trait, singularity, quirk, tic, whim, vagary, caprice Origin early 17th century [originally in the sense 'physical constitution peculiar to an individual']: from Greek idiosunkrasia, from idios 'own, private' + sun 'with' + krasis 'mixture.'

idolatry

synonyms: idolization, fetishization, fetishism, idol worship, adulation, adoration, reverence, veneration, glorification, lionization, hero-worshiping ";the prophets rail Origin Middle English: from Old French idolatrie, based on Greek eidÅlolatreia, from eidÅlon [see idol] + -latreia 'worship.'

igneous

[of rock] having solidified from lava or magmaOriginmid 17th century: from Latin igneus [from ignis 'fire'] + -ous

imbroglio

synonyms: complicated situation, complication, problem, difficulty, predicament, trouble, confusion, quandary, entanglement, muddle, mess, quagmire, morass, sticky situation; informalbind, jam, pickle, fix, corner, Origin mid 18th century: Italian, from imbrogliare 'confuse'; related to embroil.

immanent

existing or operating within; inherent Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin immanent- 'remaining within,' from in- 'in' + manere 'remain.'

imminent

synonyms: impending, close [at hand], near, [fast] approaching, coming, forthcoming, on the way, in the offing, in the pipeline, on the horizon, in the Origin late Middle English: from Latin imminent- 'overhanging, impending,' from the verb imminere, from in- 'upon, toward' + minere 'to project.'

impale

synonyms:stick, skewer, spear, spike, transfix, harpoon; pierce, stab, run through; literarytranspierce ";her knife impaled the counter like a Originmid 16th century [in the sense 'enclose with stakes or pales']: from French empaler or medieval Latin impalare, from Latin in- 'in' + palus 'a stake.

impecunious

synonyms: penniless, poor, impoverished, indigent, insolvent, hard up, poverty-stricken, needy, destitute; in straitened circumstances, unable to make ends meet; i Origin late 16th century: from in-1 'not' + obsolete pecunious 'having money, wealthy' [from Latin pecuniosus, from pecunia 'money'].

impede

synonyms: hinder, obstruct, hamper, hold back/up, delay, interfere with, disrupt, retard, slow [down], hobble, cripple; block, check, stop, scupper, scuttle, thwart, frustrate, ba Origin late 16th century: from Latin impedire 'shackle the feet of,' based on pes, ped- 'foot.' Compare with impeach.

imperious

synonyms: peremptory, high-handed, commanding, imperial, overbearing, overweening, domineering, authoritarian, dictatorial, autocratic, authoritativ Origin mid 16th century: from Latin imperiosus, from imperium 'command, authority, empire'; related to imperare 'to command.' Compare with imperial.

impervious

not allowing fluid to pass through synonyms: impermeable, impenetrable, impregnable, waterproof, watertight, water-resistant, repellent; [hermetically] sealed, zip-locked ";an impervious rain jacket"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin impervius [from in- 'not' + pervius 'pervious'] + -ous.

impetuous

synonyms:impulsive, rash, hasty, overhasty, reckless, heedless, careless, foolhardy, bullheaded, headstrong, incautious, imprudent, injudicious, ill-considered, unthought-out; spontanOriginlate Middle English: from Old French impetueux, from late Latin impetuosus, from impetere 'to assail, attack.

impetus

the force or energy with whsynonyms:momentum, propulsion, impulsion, motive force, driving force, drive, thrust; energy, force, power, push, strength ";the flywheel lost all its impetus"Originmid 17th century: from Latin, 'assault, force,' from impetere 'assail,' from in- 'toward' + petere 'seek.

implacable

synonyms: unappeasable, unforgiving, unsparing; inexorable, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, uncompromising, unrelenting, relentless, ruthless, remorseless, merciless, heartless, pitil Origin late Middle English: from Latin implacabilis, from in- 'not' + placabilis [see placable].

implore

beg someo synonyms: plead with, beg, entreat, beseech, appeal to, ask, request, call on; exhort, urge, enjoin, press, push, petition, bid, importune; supplicate ";his mother implored him to continue studying"; Origin early 16th century: from French implorer or Latin implorare 'invoke with tears.'

importune

synonyms: beg, beseech, entreat, implore, plead with, appeal to, call on, lobby; harass, pester, press, badger, bother, nag, harry; informalhassle, Origin mid 16th century: from French importuner or medieval Latin importunari, from Latin importunus 'inconvenient, unseasonable' [see importunate].

impudent

synonyms: impertinent, insolent, cheeky, cocky, brazen, bold, audacious; presumptuous, forward, disrespectful, insubordinate, bumptious, b Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'immodest, indelicate']: from Latin impudent-, from in- 'not' + pudent- 'ashamed, modest' [from pudere 'be ashamed'].

impugn

dispute the truth, validity, or hone synonyms: call into question, challenge, question, dispute, query, take issue with ";are you impugning my judgment?"; Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'assault, attack physically']: from Latin impugnare 'assail,' from in- 'toward' + pugnare 'fight

impunity

synonyms:immunity, indemnity, exemption [from punishment], freedom from liability, nonliability, license; amnesty, dispensation, reprieve, pardon, exoneration; stay of executOriginmid 16th century: from Latin impunitas, from impunis 'unpunished,' from in- 'not' + poena 'penalty' or punire 'punish.

impute

repres synonyms: attribute to, ascribe to, assign to, credit to; connect with, associate with ";the worst of these mistakes have been unfairly imputed to him"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French imputer, from Latin imputare 'enter in the account,' from in- 'in, toward' + putare 'reckon.'

inadvertent

synonyms: unintentional, unintended, accidental, unpremeditated, unplanned, innocent, uncalculated, unconscious, unthinking, unwittin Origin mid 17th century: from in-1 'not' + Latin advertent- 'turning the mind to' [from the verb advertere ]. The noun inadvertence dates from late Middle English.

incarcerate

synonyms: imprison, put in prison, send to prison, jail, lock up, put under lock and key, put away, intern, confine, detain, hold, immure, put in chains, hold Origin mid 16th century: from medieval Latin incarcerat- 'imprisoned,' from the verb incarcerare, from in- 'into' + Latin carcer 'prison.'

incendiary

[of a device or attack] designed to cause fires synonyms: combustible, flammable, inflammable ";an incendiary bomb"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin incendiarius, from incendium 'conflagration,' from incendere 'set fire to.'

inchoate

just begu synonyms: rudimentary, undeveloped, unformed, immature, incipient, embryonic; beginning, fledgling, developing ";their government should not interfere in the inchoate market forces"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin inchoatus, past participle of inchoare, variant of incohare 'begin.'

incisive

synonyms: penetrating, acute, sharp, sharp-witted, razor-sharp, keen, astute, trenchant, shrewd, piercing, cutting, perceptive, insightful, percipient, per Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'cutting, penetrating']: from medieval Latin incisivus, from Latin incidere 'cut into' [see incise].

incline

synonyms: disposed, of a mind, willing, ready, prepared; predisposed ";if you Origin Middle English [originally in the sense 'bend [the head, the body, or oneself] toward something'; formerly also as encline ]: from Old French encliner, from Latin inclinare, from in- 'toward' + clinare 'to bend.'

incontrovertible

synonyms: indisputable, incontestable, undeniable, irrefutable, unassailable, beyond dispute, unquestionable, beyond question, indubitable, beyond doubt, unarguable, undebatable; certain, sure, definite, definitive, proven, decisive, conclusive, demonstrable, emphatic, categorical, airtight, water

increase

synonyms: grow, get bigger, get larger, enlarge, expand, swell; rise, climb, escalate, soar, surge, rocket, shoot up, spiral; intensify, strengthen, extend, he Origin Middle English [formerly also as encrease ]: from Old French encreistre, from Latin increscere, from in- 'into' + crescere 'grow.'

incredulous

synonyms:disbelieving, skeptical, unbelieving, distrustful, mistrustful, suspicious, doubtful, dubious, unconvinced; cynical ";we were incredulous when the congressman wasOriginlate 16th century: from Latin incredulus [from in- 'not' + credulus 'believing, trusting,' from credere 'believe'] + -ous

incubus

a male demon believed to have sexual intercourse with sleeping women Origin Middle English: late Latin form of Latin incubo 'nightmare,' from incubare 'lie on' [see incubate].

inculpate

accuse or blameOriginlate 18th century: from late Latin inculpat- 'made culpable,' from the verb inculpare, from in- 'upon, toward' + culpare 'to blame' [from culpa 'fault']

incumbent

synonyms: necessary for one to, essential that, required that, imperative that; compulsory for one to, binding on one to, mandat Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Anglo-Latin incumbens, incumbent-, from Latin incumbere 'lie or lean on,' from in- 'upon' + a verb related to cubare 'lie.'

indefatigable

synonyms: tireless, untiring, unflagging, unwearied; determined, tenacious, dogged, single-minded, assiduous, industrious, hard-working, unswerving, unfaltering, u Origin early 17th century: from French, or from Latin indefatigabilis, from in- 'not' + de- 'away, completely' + fatigare 'wear out.'

indemnity

security or protection against a loss or synonyms: insurance, assurance, protection, security, indemnification, surety, guarantee, warranty, safeguard ";indemnity against loss"; Origin late Middle English: from French indemnite, from late Latin indemnitas, from indemnis 'unhurt, free from loss.'

indict

synonyms: charge with, accuse of, arraign for, take to court for, put on trial for, bring to trial for, prosecute for; cite for, impe Origin Middle English endite, indite, from Anglo-Norman French enditer, based on Latin indicere 'proclaim, appoint,' from in- 'toward' + dicere 'pronounce, utter.'

indifferent

synonyms: unconcerned, uninterested, uncaring, casual, nonchalant, offhand, uninvolved, une Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'having no partiality for or against']: via Old French from Latin indifferent- 'not making any difference,' from in- 'not' + different- 'differing' [see different].

indigent

synonyms: poor, impecunious, destitute, penniless, impoverished, insolvent, poverty-stricken; needy, in need, hard up, disadvanta Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin indigent- 'lacking,' from the verb indigere, from indi- [strengthened form of in- 'into'] + egere 'to need.'

indolent

synonyms:lazy, idle, slothful, loafing, do-nothing, sluggardly, shiftless, lackadaisical, languid, inactive, underactive, inert, sluggish, lethargic, toOriginmid 17th century: from late Latin indolent-, from in- 'not' + dolere 'suffer or give pain.' The sense 'idle' arose in the early 18th century

ineluctable

unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable Origin early 17th century: from Latin ineluctabilis, from in- 'not' + eluctari 'struggle out.'

inexorable

synonyms: relentless, unstoppable, inescapable, inevitable, unavoidable, irrevocable, unalterable; persistent, continuous, nonstop, steady, interminable, incessant, unceasing, u Origin mid 16th century: from French, or from Latin inexorabilis, from in- 'not' + exorabilis [from exorare 'entreat'].

infelicitous

unfortunate; inappropriate

ingenue

an innocent or unsophisticated young womanOriginFrench, feminine of ingÃ©nu 'ingenuous,' from Latin ingenuus [see ingenuous]

ingenuous

synonyms: naive, innocent, Origin late 16th century: from Latin ingenuus, literally 'native, inborn,' from in- 'into' + an element related to gignere 'beget.' The original sense was 'noble, generous,' giving rise to 'honorably straightforward, frank,' hence 'innocently frank' [late 17th century].

inherent

synonyms: intrinsic, innate, immanent, built-in, indwelling, inborn, ingrained, deep-rooted; essential, fundamental, basic, structural, organic; natural, instinctive Origin late 16th century: from Latin inhaerent- 'sticking to,' from the verb inhaerere, from in- 'in, toward' + haerere 'to stick.'

inimical

synonyms: harmful, injurious, detrimental, deleterious, prejudicial, damaging, hurtful, destructive, ruinous, pernicious; antagonistic, contrary, antipathetic, unfavorable, adverse, opposed; hostile, unkind, u Origin early 16th century: from late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus [see enemy].

innocuous

synonyms: harmless, safe, nontoxic, innocent; edible, eatable ";an innocuous fungus"; inoffensive, unobjectionable, unexceptionable, harmless, mild, tame, anodyne, soft-focus ";an innocuous comment"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin innocuus, from in- 'not' + nocuus 'injurious' [see nocuous].

innuendo

synonyms:insinuation, sOriginmid 16th century [as an adverb in the sense 'that is to say, to wit,' used in legal documents to introduce an explanation]: Latin, 'by nodding at, by pointing to,' ablative gerund of innuere, from in- 'toward' + nuere 'to nod.' The noun dates from the late 17th century

inordinate

synonyms: excessive, undue, unreasonable, unjustifiable, unwarrantable, disproportionate, unwarranted, unnecessary, needless, uncalled for, gratuitous, exorbitan Origin late Middle English: from Latin inordinatus, from in- 'not' + ordinatus 'arranged, set in order' [past participle of ordinare ].

insidious

synonyms: stealthy, subtle, surreptitious, cunning, crafty, treacherous, artful, sly, wily, shifty, underhanded, indirect; informalsneaky "; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin insidiosus 'cunning,' from insidiae 'an ambush or trick,' from insidere 'lie in wait for,' from in- 'on' + sedere 'sit.'

insipid

lacking flavor synonyms: tasteless, flavorless, bland, weak, wishy-washy; unappetizing, unpalatable ";insipid coffee"; Origin early 17th century: from French insipide or late Latin insipidus, from in- 'not' + sapidus [see sapid].

insolent

synonyms: impertinent, impudent, cheeky, ill-mannered, bad-mannered, unmann Origin late Middle English [also in the sense 'extravagant, going beyond acceptable limits']: from Latin insolent- 'immoderate, unaccustomed, arrogant,' from in- 'not' + solent- 'being accustomed' [from the verb solere ].

insouciance

synonyms: nonchalance, unconcern, indifference, heedlessness, calm, equanimity, composure, ease, airiness; informalcool ";through his own profligacy and insouciance in raising Origin late 18th century: French, from insouciant, from in- 'not' + souciant 'worrying' [present participle of soucier ].

insurgent

rising in active revoltsynonyms:rebellious, rebel, revolutionary, mutinous, insurrectionist; renegade, seditious, subversive ";insurgent forces"Originmid 18th century [as a noun]: via French from Latin insurgent- 'arising,' from the verb insurgere, from in- 'into, toward' + surgere 'to rise.

insurrection

synonyms: rebellion, revolt, uprising, mutiny, revolution, insurgence, riot, sedition, subversion; civil disorder, unrest, anarchy; coup [d'Ã©tat] ";the suspects all escaped after a prison insurre Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin insurrectio[n-], from insurgere 'rise up.'

integer

a whole number; a number that is not a fraction Origin early 16th century [as an adjective meaning 'entire, whole']: from Latin, 'intact, whole,' from in- [expressing negation] + the root of tangere 'to touch.' Compare with entire, also with integral, integrate, and integrity.

intercede

synonyms:mediate, intermediate, arbitrate, conciliate, negotiate, moderate; intervene, interpose, step in, act; plead, petition, advocate ";a third party was called in to intercede"Originlate 16th century: from French intercÃ©der or Latin intercedere 'intervene,' from inter- 'between' + cedere 'go.

interdict

synoOriginMiddle English entredite [in the ecclesiastical sense], from Old French entredit, from Latin interdictum, past participle of interdicere 'interpose, forbid by decree,' from inter- 'between' + dicere 'say.' The spelling change in the 16th century was due to association with the Latin form

interlocutor

a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation Origin early 16th century: modern Latin, from Latin interlocut- 'interrupted [by speech],' from the verb interloqui, from inter- 'between' + loqui 'speak.'

interstice

an intervening space, especially a very small one Origin late Middle English: from Latin interstitium, from intersistere 'stand between,' from inter- 'between' + sistere 'to stand.'

intimate

synonyms: announce, state, proclaim, declare, make known, make public, publicize, disclose, reveal, divulge, set forth ";he intimated to the com Origin early 16th century [earlier [late Middle English] as intimation ]: from late Latin intimat- 'made known,' from the verb intimare [see intimate1].

intractable

hard to control or deal with synonyms: unmanageable, uncontrollable, difficult, awkward, troublesome, demanding, burdensome ";intractable problems"; Origin late 15th century: from Latin intractabilis, from in- 'not' + tractabilis [see tractable].

intramural

situated or done within the walls of a buildingOriginmid 19th century: from intra- 'within' + Latin murus 'wall' + -al

intransigent

synonyms: uncompromising, inflexible, unbending, unyielding, diehard, unshakab Origin late 19th century: from French intransigeant, from Spanish los intransigentes [a name adopted by the extreme republicans in the Cortes, 1873-74]; based on Latin in- 'not' + transigere 'come to an understanding.'

intrepid

synonyms: fearless, unafraid, undaunted, unflinching, unshrinking, bold, daring, gallant, audacious, adventurous, heroic, dynamic, spirited, indomitable; brave, courageous, valiant, valorous, Origin late 17th century: from French intrÃ©pide or Latin intrepidus, from in- 'not' + trepidus 'alarmed.'

intrude

synonyms: encroach on, impinge on, interfere in, trespass on/upon, infringe on, obtrude on/into, invade, violate, disturb, disrupt, interrupt; me Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'usurp an office or right'; originally as entrude ]: from Latin intrudere, from in- 'into' + trudere 'to thrust.'

inundate

overwhelm [someone synonyms: overwhelm, overrun, overload, bog down, swamp, besiege, snow under, bombard, glut ";we have been inundated with complaints"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin inundat- 'flooded,' from the verb inundare, from in- 'into, upon' + undare 'to flow' [from unda 'a wave'].

inure

synonyms: harden, toughen, season, temper, condition; accustom, habituate, familiarize, acclimatize, adjust, adapt, desensitize ";t Origin late Middle English inure, enure, from an Anglo-Norman French phrase meaning 'in use or practice,' from en 'in' + Old French euvre 'work' [from Latin opera ].

invective

synonyms: abuse, insults, e Origin late Middle English [originally as an adjective meaning 'reviling, abusive']: from Old French invectif, -ive, from late Latin invectivus 'attacking,' from invehere [see inveigh]. The noun is from late Latin invectiva [oratio ] 'abusive or censorious [language].'

inveigh

synonyms: fulminate against, declaim against, protest [against], rail against/at, rage at, remonstrate agai Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'carry in, introduce'; formerly also as enveigh ]: from Latin invehere 'carry in,' invehi 'be carried into, assail,' from in- 'into' + vehere 'carry.'

inveigle

synonyms: entice, tempt, lure, seduce, beguile; wheedle, cajole, coax, persuade; informalsweet-talk, soft- Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'beguile, deceive'; formerly also as enveigle ]: from Anglo-Norman French envegler, alteration of Old French aveugler 'to blind,' from aveugle 'blind.'

invidious

[of an action or situation] likely to arouse or incur resentment or anger in others synonyms: unpleasant, awkward, difficult; undesirable, unenviable; odious, hateful, detestable ";that put her in an invidious position"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin invidiosus, from invidia [see envy].

irascible

synonyms: irritable, quick-tempered, short-tempered, hot-tempered, testy, touchy, tetchy, edgy, crabby, petulant, waspish, dyspeptic, snappish; cross, surly, crusty, grouchy, grum Origin late Middle English: via French from late Latin irascibilis, from Latin irasci 'grow angry,' from ira 'anger.'

iridescent

synonyms: opalescent, nacreous; shimmering, luminous, glittering, sparkling, dazzling, shining, gleaming, glowing, lustrous, scintillating; kaleidoscopic, rainbow-colored, multicolored; literaryglistering, coruscating, effulgen Origin late 18th century: from Latin iris, irid- 'rainbow' + -escent.

itinerant

synonyms: traveling, peripatetic, wandering, roving, roaming, touring, saddlebag, nomadic, gypsy, migrant, vagrant Origin late 16th century [used to describe a judge traveling on a circuit]: from late Latin itinerant- 'traveling,' from the verb itinerari, from Latin iter, itiner- 'journey, road.'

jejune

naive, simplistic, and superficial Origin early 17th century: from Latin jejunus 'fasting, barren.' The original sense was 'without food,' hence 'not intellectually nourishing.'

jeremiad

a long, mournful complaint or lamentation; a list of woes Origin late 18th century: from French jÃ©rÃ©miade, from JÃ©rÃ©mie 'Jeremiah,' from ecclesiastical Latin Jeremias, with reference to the Lamentations of Jeremiah in the Old Testament.

junta

a military or politsynonyms:faction, cabal, clique, camarilla, party, set, ring, gang, league, confederacy ";the press is censored and controlled by the military junta"Originearly 17th century [sense 2]: from Spanish and Portuguese, from Latin juncta, feminine past participle of jungere 'to join.

juvenilia

works produced by an author or artist while still young Origin early 17th century: from Latin, neuter plural of juvenilis [see juvenile].

knell

synonyms: toll, tolling, dong, resounding, reverberation; death knell; archaictocsin ";the knell of Origin Old English cnyll [noun], cnyllan [verb]; related to Dutch knal [noun], knallen [verb] 'bang, pop, crack.' The current spelling [dating from the 16th century] is perhaps influenced by bell1.

kudos

praise and honor received f synonyms: praise, glory, honor, status, standing, distinction, fame, celebrity; admiration, respect, esteem, acclaim, prestige, cachet, credit, full marks, props ";kudos to you for a lifetime of quiet courage and unwavering generosity"; Origin late 18th century: Greek.

kvetch

a person who complains a great deal Origin 1960s: from Yiddish kvetsh [noun], kvetshn [verb], from Middle High German quetschen, literally 'cru

lacerate

tear or make deep cuts in [flesh or skin]synonyms:cut [open], gash, slash, tear, rip, rend, shred; score, scratch, scrape, graze; wound, injure, hurt ";the nail has lacerated his left arm"Originlate Middle English: from Latin lacerat- 'mangled,' from the verb lacerare, from lacer 'mangled, torn.

lackadaisical

synonyms: lethargic, apathetic, listless, sluggish, spiritless, passionless; careless, lazy, lax, unenthusiastic, halfhearted, lukewarm, indifferent, unconcern Origin mid 18th century [also in the sense 'feebly sentimental']: from the archaic interjection lackaday, lackadaisy [see alack] + -ical.

laconic

synonyms: brief, concise, terse, succinct, short, pithy ";his laconic comment"; taciturn, uncommunicative, reticent, quiet, reserved, s Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'Laconian']: via Latin from Greek LakÅnikos, from LakÅn 'Laconia, Sparta,' the Spartans being known for their terse speech.

lambaste

synonyms: criticize, chastise, censure, take to task, harangue, rail at, rant at, fulminate against; upbraid, scold, reprimand, rebuke, castigate, chide, reprove, admonis Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'beat, thrash']: from lam1 + baste3. The current sense dates from the late 19th century.

languid

[of a person, manner, or gest synonyms: relaxed, unhurried, languorous, slow; listless, lethargic, sluggish, lazy, idle, indolent, apathetic; informallaid-back ";a languid wave of the hand"; Origin late 16th century [sense 2]: from French languide or Latin languidus, from languere [see languish].

larceny

synonyms:theft, stealing, robbery, pilfering, thieving; burglary, housebreaking, breaking and entering; informalfilching, swiping, pinching; formalpeculOriginlate 15th century: from Old French larcin, from Latin latrocinium, from latro[n-] 'robber,' earlier 'mercenary soldier,' from Greek latreus

lascivious

synonyms:lecherous, lewd, lustful, licentious, libidinous, salacious, lubricious, prurient, dirty, smutty, naughty, indecent, ribald; informalblue; formalconcupiscent ";his lasOriginlate Middle English: from late Latin lasciviosus, from Latin lascivia 'lustfulness,' from lascivus 'lustful, wanton.

lassitude

a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy synonyms: lethargy, listlessness, weariness, languor, sluggishness, tiredness, fatigue, torpor, lifelessness, apathy ";prolonged periods of lassitude"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from Latin lassitudo, from lassus 'tired.'

lavish

sumptuously rich synonyms: sumptuous, luxurious, costly, expensive, opulent, grand, splendid, rich, fancy, posh; informalfancy-schmancy ";lavish parties"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting profusion]: from Old French lavasse 'deluge of rain,' from laver 'to wash,' from Latin lavare .

leery

cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions synonyms: wary, cautious, careful, guarded, chary, suspicious, distrustful; worried, anxious, apprehensive, hesitant, uncertain ";be leery of these slick salesmen"; Origin late 17th century: from obsolete leer 'looking askance,' from leer + -y1.

lethargy

synonyms: sluggishness, inertia, inactivity, inaction, slowness, torpor, torpidity, lifelessness, listlessness, languor, laziness, idlen Origin late Middle English: via Old French from late Latin lethargia, from Greek lÄthargia, from lÄthargos 'forgetful,' from the base of lanthanesthai 'forget.'

leviathan

[in biblical use] a sea monster, identified in different passages with the whale and the crocodile [e.g., Job 41, Ps. 74:14], and with the Devil [after Isa. 27:1]Originvia late Latin from Hebrew liwyÄá¹¯Än

libertine

a person, especially a man, who behaves wsynonyms:philanderer, playboy, rake, rouÃ©, Don Juan, Lothario, Casanova, Romeo; lecher, seducer, womanizer, adulterer, debauchee, profligate, wanton; informalskirt-chaser, tomcat, horndog, ladykiller, lech, wolf; formalfornicator ";an unrepentant libertine"

limn

depict or describe in painting or words synonyms: describe, portray, depict, illustrate ";his earlier works limned violence"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'illuminate a manuscript']: alteration of obsolete lumine 'illuminate,' via Old French luminer from Latin luminare 'make light.'

lissome

[of a person or their body] thin, supple, and graceful Origin late 18th century: contraction, from lithe + -some1.

list

[of a ship] lean to one side, typically because of a leak or unbalanced cargo synonyms: lean, lean over, tilt, tip, heel, heel over, keel over, careen, cant, pitch, incline, slant, slope, bank ";the boat listed to one side"; Origin early 17th century: of unknown origin.

litany

a series of petitions for use in church services or processions, usu synonyms: prayer, invocation, supplication, devotion; archaicorison ";she was reciting the litany"; Origin Middle English: from Old French letanie, via ecclesiastical Latin from Greek litaneia 'prayer,' from litÄ 'supplication.'

lithe

[especially of a person's body] thin, su synonyms: agile, graceful, supple, limber, lithesome, loose-limbed, nimble, deft, flexible, lissome, slender, slim, willowy ";lithe dancers"; Origin Old English lÄ«the 'gentle, meek,' also 'mellow,' of Germanic origin; related to German lind 'soft, gentle.'

livid

synonyms: purplish, bluish, dark, discolored, purple, grayish-blue; bruised; angry, black and blue ";a Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'of a bluish leaden color']: from French livide or Latin lividus, from livere 'be bluish.' The sense 'furiously angry' dates from the early 20th century.

loath

reluctant; unwilling synonyms: reluctant, unwilling, disinclined, ill-disposed; averse, opposed, resistant ";they were loath to take risks"; Origin Old English lÄth 'hostile, spiteful,' of Germanic origin; related to Dutch leed, German Leid 'sorrow.'

loquacious

te synonyms: talkative, voluble, communicative, expansive, garrulous, unreserved, chatty, gossipy, gossiping; informalhaving the gift of [the] gab, gabby, gassy, motormouthed, talky, windy ";a loquacious little boy"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin loquax, loquac- [from loqui 'talk'] + -ious.

lothario

a man who behaves selfishly and irresponsibly in his sexual relationships with womenOriginfrom a character in Rowe's Fair Penitent [1703]

louche

disreputable or sordid in a rakish or appealing way Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'squinting.'

lubricious

offensively displaying or intended to arouse sexual desire Origin late 16th century: from Latin lubricus 'slippery' + -ious.

lucid

synonyms: intelligible, comprehensible, understandable, cogent, coherent, articulate; clear, transparent; plain, simple, vivid, sharp, straightforwar Origin late 16th century [sense 2]: from Latin lucidus [perhaps via French lucide or Italian lucido ], from lucere 'shine,' from lux, luc- 'light.'

lucubrate

discourse learnedly in writing Origin early 17th century: from Latin lucubrat- '[having] worked by lamplight,' from the verb lucubrare .

ludicrous

synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, farcical, laughable, risible, preposterous, foolish, mad, insane, idiotic, stupid, inane, silly, asinine, nonsensical; informalc Origin early 17th century [in the sense 'sportive, intended as a jest']: from Latin ludicrus [probably from ludicrum 'stage play'] + -ous.

lugubrious

synonyms: mournful, gloomy, sad, unhappy, doleful, glum, melancholy, woeful, miserable, woebegone, forlorn, somber, solemn, serious, sorrowful, morose, dour, cheerless, joyless, dismal; funereal, sepulchral; informaldown Origin early 17th century: from Latin lugubris [from lugere 'mourn'] + -ous.

lumber

synonyms: lurch, stumble, trundle, shamble, shuffle, waddle; trudge, clump, stump, plod, tramp, tromp; informalgalumph ";elephants lumbered past"; clumsy, awkward, heavy-footed, slow, blundering, bumbling, inept, maladroit, u Origin late Middle English lomere, perhaps symbolic of clumsy movement.

luminous

synonyms: shining, bright, brilliant, radiant, dazzling, glowing, gleaming, scintillating, lustrous; luminescent, phosphorescent, fluorescent, incandescent ";the luminous face of the alarm clock"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French lumineux or Latin luminosus, from lumen, lumin- 'light.'

lummox

a clumsy, stupid person Origin early 19th century: of unknown origin.

lurid

very vivid in co synonyms: bright, brilliant, vivid, glaring, shocking, fluorescent, flaming, dazzling, intense; gaudy, loud, showy, bold, garish, tacky ";lurid colors"; Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'pale and dismal in color']: from Latin luridus ; related to luror 'wan or yellow color.'

macabre

synonyms: gruesome, grisly, grim, gory, morbid, ghastly, unearthly, grotesque, hideous, Origin late 19th century: from French macabre, from Danse Macabre 'dance of death,' from Old French, perhaps from MacabÃ© 'a Maccabee,' with reference to a miracle play depicting the slaughter of the Maccabees.

maelstrom

a powerful whirlpool in the sea osynonyms:whirlpool, vortex, eddy, swirl; literaryCharybdis ";a maelstrom in the sea"Originlate 17th century: from early modern Dutch [denoting a mythical whirlpool supposed to exist in the Arctic Ocean, west of Norway], from maalen 'grind, whirl' + stroom 'stream.

mainstay

a stay that extends from the maintop to the foot of the foremast of a sailing synonyms: central component, central figure, centerpiece, prop, linchpin, cornerstone, pillar, bulwark, buttress, chief support, backbone, anchor, foundation, base, staple ";agriculture is the mainstay of their economy";

maladaptive

not providing adequate or appropriate adjustment to the environment or situation

malapert

boldly disrespectful to a person of higher standing Origin Middle English: from mal- 'improperly' + archaic apert 'insolent.'

malcontent

synonyms: troublemaker, mischief-maker, agitator, dissident, rebel, rabble-rouser; discontent, complainer, grumbler, moaner, whiner; informalgrouch, grump, bellyacher, kvetch, squeaky wheel ";a group of malcontents" Origin late 16th century: from French, from mal 'badly, ill' + content 'pleased.'

malevolent

synonyms: malicious, hostile, evil-minded, baleful, evil-intentioned, venomous, evil, malign, malignant, rancorous, vicious, vindictive, vengeful; literarymalefic, malefic Origin early 16th century: from Latin malevolent- 'wishing evil,' from male 'ill' + volent- 'wishing' [from the verb velle ].

malinger

synonyms: pretend to be ill, feign [an] illness, fake [an] illness; shirk; informalgoof off ";he was put on repor Origin early 19th century: back-formation from malingerer, apparently from French malingre, perhaps formed as mal- 'wrongly, improperly' + haingre 'weak,' probably of Germanic origin.

malleable

[of a metal or other material] able to be hammered or pressed perma synonyms: pliable, ductile, plastic, pliant, soft, workable ";a malleable substance"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'able to be hammered']: via Old French from medieval Latin malleabilis, from Latin malleus 'a hammer.'

malversation

corrupt behavior in a position of trust, especially in public office Origin mid 16th century: from French, from malverser, from Latin male 'badly' + versari 'behave.'

manacle

a metal band, chain, or shackle for fasynonyms:handcuffs, shackles, chains, irons, fetters, restraints, bonds; informalcuffs, bracelets ";he claimed there were no manacles that could hold him"OriginMiddle English: from Old French manicle 'handcuff,' from Latin manicula, diminutive of manus 'hand.

manicure

a cosmetic treatment of the hands involving cutting, shaping, and often painting of the nails, removal of the cuticles, and softening of the skin Origin late 19th century: from French, from Latin manus 'hand' + cura 'care.'

manumit

release from slavery; set free Origin late Middle English: from Latin manumittere, literally 'send forth from the hand,' from manus 'hand' + mittere 'send.'

maudlin

synonyms: sentimental, oversentimental, emotional, overemotional, t Origin late Middle English [as a noun denoting Mary Magdalen]: from Old French Madeleine, from ecclesiastical Latin Magdalena [see magdalene]. The sense of the adjective derives from allusion to pictures of Mary Magdalen weeping.

maunder

talk in a rambling manner synonyms: ramble, prattle, blather, rattle, chatter, jabber, babble; informalyak, yatter ";he maundered on about his problems"; Origin early 17th century: perhaps from obsolete maunder 'to beg.'

maverick

synonyms: individualist, nonconformist, free spirit, unorthodox person, original, eccentric; rebel, dissenter, dissident, enfant terrible; informalcowboy, loose canno Origin mid 19th century: from the name of Samuel A. Maverick [1803-70], a Texas engineer and rancher who did not brand his cattle.

mawkish

synonyms: sentimental, oversentimental, maudlin, cloying, sickly, saccharine, sugary, oversweet, syrupy, nauseating; informalmushy, slushy, sloppy, schmaltzy, wee Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'inclined to sickness']: from obsolete mawk 'maggot,' from Old Norse mathkr, of Germanic origin.

meander

[of a river or road] follow a winding course synonyms: zigzag, wind, twist, turn, curve, curl, bend, snake ";the river meandered gently"; Origin late 16th century [as a noun]: from Latin maeander, from Greek Maiandros, the name of a river [see Menderes].

meet

suitable; fit; proper Origin Middle English [in the sense 'made to fit']: shortening of Old English gemÇ£te, of Germanic origin; related to mete1.

melancholy

synonyms: sadness, sorrow, unhappiness, woe, desolation, melancholia, dejection, depression, desponden Origin Middle English: from Old French melancolie, via late Latin from Greek melankholia, from melas, melan- 'black' + kholÄ 'bile,' an excess of which was formerly believed to cause depression.

meliorate

another term for ameliorate Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin meliorat- 'improved,' from the verb meliorare, based on melior 'better.'

menagerie

a collection of wild animals kept in captivity for exhibition Origin late 17th century: from French mÃ©nagerie, from mÃ©nage [see mÃ©nage].

mendacious

synonyms: lying, untruthful, dishonest, deceitful, false, dissembling, insincere, disingenuous, hypocritical, fraudulent, double-dealing, two-faced, Janus-faced, two-timing, duplicitous, perjured; u Origin early 17th century: from Latin mendax, mendac- 'lying' [related to mendum 'fault'] + -ious.

mendicant

given to begging Origin late Middle English: from Latin mendicant- 'begging,' from the verb mendicare, from mendicus 'beggar,' from mendum 'fault.'

mephitic

[especially of a gas or vapor] foul-smelling; noxious Origin early 17th century: from late Latin mephiticus, from mephitis 'noxious exhalation.'

mercenary

[of a person or their behavio synonyms: money-oriented, grasping, greedy, acquisitive, avaricious, covetous, bribable, venal, materialistic; informalmoney-grubbing ";mercenary self-interest"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Latin mercenarius 'hireling,' from merces, merced- 'reward.'

meretricious

synonyms:worthless, valueless, cheap, tawdry, trashy, Brummagem, tasteless, kitsch, kitschy; false, artificial, fake, imitation; informaltacky, chintzy ";the meretriciouOriginearly 17th century: from Latin meretricius [adjective from meretrix, meretric- 'prostitute,' from mereri 'be hired'] + -ous

metabolism

the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life Origin late 19th century: from Greek metabolÄ 'change' [from metaballein 'to change'] + -ism.

metaphor

a figure o synonyms: figure of speech, image, trope, analogy, comparison, symbol, word painting/picture ";the profusion of metaphors in her everyday speech has gotten pretty tiresome"; Origin late 15th century: from French mÃ©taphore, via Latin from Greek metaphora, from metapherein 'to transfer.'

meticulous

synonyms: careful, conscientious, diligent, scrupulous, punctilious, painstaking, accurate; thoroug Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'fearful or timid']: from Latin meticulosus, from metus 'fear.' The word came to mean 'overcareful about detail,' hence the current sense [early 19th century].

mettle

synonyms: spirit, fortitude, strength of character, moral fiber, steel, determination, resolve, resolution, backbone, grit, true grit, courage, courageousness, bravery, valor, fearlessness, daring; informalguts, Origin mid 16th century: specialized spelling [used for figurative senses] of metal.

miasma

a highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vaporsynonyms:stink, reek, stench, fetor, smell, fume, odor, whiff; gas, cloud, smog, vapor ";the miasma from the stagnant swamp made us choke and gag"Originmid 17th century: from Greek, literally 'defilement,' from miainein 'pollute.

milieu

a person's socia synonyms: environment, sphere, background, backdrop, setting, context, atmosphere; location, conditions, surroundings, environs; informalstomping grounds, stamping grounds, turf ";the political milieu in New England"; Origin mid 19th century: French, from mi 'mid' + lieu 'place.'

mimetic

relating to, constituting, or habitually practicing mimesis Origin mid 17th century: from Greek mimÄtikos 'imitation,' from mimeisthai 'to imitate.'

minatory

expressing or conveying a threat Origin mid 16th century: from late Latin minatorius, from minat- 'threatened,' from the verb minari .

mince

cut up or grind [food, especially meat] into very small pieces, typically in a machine with revolving bladessynonyms:grind, chop up, cut up, dice, hash, chop fine ";mince the meat and onions"Originlate Middle English: from Old French mincier, based on Latin minutia 'smallness.

mirth

synonyms: merriment, high spirits, cheerfulness, cheeriness, hilarity, glee, laughter, gaiety, buoyancy, blitheness, euphoria, exhilaration, lightheartedness, joviality, joy, joyfulness, joyousness ";we could not hold back our mirth Origin Old English myrgth, of Germanic origin; related to merry.

misanthrope

a person who dislikes humankind synonyms: hater of mankind, hater, cynic; recluse, hermit; hikikomori; informalgrouch, grump ";he was going to join a group of misanthropes but he disliked all the members"; Origin mid 16th century: from Greek misanthrÅpos, from misein 'to hate' + anthrÅpos 'man.'

miscreant

synonyms: criminal, culprit, wrongdoer, malefactor, offender, villain, lawbreaker, evildoer, del Origin Middle English [as an adjective in the sense 'disbelieving']: from Old French mescreant, present participle of mescreire 'disbelieve,' from mes- 'mis-' + creire 'believe' [from Latin credere ].

mitigate

synonyms: alleviate, reduce, diminish, lessen, weaken, lighten, attenuate, take the edge off, allay, ease, assuage, palliate, relieve, tone down ";the worst symptoms have been mitiga Origin late Middle English: from Latin mitigat- 'softened, alleviated,' from the verb mitigare, from mitis 'mild.'

modicum

synonyms: small amount, particle, speck, fragment, scrap, crumb, grain, morsel, shred, dash, drop, pinch, soupÃ§on, jot, iota, whit, atom, smattering, scintilla, hint, suggestion, tinge; informalsmidgen, tad Origin late 15th century: from Latin, neuter of modicus 'moderate,' from modus 'measure.'

mollify

appease the anger or anxiety of [someone]synonyms:appease, placate, pacify, conciliate, soothe, calm [down] ";they tried to mollify the protesters"Originlate Middle English [also in the sense 'make soft or supple']: from French mollifier or Latin mollificare, from mollis 'soft.

monocoque

an aircraft or vehicle structure in which the chassis is integral with the body Origin early 20th century: from French, from mono- 'single' + coque 'shell.'

monster

an imaginary creature that is typically large, ugly, and frighteningsynonyms:giant, mammoth, colossus, leviathan, titan; informaljumbo ";he's a monster of a man"Originlate Middle English: from Old French monstre, from Latin monstrum 'portent or monster,' from monere 'warn.

mordacious

denoting or using biting sarcasm or invective Origin mid 17th century: from Latin mordax, mordac- 'biting' + -ious.

mordant

[especially of humor] ha synonyms: caustic, trenchant, biting, cutting, acerbic, sardonic, sarcastic, scathing, acid, sharp, keen; critical, bitter, virulent, vitriolic ";a mordant sense of humor"; Origin late 15th century: from French, present participle of mordre 'to bite,' from Latin mordere .

the essential or characteristic customs and convsynonyms:customs, conventions, ways, way of life, traditions, practices, habits; lifeways; formalpraxis ";the mores of the day would have prevented her from voicing political opinions"Originlate 19th century: from Latin, plural of mos, mor- 'custom.

moribund

[of a person] at the point of death synonyms: dying, expiring, terminal, on one's deathbed, near death, at death's door, not long for this world ";the patient was moribund"; Origin early 18th century: from Latin moribundus, from mori 'to die.'

morose

synonyms:sullen, sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, ill-humored, melancholy, melancholic, brooding, broody, doleful, miserable, depressed, dejected, despondent, downcast, unhappy, lOriginmid 16th century: from Latin morosus 'peevish,' from mos, mor- 'manner.

morose

synonyms: sullen, sulky, gloomy, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dour, surly, sour, glum, moody, ill-humored, melancholy, melancholic, brooding, broody, doleful, miserable, depressed, dejected, despondent, downcast, unhap Origin mid 16th century: from Latin morosus 'peevish,' from mos, mor- 'manner.'

mulct

extract money from [someone] by fine or taxation Origin late 15th century: from Latin mulctare, multare, from mulcta 'a fine.'

munificent

synonyms:generous, bountiful, openhanded, magnanimous, philanthropic, princely, handsome, lavish, liberal, charitable, big-hearted, beneficent; literarybounteous ";a munifOriginlate 16th century: from Latin munificent-, stem of munificentior, comparative of munificus 'bountiful,' from munus 'gift.

mutable

liable to change synonyms: changeable, variable, varying, fluctuating, shifting, inconsistent, unpredictable, inconstant, fickle, uneven, unstable, protean; literaryfluctuant ";the mutable nature of fashion"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin mutabilis, from mutare 'to change.'

mutiny

an open rebellion against the proper authorities, especiallysynonyms:insurrection, rebellion, revolt, riot, uprising, insurgence, insubordination ";there was a mutiny over wages"Originmid 16th century: from obsolete mutine 'rebellion,' from French mutin 'mutineer,' based on Latin movere 'to move.

myriad

synonyms:a multitude, a large/great number, a large/great quantity, scores, quantities, a mass, a host, droves, a horde; informallots, loads, masses, stacks, scads, tons, hundreds, thousandOriginmid 16th century [sense 2 of the noun]: via late Latin from Greek murias, muriad-, from murioi '10,000.

myrmidon

a member of a warlike Thessalian people led by Achilles at the siege of Troy Origin late Middle English: from Latin Myrmidones [plural], from Greek Murmidones .

naiad

[in classical mythology] a water nymph said to inhabit a river, spring, or waterfall Origin via Latin from Greek Naias, Naiad-, from naein 'to flow.' Use as a term in entomology and botany dates from the early 20th century.

naive

synonyms: innocent, unsophisticated, artless, ingenuous, inexperienced, guileless, unworldly, trusting; gullible, credulous, immature, callow, raw, green, wide-eyed; informalwet behind the ears, bo Origin mid 17th century: from French naÃ¯ve, feminine of naÃ¯f, from Latin nativus 'native, natural.'

nascent

[especially of a process or organization] ju synonyms: just beginning, budding, developing, growing, embryonic, incipient, young, fledgling, evolving, emergent, dawning, burgeoning ";the nascent economic recovery"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin nascent- 'being born,' from the verb nasci .

negotiate

synonyms:discuss terms, talk, consult, parley, confer, debate; compromise; mediate, intercede, arbitrate, moderate, conciliate; bargaOriginearly 17th century: from Latin negotiat- 'done in the course of business,' from the verb negotiari, from negotium 'business,' from neg- 'not' + otium 'leisure.

nexus

a connection or series of connections linking two or more things Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, 'a binding together,' from nex- 'bound,' from the verb nectere .

nice

Origin Middle English [in the sense 'stupid']: from Old French, from Latin nescius 'ignorant,' from nescire 'not know.' Other early senses included 'coy, reserved,' giving rise to 'fastidious, scrupulous': this led both to the sense 'fine, subtle' [regarded by some as the "correct" sense], and to

nocturne

a short composition of a romantic or dreamy character suggestive of night, typically for piano Origin mid 19th century: French, from Latin nocturnus 'of the night.'

noisome

having an extremely offensive smell Origin late Middle English: from obsolete noy [shortened form of annoy] + -some1.

nonchalant

synonyms: calm, composed, unconcerned, cool, 'calm, cool, and collected', cool as a cucumber; indifferent, blasÃ©, dispassionate, apathetic, casual, insouciant; informallaid-back ";she acts nonchalant Origin mid 18th century: from French, literally 'not being concerned,' from the verb nonchaloir .

nonpareil

synonyms: incomparable, matchless, unrivaled, unparalleled, unequaled, peerless, beyond compare, second to none, unsurpassed, unbeatable, inimitable; unique, Origin late Middle English: from French, from non- 'not' + pareil 'equal' [from popular Latin pariculus, diminutive of Latin par 'equal'].

nonplussed

[of a person] surprised and confused so much that they are unsure how to react Origin late 16th century: from Latin non plus 'not more.' The noun originally meant 'a state in which no more can be said or done.'

nostalgia

synonyms: reminiscence, remembrance, recollection; wistfulness, regret, sentimentality; homesickness ";a nostalgia for traditiona Origin late 18th century [in the sense 'acute homesickness']: modern Latin [translating German Heimweh 'homesickness'], from Greek nostos 'return home' + algos 'pain.'

nostrum

a medicine, especial synonyms: medicine, patent medicine, potion, elixir, panacea, cure-all, wonder drug, quack remedy; informalmagic bullet ";they have to prove their nostrums work"; Origin early 17th century: from Latin, used in the sense '[something] of our own making,' neuter of noster 'our.'

noxious

synonyms: poisonous, toxic, deadly, harmful, dangerous, pernicious, damaging, destructive; unpleasant, nasty, disgusting, awful, dreadful, horrible, terrible; vile, revolting, foul, nauseating, appalling, offensive; malodorous Origin late 15th century: from Latin noxius [from noxa 'harm'] + -ous.

nugatory

of no value or importancesynonyms:worthless, unimportant, inconsequential, valueless, trifling, trivial, insignificant, meaningless ";a nugatory observation"Originearly 17th century: from Latin nugatorius, from nugari 'to trifle,' from nugae 'jests.

obdurate

synonyms: stubborn, obstinate, intransigent, inflexible, unyielding, unbending, pigheaded, bullhea Origin late Middle English [originally in the sense 'hardened in sin, impenitent']: from Latin obduratus, past participle of obdurare, from ob- 'in opposition' + durare 'harden' [from durus 'hard'].

obeisance

d synonyms: respect, homage, worship, adoration, reverence, veneration, honor, submission, deference ";he made a very formal, elaborate gesture of obeisance"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'obedience']: from Old French obeissance, from obeissant 'obeying,' present participle of obeir .

objurgate

rebuke severely; scold Origin early 17th century: from Latin objurgat- 'chided, rebuked,' from the verb objurgare, based on jurgium 'strife.'

obloquy

synonyms: vilification, opprobrium, vituperation, condemnation, denunciation, abuse, criticism, censure, defamation, denigration, calumny, insults; informalflak; formalca Origin late Middle English: from late Latin obloquium 'contradiction,' from Latin obloqui, from ob- 'against' + loqui 'speak.'

obnoxious

synonyms: unpleasant, disagreeable, nasty, distasteful, offensive, o Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'vulnerable [to harm]']: from Latin obnoxiosus, from obnoxius 'exposed to harm,' from ob- 'toward' + noxa 'harm.' The current sense, influenced by noxious, dates from the late 17th century.

obscure

synonyms: unclear, uncertain, unknown, in doubt, doubtful, dubious, mysterious, hazy, vague, indeterminate, concealed, hidden ";the truth is that many aspects of a war's out Origin late Middle English: from Old French obscur, from Latin obscurus 'dark,' from an Indo-European root meaning 'cover.'

obsequies

synonyms: funeral rites, funeral service, funeral, burial, interment, entombment, Origin late Middle English: plural of obsolete obsequy, from Anglo-Norman French obsequie, from the medieval Latin plural obsequiae [from Latin exsequiae 'funeral rites,' influenced by obsequium 'dutiful service'].

obsequious

synonyms: servile, ingratiating, sycophantic, fawning, unctuous, oily, oleaginous, groveling, cringing, subservient, submissive, slavish; inf Origin late 15th century [not depreciatory in sense in early use]: from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium 'compliance,' from obsequi 'follow, comply with.'

obstinate

synonyms:stubborn, unyielding, inflexible, unbending, intransigent, intractable, obdurate, mulish, bullheaded, stubborn as a mule, pigheaded, self-willed, strong-willed, headstrong, willful, contrary, perverse, recaOriginMiddle English: from Latin obstinatus, past participle of obstinare 'persist.

obstreperous

synonyms: unruly, unmanageable, disorderly, undisciplined, uncontrollable, rowdy, disruptive, truculent, difficult, refractory, rebelliou Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'clamorous, vociferous']: from Latin obstreperus [from obstrepere, from ob- 'against' + strepere 'make a noise'] + -ous.

obtain

synonyms: get, acquire, come by, secure, procure, come into the possession of, pick up, be given; gain, earn, achieve, attain; informalget hold of, get/lay one's hands on, get one's mitts on, land, net ";the Origin late Middle English: from Old French obtenir, from Latin obtinere 'obtain, gain.'

obtrude

become noticeable in an unwelcome or intrusive way Origin mid 16th century: from Latin obtrudere, from ob- 'toward' + trudere 'to push.'

obtuse

synonyms: stupid, slow-witted, slow, dull-witted, unintelligent, ignorant, simpleminded, witless; insensitive, imperceptive, uncomprehending; informaldim, dimwitted, de Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'blunt']: from Latin obtusus, past participle of obtundere 'beat against' [see obtund].

obviate

synonyms: preclude, prevent, remove, get rid of, do away with, get around, rule out, eliminate, make/render unnecessary ";our latest agreement obviates any further discussion of the mat Origin late 16th century: from late Latin obviat- 'prevented,' from the verb obviare, based on Latin via 'way.'

occlude

stop, close up, or obstruct [an opening, orifice, or passage] synonyms: block [up], stop [up], obstruct, clog [up], close, shut, plug [up], choke ";a blood clot has occluded the coronary artery"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin occludere 'shut up.'

occult

synonyms: the supernatural, the paranormal, supernaturalism, magic, black magic, witch Origin late 15th century [as a verb]: from Latin occultare 'secrete,' frequentative of occulere 'conceal,' based on celare 'to hide'; the adjective and noun from occult- 'covered over,' from the verb occulere .

odium

synonyms: disgust, abhorrence, repugnance, revulsion, loathing, detestation, hatred, hate, obloquy, dislike, distaste, disfavor, antipathy, animosity, animus, enmity, hostility, contempt; disgrace, shame, opprobrium, Origin early 17th century: from Latin, 'hatred,' from the verb stem od- 'hate.'

omnibus

a volume containing several novels or other items previously published separatelyOriginearly 19th century: via French from Latin, literally 'for all,' dative plural of omnis

onerous

synonyms: burdensome, arduous, strenuous, difficult, hard, severe, heavy, back-breaking, oppressive, weighty, uphill, challenging, formidable, laborious, Herculean, exhausting, tiring, taxing, dem Origin late Middle English: from Old French onereus, from Latin onerosus, from onus, oner- 'burden.'

opaque

not able to be synonyms: nontransparent, cloudy, filmy, blurred, smeared, smeary, misty, hazy; dirty, muddy, muddied, grimy ";opaque glass"; Origin late Middle English opake, from Latin opacus 'darkened.' The current spelling [rare before the 19th century] has been influenced by the French form.

opprobrium

synonyms: vilification, abuse, vituperation, condemnation, criticism, censure, denunciation, defamation, denigration, castigation, disparagement, obloquy, derogation, slander, Origin mid 17th century: from Latin, literally 'infamy,' from opprobrum, from ob- 'against' + probrum 'disgraceful act.'

opulent

synonyms: luxurious, sumptuous, palatial, lavish, lavishly appointed, rich, splendid, magnificent, grand, grandiose, fancy; informalplush, classy, ritzy, posh, swanky, swank "; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'wealthy, affluent']: from Latin opulent- 'wealthy, splendid,' from opes 'wealth.'

orifice

an opening, as of a pipe or tube, or one in the body, such as a nostril or the anus synonyms: opening, hole, aperture, slot, slit, cleft ";the orifice must be kept free from debris"; Origin late Middle English: from French, from late Latin orificium, from os, or- 'mouth' + facere 'make.'

ornery

synonyms: grouchy, grumpy, cranky, crotchety, cantankerous, bad-tempered, ill-tempered, dyspeptic, irascible, waspish; truculent, cussed, stubborn ";they finally realized that his illness was what had made him s Origin early 19th century: variant of ordinary, representing a dialect pronunciation.

orotund

[of the voice or phrasing] full, round, and imposing synonyms: deep, sonorous, strong, powerful, full, rich, resonant, loud, booming ";an orotund singing voice"; Origin late 18th century: from Latin ore rotundo 'with rounded mouth.'

ossuary

a container or room into which the bones of dead people are placed Origin mid 17th century: from late Latin ossuarium, formed irregularly from Latin os, oss- 'bone.'

ostensible

synonyms: apparent, outward, superficial, professed, supposed, alleged, purported ";the ostensible star is Lana Origin mid 18th century: from French, from medieval Latin ostensibilis from Latin ostens- 'stretched out to view,' from the verb ostendere, from ob- 'in view of' + tendere 'to stretch.'

ostracize

synonyms:exclude, shun, spurn, cold-shoulder, reject, shut out, avoid, ignore, snub, cut dead, keep at arm's length, leave out in the cold; blackbaOriginmid 17th century: from Greek ostrakizein, from ostrakon 'shell or potsherd' [on which names were written, in voting to banish unpopular citizens]

otiose

serving no practical purpose or result Origin late 18th century: from Latin otiosus, from otium 'leisure.'

outlandish

synonyms: weird, queer, far out, quirky, zany, eccentric, idiosyncratic, unconventional, unorthodox, funny, bizarre, unusual, singular, extraordinary, strange, unfamiliar, peculiar, odd, curious; More informaloffbeat, off t Origin Old English Å«tlendisc 'not native,' from Å«tland 'foreign country.'

overweening

showing excessive confidence or pride synonyms: overconfident, conceited, cocksure, cocky, smug, haughty, supercilious, lofty, patronizing, arrogant, proud, vain, self-important, imperious, overbearing; informalhigh and mighty, uppish

paladin

any of the twelve peers of Charlemagne's court, of whom the count palatine was the chief Origin late 16th century: from French paladin, from Italian paladino, from Latin palatinus '[officer] of the palace' [see palatine1].

palaver

synonyms: fuss, commotion, trouble, rigmarole, folderol; informalsong and dance, performance, to-do, carrying-on, hoo-ha, hullabaloo, b Origin mid 18th century [in the sense 'a talk between tribespeople and traders']: from Portuguese palavra 'word,' from Latin parabola 'comparison' [see parable].

palimpsest

a manuscript or piece of writing material on which the original writing has been effaced to make room for later writing but of which traces remain Origin mid 17th century: via Latin from Greek palimpsÄstos, from palin 'again' + psÄstos 'rubbed smooth.'

palisade

a fence of wooden stakes or iron railings fixed in the ground, forming an enclosure osynonyms:fence, paling, barricade, stockade ";sentries were posted along the palisade"Originearly 17th century: from French palissade, from ProvenÃ§al palissada, from palissa 'paling,' based on Latin palus 'stake.

palliate

make [a disease synonyms: alleviate, ease, relieve, soothe, take the edge off, assuage, moderate, temper, diminish, decrease, blunt, deaden ";the treatment works by palliating symptoms"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin palliat- 'cloaked,' from the verb palliare, from pallium 'cloak.'

palpable

able to be touched or felt synonyms: tangible, touchable, noticeable, detectable ";a palpable bump"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin palpabilis, from Latin palpare 'feel, touch gently.'

panegyric

a public spe synonyms: eulogy, speech of praise, paean, accolade, tribute ";the panegyric she delivered in Syd's memory brought tears to our eyes"; Origin early 17th century: from French panÃ©gyrique, via Latin from Greek panÄgurikos 'of public assembly,' from pan 'all' + aguris 'agora, assembly.'

paradigm

synonyms: model, pattern, example, exemplar, template, standard, prototype, archetype ";why should your sets of values be the paradigm for the rest of Origin late 15th century: via late Latin from Greek paradeigma, from paradeiknunai 'show side by side,' from para- 'beside' + deiknunai 'to show.'

parietal

of, relating to, attached to, or denoting the wall of the body or of a body cavity or hollow structure Origin late Middle English: from late Latin parietalis, from Latin paries, pariet- 'wall.'

parody

an imitation of synonyms: satire, burlesque, lampoon, pastiche, caricature, imitation, mockery; informalspoof, takeoff, send-up ";a parody of the Gothic novel"; Origin late 16th century: via late Latin from Greek parÅidia 'burlesque poem,' from para- 'beside' [expressing alteration] + ÅidÄ 'ode.'

parsimony

synonyms: cheapness, miserliness, meanness, parsimoniousness, niggardliness, close-fistedness, closeness, penny-pinching; informalstinginess, minginess, tightness, tightfistedness, cheeseparing; formalpenuri Origin late Middle English: from Latin parsimonia, parcimonia, from parcere 'be sparing.'

partisan

a strong supporter of a party, synonyms: supporter, follower, adherent, devotee, champion; fanatic, fan, enthusiast, stalwart, zealot, booster ";conservative partisans"; Origin mid 16th century: from French, via Italian dialect from Italian partigiano, from parte 'part' [from Latin pars, part- ].

parvenu

a person of obscure origin who has gained wealth, influence, or celebrit synonyms: upstart, social climber, arriviste ";make way for our newest little hotshot parvenu"; Origin early 19th century: from French, literally 'arrived,' past participle of parvenir, from Latin pervenire 'come to, reach.'

patois

the dialect of thesynonyms:vernacular, [local] dialect, regional language; jargon, argot, cant; informal[local] lingo ";he recognized the patois of New Orleans in her speech"Originmid 17th century: French, literally 'rough speech,' perhaps from Old French patoier 'treat roughly,' from patte 'paw.

patron

synonyms: sponsor, backer, financier, benefactor, benefactress, contributor, subscriber, donor; philanthropist, promoter, friend, supporter; informalangel ";a patron of the ar Origin Middle English: from Old French, from Latin patronus 'protector of clients, defender,' from pater, patr- 'father.'

paucity

the presence of something only in small or synonyms: scarcity, sparseness, sparsity, dearth, shortage, poverty, insufficiency, deficiency, lack, want ";the police cannot act with such a paucity of evidence"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French paucite or Latin paucitas, from paucus 'few.'

pavonine

of or like a peacock Origin mid 17th century: from Latin pavoninus, from pavo, pavon- 'peacock.'

peculate

embezzle or steal [money, especially public funds] Origin mid 18th century: from Latin peculat- 'embezzled,' from the verb peculari [related to peculium 'property'].

pedagogue

synonyms: teacher, schoolteacher, schoolmaster, schoolmistress, master, mistress, tutor; lecturer, academic, don, professor, instructor, educa Origin late Middle English: via Latin from Greek paidagÅgos, denoting a slave who accompanied a child to school [from pais, paid- 'boy' + agÅgos 'guide'].

pedant

synonyms: dogmatist, purist, literalist, formalist, doctrinaire, perfectionist; quibbler, hair-splitter, casuist, sophist; informalnitpicker ";pedants insist tha Origin late 16th century: from French pÃ©dant, from Italian pedante, perhaps from the first element of Latin paedagogus [see pedagogue].

pedestal

the synonyms: plinth, base, support, mounting, stand, foundation, pillar, column, pier; socle ";a bust on a pedestal"; Origin mid 16th century: from French piÃ©destal, from Italian piedestallo, from piÃ¨ 'foot' [from Latin pes, ped-, which later influenced the spelling] + di 'of' + stallo 'stall.'

pedigree

synonyms:ancestry, descent, lineage, line [of descent], genealogy, family tree, extraction, derivation, origin[s], heritage, parentage, bloodline, dual heritage, background, Originlate Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French pÃ© de grue 'crane's foot,' a mark used to denote succession in pedigrees

pediment

the triangular upper part of the front of a building in classical style, typically surmounting a portico of columns Origin late 16th century [as periment ]: perhaps an alteration of pyramid.

pejorative

synonyms: disparaging, derogatory, denigratory, deprecatory, defamatory, slanderous, libelous, abusive, insulting, slighting; informalbitchy ";his remarks were considered too pe Origin late 19th century: from French pÃ©joratif, -ive, from late Latin pejorare 'make worse,' from Latin pejor 'worse.'

pellucid

translucently clearsynonyms:translucent, transparent, clear, crystal clear, crystalline, glassy, limpid, unclouded, gin-clear ";the pellucid waters"Originearly 17th century: from Latin pellucidus, from perlucere 'shine through.

penance

voluntary self-punishment isynonyms:atonement, expiation, self-punishment, self-mortification, self-abasement, amends; punishment, penalty ";true penance requires honest self-examination"OriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitentia 'repentance,' from the verb paenitere 'be sorry.

penitent

synonyms:repentant, contrite, remorseful, sorry, apologetic, regretful, conscience-stricken, rueful, ashamed, shamefaced, abject, in sackcloth and ashes ";she stood there looking like a penitent childOriginMiddle English: from Old French, from Latin paenitent- 'repenting,' from the verb paenitere

penitentiary

a prison for people convicted of serious crimesOriginlate Middle English [as a term in ecclesiastical law]: from medieval Latin paenitentiarius, from Latin paenitentia 'repentance.' Sense 1 dates from the early 19th century

penultimate

last but one in a series of things; second to the last synonyms: next-to-last, second-to-last, second-last ";the penultimate movie on my top-ten list is an animated feature"; Origin late 17th century: from Latin paenultimus, from paene 'almost' + ultimus 'last,' on the pattern of ultimate .

penurious

synonyms:poor, poor as a church mouse, poverty-stricken, destitute, necessitous, impecunious, impoverished, indigent, needy, in need/want, badly off, in reduced/straitened circumstances, hard uOriginlate 16th century: from medieval Latin penuriosus, from Latin penuria 'need, scarcity' [see penury]

percipient

[of a person] having a good understanding of things; perceptiveOriginmid 17th century: from Latin percipient- 'seizing, understanding,' from the verb percipere

perdition

[in Chrissynonyms:damnation, eternal punishment; hell, hellfire, doom ";I hope that lawyer goes to perdition!"Originlate Middle English: from Old French perdiciun, from ecclesiastical Latin perditio[n-], from Latin perdere 'destroy,' from per- 'completely, to destruction' + the base of dare 'put.

peregrinate

travel or wander around from place to place Origin late 16th century: from Latin peregrinat- 'traveled abroad,' from the verb peregrinari, from peregrinus 'foreign, traveling.'

peremptory

synonyms: brusque, imperious, high-handed, brisk, abrupt, summary, commanding, Origin late Middle English [as a legal term]: via Anglo-Norman French from Latin peremptorius 'deadly, decisive,' from perempt- 'destroyed, cut off,' from the verb perimere, from per- 'completely' + emere 'take, buy.'

perennial

synonyms: abiding, enduring, lasting, everlasting, perpetual, eternal, continuing, unending, unceasing, never-ending, endless, undying, ceaseless, persis Origin mid 17th century [in the sense 'remaining leafy throughout the year, evergreen']: from Latin perennis 'lasting the year through' + -ial.

perfidy

synonyms: treachery, duplicity, deceit, deceitfulness, disloyalty, infidelity, faithlessness, unfaithfulness, betrayal, treason, double-dealing, untrustworthiness, Origin late 16th century: via French from Latin perfidia, from perfidus 'treacherous,' based on per- 'to ill effect' + fides 'faith.'

perfunctory

synonyms: cursory, desultory, quick, brief, hasty, hurried, rapid, fleeting, token, casual, superficial, careless, halfhearted, sketchy, mechanical, automatic Origin late 16th century: from late Latin perfunctorius 'careless,' from Latin perfunct- 'done with, discharged,' from the verb perfungi .

peripatetic

synonyms: nomadic, itinerant, traveling, wandering, roving, roaming, migrant, migratory, unsettled ";I could never Origin late Middle English [denoting an Aristotelian philosopher]: from Old French peripatetique, via Latin from Greek peripatÄtikos 'walking up and down,' from the verb peripatein .

periphrastic

synonyms: circumlocutory, circuitous, roundabout, indirect, tautological, pleonastic, prolix, verbose, wordy, long-winded, rambling, wandering, tortuous, diffuse ";the periphrastic nature of leg Origin early 19th century: from Greek periphrastikos, from periphrazein 'declare in a roundabout way.'

permeate

synonyms: pervade, spread through, fill, filter through, diffuse through, imbue, penetrate, pass through, percolate through, perfuse, charge, suffuse, steep, impregnate, Origin mid 17th century: from Latin permeat- 'passed through,' from the verb permeare, from per- 'through' + meare 'pass, go.'

pernicious

synonyms: harmful, damaging, destructive, injurious, hurtful, detrimental, deleterious, dangerous, adverse, inimical, unhealthy, unfavorable, bad, evil, baleful, wicked, malign, ma Origin late Middle English: from Latin perniciosus 'destructive,' from pernicies 'ruin,' based on nex, nec- 'death.'

peroration

the concluding part of a speech, typically intended to inspire enthusiasm in the audience Origin late Middle English: from Latin peroratio[n-], from perorare 'speak at length' [see perorate].

perpetual

synonyms:everlasting, never-ending, eternal, permanent, unending, endless, without end, lasting, long-lasting, constant, abiding, enduring, perennial, timOriginMiddle English: from Old French perpetuel, from Latin perpetualis, from perpetuus 'continuing throughout,' from perpes, perpet- 'continuou

perpetuate

synonyms: keep alive, keep going, preserve, conserve, sustain, maintain, continue, extend, carry on, keep up, prolong; immortalize, commemorate, mem Origin early 16th century: from Latin perpetuat- 'made permanent,' from the verb perpetuare, from perpetuus 'continuing throughout' [see perpetual].

perplex

synonyms: puzzle, baffle, mystify, bemuse, bewilder, confound, confuse, disconcert, dumbfound, throw, Origin late 15th century [as the adjective perplexed ]: from the obsolete adjective perplex 'bewildered,' from Latin perplexus 'entangled,' based on plexus 'interwoven,' from the verb plectere .

perquisite

another term for perk2 Origin late Middle English: from medieval Latin perquisitum 'acquisition,' from Latin perquirere 'search diligently for,' from per- 'thoroughly' + quaerere 'seek.'

persiflage

light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter Origin mid 18th century: from French persifler 'to banter,' based on siffler 'to whistle.'

persnickety

placing too much emphasis on trivial or minor details; fussy Origin early 19th century [originally Scots]: of unknown origin.

perspicacious

synonyms: discerning, shrewd, perceptive, astute, penetrating, observant, percipient, sharp-witted, sharp, smart, alert, clear-sighted, farsighted, acute, clever, canny, intelligent, insightful, wise, sage, se Origin early 17th century: from Latin perspicax, perspicac- 'seeing clearly' + -acious.

perspicuous

[of an account or representation] clearly expressed and easily understood; lucid Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'transparent']: from Latin perspicuus 'transparent, clear' [from the verb perspicere 'look at closely'] + -ous.

perspire

give out sweat through the pores of the skin as the result of heat, physical exertionsynonyms:sweat, be dripping/pouring with sweat, glow ";it's natural to perspire under these hot lights"Originmid 17th century: from French perspirer, from Latin perspirare, from per- 'through' + spirare 'breathe.

persuade

synonyms:prevail on, coax, convince, get, induce, win over, bring around, coerce, influence, sway, inveigle, entice, tempt, lure, cajole, wheedle; procure; informalsweet-talk, twist someone's arm; Originlate 15th century: from Latin persuadere, from per- 'through, to completion' + suadere 'advise.

pertinacious

synonyms: determined, tenacious, persistent, persevering, purposeful, resolute, dogged, indefatigable, insistent, single-minded, unrelenting, relentless, tireless, unshakable; stubborn, obstinate, inflexible, unbendi Origin early 17th century: from Latin pertinax, pertinac- 'holding fast' + -ous.

perturb

synonyms: worry, upset, unsettle, disturb, concern, trouble, disquiet; disconcert, discomfit, unnerve, alarm, bother, distress, dismay, gnaw at, agitate, fluster, ruffle, dis Origin late Middle English: from Old French pertourber, from Latin perturbare, from per- 'completely' + turbare 'disturb.'

peruse

synonyms: read, study, scrutinize, inspect, examine, wade through, look through; More browse through, leaf through, scan, run one's eye over, g Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'use up, wear out']: perhaps from per- 'thoroughly' + use, but compare with Anglo-Norman French peruser 'examine.'

peruse

synonyms: read, study, scrutinize, inspect, examine, wade through, look through; browse through, leaf through, scan, run one's eye over, glance Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'use up, wear out']: perhaps from per- 'thoroughly' + use, but compare with Anglo-Norman French peruser 'examine.'

pervade

synonyms: permeate, spread through, fill, suffuse, be diffused through, imbue, penetrate, filter through, percolate through, infuse, perfuse, flow through; charge, steep, saturate, Origin mid 17th century [also in the sense 'traverse']: from Latin pervadere, from per- 'throughout' + vadere 'go.'

pervious

[of a substance] allowing water to pass through; permeable Origin early 17th century: from Latin pervius 'having a passage through' [based on via 'way'] + -ous.

petition

a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, appealing to authority with respect to a partisynonyms:appeal, round robin ";more than 1,000 people signed the petition"OriginMiddle English: from Latin petitio[n-], from petit- 'aimed at, sought, laid claim to,' from the verb petere

pettifogger

an inferior legal practitioner, especially one who deals with petty cases or employs dubious practices Origin mid 16th century: from petty + obsolete fogger 'underhanded dealer,' probably from Fugger, the name of a family of merchants in Augsburg, Germany, in the 15th and 16th centuries.

pettish

[of a person or their behavior] childishly bad-tempered and petulant

petulant

synonyms:peevish, bad-tempered, querulous, pettish, fretful, cross, irritable, sulky, snappish, Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'immodest']: from French pÃ©tulant, from Latin petulant- 'impudent' [related to petere 'aim at, seek']. The current sense [mid 18th century] is influenced by pettish

phantasm

a figment of the imagination; an illus Origin Middle English [in the sense 'deceptive appearance']: from Old French fantasme, via Latin from Greek phantasma, from phantazein 'make visible,' from phainein 'to show.' The change from f- to ph- in the 16th century was influenced by the Latin spelling.

phantom

a ghost synonyms: ghost, apparition, spirit, specter, wraith; informalspook; literaryphantasm, shade ";a phantom who haunts lonely roads"; Origin Middle English [also in the sense 'illusion, delusion']: from Old French fantosme, based on Greek phantasma [see phantasm].

phlegmatic

synonyms: calm, cool, composed, 'calm, cool, and collected', controlled, serene, tranquil, placid, impassive, imperturbabl Origin Middle English [in the sense 'relating to the humor phlegm']: from Old French fleumatique, via Latin from Greek phlegmatikos, from phlegma 'inflammation' [see phlegm].

phylactery

a small leather box containing Hebrew texts on vellum, worn by Jewish men at morning prayer as a reminder to keep the law Origin late Middle English: via late Latin from Greek phulaktÄrion 'amulet,' from phulassein 'to guard.'

physiognomy

synonyms:face, features, countenance, expression, look, mien; informalmug, puss; literaryvisage, lineaments ";hisOriginlate Middle English: from Old French phisonomie, via medieval Latin from Greek phusiognÅmonia 'judging of a man's nature [by his features],' based on gnÅmÅn 'a judge, interpreter.

picaresque

of or relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero Origin early 19th century: from French, from Spanish picaresco . See picaro.

picayune

petty; worthless Origin early 19th century: from French picaillon, denoting a Piedmontese copper coin, also used to mean 'cash,' from ProvenÃ§al picaioun, of unknown ultimate origin.

piquant

having a pleasantly sha synonyms: spicy, tangy, peppery, hot; tasty, flavorful, appetizing, savory; pungent, sharp, tart, zesty, strong, salty ";a piquant sauce"; Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'severe, bitter']: from French, literally 'stinging, pricking,' present participle of piquer .

pique

synonyms: irritation, annoyance, resentment, anger, displeasure, indignation, petulance, ill humor, vexation, exasperation, disgruntlement, discontent; offense, umbrage ";a fit of pique" Origin mid 16th century [denoting animosity between two or more people]: from French piquer 'prick, irritate.'

pith

soft or spongy tissue in plants or animals, in particular synonyms: essence, main point, fundamentals, heart, substance, nub, core, quintessence, crux, gist, meat, kernel, marrow, burden; informalnitty-gritty ";the pith of the argument"; Origin Old English pitha .

pithy

[of language or style] concise and forcefully expressivesynonyms:succinct, terse, concise, compact, short [and sweet], brief, condensed, to the point, epigrammatic, crisp, thumbnail; significant, meaningful, expressive, telling; formalcompendious ";pithy comments"

placate

make [someone] less angry or hostilesynonyms:pacify, calm, appease, mollify, soothe, win over, conciliate, propitiate, make peace with, humor ";John did his best to placate her"Originlate 17th century: from Latin placat- 'appeased,' from the verb placare

plaint

an accusation; a charge Origin Middle English: from Old French plainte, feminine past participle of plaindre 'complain,' or from Old French plaint, from Latin planctus 'beating of the breast.'

plaintive

sounding sad and m synonyms: mournful, sad, wistful, doleful, pathetic, pitiful, piteous, melancholy, sorrowful, unhappy, wretched, woeful, forlorn, woebegone; literarydolorous ";a plaintive cry"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French plaintif, -ive, from plainte 'lamentation' [see plaint].

plangent

[of a sound] loud, reverberating, and often melancholy synonyms: melancholy, mournful, plaintive; sonorous, resonant, loud ";a plangent moan from somewhere not too distant"; Origin early 19th century: from Latin plangent- 'lamenting,' from the verb plangere .

platitude

a remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting o synonyms: clichÃ©, truism, commonplace, banality, old chestnut, bromide, inanity, banal/trite/hackneyed/stock phrase ";boring us with his platitudes"; Origin early 19th century: from French

plenary

unqualified; absolute synonyms: unconditional, unlimited, unrestricted, unqualified, absolute, sweeping, comprehensive; plenipotentiary ";the council has plenary powers in this matter"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin plenarius 'complete,' from plenus 'full.'

plenipotentiary

a person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of independen synonyms: diplomat, dignitary, ambassador, minister, emissary, chargÃ© d'affaires, envoy ";a plenipotentiary in Paris"; Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin plenipotentiarius, from plenus 'full' + potentia 'power.'

plenitude

an abundance synonyms: abundance, lot, wealth, profusion, cornucopia, superabundance; informalload, slew, heap, buttload, ton ";Lord, we are so thankful for this plenitude"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from late Latin plenitudo, from plenus 'full.'

pleonasm

the use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning [e.g., see with one's eyes ], either as a fault of style or for emphasis Origin mid 16th century: via late Latin from Greek pleonasmos, from pleonazein 'be superfluous.'

plethora

synonyms: excess, overabundance, superabundance, surplus, glut, superfluity, surfeit, profusion; too many, too much, enough and to spare; informalmore ââ than one can shake a stick at ";a Origin mid 16th century [in the medical sense]: via late Latin from Greek plÄthÅrÄ, from plÄthein 'be full.'

pliant

pliable Origin Middle English: from Old French, literally 'bending,' present participle of plier .

plummet

fall or drop straight down at high sp synonyms: plunge, nosedive, dive, drop, fall, descend, hurtle ";the plane plummeted to the ground"; Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: from Old French plommet 'small sounding lead,' diminutive of plomb 'lead.' The current verb sense dates from the 1930s.

poignant

synonyms: touching, moving, sad, affecting, pitiful, piteous, pathetic, sorrowful, mournful, wretched, miserable, distressing, heart-rending, tearjerking, plaintive, tra Origin late Middle English: from Old French, literally 'pricking,' present participle of poindre, from Latin pungere 'to prick.

polemic

synonyms: diatribe, invective, rant, tirade, broadside, attack, harangue, condemnation, criticism, stricture, admonition, rebuke; abuse; informalblast; formalcastigation; literaryphilippic ";a polemic against in Origin mid 17th century: via medieval Latin from Greek polemikos, from polemos 'war.'

pontifex

[in ancient Rome] a member of the principal college of priests Origin Latin, from pons, pont- 'bridge' + -fex from facere 'make.'

portend

synonyms:presage, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy; be a sign, warn, be an omen, indicate, herald, signal, bode, promise, threaten, signify, spell, denote; literarybetoken, foretoken, forebode ";the sigOriginlate Middle English: from Latin portendere, based on pro- 'forth' + tendere 'stretch.

portent

synonyms: omen, sign, signal, token, forewarning, warning, danger sign, foreshadowing, prediction, forecast, prophecy, harbinger, augury, auspice, presage; writing on the wall, indication, hint; Origin late 16th century: from Latin portentum 'omen, token,' from the verb portendere [see portend].

portfolio

a large, thin, flat case for loose sheets of paper such as drawings or maps synonyms: briefcase, case, valise, bag, attachÃ© [case] ";he kept the papers in his portfolio"; Origin early 18th century: from Italian portafogli, from portare 'carry' + foglio 'sheet of paper' [from Latin folium ].

portmanteau

a large trunk or suitcase, typically made of stiff leather and opening into two equal partsOriginmid 16th century: from French portemanteau, from porter 'carry' + manteau 'mantle.

postprandial

during or relating to the period after dinner or lunch Origin early 19th century: from post- 'after' + Latin prandium 'a meal' + -al.

poultice

a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth Origin late Middle English: from Latin pultes [plural], from puls, pult- 'porridge, pap.'

powwow

a North American Indian ceremony involving feasting, singing, and dancing Origin early 17th century: from Narragansett powÃ¡w 'magician' [literally 'he dreams'].

pragmatic

synonyms: practical, matter-of-fact, sensible, down-to-earth, commo Origin late 16th century [in the senses 'busy, interfering, conceited']: via Latin from Greek pragmatikos 'relating to fact,' from pragma 'deed' [from the stem of prattein 'do']. The current sense dates from the mid 19th century.

prattle

talk at length in a foolish or inconsequential way Origin mid 16th century: from Middle Low German pratelen, from praten [see prate].

praxis

practice, as distinguished from theory Origin late 16th century: via medieval Latin from Greek, literally 'doing,' from prattein 'do.'

precarious

synonyms: uncertain, insecure, unpredictable, risky, parlous, hazardous, dangerous, unsafe; unsettled, unstable, unsteady, shaky; informaldicey, chancy, iffy ";those steps look a bit precariou Origin mid 17th century: from Latin precarius 'obtained by entreaty' [from prex, prec- 'prayer'] + -ous.

precept

synonyms: principle, rule, tenet, canon, doctrine, command, order, decree, dictate, dictum, injunction, commandment; mitzvah; formalprescript ";the precept Origin late Middle English: from Latin praeceptum, neuter past participle of praecipere 'warn, instruct,' from prae 'before' + capere 'take.'

precinct

a district of a city or town a synonyms: division ";the friendliest cop of the 20th precinct"; Origin late Middle English [denoting an administrative district]: from medieval Latin praecinctum, neuter past participle [used as a noun] of praecingere 'encircle,' from prae 'before' + cingere 'gird.'

precipice

synonyms: cliff face, cliff, steep cliff, rock face, sheer drop, height, crag, bluff, escarpment, scarp; literarysteep ";it's amazing h Origin late 16th century [denoting a headlong fall]: from French prÃ©cipice or Latin praecipitium 'abrupt descent,' from praeceps, praecip[it]- 'steep, headlong.'

precipitate

Origin early 16th century: from Latin praecipitat- 'thrown headlong,' from the verb praecipitare, from praeceps, praecip[it]- 'headlong,' from prae 'before' + caput 'head.' The original sense of the verb was 'hurl down, send violently'; hence 'cause to move rapidly,' which gave rise to sense 1 [ea

preclude

synonyms:prevent, make it impossible for, rule out, stop, prohibit, debar, bar, hinder, impede, inhibit, exclude ";his difficulties preclude him from leading a normal lOriginlate 15th century [in the sense 'bar [a route or passage]']: from Latin praecludere, from prae 'before' + claudere 'to shut.

precocious

[of synonyms: advanced for one's age, forward, mature, gifted, talented, clever, intelligent, quick; informalsmart ";some of the boys were extremely precocious"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin praecox, praecoc- [from praecoquere 'ripen fully,' from prae 'before' + coquere 'to cook'] + -ious.

precursor

a person or thing that come synonyms: forerunner, predecessor, forefather, father, antecedent, ancestor, forebear ";a three-stringed precursor of the guitar"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin praecursor, from praecurs- 'preceded,' from praecurrere, from prae 'beforehand' + currere 'to run.'

predecessor

a person who held a job or office before the current holdersynonyms:forerunner, precursor, antecedent ";the senator's predecessor"Originlate Middle English: from late Latin praedecessor, from Latin prae 'beforehand' + decessor 'retiring officer' [from decedere 'depart']

predilection

synonyms: liking, fondness, preference, partiality, taste, penchant, weakness, soft spot, fancy, inclination, leaning, bias, propensity Origin mid 18th century: from French prÃ©dilection, from Latin praedilect- 'preferred,' from the verb praediligere, from prae 'in advance' + diligere 'to select.'

preemption

the purchase of goods or shares by one person or party before the opportunity is offered to othersOriginearly 17th century: from medieval Latin praeemptio[n-], from the verb praeemere, from prae 'in advance' + emere 'buy.

preen

synonyms: clean, tidy, groom, smooth, arrange; arch Origin late Middle English: apparently a variant of obsolete prune [based on Latin ungere 'anoint'], in the same sense, associated with Scots and northern English dialect preen 'pierce, pin' [because of the "pricking" action of the bird's beak].

preface

synonyms: introduction, foreword, preamble, prologue, prelude; front matter; informalprelims, intro, le Origin late Middle English: via Old French from medieval Latin praefatia, alteration of Latin praefatio[n-] 'words spoken beforehand,' from the verb praefari, from prae 'before' + fari 'speak.'

prepossessing

...

preposterous

synonyms: absurd, ridiculous, foolish, stupid, ludicrous, farcical, laughable, comical, risible, nonsensical, senseless, insane; outrageous, monstrous; informalcrazy ";at the Origin mid 16th century: from Latin praeposterus 'reversed, absurd' [from prae 'before' + posterus 'coming after'] + -ous.

presage

synonyms: portend, augur, foreshadow, foretell, prophesy, be an omen of, herald, be a sign of, be the harbinger of, warn of, be a presage of, signal Origin late Middle English [as a noun]: via French from Latin praesagium, from praesagire 'forebode,' from prae 'before' + sagire 'perceive keenly.'

prescient

synonyms: prophetic, predictive, visionary; psychic, clairvoyant; farsighted, prognostic, divinatory; insightful, intuitive, perceptive, percipient ";the outcome was Origin early 17th century: from Latin praescient- 'knowing beforehand,' from the verb praescire, from prae 'before' + scire 'know.'

presentiment

an intuitive feeling about the future, especially one of forebodingsynonyms:premonition, foreboding, intuition, [funny] feeling, hunch, feeling in one's bones, sixth sense; archaicpresage ";a presentiment of disaster"Originearly 18th century: from obsolete French prÃ©sentiment

presume

synonyms:assume, suppose, dare say, imagine, take it, expect, believe, think, surmise, guess, judge, conjecture, speculate, postulate, presuOriginlate Middle English: from Old French presumer, from Latin praesumere 'anticipate' [in late Latin 'take for granted'], from prae 'before' + sumere 'take.

presumptuous

synonyms: brazen, overconfident, arrogant, bold, audacious, forward, familiar, impertinent, insolent, impudent, cocky; cheeky, rud Origin Middle English: from Old French presumptueux, from late Latin praesumptuosus, variant of praesumptiosus 'full of boldness,' from praesumptio [see presumption].

prevail

prove more powesynonyms:win, win out/through, triumph, be victorious, carry the day, come out on top, succeed, prove superior, conquer, overcome; rule, reign ";common sense will prevail"Originlate Middle English: from Latin praevalere 'have greater power,' from prae 'before' + valere 'have power.

prevaricate

synonyms: be evasive, beat around the bush, hedge, fence, shilly-shally, dod Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'go astray, transgress']: from Latin praevaricat- 'walked crookedly, deviated,' from the verb praevaricari, from prae 'before' + varicari 'straddle' [from varus 'bent, knock-kneed'].

primeval

of or resembling the earliest ages in the history of the worldsynonyms:ancient, earliest, first, prehistoric, antediluvian, primordial; pristine, original, virgin ";primeval forest"Originmid 17th century: from Latin primaevus [from primus 'first' + aevum 'age'] + -al

primordial

existing at or from the beginning of time; primevalsynonyms:ancient, earliest, first, prehistoric, antediluvian, primeval ";the primordial oceans"Originlate Middle English: from late Latin primordialis 'first of all,' from primordius 'original' [see primordium]

primordium

an organ, structure, or tissue in the earliest stage of developmentOriginlate 19th century: from Latin, neuter of primordius 'original,' from primus 'first' + ordiri 'begin.

pristine

synonyms:immaculate, perfect, in mint condition, as new, unspoiled, spotless, flawless, impeccable, clean, fresh, new, virginOriginmid 16th century [in the sense 'original, former, primitive and undeveloped']: from Latin pristinus 'former.' The senses 'unspoiled' and 'spotless' date from the 1920s

prize

another term for pry2 Origin late 17th century: from dialect prise 'lever,' from Old French prise 'grasp, taking hold.' Compare with pry2.

probity

the synonyms: integrity, honesty, uprightness, decency, morality, rectitude, goodness, virtue, right-mindedness, trustworthiness, truthfulness, honor ";the committee feels that he has demonstrated little probity in this matter"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin probitas, from probus 'good.'

proboscis

the nose of a mammal, especially when it is long and mobile, such as the trunk of an elephant or the snout of a tapirOriginearly 17th century: via Latin from Greek proboskis 'means of obtaining food,' from pro 'before' + boskein '[cause to] feed.

proclivity

synonyms: inclination, tendency, leaning, disposition, proneness, propensity, bent, bias, penchant, predisposition; predilection, partiality, liking, preference, taste, fondnes Origin late 16th century: from Latin proclivitas, from proclivis 'inclined,' from pro- 'forward, down' + clivus 'slope.'

procrastinate

synonyms: delay, put off doing something, postpone action, defer action, be dilatory, use delaying tactics, st Origin late 16th century: from Latin procrastinat- 'deferred until tomorrow,' from the verb procrastinare, from pro- 'forward' + crastinus 'belonging to tomorrow' [from cras 'tomorrow'].

prodigal

spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant synonyms: wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, profligate, improvident, imprudent ";prodigal habits die hard"; Origin late Middle English: from late Latin prodigalis, from Latin prodigus 'lavish.'

prodigious

synonyms: enormous, huge, colossal, immense, vast, great, massive, gigantic, mammoth, tremendous, inordinate, monumental; amazing, astonishing, astounding, staggering, stunning, r Origin late 15th century [in the sense 'portentous']: from Latin prodigiosus, from prodigium 'portent' [see prodigy].

profane

relating or devoted synonyms: secular, lay, nonreligious, temporal; formallaic ";subjects both sacred and profane"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'heathen']: from Old French prophane, from Latin profanus 'outside the temple, not sacred,' from pro- [from pro 'before'] + fanum 'temple.'

profligate

synonyms: wasteful, extravagant, spendthrift, improvident, prodigal ";profligate local authorities"; Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'overthrown, routed']: from Latin profligatus 'dissolute,' past participle of profligare 'overthrow, ruin,' from pro- 'forward, down' + fligere 'strike down.'

profuse

synonyms: copious, prolific, abundant, liberal, unstinting, fulsome, effusive, extravagant, lavish, gushing; informalover the top, Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'extravagant']: from Latin profusus 'lavish, spread out,' past participle of profundere, from pro- 'forth' + fundere 'pour.'

prognosis

the likely course of a disease or ailmentsynonyms:forecast, prediction, prognostication, prophecy, divination, augury ";it is difficult to make an accurate prognosis"Originmid 17th century: via late Latin from Greek prognÅsis, from pro- 'before' + gignÅskein 'know.

proliferous

[of a plant] producing buds or side shoots from a flower or other terminal part Origin mid 17th century: from Latin proles 'offspring' + -ferous.

prolific

[of a plant, animal, or person] producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring synonyms: productive, creative, inventive, fertile ";a prolific composer"; Origin mid 17th century: from medieval Latin prolificus, from Latin proles 'offspring' [see proliferous].

proliterait

synonyms: the workers, working-class people, wage earners, the working classes, the common people, the lower classes, the masses, the rank and file, the third estate, the plebeians; the lumpen, the lumpenp Origin mid 19th century: from French prolÃ©tariat, from Latin proletarius [see proletarian].

prolix

synonyms:long-winded, verbose, wordy, pleonastic, discursive, rambling, long-drawn-out, overlong, lengthy, protracted, interminable; informalwindy, waffly ";his pOriginlate Middle English: from Old French prolixe or Latin prolixus 'poured forth, extended,' from pro- 'outward' + liquere 'be liquid.

promulgate

synonyms:make known, make public, publicize, spread, communicate, propagate, disseminate, broadcast, promote, preach; litOriginmid 16th century: from Latin promulgat- 'exposed to public view,' from the verb promulgare, from pro- 'out, publicly' + mulgere 'cause to come forth' [literally 'to milk']

propensity

synonyms:tendency, inclination, predisposition, proneness, proclivity, readiness, liability, disposition, leaning, weakness ";his propenOriginlate 16th century: from archaic propense [from Latin propensus 'inclined,' past participle of propendere, from pro- 'forward, down' + pendere 'hang'] + -ity

propinquity

the state of being close to someone or something; proximity Origin late Middle English: from Old French propinquitÃ©, from Latin propinquitas, from propinquus 'near,' from prope 'near to.'

propitiate

w synonyms: appease, placate, mollify, pacify, make peace with, conciliate, make amends to, soothe, calm ";my attempts to propitiate you are useless"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin propitiat- 'made favorable,' from the verb propitiare, from propitius 'favorable, gracious' [see propitious].

propitious

giving or synonyms: favorable, auspicious, promising, providential, advantageous, optimistic, bright, rosy, heaven-sent, hopeful; opportune, timely ";the timing for such a meeting seemed propitious"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French propicieus or Latin propitius 'favorable, gracious.'

proponent

a person who advocates a theory, propos synonyms: advocate, champion, supporter, backer, promoter, protagonist, campaigner, booster, cheerleader ";a proponent of the youth basketball program"; Origin late 16th century: from Latin proponent- 'putting forth,' from the verb proponere [see propound].

propriety

synonyms: decorum, respectability, decency, correctness, protocol, appropriateness, suitability, good manners, courtesy, politeness, rectitude, morality, ci Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'peculiarity, essential quality']: from Old French propriete, from Latin proprietas [see property].

prosaic

synonyms: ordinary, everyday, commonplace, conventional, straightforward, routine, r Origin late 16th century [as a noun denoting a prose writer]: from late Latin prosaicus, from Latin prosa 'straightforward [discourse]' [see prose]. Current senses of the adjective date from the mid 18th century.

proscribe

forbid, especially by law synonyms: forbid, prohibit, ban, bar, interdict, make illegal, embargo, outlaw, disallow, veto; enjoin ";gambling was proscribed"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'to outlaw']: from Latin proscribere, from pro- 'in front of' + scribere 'write.'

proselyte

a person who has convertsynonyms:convert, new believer, catechumen ";proselytes are not spiritually mature enough to be counseling others in church matters"Originlate Middle English: via late Latin from Greek prosÄluthos 'stranger, convert,' from prosÄluth-, past stem of proserkhesthai 'approach.

prosody

the patterns of rhythm and sound used in poetry Origin late 15th century: from Latin prosodia 'accent of a syllable,' from Greek prosÅidia 'song sung to music, tone of a syllable,' from pros 'toward' + ÅidÄ 'song.'

prostrate

lyin synonyms: prone, lying flat, lying down, stretched out, spread-eagled, sprawling, horizontal, recumbent; rareprocumbent ";the prostrate figure on the ground"; Origin Middle English: from Latin prostratus 'thrown down,' past participle of prosternere, from pro- 'before' + sternere 'lay flat.'

protagonist

synonyms:chief/central/principal/main/leading character, chief/central/principal/main/leading participant, chief/central/principal/main/leading figure, chief/central/principal/main/leading playeOriginlate 17th century: from Greek prÅtagÅnistÄs, from prÅtos 'first in importance' + agÅnistÄs 'actor.

protean

tendinsynonyms:ever-changing, variable, changeable, mutable, kaleidoscopic, inconstant, inconsistent, unstable, shifting, unsettled, fluctuating, fluid, wavering, vacillating, mercurial, volatile; technicallabile ";the protean nature of mental disorders"Originlate 16th century: from Proteus + -an

protest

synonyms: objection, complaint, exception, disapproval, challenge, dissent, demurral, remonstr Origin late Middle English [as a verb in the sense 'make a solemn declaration']: from Old French protester, from Latin protestari, from pro- 'forth, publicly' + testari 'assert' [from testis 'witness'].

providence

synonyms: fate, destiny, nemesis, kismet, God's will, divine intervention, predestination, predetermination, the stars; one's lot [in life]; archaicone's portion ";a life mapped Origin late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin providentia, from providere 'foresee, attend to' [see provide].

providential

synonyms: opportune, advantageous, favorable, auspicious, propitious, heaven-sent, welcome, golden, lucky, happy, fortunate, felicitous, timely, well timed, seasonable, convenient, expedient ";we won with the aid of a provid Origin mid 17th century: from providence, on the pattern of evidential .

provoke

synonyms:arouse, produce, evoke, cause, give rise to, occasion, call forth, elicit, induce, excite, spark off, touch off, kindle, generatOriginlate Middle English [also in the sense 'invoke, summon']: from Old French provoquer, from Latin provocare 'challenge,' from pro- 'forth' + vocare 'to call.

prudent

synonyms: wise, well judged, sensible, politic, judicious, sagacious, sage, shrewd, advisable, well advised ";it is prudent to obtain consent"; cautious, care Origin late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin prudent-, contraction of provident- 'foreseeing, attending to' [see provident].

puerile

childishly silly and trivi synonyms: childish, immature, infantile, juvenile, babyish; silly, inane, fatuous, jejune, asinine, foolish, petty ";you're too old for these puerile outbursts"; Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'like a boy']: from French puÃ©ril or Latin puerilis, from puer 'boy.'

pugilist

a boxer, especially a professional onesynonyms:boxer, fighter, prizefighter; informalbruiser, pug ";in his neighborhood, guys pretty much had two career choices: drug dealer or pugilist"Originmid 18th century: from Latin pugil 'boxer' + -ist

pugnacious

synonyms:combative, aggressive, antagonistic, belligerent, bellicose, warlike, quarrelsome, argumentative, contentious, disputatious, hostile, threatening, truculent; fiery, hot-tempered ";this Originmid 17th century: from Latin pugnax, pugnac- [from pugnare 'to fight,' from pugnus 'fist'] + -ious

puissant

having great power or influence Origin late Middle English: via Old French from Latin posse 'be able.'

punctilious

synonyms: meticulous, conscientious, diligent, scrupulous, careful, painstaking, rigorous, perfectionist, methodical, particular, strict; fussy, fastidious, finicky, pedantic; informalnitpick Origin mid 17th century: from French pointilleux, from pointille, from Italian puntiglio [see punctilio].

pungent

synonyms:strong, powerful, pervasive, penetrating; sharp, acid, sour, biting, bitter, tart, vinegary, tangy; highly flavored, aromatic, spicy, piquant, peppery, hot ";a pungeOriginlate 16th century [in the sense 'very painful or distressing']: from Latin pungent- 'pricking,' from the verb pungere

pusillanimous

synonyms: timid, timorous, cowardly, fearful, faint-hearted, lily-livered, spineless, craven, shrinking; informalchicken, gutless, wimpy, wimpi Origin late Middle English: from ecclesiastical Latin pusillanimis [translating Greek olugopsukhos ], from pusillus 'very small' + animus 'mind,' + -ous.

putrid

[of organic matter] decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smel synonyms: decomposing, decaying, rotting, rotten, bad, off, putrefied, putrescent, rancid, moldy; foul, fetid, rank ";putrid meat"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin putridus, from putrere 'to rot,' from puter, putr- 'rotten.'

quaff

synonyms: drink, swallow, gulp [down], guzzle, slurp, down, empty; imbibe, partake of, consume; informalkill, swig, swill, slug, knock back, toss off, chug, chugalug, scarf [down] ";they quaffed a few beers before heading hom Origin early 16th century: probably imitative of the sound of drinking.

quail

feel or show fear or apprehension synonyms: cower, cringe, flinch, shrink, recoil, shy [away], pull back; shiver, tremble, shake, quake, blench ";the sound of gunfire made us quail"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'waste away, come to nothing']: of unknown origin.

quaint

synonyms: picturesque, charming, swe Origin Middle English: from Old French cointe, from Latin cognitus 'ascertained,' past participle of cognoscere . The original sense was 'wise, clever,' also 'ingenious, cunningly devised,' hence 'out of the ordinary' and the current sense [late 18th century].

qualm

synonyms: misgivings, doubts, reservations, second thoughts, worries, concerns, anxiety; hesitation, hesitance, hesitancy, demur, reluctance, disinclination, appr Origin early 16th century [in the sense 'momentary sick feeling']: perhaps related to Old English cw[e]alm 'pain,' of Germanic origin.

querulous

synonyms: petulant, peevish, pettish, complaining, fractious, fretful, irritable, testy, tetchy, cross, snappish, crabby, crotchety, cantankerous, miserable, moody, grumpy, bad-tempered, sullen, sulk Origin late 15th century: from late Latin querulosus, from Latin querulus, from queri 'complain.'

quidnunc

an inquisitive and gossipy person Origin early 18th century: from Latin quid nunc? 'what now?'

quiescent

in a state or period of inactivity synonyms:inactive, inert, idle, dormant, at rest, inoperative, deactivated, quiet; still, motionless, immobile, passive ";the volcano is in a quiescent state"Originmid 17th century: from Latin quiescent- 'being still,' from the verb quiescere, from quies 'quiet.

quietus

death or something that causes death, regarded as a release from life Origin late Middle English: abbreviation of medieval Latin quietus est 'he is quit' [see quit1], originally used as a form of receipt or discharge on payment of a debt.

quintessence

synonyms: perfect example, exemplar, prototype, stereotype, picture, epitome, embodiment, ideal, apotheosis; best, pick, prime, acme, crÃ¨me de la crÃ¨me ";it's the quintessence of Origin late Middle English [as a term in philosophy]: via French from medieval Latin quinta essentia 'fifth essence.'

quotidian

synonyms: daily, everyday, day-to-day, diurnal ";the quotidian routine"; ordinary, average, run-of-the-mill, everyday, standard, typical, middle-of-the-road, common, conventional, mainstream, u Origin Middle English: via Old French from Latin quotidianus, earlier cotidianus, from cotidie 'daily.'

radical

synonyms:thoroughgoing, thorough, complete, total, comprehensive, exhaustive, sweeping, far-reaching, wide-ranging, extensive, across the board, profound, major, sOriginlate Middle English [in the senses 'forming the root' and 'inherent']: from late Latin radicalis, from Latin radix, radic- 'root.

raffish

unconventional and slightly disreputable, especially in an attractive manner synonyms: rakish, unconventional, Bohemian; devil-may-care, casual, careless; louche, disreputable, dissolute, decadent ";donning a raffish cap"; Origin early 19th century: from riffraff + -ish1.

raft

a flat buoyant structure of timber or other materials fastened together, used as a boat or floating platform Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'beam, rafter']: from Old Norse raptr 'rafter.' The verb dates from the late 17th century.

rail

synonyms: protest [against], fulminate against, inveigh against, rage against, speak out against, make a stand against; expostulate about, criticize, denounce, con Origin late Middle English: from French railler, from ProvenÃ§al ralhar 'to jest,' based on an alteration of Latin rugire 'to bellow.'

raillery

good-humored teasing synonyms: teasing, mockery, chaff, ragging; banter, badinage; informalleg-pulling, joshing, ribbing, kidding ";affectionate raillery"; Origin mid 17th century: from French raillerie, from railler 'to rail' [see rail2].

raiment

clothingOriginlate Middle English: shortening of obsolete arrayment 'dress, outfit.

rambunctious

uncontrollably exuberant; boisterous synonyms: boisterous, rowdy, obstreperous, wild, turbulent, unruly, disorderly ";rambunctious preschoolers"; Origin mid 19th century: of unknown origin.

ramification

a conseqsynonyms:consequence, result, aftermath, outcome, effect, upshot; development, implication; product, by-product ";the incident backfired on her and has had ramifications beyond anything she could have imagined"Originmid 17th century: from French, from ramifier 'form branches' [see ramify]

rancor

synonyms: bitterness, spite, hate, hatred, resentment, malice, ill will, malevolence, animosity, antipathy, enmity, hostility, acrimony, venom, vitriol Origin Middle English: via Old French from late Latin rancor 'rankness,' [in the Vulgate 'bitter grudge'], related to Latin rancidus 'stinking.'

rankle

synonyms: cause resentment to, annoy, upset, anger, irritate, offend, affront, displease, provoke, irk, vex, pique, nettle, gall Origin Middle English: from Old French rancler, from rancle, draoncle 'festering sore,' from an alteration of medieval Latin dracunculus, diminutive of draco 'serpent.'

rebarbative

unattractive and objectionable Origin late 19th century: from French rÃ©barbatif, -ive, from Old French se rebarber 'face each other "beard to beard" aggressively,' from barbe 'beard.'

rebus

a puzzle in which words are represented by combinations of pictures and individual letters; for instance, apex might be represented by a picture of an ape followed by a letter XOriginearly 17th century: from French rÃ©bus, from Latin rebus, ablative plural of res 'thing.

rebut

synonyms: deny, contradict, controvert, repudiate, counter, attempt to Origin Middle English [in the senses 'rebuke' and 'repulse']: from Anglo-Norman French rebuter, from Old French re- [expressing opposition] + boter 'to butt.' Sense 1 [originally a legal use] dates from the early 19th century.

rebuttal

a refutation or contradictionsynonyms:refutation, denial, countering, invalidation, negation, contradiction ";now that you've heard the accusations, have you a rebuttal?"

recalcitrant

synonyms: uncooperative, intractable, obstreperous, truculent, insubordinate, defiant, rebellious, willful, wayward, headstrong, self-willed, contrary, perverse Origin mid 19th century: from Latin recalcitrant- 'kicking out with the heels,' from the verb recalcitrare, based on calx, calc- 'heel.'

recant

synonyms: renounce, disavow, deny, repudiate, renege on; formalforswear, abjure ";he was forced to recant his political beliefs"; change one's mind, be apostate; raretergiversate ";he r Origin mid 16th century: from Latin recantare 'revoke,' from re- [expressing reversal] + cantare 'sing, chant.'

recherchÃ©

rare, exotic, or obscure synonyms: obscure, rare, esoteric, abstruse, arcane, recondite, exotic, strange, unusual, unfamiliar, out of the ordinary ";most of the titles are recherchÃ©"; Origin French, literally 'carefully sought out,' past participle of rechercher .

recidivist

a convicted criminal who reoffends, especially repeatedly Origin late 19th century: from French rÃ©cidiviste, from rÃ©cidiver 'fall back,' based on Latin recidivus 'falling back,' from the verb recidere, from re- 'back' + cadere 'to fall.'

recondite

synonyms: obscure, abstruse, arcane, esoteric, recherchÃ©, profound, difficult, complex, complicated, involved; incomprehensible, unfathomable, impene Origin mid 17th century: from Latin reconditus 'hidden, put away,' past participle of recondere, from re- 'back' + condere 'put together, secrete.'

reconnoiter

synonyms: survey, make a reconnaissance of, explore; investigate, examine, scrutinize, inspect, observe, take a look at; patrol; informalcheck out, scope out, recon ";two of our best Origin early 18th century: from obsolete French reconnoÃ®tre, from Latin recognoscere 'know again' [see recognize].

recreant

cowardly Origin Middle English: from Old French, literally 'surrendering,' present participle of recroire, from medieval Latin [se] recredere 'surrender [oneself],' from re- [expressing reversal] + credere 'entrust.'

recrudesce

break out again; recur Origin late 19th century: back-formation from recrudescence 'recurrence,' from Latin recrudescere 'become raw again,' from re- 'again' + crudus 'raw.'

rector

[in the Episcopal Church] a member of the clergy who has charge of a parish Origin late Middle English: from Latin rector 'ruler,' from rect- 'ruled,' from the verb regere .

recumbent

[e synonyms: lying, flat, horizontal, stretched out, sprawled [out], reclining, prone, prostrate, supine; lying down ";he stepped over Sadie's recumbent body"; Origin mid 17th century: from Latin recumbent- 'reclining,' from the verb recumbere, from re- 'back' + a verb related to cubare 'to lie.'

redivivus

come back to life; reborn Origin late 16th century: from Latin, from re[d]- 'again' + vivus 'living.'

redolent

strongly reminiscent or suggest synonyms: evocative, suggestive, reminiscent ";their pubs bear names redolent of the monarchy"; Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'fragrant']: from Old French, or from Latin redolent- 'giving out a strong smell,' from re[d]- 'back, again' + olere 'to smell.'

redoubtable

[o synonyms: formidable, awe-inspiring, fearsome, daunting; impressive, commanding, indomitable, invincible, doughty, mighty ";a redoubtable army commander"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French redoutable, from redouter 'to fear,' from re- [expressing intensive force] + douter 'to doubt.'

redound

synonyms: contribute to, be conducive to, result in, lead to, effect; formalconduce to ";such sanctions would not redound to their benefit i Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'surge up, overflow']: from Old French redonder, from Latin redundare 'surge,' from re[d]- 'again' + unda 'a wave.'

redress

rsynonyms:rectify, correct, right, put to rights, compensate for, amend, remedy, make good, resolve, settle ";we redressed the problem";even up, regulate, equalize ";we aim to redress the balance"OriginMiddle English: the verb from Old French redresser ; the noun via Anglo-Norman French redresse

redundant

not or nosynonyms:unnecessary, not required, inessential, unessential, needless, unneeded, uncalled for; surplus, superfluous ";the system is hobbled by redundant paperwork"Originlate 16th century [in the sense 'abundant']: from Latin redundant- 'surging up,' from the verb redundare [see redound]

refractory

synonyms: obstinate, stubborn, mulish, pigheaded, obdurate, headstrong, self-willed, wayward, willful, perverse, contrary, recalcitrant, obstreperous, disobedient, difficult; infor Origin early 17th century: alteration of obsolete refractary, from Latin refractarius 'stubborn' [see also refract].

refulgent

shining brightly Origin late 15th century: from Latin refulgent- 'shining out,' from the verb refulgere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + fulgere 'to shine.'

refute

prove [a statement or theory] to be wrong or false; disprove synonyms: disprove, prove wrong, prove false, debunk, discredit, invalidate; informalpoke holes in; formalconfute ";attempts to refute Einstein's theory"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin refutare 'repel, rebut.'

relegate

synonyms: downgrade, lower, lower in rank/status, put down, move down; demote, degrade ";cooperatives may be relegated to a secondary r Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'send into exile']: from Latin relegat- 'sent away, referred,' from the verb relegare, from re- 'again' + legare 'send.'

remiss

synonyms: negligent, neglectful, irresponsible, careless, thoughtless, heedless, lax, slack, slipshod, lack Origin late Middle English: from Latin remissus 'slackened,' past participle of remittere . The early senses were 'weakened in color or consistency' and [in describing sound] 'faint, soft.'

remission

the cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty synonyms: cancellation, setting aside, suspension, revocation; formalabrogation ";the remission of all fees"; Origin Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin remissio[n-], from remittere 'send back, restore' [see remit].

remit

cancel or refrain from exacting or inflicting [a debt or pu synonyms: cancel, set aside, suspend, revoke; formalabrogate ";the fines were remitted"; Origin late Middle English: from Latin remittere 'send back, restore,' from re- 'back' + mittere 'send.' The noun dates from the early 20th century.

remonstrate

synonyms: protest, complain, expostulate; argue with, take issue with ";"I'm not a child!" he remonstrated" Origin late 16th century [in the sense 'make plain']: from medieval Latin remonstrat- 'demonstrated,' from the verb remonstrare, from re- [expressing intensive force] + monstrare 'to show.'

renege

synonyms: default on, fail to honor, go back on, break, back out of, withdraw from, retreat from, welsh on, backtrack on; br Origin mid 16th century [in the sense 'desert [especially a faith or a person]']: from medieval Latin renegare, from Latin re- [expressing intensive force] + negare 'deny.'

rent

a large tear in a piece of fabric synonyms: rip, tear, split, hole, slash, slit ";the rent in his pants"; gorge, chasm, fault, rift, fissure, crevasse ";a vast rent in the mountains"; Origin mid 16th century: from obsolete rent 'pull to pieces, lacerate,' variant of rend.

repast

a meal synonyms: meal, feast, banquet; informalspread, feed, bite, bite to eat; formalcollation, refection ";a sumptuous repast"; Origin late Middle English: from Old French, based on late Latin repascere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + pascere 'to feed.'

repeat

synonyms: say again, restate, reiterate, go/run through again, recapitulate; informalrecap ";she repeated her story"; recite, quote, parrot, regurgitate ";children can repeat large chunks of Origin late Middle English: from Old French repeter, from Latin repetere, from re- 'back' + petere 'seek.'

reprehend

reprimand Origin Middle English: from Latin reprehendere 'seize, check, rebuke,' from re- [expressing intensive force] + prehendere 'seize.'

reprimand

synonyms:rebuke, reproof, admonishment, admonition, reproach, scolding, upbraiding, finger-wagging, censure; informalrap over the knucklOriginmid 17th century: from French rÃ©primande, via Spanish from Latin reprimenda 'things to be held in check,' neuter plural gerundive of reprimere [see repress]

reprise

a repeated passage in music Origin early 18th century: French, literally 'taken up again,' feminine past participle of reprendre [see reprieve].

reproach

address [someone] in such a way as synonyms: disgrace, discredit, source of shame, blemish, stain, blot; literarysmirch ";this party is a reproach to Canadian politics"; Origin Middle English: from Old French reprochier [verb], from a base meaning 'bring back close,' based on Latin prope 'near.'

reprobate

synonyms: rogue, rascal, scoundrel, miscreant, good-for-nothing, villain, wretch, rake, degenerate, libertine, debauchee; informal,cad; archaicb Origin late Middle English [as a verb]: from Latin reprobat- 'disapproved,' from the verb reprobare, from re- [expressing reversal] + probare 'approve.'

reprove

synonyms: reprimand, rebuke, reproach, scold, admonish, chastise, chide, upbraid, berate, take to task, rake/haul over the coals, criticize, censure Origin Middle English [also in the senses 'reject' and 'censure']: from Old French reprover, from late Latin reprobare 'disapprove' [see reprobate].

repudiate

synonyms: reject, renounce, abandon, give up, turn one's back on, disown, cast off, lay aside; formalforswear, abjure; literaryforsake ";he repudiated Origin late Middle English [originally an adjective in the sense 'divorced']: from Latin repudiatus 'divorced, cast off,' from repudium 'divorce.'

repugnance

synonyms: revulsion, disgust, abhorrence, repulsion, loathing, hatred, detestation, aversion, distaste, antipath Origin late Middle English [in the sense 'opposition']: from Old French repugnance or Latin repugnantia, from repugnare 'oppose,' from re- [expressing opposition] + pugnare 'to fight.'

requiem

[especially in the Roman Catholic Church] a Mass for the repose of the souls of the deadOriginMiddle English: from Latin [first word of the Mass], accusative of requies 'rest.

rescind

synonyms: revoke, repeal, cancel, reverse, overturn, overrule, annul, nullify, void, invalidate, quash, abolish; vacate; formalabrogate ";the court can rescind a bankruptcy order"; Origin mid 16th century: from Latin rescindere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + scindere 'to divide, split.'

respite

a short period of rest or synonyms: rest, break, breathing space, interval, intermission, interlude, recess, lull, pause, time out; relief, relaxation, repose; informalbreather, letup ";a brief respite"; Origin Middle English: from Old French respit, from Latin respectus 'refuge, consideration.'

restive

synonyms: unruly, diso Origin late 16th century: from Old French restif, -ive, from Latin restare 'remain.' The original sense, 'inclined to remain still, inert,' has undergone a reversal; the association with the refractory movements of a horse gave rise to the current sense 'fidgety, restless.'

retard

synonyms: delay, slow down, slow up, hold back, hold up, set back, postpone, put back, detain, decelerate; hinder, hamper, obstruct, inhibit, impede, check, restrain, restrict, trammel; literary Origin late 15th century: from French retarder, from Latin retardare, from re- 'back' + tardus 'slow.'

reticent

synonyms: reserved, withdrawn, introverted, inhibited, diffident, shy; uncommunicative, unforthcoming, unresponsive, tight-lipped, buttoned-up, qui Origin mid 19th century: from Latin reticent- 'remaining silent,' from the verb reticere, from re- [expressing intensive force] + tacere 'be silent.'

Gre Quizlet Flashcards ionicons-v5-c

Gre Quizlet Flashcards