anathematize | v. curse or declare to be evil or anathema or threaten with divine punishment |
anomalous | a. deviating from normal or common order, form, or rule |
atavism | n. resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; deformity returning after passage of two or more generations |
bergamot | n. small tree with pear-shaped fruit whose oil is used in perfumery; Italy |
bilingualism | n. the ability to speak two languages colloquially |
bulbous | a. curving outward; shaped like a bulb |
caitiff | a. despicably mean and cowardly |
cantonment | n. temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers |
centurion | n. officer of ancient Roman army, in command of a century of soldiers or minor division |
coalescence | n. union of diverse things into one body or form or group; growing together of parts |
collier | n. someone who works in a coal mine |
complaisance | n. a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others |
condign | a. fitting or appropriate and deserved; used especially of punishment |
consign | v. give, transfer, or deliver in a formal manner, as if by signing over into the possession of another |
continence | n. self control; self restraint; partial or complete abstention from sexual activity |
coquette | n. flirt; seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men |
corruptible | a. capable of being corrupted; susceptible to corruption |
cyan | n. a primary subtractive color for light; has a blue-green color |
deformity | n. an appearance that has been spoiled; an affliction in which some part of the body is misshapen or malformed |
delineation | n. a drawing of the outlines of forms or objects; a graphic or vivid verbal description |
demulcent | n. a medication in the form of an oil or salve that soothes inflamed or injured skin |
derelict | a. left and abandoned; negligent in performing a duty |
desuetude | n. a state of inactivity or disuse |
diatomic | a. of or relating to a molecule made up of two atoms |
disavow | v. refuse to acknowledge; disclaim knowledge of; responsibility for, or association with |
dishabille | n. the state of being carelessly or partially dressed |
dissipation | n. useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly; dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure |
distention | n. the state of being stretched beyond normal dimensions; the act of expanding by pressure from within |
dragoon | v. compel by coercion, threats, or crude means; subjugate by imposing troops |
ebullient | a. showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm |
effluence | n. the action or process of flowing out; efflux |
electrotype | n. a duplicate printing plate made by electrolytically depositing a layer of copper or nickel onto a mould of the original |
elicit | v. draw out; bring forth or to light; generate or provoke as response or answer |
emporium | n. a large retail store organized into departments offering a variety of merchandise; commonly part of a retail chain |
engender | v. cause; bring into existence; give rise to |
epicurean | a. devoted to pleasure; displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses |
eulogistic | a. formally expressing praise for someone's lifetime achievements |
execrate | v. find repugnant; curse or declare to be evil or anathema or threaten with divine punishment |
expectorate | v. discharge from the lungs and out of the mouth; clear out the chest and lungs |
extort | v. obtain from another by coercion; get money by threats |
felicitate | v. express congratulations; compliment upon a happy event |
flaccid | a. acting in strength, firmness, or resilience |
forswear | v. renounce or deny something, especially under oath; swear falsely, usually under pressure |
galvanic | a. affected by emotion as if by electricity; thrilling |
guillemet | n. one of two marks, used in French, Italian, and Russian printing to enclose quotations |
ichthyic | a. fishlike; characteristic of fishes |
inebriate | v. fill with sublime emotion; become drunk or drink excessively |
insentient | a. devoid of feeling and consciousness and animation |
intoxicant | n. a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent; a drug that can produce a state of intoxication |
invidious | a. designed to create ill will or envy |
irradiate | v. expose to radiation; cast rays of light upon |
jaundice | n. a rough and bitter manner; yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment in the blood |
languor | n. feeling of lack of interest or energy; depression |
leonine | a. of or characteristic of or resembling a lion |
licit | a. authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law; sanctioned by custom or morality especially sexual morality |
lithesome | a. moving and bending with ease |
lode | n. a deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks |
maleficent | a. harmful or evil in intent or effect |
mellifluous | a. flowing or dropping like honey; sweetly or smoothly flowing, especially in sound |
micrometer | n. a metric unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter; caliper for measuring small distances |
misogamy | n. hatred of marriage; the emotion of intense dislike marriage |
monition | n. a warning of impending danger; cautionary advice about something imminent; a firm rebuke |
morphology | n. branch of biology that deals with the structure of animals and plants |
naphtha | n. any of various volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures; used chiefly as solvents |
necrosis | n. the death of one or more cells in the body, usually within a localized area, as from an interruption of the blood supply to that part |
nihilist | n. one who believes traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic |
obstetrics | n. the branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of the mother |
opalescence | n. the visual property of something having a milky brightness and a play of colors from the surface |
ostentation | n. making ambitious display; unnecessary show; pretentious parade |
paramour | n. a woman who cohabits with an important man; a woman's lover |
peccant | a. liable to sin; violating a rule, principle, or established practice |
penitential | a. showing or constituting penance |
perforce | ad. by necessity; by force of circumstance |
perversity | n. deliberately deviating from what is good |
piscatorial | a. relating to or characteristic of the activity of fishing |
posit | v. assume existence of; put forward, as for consideration or study; suggest |
predilection | n. condition of favoring or liking; tendency towards; preference |
proscribe | v. command against; banish; condemn or forbid as harmful or unlawful |
refection | n. a light meal or repast; refreshment, especially with food or drink |
reprobate | n. person hardened in sin; person without moral scruples |
rococo | n. fanciful but graceful asymmetric ornamentation in art and architecture; having excessive asymmetrical ornamentation |
sapience | n. ability to apply knowledge or experience or understanding or common sense and insight |
sidereal | a. of or relating to the stars or constellations; determined by daily motion of the stars |
sonorous | a. having or producing full, loud, or deep sound; impressive in style of speech; easy to feel |
ukase | n. an edict of the Russian tsar; any order by an absolute or arbitrary authority |
vivify | v. give new life or energy to; make more striking or animated |
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