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TOEFL Vocabulary Level 5 - 1

View all words of the list        
abate
abduct
abhor
abject
abominable
abstain
abstruse
absurdity
abyss
accommodation
accomplice
acquiesce
acrid
adamant
admonish
adoration
adore
adversary
affable
affirmative
agency
aghast
agitate
agrarian
aisle
alacrity
albeit
allegiance
alleviate
alley
allot
ambiguous
ambush
amiable
amicable
amiss
amnesty
amorous
amphitheater
anarchy
animation
ankle
annals
antagonism
antagonist
apathy
appalling
apparel
apparition
appease
appellation
appraise
apprehend
apprehensive
apprise
approbation
apron
arable
arrogance
arrogant
ascending
ascertain
ascetic
assail
assassination
assiduous
assign
astray
asunder
asylum
atone
atrocity
attentive
attic
audacious
audacity
auditory
august
auspicious
austere
automaton
avarice
avenge
aver
azure
bacchanalian
bacon
baffle
bait
balcony
ballad
bamboo
banish
baron
bashful
bathe
beaver
beckon
bellicose
belligerent
belly
benefactor
beneficiary
benevolent
bequeath
berth
beseech
beset
bicker
birch
blatant
blot
blunder
bohemian
boisterous
bolt
bother
bounty
bower
brace
brake
brand
brazen
breakthrough
bribe
bridle
brilliant
brink
broach
brood
brutal
buck
bucket
bully
burial
butcher
buttress
cable
cajole
calamity
calendar
canon
canvass
cape
caprice
capricious
captivate
carnage
carpenter
caste
cataclysm
catalogue
caustic
cavalier
cement
cemetery
censor
censure
certificate
cessation
champagne
chant
chasm
chicanery
chide
chivalrous
circus
clandestine
clasp
cleft
cliche
client
climax
closet
clump
comely
commence
commend
commotion
compartment
compelling
composure
conceit
conceivable
concession
concoct
concord
confidential
confiscate
confound
conjunction
console
consummate
contempt
contemptible
contemptuous
contradiction
contribute
contrive
convey
conveyance
copious
cordial
cork
corporal
corporeal
corpulent
correspondent
corroborate
covenant
covert
cowardice
cradle
crafty
crave
crease
crisp
crouch
crucial
cruise
cryptic
cumulative
curb
curl
curt
curtail
custody
cynical
dangle
deceit
decipher
declivity
dedicate
deem
define
defraud
defy
degenerate
dejected
deluge
delusion
demise
denial
deputy
derelict
deride
descry
desecrate
desiccate
desist
destitute
desultory
detach
detain
deviate
devout
dexterity
dexterous
dingy
dip
disclose
discord
discrepancy
disdain
disparity
dissolution
ditch
diverge
divulge
dock
dodge
doleful
dome
dose
downcast
doze
dreadfully
drench
drown
dubious
duel
dumbfound
dunce
dwindle
ecology
ecstasy
eddy
editorial
eerie
efface
effectual
elastic
elderly
electrical
elucidate
elude
emanate
embark
embassy
emerald

Word and Definition List
abate   Pronounce
v. subside; decrease; become less in amount or intensity
Rather than leaving immediately, they waited for the storm to abate.
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abduct   Pronounce
v. carry off by force; kidnap
Kidnappers are going to abduct the child from the playground.  
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abhor   Pronounce
v. fill with horror and loathing; horrify; hate
One of the things I abhor is the threat to withhold aid.
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abject   Pronounce
a. being of the most miserable kind; wretched; lacking pride; brought low in condition or status
On the streets of New York, the homeless live in abject poverty, huddling in doorways to find shelter from the wind.
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abominable   Pronounce
a. detestable; extremely unpleasant; very bad
Mary liked John until she learned he was dating Susan; then she called him an abominable young man.
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abstain   Pronounce
v. refrain; hold oneself back voluntarily from an action or practice
After considering the effect of alcohol on his athletic performance, he decided to abstain from drinking while he trained for the race.
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abstruse   Pronounce
a. obscure; profound; difficult to understand
She carries around abstruse works of philosophy, not because she understands them but because she wants her friends to think she does.
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absurdity   Pronounce
n. quality of being absurd or inconsistent with obvious truth, reason, or sound judgment; logical contradiction
His story of being kidnapped by little green men is sheer absurdity.
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abyss   Pronounce
n. enormous chasm; vast bottomless pit; any deep, immeasurable space; hell
Are we to believe that the only thing between us and the abyss is the deficit's size, and the more the government borrows, the better off we shall be?
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accommodation   Pronounce
n. living quarters provided for public convenience; something that meets a need; convenience
When traveling, accommodation is a very important issue for most people.
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accomplice   Pronounce
n. partner in crime; associate in wrongdoing
Because your accomplice is a stranger, it's safer than asking a friend to participate in your ruse.
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acquiesce   Pronounce
v. assent; agree without protesting
Although she appeared to acquiesce to her employer's suggestions, I could tell she had reservations about the changes she wanted to make.
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acrid   Pronounce
a. unpleasantly sharp or bitter to taste or smell; bitterly pungent
The air seemed to have different grades of warmth and chill in it; they passed a farmyard with strong-smelling, acrid from the sour smell of manure.
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adamant   Pronounce
a. extremely hard; inflexible; stubbornly unyielding
Speaker Pelosi came out of that meeting, and she was once again adamant about saying a public option must be in the bill.
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admonish   Pronounce
v. warn; counsel someone against something to be avoided
I would again admonish the reader carefully to consider the nature of our doctrine.
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adoration   Pronounce
n. act of playing honor to a divine being; worship paid to God; the act of addressing as a god
They knelt in adoration of their gods.
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adore   Pronounce
v. worship with profound reverence; pay divine honors to; regard with the utmost esteem and affection
All the girls in our school adore the handsome mathematics teacher who happens to be a bachelor.
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adversary   Pronounce
n. the opponent in a contest; someone who offers opposition
The young wrestler struggled to defeat his adversary.
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affable   Pronounce
a. easily approachable; warmly friendly
Accustomed to cold, aloof supervisors, Nicholas was amazed at how affable his new employer was.
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affirmative   Pronounce
a. confirmative; ratifying; giving assent or approval; confirming
The result will allow schools to know what they can do and not do in affirmative action programs.
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agency   Pronounce
n. a business that serves other businesses; an administrative unit of government
The FDA press office tells me the agency is aware of the incident and is currently investigating.
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aghast   Pronounce
a. struck by shock, terror, or amazement
The film grabs you by the throat so that any feeling of being aghast is contained – and you hold on to that feeling up to the very last scene.
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agitate   Pronounce
v. cause to move with violence or sudden force; upset; disturb
Since President has now announced that Emergency, the only demand that the lawyers can now agitate is to restore the old Supreme Court.
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agrarian   Pronounce
a. pertaining to land or its cultivation; relating to agricultural or rural matters
The economic relationship between the two nations has expanded during the past decade amid China's economic boom and Argentina's rise in agrarian production.
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aisle   Pronounce
n. passageway between rows of seats, as in an auditorium or an airplane; the wing of a building
I am glad that one side of the aisle is still trying to make this country work.
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alacrity   Pronounce
n. cheerful promptness or willingness; eagerness; speed or quickness
Phil and Dave were raring to get off to the mountains; they packed up their ski gear and climbed into the van with alacrity.
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albeit   Pronounce
ad. even though; although; notwithstanding
This question bothers me, albeit from a different perspective.
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allegiance   Pronounce
n. loyalty to a nation, sovereign, or cause; fidelity to any person or thing; devotion
They didn't want to salute the flag, saying that kind of allegiance is only for God.
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alleviate   Pronounce
v. provide physical relief, as from pain; make easier; remove in part
This should alleviate the pain; if it does not, we shall have to use stronger drugs.
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alley   Pronounce
n. a narrow passage, especially a walk or passage in a garden or park, bordered by rows of trees or bushes
In 1958, he tore down the dance hall and built a six-lane bowling alley, which is still there.
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allot   Pronounce
v. parcel out in parts or portions; distribute to each individual concerned; assign as a share or lot
Who will she allot the easy jobs to?
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ambiguous   Pronounce
a. unclear or doubtful in meaning
His ambiguous instructions misled us; we did not know which road to take.
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ambush   Pronounce
n. disposition or arrangement of troops for attacking an enemy unexpectedly from a concealed station
They separated into three hostile tribes, and darted upon each other from ambush with dreadful war-whoops, and killed each other by thousands.
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amiable   Pronounce
a. good-natured and likable; lovable; warmly friendly
In Little Women, Beth is the amiable daughter whose loving disposition endears her to all who know her.
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amicable   Pronounce
a. exhibiting friendliness or goodwill; not quarrelsome
Beth's sister Jo is the hot-tempered tomboy who has difficulty maintaining amicable relations with those around her.
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amiss   Pronounce
a. out of proper order; not in perfect shape; faulty
I knew that weapons would not come in amiss, and I re-entered his room to get his rifle and shot-gun.
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amnesty   Pronounce
n. the general pardon granted by the government, especially for political offenses
If the amnesty is approved by parliament, it will apply to capital stashed in off-shore tax havens up to the end of last year.
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amorous   Pronounce
a. moved by sexual love; loving
'Love them and leave them' was the motto of the amorous Don Juan.
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amphitheater   Pronounce
n. oval building with tiers of seats from central open space or arena
The spectators in the amphitheater cheered the gladiators.
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anarchy   Pronounce
n. absence of governing body; state of disorder; political disorder and confusion
One might say that eastern Congo is already in anarchy, but Congo has faded from the headlines in recent months.
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animation   Pronounce
n. act of animating or giving life or spirit; state of being animate or alive
Obviously, this animation is at the core of our relationship.
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ankle   Pronounce
n. the joint which connects the foot with the leg; tarsus
There was a place on my ankle that got to itching, but I didn't scratch it, and then my ear began to itch; and next to my back, right between my shoulders.
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annals   Pronounce
n. a chronological record of the events of successive years
In the annals of this period, we find no mention of democratic movements.
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antagonism   Pronounce
n. active resistance; condition of being an opposing principle, force, or factor
Barry showed his antagonism toward his new stepmother by ignoring her whenever she tried talking to him.
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antagonist   Pronounce
n. one who contends with another, especially in combat; an adversary; opponent
A sparrow fluttering about the church is an antagonist which the most profound theologian in Europe is wholly unable to overcome.
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apathy   Pronounce
n. lack of interest, or the attitude of not caring resulting from it; the indifference
A firm believer in democratic government, she could not understand the apathy of people who never bothered to vote.
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appalling   Pronounce
a. causing or fitted to cause dismay or horror; frightful
I don't know why she's marrying that appalling man; I wouldn't touch him with a barge-pole.
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apparel   Pronounce
n. external clothing; vesture; garments; dress; a small ornamental piece
A very famous fashion designer makes her wedding apparel.
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apparition   Pronounce
n. ghostly figure; sudden or unusual sight; appearance; state of being visible
On the castle battlements, an apparition materialized and spoke to Hamlet, warning him of his uncle's treachery.
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appease   Pronounce
v. bring peace, quiet, or calm to; satisfy or relieve
Tom and Jody tried to appease the crying baby by offering him one toy after another, but he would not calm down.
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appellation   Pronounce
n. name; title; the act of naming; the act of appealing for aid, sympathy
Macbeth was startled when the witches greeted him with an incorrect appellation.
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appraise   Pronounce
v. estimate value of; evaluate, especially in an official capacity
It is difficult to appraise the value of old paintings; it is easier to call them priceless.
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apprehend   Pronounce
v. take into custody; arrest a criminal; grasp mentally; perceive
The police will apprehend the culprit and convict him.
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apprehensive   Pronounce
a. capable of knowing; conscious; relating to the faculty of apprehension; sensible; feeling; perceptive
Here I walked about for a long time, feeling very strange and mortally apprehensive of someone coming in and kidnapping me.
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apprise   Pronounce
v. inform; give notice to; make aware
If you apprise him of the dangerous weather conditions, he has to postpone his trip.
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approbation   Pronounce
n. expression of warm approval; praise
She looked for some sign of approbation from her parents, hoping her good grades would please them.
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apron   Pronounce
n. an article of dress, of cloth or other stuff, worn on the forepart of the body, to keep the clothes clean
At home, my apron is coated with food remains within minutes of starting to cook.
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arable   Pronounce
a. fit for growing crops, as by plowing
The first settlers wrote home glowing reports of the New World, praising its vast acres of arable land ready for the plow.
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arrogance   Pronounce
n. overbearing pride; haughtiness; manifest feeling of personal superiority in rank, power, or estimation
I also think his arrogance is also turning people off.
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arrogant   Pronounce
a. arising from feeling or assumption of one's superiority toward others
He often speaks in an arrogant tone, which doesn't encourage others to discuss with him.
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ascending   Pronounce
a. climbing; rising; increasing in size or value
I looked at the blank wall: it seemed a sky thick with ascending stars,--everyone lit me to a purpose or delight.
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ascertain   Pronounce
v. find out for certain; discover with certainty; make sure of
Please ascertain her present address.
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ascetic   Pronounce
a. leading a life of self-discipline and self-denial; austere
The wealthy, self-indulgent young man felt oddly drawn to the strict, ascetic life led by members of some monastic orders.
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assail   Pronounce
v. assault; attack with or as if with violent blows
These days nightmares assail him regularly.
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assassination   Pronounce
n. act of assassinating; killing by treacherous violence; the murder of public figure by a surprise attack
The assassination is a terrible terrible, unspeakable loss for his family and friends.
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assiduous   Pronounce
a. constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
He was assiduous, working at this task for weeks before he felt satisfied with his results.
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assign   Pronounce
v. appoint; allot; point out authoritatively or exactly
Never underrate the difficulties your pupils will have to encounter or persuade them that what you assign is easy.
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astray   Pronounce
a. away from the correct path or direction, either in a literal or in a figurative sense; wandering
Such ideas will only lead the world's people astray.
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asunder   Pronounce
ad. into separate parts or pieces; apart
A fierce quarrel split the partnership asunder: the two partners finally sundered their connections because their points of view were poles apart.
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asylum   Pronounce
n. place of refuge or shelter; protection
The refugees sought asylum from religious persecution in a new land.
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atone   Pronounce
v. make amends, as for sin or fault; pay for; turn away from sin
He knew no way in which he could atone for his brutal crime.
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atrocity   Pronounce
n. brutal deed; atrocious condition, quality, or behavior; monstrousness
Unfortunately, the normal social reaction to atrocity is to banish it from our awareness.
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attentive   Pronounce
a. alert and watchful; considerate; thoughtful
Spellbound, the attentive audience watched the final game of the tennis match, never taking their eyes from the ball.
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attic   Pronounce
n. story or room directly below the roof of a building, especially a house;
Of the various things you mentioned, the attic is a likely source of heat loss.
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audacious   Pronounce
a. fearlessly, often recklessly daring; bold
Audiences cheered as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia made their audacious, death-defying leap to freedom, escaping Darth Vader's troops.
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audacity   Pronounce
a. daring spirit, resolution, or confidence; venturesome; reckless daring
The ignorant audacity to believe that I don't appreciate the life and death of what I kill is astounding.
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auditory   Pronounce
a. of or relating to hearing, the organs of hearing, or the sense of hearing
Short-term auditory memory, in particular, doesn't seem to last longer than around 10 seconds.
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august   Pronounce
a. impressive; majestic; inspiring awe or admiration
Visiting the palace at Versailles, she was impressed by the august surroundings in which she found herself.
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auspicious   Pronounce
a. attended by favorable circumstances; marked by success; prosperous
With favorable weather conditions, it was an auspicious moment to set sail.
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austere   Pronounce
a. strict or severe in the discipline; severely simple and unornamented
The headmaster's austere demeanor tended to scare off the more timid students, who never visited his study willingly.
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automaton   Pronounce
n. the mechanism that imitates actions of humans
Long before science fiction readers became aware of robots, this book writer was presenting a story of an automaton who could outperform men.
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avarice   Pronounce
n. greediness for wealth; the insatiable desire to gain
King Midas is a perfect example of avarice, for he was so greedy that he wished everything he touched would turn to gold.
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avenge   Pronounce
v. take vengeance for something, or on behalf of someone
Hamlet vowed he would avenge his father's murder and punish Claudius for his horrible crime.
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aver   Pronounce
v. declare to be true; affirm
The witnesses aver that he was holding a gun.
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azure   Pronounce
a. sky blue; light purplish-blue
Azure skies are indicative of good weather.
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bacchanalian   Pronounce
a. drunken; relating to reveling and drunkenness
Emperor Nero attended the bacchanalian orgy.
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bacon   Pronounce
n. back and sides of a pig salted and smoked
They built a fire against the side of a great log and then cooked some bacon in the frying-pan for supper.
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baffle   Pronounce
v. frustrate as by confusing or perplexing; impede force or movement of
The new code will baffle the enemy agents.
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bait   Pronounce
v. harass; tease; lure, entice, or entrap
The school bully will bait the smaller children, terrorizing them.
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balcony   Pronounce
n. platform projecting from the wall of a building
He planted some flowers on the balcony that projects over the street.
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ballad   Pronounce
n. popular kind of narrative poem adapted for recitation or singing
The musician made the legend into a beautiful ballad.
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bamboo   Pronounce
n. plant of the family of grasses, and genus Bambusa, growing in tropical countries
Many farmers' fields are irrigated by water brought from a river or lake through bamboo pipes.
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banish   Pronounce
v. drive out; drive away; compel to depart; dispel
The king decided to banish him from the realm immediately.
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baron   Pronounce
n. title or degree of nobility
A feudal knight ranking between a knight bachelor and a baron was entitled to lead men into battle under his own standard.
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bashful   Pronounce
a. abashed; daunted; very modest, or modest excess; constitutionally disposed to shrink from public notice
The bashful boy was nervous with strangers.
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bathe   Pronounce
v. wash by immersion, as in a bath; subject to bath; lave; immerse or cover one's self
This river is dangerous to bathe in, especially in summer.
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beaver   Pronounce
n. amphibious rodent about two feet in length; fur of the beaver; tall hat, originally made from beaver fur
To him, a beaver is a quarter of a fur coat for his wife or a nice hat.
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beckon   Pronounce
v. signal or summon, as by nodding or waving; attract because of inviting or enticing appearance
You are silly because suffer as you may, you will not beckon it to approach, nor will you stir one step to meet it where it waits for you.
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bellicose   Pronounce
a. warlike or hostile in manner or temperament; showing or having the impulse to be combative
His bellicose disposition alienated his friends.
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belligerent   Pronounce
a. inclined or eager to fight; aggressive
Whenever he had too much to drink, he became belligerent and tried to pick fights with strangers.
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belly   Pronounce
n. part of the human body which extends downward from breast to thighs, and contains bowels; womb
His belly is like a cooking pot, Which happens when you eat a lot.
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benefactor   Pronounce
n. gift giver; a person who gives people or institutions financial help
Scrooge later became Tiny Tim's benefactor and gave him gifts.
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beneficiary   Pronounce
n. a person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will
In Scrooge's will, he made Tiny Tim his beneficiary; everything he left would go to young Tim.
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benevolent   Pronounce
a. generous in providing aid to others; charitable
Mr. Fezziwig was a benevolent employer who wished to make Christmas merrier for young Scrooge and his other employees.
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bequeath   Pronounce
v. leave to someone by a will; hand down
Though Maud had intended to bequeath the family home to her nephew, she died before changing her will.
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berth   Pronounce
n. space for the ship to dock or anchor; allotted place; the place to sleep or stay; appointment or job
They might not have to give cats a wide berth for the rest of their lives.
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beseech   Pronounce
v. beg; plead with; ask for or request earnestly
The workaholic executive's wife had to beseech him to spend more time with their son.
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beset   Pronounce
v. attack from all sides; trouble persistently; hem in
Many vexing problems beset the American public school system.
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bicker   Pronounce
v. engage in a petty, bad-tempered quarrel
The children bicker morning, noon, and night, exasperating their parents.
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birch   Pronounce
n. tree of several species, constituting the genus Betula
The birch has smooth bark and slender branches.
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blatant   Pronounce
a. flagrant; conspicuously obvious; loudly offensive
To Dublin's unemployed youth, the 'No Irish Need Apply' placard in the shop window was a blatant mark of prejudice.
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blot   Pronounce
n. spot or stain, as of ink on paper; blur; a weak point or failing
A memory without blot or contamination must be an exquisite treasure: is it not?
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blunder   Pronounce
n. serious mistake typically caused by ignorance or confusion
The criminal's fatal blunder led to his capture.
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bohemian   Pronounce
a. unconventional in an artistic way
Gertrude Stein ran off to Paris to live an eccentric, bohemian life with her writer friends.
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boisterous   Pronounce
a. rough and stormy; loud, noisy, and lacking in restraint or discipline
The unruly crowd became even more boisterous when he tried to quiet them.
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bolt   Pronounce
v. dash or dart off; move or jump suddenly
Jack was set to bolt out the front door.
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bother   Pronounce
v. annoy; trouble; make agitated or nervous; fluster
But that doesn't bother me because I don't want love; I want my music.
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bounty   Pronounce
n. goodness, kindness; virtue; liberality in giving
Sir Fred Goodwin's story and his retirement bounty are exactly why the Banking system in this country cannot carry on as at present.
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bower   Pronounce
n. shady shelter or recess in a garden or woods; anchor carried at the bow of the ship; a muscle that bends a limb
We need to build a secluded structure, such as a bower, in our garden.
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brace   Pronounce
n. something which holds anything tightly or supports it firmly, as bandage, cord, or rod;
After the brace is on, the strap is tightened to pull the foot into a better position.
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brake   Pronounce
n. a piece of mechanism for retarding or stopping motion by friction
A lot of the cost of maintenance goes into renewing the brake of my old car.
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brand   Pronounce
n. a burning piece of wood; mark made by burning with a hot iron; distinctive mark upon in any way
He has his own brand of humor and always brings laugh for us.
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brazen   Pronounce
a. having loud, usually harsh, resonant sound; shameless
His entire premiership has become an exercise in brazen dishonesty.
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breakthrough   Pronounce
n. act of overcoming or penetrating an obstacle or restriction
The president announces what he calls a breakthrough in Copenhagen on the climate change summit.
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bribe   Pronounce
n. something serving to influence or persuade; reward or gift to prevent judgment
It was easy to see the gift as a sort of bribe.
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bridle   Pronounce
n. headgear with which a horse is directed and which carries a bit and reins
Nothing says quality like thick bridle leather, brass rivets, and metal fasteners.
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brilliant   Pronounce
a. full of light; shining; bright; sharp and clear in tone
The refreshing meal, the brilliant fire, the presence, and kindness of her beloved instructress had roused her powers among them.
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brink   Pronounce
n. edge, margin, or border of a steep place verge
Beyond the verge of provocation, I never ventured; on the extreme brink, I liked well to try my skill.
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broach   Pronounce
v. introduce;  bring up for discussion or debate; announce
Jack did not even try to broach the subject of religion with his in-laws.
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brood   Pronounce
v. think long and anxiously;  be in a state of gloomy, serious thought
It's no use to brood over one's past mistakes.
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brutal   Pronounce
a. like a brute; savage; cruel; inhuman; merciless
In many cases, a rich businessman reached the top by trampling others in the most brutal way.
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buck   Pronounce
v. move quickly and violently; jump vertically; strive with determination
John is trying to buck for a promotion.
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bucket   Pronounce
n. vessel for drawing up water from a well; a vessel for hoisting and conveying coal, ore, grain
It may be a drop in the bucket, but any drop is a dangerous one when it comes to violence.
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bully   Pronounce
n. noisy, blustering fellow; one who is threatening and quarrelsome; insolent, tyrannical fellow
I found early in life that the best way to defeat a bully is a punch to the nose.
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burial   Pronounce
n. grave or tomb; the ritual placing of a corpse in a grave; concealing something under the ground
According to the marine biologist, the Miami Circle dolphin burial is the first to be found outside the Pacific Northwest.
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butcher   Pronounce
n. one whose job is to kill animals for food; one who kills in large numbers; vendor, especially on a train or in theater
Milosevic, a very controversial figure, a man often called the butcher of the Balkans by his critics, was found dead at his cell in a U.N. detention center.
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buttress   Pronounce
v. support physically; prop up; support something or someone by supplying evidence
The attorney came up with several far-fetched arguments in a vain attempt to buttress his weak case.
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cable   Pronounce
n. solid thick rope made of twisted steel or metal wire
It provides cable television services and high-speed internet services to the community.
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cajole   Pronounce
v. influence or urge by gentle urging or flattering
Diane tried to cajole her father into letting her drive the family car.
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calamity   Pronounce
n. the event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, or severe affliction; disaster; misery
As news of the calamity spread, offers of relief poured into the stricken community.
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calendar   Pronounce
n. the orderly arrangement as years, months, weeks, and days; a table showing months, weeks, and days
He didn't like the desk calendar and put it on the shelf.
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canon   Pronounce
n. law, rule, or constitution made by authority; books of the Bible officially accepted; a group of literary works
She kept the durable canon of American short fiction.
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canvass   Pronounce
v. determine votes; examine carefully or discuss thoroughly; scrutinize
After volunteers helped canvass his constituents' sentiments, the congressman was confident that he represented the majority opinion of his district.
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cape   Pronounce
n. piece or point of land, extending beyond the adjacent coast into the sea or a lake; sleeveless outer garment
Out on the cape is a fine lighthouse that we admired as we came up the coast on the ship.
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caprice   Pronounce
n. sudden, unexpected fancy; impulsive change of mind
Some revolutions may have originated in caprice or generated in ambition.
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capricious   Pronounce
a. fickle; impulsive and unpredictable; apt to change opinions suddenly
The storm was capricious: it changed course constantly.
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captivate   Pronounce
v. charm; enthrall; seize by force, as an enemy in war, or anything belonging to an enemy
The new nanny's winning manners captivate Bart and Lisa.
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carnage   Pronounce
n. destruction of life; the savage and excessive killing of many people
The film The Killing Fields vividly depicts the carnage wreaked by Pol Pot's followers in Cambodia.
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carpenter   Pronounce
n. a skilled worker who makes, finishes, and repairs wooden objects and structures
Isaac, a 26-year-old carpenter, is working there again, now for the third time, but he knows how unstable his employment is.
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caste   Pronounce
n. any of the hereditary social classes and subclasses of South Asian societies
The caste refers to a social system based on rigid distinctions of birth, rank, and wealth.
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cataclysm   Pronounce
n. an event resulting in great loss and misfortune; deluge or overflowing of water
A cataclysm such as the French Revolution affects all countries.
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catalogue   Pronounce
n. list or enumeration of names; articles arranged methodically, often in alphabetical order
You can look for the book in the library catalog.
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caustic   Pronounce
a. capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action
The critic's caustic remarks angered the hapless actors who were the subjects of his sarcasm.
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cavalier   Pronounce
a. offhand or casual; given to haughty disregard of others
The disguised prince resented the cavalier way in which the palace guards treated him. How dared they handle a member of the royal family so unceremoniously!
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cement   Pronounce
n. any substances used for making bodies adhere to each other; bond of union; concrete pavement
But over time, this ultra-thin cement paste on the top surface of the brick wears off, exposing the sand and gravel's true color.
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cemetery   Pronounce
n. place or ground set apart for the burial of the dead; graveyard
A vehicle for conveying a coffin is to a church or cemetery.
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censor   Pronounce
n. overseer of morals; official responsible for removal of objectionable or sensitive content
Soldiers dislike having their mail read by a censor but understand the need for this precaution.
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censure   Pronounce
v. expression of strong disapproval or harsh criticism; blame
Today's paper will censure the senator for behavior inappropriate to a member of Congress.
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certificate   Pronounce
n. the document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts; document issued to a person completing a course
A diploma or certificate is given on graduation from university.
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cessation   Pronounce
n. bringing or coming to an end; cease
The airline's employees threatened a cessation of all work if management failed to meet their demands.
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champagne   Pronounce
n. light wine, of several kinds, originally made in the province of Champagne, in France
Why don't we crack open a bottle of champagne to celebrate?
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chant   Pronounce
v. utter with a melodious voice; celebrate in song; make melody with the voice
They began to chant the hero's deeds after his speech.
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chasm   Pronounce
n. deep opening in the earth surface
They could not see the bottom of the chasm.
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chicanery   Pronounce
n. mean or unfair artifice to obscure truth; deception by trickery or sophistry
The lawyers misrepresented what occurred, made up all sorts of implausible alternative scenarios to confuse the jurors, and in general depended on chicanery to win the case.
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chide   Pronounce
v. scold mildly so as to correct or improve; express disapproval
Grandma began to chide Steven for his lying.
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chivalrous   Pronounce
a. having qualities of ideal knight; faithful; brave
Toward his royal captive, he behaved in chivalrous fashion.
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circus   Pronounce
n. public entertainment of performances by acrobats, clowns, and trained animals
I am not an animal rights person, but training animals to perform in a circus is cruel.
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clandestine   Pronounce
a. secret; conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
After avoiding their chaperon, the lovers had a clandestine meeting.
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clasp   Pronounce
n. fastening device; firm grip
When the clasp on Judy's bracelet broke, Fred repaired it, bending the hook back into shape.
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cleft   Pronounce
n. crack or crevice; a split or indentation between two parts, as of the chin
Trying for a fresh handhold, the mountain climber grasped the edge of a cleft in the sheer rock face.
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cliche   Pronounce
n. obvious remark; overused expression or idea
You certainly don't like to be missing some of your main players, but when it happens, that old cliche is true.
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client   Pronounce
n. someone who pays to get goods or services
Gentlemen, my plan is broken up: what this lawyer and his client say is true: I have been married, and the woman to whom I was married lives!
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climax   Pronounce
n. upward movement; steady increase; the highest point; the greatest degree
My amazement reached its climax when Miss Temple asked the final question.
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closet   Pronounce
n. a small room or apartment; room for privacy
Please put the coats back into the closet.
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clump   Pronounce
n. cluster or close group of bushes, trees; mass; the sound of heavy treading
Hiding behind the clump of bushes, the fugitives waited for the heavy sound of the soldiers' feet to fade away.
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comely   Pronounce
a. pleasing or attractive to the eye; handsome; graceful
I would rather have a poor and comely wife than a rich and homely one.
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commence   Pronounce
v. have a beginning or origin; originate; start; begin
Mrs. Fairfax swallowed her breakfast and hastened away to commence operations.
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commend   Pronounce
v. commit, entrust, or give in charge for care or preservation; recommend as worthy of confidence or regard
I will commend the child to her sister's care.
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commotion   Pronounce
n. disturbed or violent motion; agitation; public disturbance; riot; excitement
For the Mouse was swimming away from her as hard as it could go and making quite a commotion in the pool as it went.
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compartment   Pronounce
n. one of parts or spaces into which an area is subdivided; separate room, section, or chamber
It also had hints for making snow forts, including 'make sure to include an icy compartment to store your vodka.'
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compelling   Pronounce
a. overpowering; drivingly forceful; urgently requiring attention
They had better not succeed in compelling anyone to work the proposed shift to midnight.
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composure   Pronounce
n. mental calmness; calm or tranquil state of mind
Even the latest work crisis failed to shake her composure.
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conceit   Pronounce
n. overly high self-esteem; feelings of excessive pride
Although Jack was smug and puffed up with conceit, he was an entertaining companion, always expressing himself in witty turns of phrase.
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conceivable   Pronounce
a. capable of being conceived, imagined, or understood
It is conceivable that there will be a new economic crisis throughout the world, but we hope it won't happen.
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concession   Pronounce
n. act of yielding; point yielded; acknowledgment or admission
Before they could reach an agreement, both sides had to make their own concession.
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concoct   Pronounce
v. digest; convert into nourishment by the organs of nutrition
It really does make you look rather stupid and like you're trying to concoct something where nothing exists.
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concord   Pronounce
n. agreement of opinions; harmonious state of things
The sisters are now in concord about the car they had to share.
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confidential   Pronounce
a. treated with confidence; trusted in; trustworthy; secret
He has been on confidential missions to Berlin; all of us don't know his secret trip.
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confiscate   Pronounce
v. seize as forfeited to the public treasury; appropriate to the public use
If you are caught smuggling goods into the country, the government will probably confiscate your goods.
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confound   Pronounce
v. cause to become confused or perplexed; fail to distinguish; mix up
I developed an elaborate color scheme to help us pluck just the right card at that special moment to confound the opposing pair of debaters.
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conjunction   Pronounce
n. state of being conjoined, united, or associated; union; association; league
The conjunction of craft and artistry in making jewelry decides the value of the jewelry.
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console   Pronounce
v. cheer from distress or depression; alleviate grief and raise spirits of; relieve; comfort
With him, I was at perfect ease because I knew I suited him; all I said or did seem either to console or revive him.
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consummate   Pronounce
a. carried to the utmost extent or degree; of the highest quality; complete; perfect
She dealt with the problem with consummate skills.
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contempt   Pronounce
n. state of being despised or dishonored; disgrace; disobedience to, or open disrespect of
The poor fools, who hold science in contempt, have no ability to realize that science proves them wrong at every turn.
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contemptible   Pronounce
a. worthy of contempt; deserving of scorn or disdain; mean
It's a contemptible trick to play on a friend!
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contemptuous   Pronounce
a. scornful; expressing contempt; showing a lack of respect
The diners were intimidated by the contemptuous manner of the waiter.
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contradiction   Pronounce
n. the assertion of contrary; denial of the truth of a statement; opposition, whether by argument or conduct
A contradiction is the signal of defeat with formal logic, but in the evolution of real knowledge, it marks the first step in progress toward a victory.
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contribute   Pronounce
v. provide; bestow a quality on
In the developed world, many companies provide a fund, which they and their staff contribute to, which is then invested in shares, bonds, and other assets.
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contrive   Pronounce
v. form by an exercise of ingenuity; invent or design
Can you contrive to escape here early?
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convey   Pronounce
v. carry from one place to another; bear or transport
I tried to convey that users should have a choice - the freedom to decide how and where their data resides and is used.
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conveyance   Pronounce
n. act of conveying; tools of conveying, especially vehicle for transportation
During the transit strike, as common commuters, I have to use other conveyance.
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copious   Pronounce
a. plentiful; containing plenty; affording ample supply
She had copious reasons for rejecting the proposal.
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cordial   Pronounce
a. gracious; showing warmth and friendliness
Our hosts greeted us at the airport with a cordial welcome and a hearty hug.
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cork   Pronounce
n. lightweight elastic outer bark, used especially for bottle closures, insulation, floats
Do you have any tools to draw out the cork?
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corporal   Pronounce
a. belonging or relating to the body; bodily; noncommissioned officer, next below a sergeant
A teacher should not give students corporal punishment.
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corporeal   Pronounce
a. bodily; of material nature; tangible
The doctor had no patience with spiritual matters: his job was to attend to his patients' corporeal problems, not to minister to their souls.
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corpulent   Pronounce
a. very fat; large in the body; overweight
The corpulent man resolved to reduce.
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correspondent   Pronounce
a. one who communicates information, especially, by letter or telegram to newspaper or periodical
Our correspondent of Hong Kong compiled the information below.
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corroborate   Pronounce
v. establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts; support with evidence
Though Huck was quite willing to corroborate Tom's story, Aunt Polly knew better than to believe either.
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covenant   Pronounce
n. mutual agreement of two or more persons or parties; contract; stipulation
The money was given to us by deed of covenant.
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covert   Pronounce
a. secretive, not openly shown
The covert military operation was not disclosed until weeks later after it was determined to succeed.
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cowardice   Pronounce
n. lack of courage to face danger; extreme timidity; base fear of danger or hurt; lack of spirit
Such an act of cowardice by an officer shames his whole regiment.
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cradle   Pronounce
n. small low bed for an infant, often furnished with rockers;  infancy, or very early life
There was a sweet smell, and this one he could identify: the bag of pine sachet his mother had placed first in his cradle, then, later, in his first real bed.
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crafty   Pronounce
a. relating to, or characterized by, skill; dexterous; skillful
Characters often impress readers by solving problems in crafty and unexpected ways.
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crave   Pronounce
v. ask with earnestness or importunity; ask with submission or humility; beg
He knows that if they trust him, he can give them the happiness which they crave.
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crease   Pronounce
n. a line or long thin mark made by folding or doubling
He cut across the crease from the left side.
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crisp   Pronounce
a. firm but easily broken or crumbled; brittle
When the last crisp slice of bacon was gone, the boys stretched themselves out on the grass, filled with contentment.
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crouch   Pronounce
v. bend down; stoop low; lie close to the ground with the legs bent, as an animal when waiting for prey or in fear
They did not crouch under the oppression.
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crucial   Pronounce
a. of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis; of the greatest importance
The meeting of today is a crucial moment in his career.
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cruise   Pronounce
v. sail back and forth on the ocean; sail as for the protection of commerce, in search of an enemy, or for pleasure
Several privateers often cruise near the entrance of the channel to search for big cargo.
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cryptic   Pronounce
a. having hidden meaning; mystifying; using code or cipher
Here are a couple of verses written in cryptic rhyme from some of my currently published books.
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cumulative   Pronounce
a. increasing by successive addition
Vocabulary building is a cumulative process: as you go through your flashcards, you will add new words to your vocabulary, one by one.
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curb   Pronounce
v. bend or curve; guide and manage, or restrain
Paradoxically, Ray's strong-arming may be helping to curb violence in Bangalore.
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curl   Pronounce
v. form into a coiled or spiral shape; twist into ringlets or coils; move in curve or spiral
Most touch-screen printers use thermal paper, which produces poor-quality records that tend to curl and tear easily.
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curt   Pronounce
a. having been shortened; effectively cut short; rudely brief or abrupt, as in speech or manner
The grouchy shop assistant was curt with one of her customers, which resulted in a reprimand from her manager.
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curtail   Pronounce
v. cut short or reduce; cut off end or tail, or any part
When Herb asked Diane for a date, she said she was really sorry she couldn't go out with him; her dad had ordered her to curtail her social life.
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custody   Pronounce
n. keeping or guarding; care, watch, inspection, for keeping, preservation, or security
There were no arches left, and all the players, except the King, the Queen, and Alice, were in custody and under sentence of execution.
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cynical   Pronounce
a. skeptical of motives of others; selfishly calculating; negative or pessimistic
I find it sad and cynical that this guy is essentially saying things will not be better by 2012.
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dangle   Pronounce
v. hang loosely, or with a swinging or jerking motion; swing, as something suspended loosely
After breakfast, the king took a seat on the corner of the raft, pulled off his boots, and let his legs dangle in the water to be comfortable.
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deceit   Pronounce
n. attempt or disposition to deceive or lead into error; any declaration that misleads another to believe a false thing
His deceit is disgusting; he took everybody in!
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decipher   Pronounce
v. convert code into ordinary language; read with difficulty
Lacking his codebook, the spy could not decipher the scrambled message sent to him from the KGB.
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declivity   Pronounce
n. downward slope, as of a hill
The children loved to ski down the declivity.
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dedicate   Pronounce
v. set apart for a deity or special purposes; devote; consecrate
She decided to dedicate her first book to her husband.
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deem   Pronounce
v. decide; judge; sentence; condemn
I am simply going to keep looking forward and do what I deem is right.
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define   Pronounce
v. determine the nature of; give a definition; describe the nature or basic qualities of; explain
That argument may define the political parties and help shape the 2012 elections.
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defraud   Pronounce
v. deprive of some right, interest, or property, by a deceitful device
Are you saying that Socialism Welfare states don't defraud, mislead, and embezzle?
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defy   Pronounce
v. refuse to submit to or cooperate with; be unaffected by; resist or withstand
I dropped the Ann from my name to defy my mother, who had insisted I be called by the refined name of Carole Ann, not plain old Carole.
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degenerate   Pronounce
v. become worse; decline; fall
Not appear to disgrace his family, degenerate from the popular qualities, or lose the influence.
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dejected   Pronounce
a. being in low spirits; depressed
Feeling dejected over having driven 3 hours for nothing, I pulled the decoy and started walking up the ridge to leave.
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deluge   Pronounce
n. great flood; heavy downpour; any overflowing of water
When we advertised the position, we received a deluge of applications.
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delusion   Pronounce
n. false belief; mistaken or unfounded opinion
Don suffers from grandeur delusion: he thinks he's a world-famous author when he's published just one paperback book.
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demise   Pronounce
n. end of existence or activity; termination
Upon the demise of the dictator, a bitter dispute about succession to power developed.
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denial   Pronounce
n. act of refusing or disowning; negation; refusal to admit the truth; refusal to grant; rejection of a request
The government has issued a denial of an election in May.
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deputy   Pronounce
n. one appointed as the substitute of another, and empowered to act for him; substitute in office
I must find someone to act as a deputy for me during my absence.
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derelict   Pronounce
a. left and abandoned; negligent in performing a duty
As a former South Chicago community organizer, the President knows all about schools in derelict areas.
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deride   Pronounce
v. ridicule; make fun of; laugh at with contempt
The critics deride his pretentious dialogue and refuse to consider his play seriously.
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descry   Pronounce
v. catch sight of; discover by careful observation or scrutiny
In the distance, we could barely descry the enemy vessels.
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desecrate   Pronounce
v. violate with violence, especially to a sacred place
Shattering the altar and trampling the holy objects underfoot, the invaders desecrate the sanctuary.
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desiccate   Pronounce
v. dry up thoroughly; make dry, dull, or lifeless; preserve foods by removing the moisture
A tour of this smokehouse will give you an idea of how the pioneers used to desiccate food in order to preserve it.
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desist   Pronounce
v. cease to proceed or act; stop; forbear
They did not desist from the work until the Wazir ordered many people to remove from this city with their families.
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destitute   Pronounce
a. extremely poor; utterly lacking; devoid
Because they had no health insurance, the father's costly illness left the family destitute.
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desultory   Pronounce
a. aimless; haphazard; at random; not connected with the subject
In prison, Malcolm X set himself the task of reading straight through the dictionary; reading was purposeful, not desultory.
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detach   Pronounce
v. part; separate or disunite; disengage
He tried to detach the link from the chain.
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detain   Pronounce
v. keep back or from; withhold; restrain from proceeding; stay or stop; delay
The power to detain people without filing criminal charges against them is dictatorial.
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deviate   Pronounce
v. turn away from a principle, norm; depart; diverge
Richard did not deviate from his daily routine: every day, he set off for work at eight o'clock, had his sack lunch at 12:15, and headed home at the stroke of five.
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devout   Pronounce
a. expressing devotion or piety; earnest in the religious field
He is described as a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave charity to the people, and prayed continually to God.
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dexterity   Pronounce
n. right-handedness; readiness and grace in physical activity; skill and ease in using the hands; expertness in manual acts
The negotiations will call for considerable dexterity.
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dexterous   Pronounce
a. skillful in the use of the hands; having mental skill
The magician was so dexterous that we could not follow him as he performed his tricks.
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dingy   Pronounce
a. darkened with smoke and grime; dirty or discolored
The only observation I have is the colors are a bit too gloomy and dingy.
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dip   Pronounce
v. insert into a fluid and withdraw again; immerse for baptism; wet, as if by immersing; moisten
Our properties dip towards the river; we lost them forever.
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disclose   Pronounce
v. unclose; open; remove a cover or envelope from; lay open or expose to view
I have no intention to disclose their names for security reasons.
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discord   Pronounce
n. conflict; lack of agreement among persons, groups, or things
Watching Tweedledum battle Tweedledee, Alice wondered what had caused this pointless discord.
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discrepancy   Pronounce
n. lack of consistency; the difference
The police noticed an obvious discrepancy in his description of the crime and did not believe him.
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disdain   Pronounce
v. view with scorn or contempt; feel with aversion
In the film Funny Face, the bookish heroine used to disdain fashion models for their lack of intellectual interests.
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disparity   Pronounce
n. difference; condition or fact of being unequal, as in age, rank, or degree
Their disparity in rank made no difference at all to the prince and Cinderella.
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dissolution   Pronounce
n. breaking of union; decomposition into fragments or parts; extinction of life; decay
This caused King Lear more suffering: the dissolution of his kingdom into warring factions or his aged, failing body?
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ditch   Pronounce
n. the trench made in the earth by digging; any long, narrow receptacle for water on the surface of the earth
This village needs a deep ditch or channel to run water after a prolonged downpour.
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diverge   Pronounce
v. vary; go in different directions from the same point
The spokes of the wheel diverge from the hub.
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divulge   Pronounce
v. reveal; make known to the public
I Will update you regarding the details, but all I can divulge is that it involves a handsome guy.
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dock   Pronounce
v. deprive someone of benefits; remove or shorten the tail of an animal
They will dock us of two days of our annual leave.
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dodge   Pronounce
v. avoid a blow by moving or shifting quickly aside; a shifty or ingenious trick
Before summer, one challenge lawmakers can't dodge the budget.
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doleful   Pronounce
a. sorrowful; filled with or expressing grief; mournful
He found the bereaved family's doleful lamentations emotionally disturbing, and he left as quickly as he could.
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dome   Pronounce
n. building or house, especially as the great hall, church, or temple; anything shaped like a cupola
There is a transparent dome on the top of the aircraft, through which celestial observations are made for navigation.
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dose   Pronounce
n. quantity of medicine given; sufficient quantity; portion
Since the additional dose is not harmful and provides extra protection, everyone is recommended to get the second one.
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downcast   Pronounce
a. low in spirits; depressed; directed downward
Cheerful and optimistic by nature, Beth was never downcast despite the difficulties she faced.
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doze   Pronounce
v. slumber; sleep lightly; be in dull or stupefied condition, as if half asleep; be drowsy
If I doze off and stop flipping the pages, the boy goes to sleep too.
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dreadfully   Pronounce
ad. terribly; with alarm; fearfully
'If it had grown up,' she said to herself, 'it would have made a dreadfully ugly child: but it makes rather a handsome pig, I think.'
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drench   Pronounce
v. wet through and through; soak; put potion down the throat of; steep in moisture; wet thoroughly
The poster doesn't stick even though I drench it with glue.
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drown   Pronounce
v. kill by submerging and suffocating in water; overwhelm in water; deaden one's awareness of
Probably all know that a fish could drown if the functions of the gills fail.
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dubious   Pronounce
a. questionable; filled with doubt
Abroad, Biden is ready to deploy military might in dubious causes defined by the country's hawkish defense establishment.
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duel   Pronounce
n. combat between two persons; fought with deadly weapons by agreement;
A fight-to-the-last-breath duel is often more compelling than merely a parade of highlight plays.
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dumbfound   Pronounce
v. fill with astonishment and perplexity; confound
That he could shop for them on Amazon.com would dumbfound him; it would be a wonderful experience he never had before.
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dunce   Pronounce
n. backward in book learning; child or another person dull or weak in intellect; dullard or dolt
It is very impolite to call others a dunce.
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dwindle   Pronounce
v. shrink; reduce in size; become less
The food in the lifeboat gradually had to dwindle away to nothing; in the end, they ate the ship's cook.
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ecology   Pronounce
n. science of the relationships between organisms and their environments
He has actual professional qualifications in ecology and conservation.
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ecstasy   Pronounce
n. intense joy or delight; any overpowering emotion
A researcher a year ago published startling research showing that the drug commonly known as ecstasy can cause Parkinson's-like brain damage.
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eddy   Pronounce
n. swirling current of water, air; flow in a circular current
The water in the tide pool was still, except for an occasional eddy.
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editorial   Pronounce
a. of or pertaining to an editor; written or sanctioned by an editor
I have made a lot of editorial changes in their book.
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eerie   Pronounce
a. suggestive of the supernatural; mysterious
In that eerie setting, it was easy to believe in ghosts and other supernatural beings.
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efface   Pronounce
v. rub or wipe out; make indistinct as if by rubbing
He handled the coin so many times to efface its date.
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effectual   Pronounce
a. able to produce the desired effect; valid
Because of the development of drug-resistant strains of bacteria, many once useful antibiotics are no longer effectual in curing bacterial infections.
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elastic   Pronounce
a. springing back; having the power of rebounding; able to return quickly to a former state or condition
The strong, elastic wood of this tree, used for furniture, tool handles, and sporting goods such as baseball bats.
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elderly   Pronounce
a. somewhat old; advanced beyond middle age
Supplying daycare services for the elderly is a business that is certain to continue to grow in the coming decades.
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electrical   Pronounce
a. pertaining to electricity;  electric
There are many lights and electrical instruments on the computer console.
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elucidate   Pronounce
v. make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify
He was called upon to elucidate the disputed points in his article.
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elude   Pronounce
v. avoid cleverly; escape the perception of
The logic of the concluding paragraph seems to elude me.
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emanate   Pronounce
v. come or send forth from a source, used chiefly of an intangible thing, as light
Angry voices emanate from the next room.  
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embark   Pronounce
v. commence; go onboard a boat or airplane; begin a journey
We will embark upon a new career in this city.
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embassy   Pronounce
n. the diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work; diplomatic representatives headed by an ambassador
They went over almost immediately today to sign the condolence book at the British embassy.
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emerald   Pronounce
a. of precious stone of rich green color; of a rich green color
That emerald curtain doesn't match the brown floor.
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