Actions |
Study Words from A Study In Scarlet |
duly | |
ad. at the proper time |
brigade | |
n. army unit smaller than a division, 2000-5000 people |
regiment | |
n. army unit smaller than a division, around 2000 people |
graze | |
v. scrape the skin of (a part of the body) so as to break the surface but cause little or no bleeding |
subclavian | |
a. of artery or vein which serves neck and arm; |
orderly | |
n. a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer |
rally | |
v. (of troops) come together again in order to continue fighting after a defeat or dispersion |
bask | |
v. derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in |
verandah | |
n. a porch along the outside of a building (sometimes partly enclosed) |
enteric | |
a. of or relating to or inside the intestines |
convalescent | |
n. a person who is recovering from illness |
emaciate | |
v. grow weak and thin or waste away physically v. cause to grow thin or weak |
jetty | |
n. a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away |
irretrievable | |
a. impossible to recover or recoup or overcome |
kith | |
n. your friends and acquaintances |
gravitate | |
v. move toward |
cesspool | |
n. underground container for temporary storage of liquid waste and sewage; |
rusticate | |
v. go to, live in, or spend time in the country |
pretentious | |
a. attempting to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed |
domicile | |
n. housing that someone is living in |
dresser | |
n. a person who prepares, treats, or finishes a material or piece of equipment |
crony | |
n. a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities |
exuberance | |
n. overflowing with eager enjoyment or approval |
lath | |
n. a narrow thin strip of wood used as backing for plaster or to make latticework |
commiserate | |
v. feel or express sympathy or compassion |
bemoan | |
v. regret strongly |
anatomy | |
n. the branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms |
desultory | |
a. marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another |
amass | |
v. collect or gather v. get or gather together |
mealy-mouthed | |
a. afraid to speak frankly or straightforwardly |
pinch | |
n. an act of gripping the skin of someone's body between finger and thumb |
alkaloid | |
n. any of class of nitrogenous organic compounds of plant origin; |
malevolence | |
n. the quality of threatening evil |
bleak | |
a. unpleasantly cold and damp |
vista | |
n. a pleasing view, especially one seen through a long, narrow opening |
precipitate | |
v. cause (a substance) to be deposited in solid form from a solution |
hoemoglobin | |
n. a red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood of vertebrates |
medico-legal | |
a. of or relating to both medicine and law |
infallible | |
a. incapable of failure or error |
bodkin | |
n. formerly a long hairpin; usually with an ornamental head |
pipette | |
n. a slender tube attached to or incorporating a bulb, for transferring or measuring out small quantities of liquid, especially in a laboratory |
mahogany | |
n. hard reddish-brown timber from a tropical tree, used for high-quality furniture |
corpuscle | |
n. either of two types of cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes) and sometimes including platelets |
conjure | |
v. summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic |
dabble | |
v. work with in an amateurish manner |
diggings | |
n. site such as mine or goldfield that has been excavated; lodgings; |
dump | |
n. depressed or unhappy |
sulky | |
a. depressingly dark |
row | |
n. a noisy acrimonious quarrel |
ungodly | |
a. irreligious or immoral |
how the deuce | |
ad. how has happened |
enigmatical | |
a. difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious |
piquant | |
a. attracting or delighting |
moderate | |
a. being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme |
temperance | |
n. abstaining from excess n. the trait of avoiding excesses |
torpor | |
n. inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy |
delicacy | |
n. something considered choice to eat n. smallness of stature |
busybody | |
n. a person who meddles in the affairs of others, troublemaker, gossip |
reticence | |
n. the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary |
genial | |
a. agreeable, conducive to comfort |
unravel | |
v. become undone |
minute | |
a. marked by close attention to details |
desultory | |
a. marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another |
jumble | |
v. assemble without order or sense |
assortment | |
n. a collection containing a variety of sorts of things |
distend | |
v. become wider |
ponder | |
v. reflect deeply on a subject |
perpetrate | |
v. carry out or commit (a harmful, illegal, or immoral action) |
singlestick | |
n. stick of about sword's length; |
allude | |
v. make a more or less disguised reference to |
fiddle | |
n. a violin, especially when used to play folk music |
sonorous | |
a. full and loud and deep |
rebel | |
v. break with established customs |
exasperate | |
v. make furious |
sallow | |
a. (of a person's face or complexion) of an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color |
seedy | |
a. shabby and untidy a. morally degraded |
pedlar | |
n. someone who travels about selling his wares (as on the streets or at carnivals) |
slip-shod | |
a. careless, (typically of a person or method of work) characterized by a lack of care, thought, or organization |
velveteen | |
n. a usually cotton fabric with a short pile imitating velvet |
nondescript | |
a. lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting |
point blank | |
a. direct, straight |
dispel | |
v. make (a doubt, feeling, or belief) disappear |
petulance | |
n. the quality of being childishly sulky or bad-tempered |
intimation | |
n. an indirect suggestion n. a slight suggestion or vague understanding |
munch | |
n. a large bite v. chew noisily |
momentary | |
a. lasting for a markedly brief time |
twitch | |
n. a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition |
Deceit | |
n. a misleading falsehood |
infallible | |
a. incapable of failure or error |
necromancer | |
n. one who practices magic or sorcery |
enquirer | |
n. someone who asks a question |
puerile | |
a. childishly silly and trivial |
callosity | |
n. thickened and hardened part of skin; |
competent | |
a. properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient |
ineffable | |
a. too sacred to be uttered |
twaddle | |
n. silly talk or writing |
paradox | |
n. (logic) a statement that contradicts itself |
resemblance | |
n. similarity in appearance or external or superficial details |
misdeed | |
n. improper or wicked or immoral behavior |
bustle | |
v. move or cause to move energetically or busily |
apropos | |
a. very appropriate to a particular situation |
sardonic | |
a. disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking |
bungler | |
n. someone who makes mistakes because of incompetence |
cavalier | |
a. showing a lack of proper concern |
conceited | |
a. characteristic of false pride; having an exaggerated sense of self-importance |
querulous | |
a. habitually complaining |
bumptious | |
a. offensively self-assertive |
stalwart | |
a. having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships |
bland | |
a. lacking taste or flavor or tang |
gruff | |
a. deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion |
infantry | |
n. an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot |
wondrous | |
a. extraordinarily good or great ; used especially as intensifiers |
petulant | |
a. easily irritated or annoyed |
brusque | |
a. marked by rude or peremptory shortness |
smack | |
v. have a flavor of; taste of |
bad lot | |
n. a worthless, unreliable, immoral, or dishonest person |
pick | |
n. the best or choicest one |
shockingly | |
ad. in way that causes indignation, horror, or disgust; |
ripple | |
v. flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise |
incurable | |
a. incapable of being cured |
spry | |
a. moving quickly and lightly |
personage | |
n. a person whose actions and opinions strongly influence the course of events |
supersede | |
v. take the place or move into the position of |
apathetic | |
a. marked by a lack of interest |
prattle | |
v. speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly |
disquisition | |
n. an elaborate analytical or explanatory essay or discussion |
omen | |
v. indicate by signs |
minatory | |
a. threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments |
cataract | |
n. a large waterfall; violent rush of water over a precipice |
blear | |
v. make dim or indistinct |
nonchalance | |
n. the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern |
border | |
v. form an edge along or beside (something) |
flank | |
v. be located at the sides of something or somebody |
rivet | |
v. attract and hold (something, such as a person's attention) completely |
clayey | |
a. containing or resembling clay; |
effusion | |
n. flow under pressure n. an unrestrained expression of emotion |
evasive | |
a. deliberately vague or ambiguous |
subdued | |
a. quieted and brought under control a. restrained in style or quality |
vulgar | |
a. lacking sophistication or good taste; unrefined |
flare | |
v. burn with a sudden intensity |
blotch | |
v. mark with irregularly shaped spots |
imitation | |
n. something copied or derived from an original |
tinge | |
n. a pale or subdued color |
stubble | |
n. short stiff hairs growing on a man's face when he has not shaved for a few days |
immaculate | |
a. free from stain or blemish |
blunt | |
a. used of a knife or other blade; not sharp |
prognathous | |
a. having projecting lower jaw or chin; |
ferret | |
v. search and discover through persistent investigation |
gout | |
n. a painful inflammation of the big toe and foot caused by defects in uric acid metabolism resulting in deposits of the acid and its salts in the blood and joints |
mortuary | |
a. of or relating to a funeral |
masonic | |
a. of or relating to stonemasons or masonry a. of or relating to Freemasons or Freemasonry |
ruby | |
n. a precious stone consisting of corundum in color varieties varying from deep crimson or purple to pale rose |
linen | |
n. white goods or clothing made with linen cloth |
pompous | |
a. affectedly and irritatingly grand, solemn, or self-important |
exultation | |
n. a feeling of extreme joy |
inmate | |
n. a person confined to an institution such as a prison or hospital |
trickle | |
v. run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream |
ruffle | |
v. disturb the smoothness of |
trot | |
v. proceed or cause to proceed at a pace faster than a walk, lifting each diagonal pair of legs alternately |
engross | |
v. devote (oneself) fully to |
chatter | |
v. click repeatedly or uncontrollably, talk rapidly or incessantly about trivial matters |
covert | |
n. a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something |
whine | |
v. give or make a long, high-pitched complaining cry or sound |
contempt | |
n. open disrespect for a person or thing |
sarcasm | |
n. witty language used to convey insults or scorn |
florid | |
a. inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life |
rut | |
n. a groove or furrow (especially one in soft earth caused by wheels) |
sere | |
a. (used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture |
puddle | |
n. a small pool of liquid, especially of rainwater on the ground |
flatter | |
v. praise somewhat dishonestly |
florid | |
a. inclined to a healthy reddish color often associated with outdoor life |
decamp | |
v. run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along |
succinct | |
a. briefly giving the gist of something |
invariably | |
ad. without variation or change, in every case |
ruse | |
n. a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture) |
conjuror | |
n. one that practices magic arts |
dingy | |
a. thickly covered with ingrained dirt or soot |
dreary | |
a. lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise |
quadrangle | |
n. four-sided plane figure; |
sordid | |
a. unethical or dishonest |
flag | |
n. any of various monocotyledonous plants with long ensiform leaves |
slumber | |
n. a dormant or quiescent state |
pensive | |
a. deeply or seriously thoughtful |
gin | |
n. a form of rummy in which a player can go out if the cards remaining in their hand total less than 10 points |
glint | |
n. a spatially localized brightness |
typhoid | |
n. serious infection marked by intestinal inflammation and ulceration |
cove | |
n. a small sheltered inlet or bay n. mam, fellow |
digression | |
n. a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern) |
aggrieve | |
v. cause to feel sorrow |
jargon | |
n. specialized technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject |
skein | |
n. coils of worsted yarn |
carol | |
n. a joyful song (usually celebrating the birth of Christ) |
many-sidedness | |
n. having many sides or aspects |
meditate | |
v. think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes |
exertion | |
n. use of physical or mental energy; hard work |
baboon | |
n. large terrestrial monkeys having doglike muzzles |
distort | |
v. form into a spiral shape |
depravity | |
n. a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice |
strangulation | |
n. the condition in which circulation of blood to a part of the body (especially a hernia) is cut off by constriction |
antagonist | |
n. someone who offers opposition |
misty | |
a. filled or abounding with fog or mist |
case-harden | |
v. make callous or insensible |
dunderhead | |
n. a stupid person; these words are used to express a low opinion of someone's intelligence |
meddle | |
v. intrude in other people's affairs or business; interfere unwantedly |
folly | |
n. the quality of being rash and foolish n. a stupid mistake |
allay | |
v. lessen the intensity of or calm |
unaware | |
a. not aware |
pragmatic | |
a. concerned with practical matters |
shuffle | |
v. move about, move back and forth |
feeble | |
a. lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality |
hobble | |
n. the uneven manner of walking that results from an injured leg |
curtsey | |
n. bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women |
blear | |
v. make dim or indistinct |
fumble | |
v. make a mess of, destroy or ruin |
disconsolate | |
a. sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled |
crone | |
n. an ugly evil-looking old woman |
mumble | |
v. talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice |
protestation | |
n. assertion, allegation, affirmation |
ulster | |
n. man's long, loose overcoat of rough cloth; |
cravat | |
n. neckwear worn in a slipknot with long ends overlapping vertically in front |
stolid | |
a. having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited |
patter | |
v. make light, rapid and repeated sounds |
tread | |
n. a manner or the sound of someone walking |
chagrin | |
n. strong feelings of embarrassment |
chaff | |
v. make fun of, tease, kid |
foot-sore | |
n. (of a person or animal) having painful or tender feet from much walking |
perch | |
v. (of a bird) alight or rest on something |
rein | |
n. one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse |
expectant | |
a. marked by eager anticipation |
grope | |
v. feel about or search blindly or uncertainly with the hands |
paperhanger | |
n. person who decorates with wallpaper; |
totter | |
v. walk unsteadily |
get-up | |
n. a style or arrangement of dress, especially an elaborate or unusual one |
inimitable | |
a. so good or unusual as to be impossible to copy; unique |
do up | |
v. wrap up |
injunction | |
n. a formal command or admonition |
smoulder | |
v. burn slowly and without a flame |
wailing | |
a. crying with pain, grief, or anger; |
admonish | |
v. warn or reprimand someone firmly |
avow | |
v. declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true |
despotism | |
n. a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.) |
stringent | |
a. demanding strict attention to rules and procedures |
statuette | |
n. a small carved or molded figure |
scamper | |
v. move about or proceed hurriedly |
shrill | |
a. of colors that are bright and gaudy |
beatitude | |
n. a state of supreme happiness |
pompous | |
a. puffed up with vanity |
gratify | |
v. make happy or satisfied |
complacent | |
a. showing uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements |
paroxysm | |
n. a sudden uncontrollable attack |
tickle | |
v. touch (a body part) lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements |
antecedent | |
n. someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent) |
crest-fallen | |
a. sad and disappointed |
sententious | |
a. concise and full of meaning |
gulp | |
v. swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught |
livid | |
a. furiously angry |
husky | |
a. deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion |
sober | |
a. not affected by alcohol; not drunk |
reproach | |
v. censure, blame, rebuke, criticize |
blush | |
v. become rosy or reddish |
pertinent | |
a. having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand |
temptation | |
n. a desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise |
sore | |
a. roused to anger a. hurting |
slack | |
a. not taut or held tightly in position; loose |
grudge | |
v. accept or admit unwillingly |
alas | |
ad. by bad luck |
scuffle | |
n. a short, confused fight or struggle at close quarters |
cudgel | |
n. a club that is used as a weapon |
altercation | |
n. noisy quarrel |
jaunty | |
a. having a cheerful, lively, and self-confident air |
fumble | |
v. use the hands clumsily while doing or handling something |
momentous | |
a. of very great significance |
dumfoundered | |
a. amazed, astonished |
grumble | |
v. make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath |
vicinity | |
n. a surrounding or nearby region |
affirmative | |
n. a reply of affirmation |
meander | |
v. move or cause to move in a sinuous, spiral, or circular course |
huddle | |
v. crowd or draw together |
presentiment | |
n. a feeling of evil to come |
awe-struck | |
a. having or showing a feeling of mixed reverence and respect and wonder and dread |
impart | |
v. bestow a quality on v. transmit (knowledge or skills) |
ghastly | |
a. gruesomely indicative of death or the dead |
joiner | |
n. a woodworker whose work involves making things by joining pieces of wood |
tally | |
v. gain points in a game |
sill | |
n. structural member consisting of a continuous horizontal timber forming the lowest member of a framework or supporting structure |
ointment | |
n. a smooth oily preparation that is rubbed on the skin for medicinal purposes or as a cosmetic |
terrier | |
n. a small dog of a breed originally used for turning out foxes and other burrowing animals from their lairs |
palatable | |
a. acceptable to the taste or mind |
draught | |
n. a serving of drink (usually alcoholic) |
chagrin | |
n. strong feelings of embarrassment |
gnaw | |
v. bite or chew on with the teeth |
derisive | |
a. abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule |
inert | |
a. slow and apathetic a. unable to move or resist motion |
perpetrate | |
v. perform an act, usually with a negative connotation |
atrocity | |
n. the quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane |
irresolution | |
n. hesitancy; |
incur | |
v. make oneself subject to; bring upon oneself; become liable to |
omission | |
n. any process whereby sounds or words are left out of spoken words or phrases |
flaxen | |
a. of hair color; pale yellowish to yellowish brown |
beady | |
a. small and gleaming; |
resentment | |
n. a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will |
unsavoury | |
a. not pleasing in odor or taste |
forelock | |
n. a lock of hair growing (or falling) over the forehead |
portmanteau | |
n. a large travelling bag made of stiff leather |
strap | |
v. fasten or secure in a specified place or position with a strap or seat belt |
sullen | |
a. showing a brooding ill humor a. darkened by clouds |
defiant | |
a. boldly resisting authority or an opposing force |
inarticulate | |
a. without or deprived of the use of speech or words |
staghound | |
n. large dog of breed used for hunting deer; |
mangle | |
v. injure badly by beating |
pinion | |
v. bind the arms of |
arid | |
a. lacking sufficient water or rainfall |
grim | |
a. not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty |
skulk | |
v. lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner |
scrub | |
n. bush |
buzzard | |
n. the common European short-winged hawk |
flap | |
v. (of a bird) move (its wings) up and down when flying or preparing to fly |
lumber | |
v. move in a slow, heavy, awkward way |
ravine | |
n. a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water) |
sustenance | |
n. a source of materials to nourish the body |
chaparral | |
n. dense vegetation consisting of stunted trees or bushes |
fleck | |
v. mark or dot with small patches of color or particles of something |
appertain | |
v. be a part or attribute of |
caravan | |
n. a group of people, especially traders or pilgrims, traveling together across a desert in Asia or North Africa |
parchment | |
n. a superior paper resembling sheepskin |
gaunt | |
a. very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold |
baggy | |
a. not fitting closely; hanging loosely |
senile | |
a. mentally or physically infirm with age |
decrepit | |
a. lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality |
toil | |
v. work extremely hard or incessantly |
crag | |
n. a steep rugged rock or cliff |
shawl | |
n. cloak consisting of an oblong piece of cloth used to cover the head and shoulders |
speckle | |
v. mark with small spots |
dimple | |
n. a small natural hollow in the cheek or chin |
reproachful | |
a. expressing reproof, shame, or disgrace especially as a corrective |
penitent | |
a. feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds |
extricate | |
v. release from entanglement of difficulty |
dainty | |
a. delicate, graceful |
frock | |
n. a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice |
wan | |
a. lacking vitality as from weariness or illness or unhappiness |
mica | |
n. a shiny silicate mineral with a layered structure, found as minute scales in granite and other rocks, or as crystals |
reckon | |
v. judge to be probable |
visage | |
n. the human face |
pinafore | |
n. a sleeveless dress resembling an apron; worn over other clothing |
gleeful | |
a. full of high-spirited delight |
pitcher | |
n. a large container, typically earthenware, glass, or plastic, with a handle and a lip, used for holding and pouring liquids |
vulture | |
n. any of various large diurnal birds of prey having naked heads and weak claws and feeding chiefly on carrion |
omen | |
v. indicate by signs |
prattle | |
v. speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly |
chubby | |
a. sufficiently fat so as to have a pleasing fullness of figure |
heartfelt | |
a. earnest |
entreaty | |
n. earnest or urgent request |
slumber | |
n. a dormant or quiescent state |
repose | |
n. freedom from activity (work or strain or responsibility) |
tress | |
n. a long lock of a woman's hair |
multitude | |
n. a large gathering of people |
fertile | |
a. intellectually productive |
bison | |
n. a humpbacked shaggy-haired wild ox native to North America and Europe |
castaway | |
n. a shipwrecked person |
tilt | |
v. incline or bend from a vertical position |
apparition | |
n. a ghostly appearing figure |
straggle | |
v. wander from a direct or straight course |
stagger | |
v. walk as if unable to control one's movements |
toddle | |
v. walk unsteadily |
nomad | |
n. a member of a people who have no permanent home but move about according to the seasons |
wayfarer | |
n. a pedestrian who walks from place to place |
homespun | |
a. of textiles; having a rough surface |
flutter | |
v. move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart |
wisp | |
n. small thin or twisted bunch; |
rein | |
n. a long, narrow strap attached at one end to a horse's bit, typically used in pairs to guide or check a horse while riding or driving |
unsling | |
v. remove something from place where it has been slung or suspended; |
precipitous | |
a. extremely steep |
dexterity | |
n. skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands |
scout | |
n. someone who can find paths through unexplored territory |
flit | |
v. move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart |
sinewy | |
a. (of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful |
velveteen | |
n. a usually cotton fabric with a short pile imitating velvet |
tunic | |
n. any of a variety of loose fitting cloaks extending to the hips or knees |
infantile | |
a. indicating a lack of maturity |
plump | |
v. drop sharply |
shrivel | |
v. decrease in size, range, or extent |
raucous | |
a. unpleasantly loud and harsh |
stalwart | |
a. having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships |
meek | |
a. evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant |
commiseration | |
n. an expression of sympathy with another's grief |
destitution | |
n. a state without friends or money or prospects |
conspicuous | |
a. without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious a. obvious to the eye or mind |
gaudy | |
a. (used especially of clothes) marked by conspicuous display |
creed | |
n. any system of principles or beliefs |
ripple | |
v. flow in an irregular current with a bubbling noise |
waif | |
n. a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned |
commemorate | |
v. be or provide a memorial to a person or an event |
tenacity | |
n. persistent determination |
resolute | |
a. firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination |
apportion | |
v. give out as one's portion or share |
blush | |
n. a reddening of the face as a sign of embarrassment or shame |
twilight | |
n. a period or state of obscurity, ambiguity, or gradual decline |
rasp | |
n. grating voice |
monument | |
n. an important site that is marked and preserved as public property |
headstrong | |
a. habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition |
privation | |
n. a state of extreme poverty |
indefatigable | |
a. showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality |
unanimous | |
a. in complete agreement |
constitution | |
n. a person's physical state with regard to vitality, health, and strength |
till | |
v. prepare and cultivate (land) for crops |
susceptibility | |
n. the state of being susceptible; easily affected |
lukewarm | |
a. moderately warm a. feeling or showing little interest or enthusiasm |
celibate | |
a. abstaining from sexual intercourse |
conform | |
v. be similar, be in line with |
wayfarer | |
n. a traveler going on a trip |
revive | |
v. give new life or energy to |
lithe | |
a. moving and bending with ease |
mustang | |
n. small hardy range horse of the western plains descended from horses brought by the Spanish |
herald | |
v. greet enthusiastically or joyfully v. foreshadow or presage |
dawn | |
n. the first light of day |
emblem | |
n. special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc. |
hum | |
n. a low continuous noise |
defile | |
v. spot, stain, or pollute |
bullock | |
n. young bull |
interminable | |
a. tiresomely long; seemingly without end |
motley | |
a. having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly |
stoicism | |
n. the endurance of pain or hardship without a display of feelings and without complaint |
cavalcade | |
n. a procession of people traveling on horseback |
snort | |
n. a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contemp |
prance | |
v. cause (a horse) to bound spring forward |
goad | |
v. stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick |
unwieldy | |
a. difficult to work or manipulate |
bridle | |
n. the headgear used to control a horse, consisting of buckled straps to which a bit and reins are attached |
saucy | |
a. bold and lively; smart-looking |
roan | |
n. a horse having a brownish coat thickly sprinkled with white or gray |
demure | |
a. affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way |
sombrero | |
n. a straw hat with a tall crown and broad brim; worn in American southwest and in Mexico |
taciturn | |
a. habitually reserved and uncommunicative |
lode | |
n. a deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks |
volcanic | |
a. relating to or produced by or consisting of volcanoes a. explosively unstable |
untamed | |
a. in a natural state; not tamed or domesticated or cultivated |
imperious | |
a. having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy |
halcyon | |
a. idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquillity |
scout | |
n. someone who can find paths through unexplored territory |
eloquent | |
a. expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively |
sore | |
a. hurting, (of a part of one's body) painful or aching |
saintly | |
a. resembling or befitting an angel or saint |
bate | |
v. moderate or restrain; lessen the force of |
misconstrue | |
v. interpret in the wrong way |
retribution | |
n. the act of taking revenge, especially in the next life n. a justly deserved penalty |
persecute | |
v. cause to suffer |
omniscient | |
a. infinitely wise |
omnipotent | |
a. having unlimited power |
fare | |
v. perform in a specified way in a particular situation or over a particular period of time |
rash | |
n. a series of unexpected and unpleasant occurrences |
annihilation | |
n. total destruction |
recalcitrant | |
a. stubbornly resistant to authority or control |
pervert | |
v. change the inherent purpose or function of something |
barren | |
a. completely wanting or lacking |
bandy | |
v. discuss lightly |
harem | |
n. living quarters reserved for wives and concubines and female relatives in a Muslim household |
flit | |
v. move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart |
corroborate | |
v. support with evidence or authority or make more certain or confirm |
ruthless | |
a. without mercy or pity |
reparation | |
n. compensation (given or received) for an insult or injury |
trepidation | |
n. a feeling of alarm or dread |
expostulation | |
n. the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest |
fain | |
ad. in a willing manner |
Gentile | |
n. a person who is not Jewish |
deprive | |
v. take away possessions from someone |
heifer | |
n. a young female cow that has not borne a calf |
blanch | |
v. turn pale, as if in fear |
scrunch | |
v. make wrinkles or creases on a smooth surface; make a pressed, folded or wrinkled line in |
broach | |
v. bring up a topic for discussion |
sob | |
n. convulsive gasps |
squall | |
n. sudden violent winds; often accompanied by precipitation |
knuckle | |
n. a joint of a finger when the fist is closed v. press or rub with the knuckles |
buckshot | |
n. small lead shot for shotgun shells |
fret | |
v. worry unnecessarily or excessively |
hitch | |
v. travel by getting free rides from motorists |
bloat | |
v. become swollen or puff up |
nasal | |
a. sounding as if the nose were pinched |
solicit | |
v. make a petition for something desired |
tan | |
v. convert (animal skin) into leather by soaking in a liquid containing tannic acid, or by the use of other chemicals |
smirk | |
v. smile affectedly or derisively |
fume | |
v. be wet with sweat or blood, as of one's face |
defy | |
v. challenge v. resist or confront with resistance |
rue | |
v. feel remorse for; feel sorry for; be contrite about |
smite | |
v. cause physical pain or suffering in |
cant | |
v. talk hypocritically |
sturdy | |
a. having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships |
arch | |
a. naughtily or annoyingly playful |
remonstrance | |
n. the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest |
crumple | |
v. fall apart |
scrawl | |
v. write carelessly |
conspicuous | |
a. obvious to the eye or mind |
placard | |
n. a sign posted in a public place as an advertisement |
vigilance | |
n. the process of paying close and continuous attention |
impotence | |
n. the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble |
insidious | |
a. intended to entrap |
asprawl | |
ad. in sprawling manner; |
unnerve | |
v. disturb the composure of |
stifle | |
v. impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of |
prostrate | |
v. throw down flat, as on the ground |
writhe | |
v. move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling) |
voracious | |
a. excessively greedy and grasping |
leathery | |
a. resembling or made to resemble leather; tough but pliable |
hornet | |
n. large stinging paper wasp |
tunic | |
n. any of a variety of loose fitting cloaks extending to the hips or knees |
scanty | |
n. small or insufficient in quantity or amount |
lynx | |
n. short-tailed wildcats with usually tufted ears; valued for their fur |
hoot | |
n. a cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt |
flit | |
v. move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart |
sentinel | |
n. a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event |
defile | |
n. a steep-sided, narrow gorge or passage |
unerring | |
a. always right or accurate |
picket | |
n. a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event\ |
precipitous | |
a. extremely steep |
file | |
n. a line of people or things one behind another |
despotism | |
n. a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator |
hem | |
v. utter hem or ahem |
hurtle | |
v. make a thrusting forward movement v. move with or as if with a rushing sound |
partake | |
v. consume |
fain | |
ad. in a willing manner |
inexorable | |
a. impossible to stop or prevent a. not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty |
beetle | |
v. project or overhang threateningly |
enmity | |
n. the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something |
scanty | |
a. lacking in amplitude or quantity |
tether | |
v. tie (an animal) with a rope or chain so as to restrict its movement |
adieu | |
n. a goodbye |
ravine | |
n. a deep, narrow gorge with steep sides |
vicinity | |
n. a surrounding or nearby region |
totter | |
v. walk unsteadily |
precipice | |
n. a very steep cliff |
unwieldy | |
a. difficult to work or manipulate |
haunch | |
n. the hip and buttock and upper thigh in human beings |
glen | |
n. a narrow secluded valley (in the mountains) |
agitation | |
n. disturbance usually in protest |
tend | |
v. have care of or look after |
reign | |
v. have sovereign power |
impotence | |
n. the quality of lacking strength or power; being weak and feeble |
smoulder | |
v. burn slowly and without a flame |
tingle | |
v. cause a stinging or tingling sensation |
cleft | |
n. a split or indentation in something |
epitaph | |
n. an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there |
harem | |
n. living quarters reserved for wives and concubines and female relatives in a Muslim household |
lethargy | |
n. weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy |
indomitable | |
a. impossible to subdue |
vindictive | |
a. disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge |
assuage | |
v. satisfy (thirst) v. provide physical relief, as from pain |
toil | |
v. work hard |
accost | |
v. speak to someone |
tatter | |
n. a small piece of cloth or paper |
unkempt | |
a. not properly maintained or cared for |
spruce | |
a. marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners |
consternation | |
n. fear resulting from the awareness of danger |
conjure | |
v. make (something) appear unexpectedly or seemingly from nowhere as if by magic |
baleful | |
a. deadly or sinister |
sling | |
v. suspend or arrange (something), especially with a strap or straps, so that it hangs loosely in a particular position |
bereavement | |
n. state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one |
bier | |
n. movable frame on which coffin or corpse is placed before burial or cremation; |
cower | |
v. show submission or fear |
reverent | |
a. feeling or showing profound respect |
snatch | |
v. grasp hastily or eagerly |
snarl | |
n. an angry vicious expression |
circlet | |
n. decorated metal band worn around the head |
prowl | |
v. move about in or as if in a predatory manner |
incessant | |
a. uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing |
crave | |
v. plead or ask for earnestly |
schism | |
n. a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belie |
secession | |
n. action of withdrawing formally from membership of a federation or body, especially a political state |
malcontent | |
n. a person who is discontented or disgusted |
falter | |
v. walk unsteadily |
competence | |
n. the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually |
eke | |
v. manage to support oneself or make living with difficulty; |
vagrant | |
n. a wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support |
menial | |
a. used of unskilled work (especially domestic work) |
ferocity | |
n. the property of being wild or turbulent |
affable | |
a. diffusing warmth and friendliness |
proposition | |
n. an offer for a private bargain |
magistrate | |
n. a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law (especially one who conducts a court dealing with minor offenses) |
manacle | |
n. shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs |
commotion | |
n. the act of making a noisy disturbance |
throb | |
n. an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart) |
frail | |
a. easily broken or damaged or destroyed |
aorta | |
n. the large trunk artery that carries blood from the left ventricle of the heart to branch arteries |
aneurism | |
n. an excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery wall |
advisability | |
n. the quality of being advisable |
tussle | |
n. disorderly fighting |
vouch | |
v. give personal assurance; guarantee |
forfeit | |
v. lose or be deprived of (property or a right or privilege) as a penalty for wrongdoing |
lapse | |
n. an interval or passage of time |
contrive | |
v. put or send forth v. make or work out a plan for; devise |
bustle | |
n. excited activity and movement |
remonstrate | |
v. argue in protest or opposition |
undue | |
a. not appropriate or proper (or even legal) in the circumstances |
thrash | |
v. beat (a person or animal) repeatedly and violently with a stick or whip |
cudgel | |
n. a club that is used as a weapon |
cur | |
n. a cowardly and despicable person |
gin | |
n. a clear alcoholic spirit distilled from grain or malt and flavored with juniper berries |
billet | |
n. a place, usually a civilian's house or other nonmilitary facility, where soldiers are lodged temporarily |
dispense | |
v. distribute or provide (a service or information) to a number of people |
infernal | |
a. extremely evil or cruel; expressive of cruelty or befitting hell |
blear | |
v. make dim or indistinct |
sledge | |
n. a heavy long-handled hammer used to drive stakes or wedges |
bear | |
v. (of a person) carry |
cower | |
v. show submission or fear |
pang | |
n. a sharp spasm of pain n. a mental pain or distress |
spasm | |
n. a painful and involuntary muscular contraction |
wink | |
v. gleam or glow intermittently |
jocose | |
a. characterized by jokes and good humor |
mete | |
v. allot justice, a punishment, or harsh treatment |
hindrance | |
n. any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome |
gauge | |
n. thickness, size, or capacity of something, especially as a standard measure, in particular |
growler | |
n. a four-wheeled hansom cab |
slush | |
n. partially melted snow or ice, mud |
obliterate | |
v. mark for deletion, rub off, or erase |
by no means | |
ad. not at all; certainly not |
perpetrator | |
n. a person who carries out a harmful, illegal, or immoral act |
hazard | |
v. put forward, of a guess, in spite of possible refutation |
jarvey | |
n. driver of a hackney coach or of a jaunting car |
ferret | |
v. search and discover through persistent investigation |
feud | |
n. a bitter quarrel between two parties |