Abase
 lower
abash
 embarrass
abate
 subside
abbreviate
 shorten
abdicate
 renounce
aberrant
 abnormal
aberration
 mental disorder
aberration
 wandering or straying away; in optics, failure of rays to focus
abet
 assist
abettor
 encourager
abeyance
 suspended action
abhor
 detest
abject
 wretched
abjure
 renounce upon oath
ablution
 washing
abnegation
 renunciation; self-sacrifice
abolish
 cancel
abominate
 loathe
aboriginal
 native
abortive
 unsuccessful
abrade
 erode
abrasive
 rubbing away
abridge
 condense or shorten
abrogate
 abolish
abscond
 depart secretly and hide
absolute
 complete
absolve
 pardon
abstain
 refrain
abstemious
 temperate; sparing in drink
abstinence
 restraint from eating
abstract
 theoretical
abstruse
 obscure; profound; difficult to understand
abusive
 coarsely insulting
abut
 adjoin
abysmal
 bottomless
accede
 agree
accelerate
 move faster
accessible
 easy to approach
accessory
 additional object
acclaim
 applaud
acclimate
 adjust to climate
acclivity
 sharp upslope of a hill
accolade
 award of merit	
accommodate
 oblige or help someone
accomplice
 partner in crime
accord
 agreement
accost
 approach and speak first
accoutre
 equip
accretion
 growth
accrue
 come about by addition
acephalous
 headless
acerbity
 bitterness of speech and temper
acetic
 vinegary
acidulous
 slightly sour; sharp; caustic
acknowledge
 recognize; admit
acme
 top or peak
acoustics
 science of sound
acquiescence
 submission
acquiescent
 accepting passively
acquittal
 deliverance from a charge
acrid
 sharp
acrimonious
 stinging; caustic
acrimony
 bitterness
actuarial
 calculating
actuate
 motivate
acuity
 sharpness
acumen
 mental keenness
acute
 quickly perceptive
adage
 wise saying; proverb
adamant
 hard; inflexible
adapt
 alter
addendum
 addition  or appendix
addiction
 compulsive
addle
 rotten; muddled; crazy
address
 direct a speech to
adduce
 present as evidence
adept
 expert at
adhere
 stick fast to
adherent
 supporter
adipose
 fatty
adjunct
 something attached to
adjuration
 solemn urging
adjure
 request solemnly
adjutant
 assistant
admonish
 warn; reprove
admonition
 warning
adorn
 decorate
adroit
 skillful
adulation
 flattery; admiration
adulterate
 make impure by mixing with baser substances
adulterated
 made impure
adumbration
 foreshadowing; outlining
advent
 arrival
adventitious
 accidental; casual
adversary
 opponent
adverse
 unfavorable; hostile
adversity
 poverty; misfortune
advert
 refer to
advocate
 urge; plead for
aegis
 shield
aeon
 long period of time; an age
aesthetic
 artistic
affable
 courteous
affected
 artificial; pretended
afferent
 carrying toward the center
affidavit
 written statement made under oath
affiliation
 joining; associating with
affinity
 kinship
affirmation
 solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath
affix
 fasten
afflatus
 inspiration
affluence
 abundance; wealth
affray
 public brawl
affront
 insult	
agape
 open-mouthed
agenda
 items of business at a meeting
agglomeration
 collection; heap
aggrandize
 increase or intensify
aggregate
 sum; total
aghast
 horrified
agility
 nimbleness
agitate
 stir up; disturb
agitation
 excitement; strong feeling
agnostic
 one who is skeptical of reality
agog
 highly excited
agrarian
 pertaining to land or its cultivation
agronomist
 scientist who manage of land
alacrity
 cheerful promptness
albeit
 although
alchemy
 mediaeval chemistry
alcove
 nook
alias
 an assumed name
alienate
 make hostile; separate
alimentary
 supplying nourishment
alimony
 payment by a husband to his divorced wife
allay
 calm; pacify
allege
 state without proof
allegory
 story in which characters are used as symbols; fable
alleviate
 relieve
alliteration
 repetition of beginning sound in poetry
allocate
 assign
alloy
 mixture as of metals
allude
 refer indirectly
allure
 entice	
allusion
 indirect reference
alluvial
 pertaining to soil deposits left by rivers, etc
aloft
 reserved, apart
aloof
 upward
altercation
 wordy quarrel
altruism
 unselfish aid to others; generosity
amalgamate
 combine; unite in one body
amass
 collect	
amazon
 female warrior
ambidextrous
 capable of using either hand with equal ease
ambience
 environment
ambiguous
 doubtful in meaning
ambivalence
 the state of having contradictory
amble
 moving at an easy pace
ambrosia
 food of the gods
ambulatory
 able to walk
ameliorate
 improve
amenable
 readily managed; wiling to be led
amend
 correct
amenities
 agreeable manners; courtesies
amiable
 agreeable; lovable
amicable
 friendly
amiss
 wrong
amity
 friendship
amnesia
 loss of memory
amnesty
 pardon
amoral
 nonmoral
amorous
 moved by sexual love
amorphous
 shapeless
amortization
 act of reducing a debt through partial payment
amphibian
 able to live on both on land and in water
amphitheater
 oval building with tiers of seats
ample
 abundant; generous, more than sufficient
amplify
 enlarge
amputate
 prune; cut off part of body
amuck, amok
 in a state of rage
amulet
 charm; talisman; protection against evil
anachronism
 an error involving time in a story
anaesthetic, anesthetic
 substance that removes sensation with or without loss of consciousness
analgesic
 causing insensitivity to pain
analogous
 comparable
analogy
 similarity; parallelism
anarchist
 person who rebels against the order
anarchy
 absence of governing body; state of disorder
anathema
 solemn curse
anathematize
 curse
anchor
 secure or fasten firmly
ancillary
 auxiliary
andirons
 metal supports in a fireplace for logs
anecdote
 short account of an amusing event
anemia
 condition in which blood lacks red corpuscles
anguish
 acute pain
angular
 sharp-cornered, stiff in manner
animadversion
 critical remark
animated
 lively
animosity
 active enmity
animus
 hostile feeling or intent
annals
 records; history
anneal
 reduce brittleness
annihilate
 destroy
annotate
 comment
annuity
 yearly allowance
annul
 make void
anodyne
 opiate
anoint
 consecrate
anomalous
 abnormal; irregular
anomaly
 irregularity
anonymity
 anonymousness
anonymous
 having no name
antagonism
 hostile
antagonistic
 active resistance
antecede
 precede
antecedents
 preceding events
antediluvian
 antiquated; ancient
anthropoid
 manlike
anthropologist
 a student of the science of mankind
anthropomorphic
 having human form or characteristics
anticlimax
 letdown in thought or emotion
antipathy
 aversion; dislike
antiquated
 obsolete
antiseptic
 substance that prevents infection
antithesis
 contrast; direct opposit of
anvil
 iron block used in hammering out metals
apathetic
 indifferent
apathy
 indifference
ape
 imitate
aperture
 opening; hole
apex
 tip; summit; climax
aphasia
 loss of speech due to injury
aphorism
 pithy maxim
apiary
 a place where bees are kept
aplomb
 poise
apocalyptic
 prophetic; pertaining to revelations
apocryphal
 not genuine; sham
apogee
 highest point
apologue
 moral fable
apoplexy
 stroke
apostate
 one who abandons his religious faith
apothecary
 druggist
apothegm
 pithy, compact saying
apotheosis
 deification; glorification
appall
 dismay, shock
apparition
 ghost; phantom	
appease
 pacify, soothe
appellation
 name; title
append
 attach
application
 diligent attention
apposite
 appropriate; fitting
appraise
 estimate value of
appreciate
 be thankful for
apprehend
 arrest; dread; perceive
apprehensive
 fearful; discerning
apprise
 inform
approbation
 approval	
appropriate
 acquire; take possession of for one's one use
appurtenances
 subordinate possessions
apropos
 with reference to; regarding
aptitude
 fitness; talent
aquiline
 curved, hooked
arable
 fit for plowing
arbiter
 a person with power to decide a dispute; judge
arbitrary
 unreasonable or capricious ; tyrannical
arbitrate
 act as judge
arboretum
 place where varieties of trees are studied
arcade
 covered passageway, lined with shops
arcane
 secret; mysterious
archaeology
 study of artifacts and relics of early mankind
archaic
 antiquated
archetype
 prototype; primitive pattern
archipelago
 group of closely located islands
archives
 public records or place where they are kept
ardor
 heat; passion; zeal
arduous
 hard; strenuous
argot
 slang
aria
 operatic solo
arid
 dry; barren
aristocracy
 hereditary nobility
armada
 fleet of warships
aromatic
 fragrant
arraign
 charge in court; indict
arrant
 thorough; complete; unmitigated
array
 marshal; draw up in order
array
 clothe; adorn
arrears
 being in debt
arrogance
 pride, haughtiness
arrogate
 claim without reasonable grounds
arroyo
 gully
articulate
 effective; distinct
artifact
 anything made by man
artifacts
 products of primitive culture
artifice
 deception; trickery
artisan
 manually skilled worker
artless
 without guile; open and honest
ascendancy
 controlling influence
ascertain
 find out for certain
ascetic
 practicing self-denial; austere
asceticism
 doctrine of self-denial
ascribe
 refer; attribute; assign
aseptic
 preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
ashen
 ash-colored; deadly pale
asinine
 stupid
askance
 with a sideways or indirect look
askew
 crookedly; slanted; at an angle
asperity
 sharpness (of temper)
aspersion
 slanderous remark
aspirant
 seeker after position or status
aspiration
 noble ambition
assail
 assault
assay
 analyze; evaluate
assent
 agree; accept
assert
 state strongly or positively
assessment
 estimation; appraisal
asseverate
 make a positive statement or solemn declaration
assiduous
 diligent
assimilate
 absorb; cause to become homogeneous
assuage
 ease; lessen (pain)
assumption
 something taken for granted
assurance
 promise or pledge; certainty; self-confidence
asteroid
 small planet
astigmatism
 eye defect that prevents proper focus	
astral
 relating to the stars
astringent
 binding; causing contraction; harsh or severe
astronomical
 enormously large or extensive
astute
 wise; shrewd
asunder
 into parts; apart
asylum
 place of refuge or shelter; protection
asymmetric
 not identical on both side of a central line
atavism
 reversion to an earlier type; throwback
atelier
 workshop; studio
atheistic
 denying the existence of God
athwart
 across; in opposition to
atone
 make amends for; pay for
atrocity
 brutal deed
atrophy
 wasting away
attenuate
 make thin; weaken
attest
 testify; bear witness
attribute
 essential quality
attribute
 ascribe; explain
attrition
 gradual wearing down
atypical
 not normal
audacious
 daring; bold
audacity
 boldness
audit
 examination of accounts
augment
 increase
augury
 omen; prophecy
august
 impressive; majestic
auroral
 pertaining to the aurora borealis
auscultation
 act of listening to the heart or lungs to discover abnormalities
auspicious
 favoring success
austere
 strict, stern
austerity
 sternness; severity; lack of luxuries
authenticate
 prove genuine
authoritarian
 favoring or exercising total control
authoritative
 having the weight of authority; dictatorial
autocrat
 monarch with supreme power
automaton
 mechanism that imitates actions of humans
autonomous
 self-governing
autopsy
 examination of a dead body; postmortem
auxiliary
 offering or providing help
avarice
 greed for wealth
avatar
 incarnation
aver
 state confidently
averse
 reluctant
aversion
 firm dislike
avert
 prevent; turn away
aviary
 enclosure for birds
avid
 greedy; eager for
avocation
 secondary or minor occupation
avouch
 affirm; proclaim
avow
 declare openly
avuncular
 like an uncle	
awe
 solemn wonder
awl
 pointed tool used for piercing
awry
 distorted; crooked
axiom
 self evident truth requiring no proof
azure
 sky blue
babble
 chatter idly
bacchanalian
 drunken
badger
 pester; annoy
badinage
 teasing conversation
baffle
 frustrate; perplex
bait
 harass; tease
baleful
 menacing; deadly; destructive
balk
 stop short
balk
 foil
ballast
 heavy substance used to ad stability or weight
balm
 something that relieves pain
balmy
 mild; fragrant
banal
 hackneyed; commonplace; trite
bandanna
 large, bright-colored handkerchief
bandy
 discuss lightly; exchange blows or words
bane
 cause of ruin
baneful
 ruinous; poisonous
bantering
 good-naturedly ridiculing
barb
 sharp projection from fishhook
bard
 poet
barefaced
 shameless; bold; unconcealed
baroque
 highly ornate
barrage
 barrier laid down by artillery fire
barrister
 counselor-at-law
barterer
 trader
bask
 luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth
bassoon
 reed instrument of the woodwind family
bastion
 stronghold
bate
 let down; restrain
batten
 grow fat; thrive upon others
bauble
 trinket; trifle
bawdy
 indecent; obscene
beatific
 giving bliss; blissful
beatitude
 blessedness; state of bliss; blissful
bedizen
 dress with vulgar finery
bedraggle
 wet thoroughly
befuddle
 confuse thoroughly
beget
 father; produce; give rise to
begrudge
 resent
beguile
 amuse; delude; cheat
behemoth
 huge creature
beholden
 obligated; indebted
behoove
 be suited to; be incumbent upon
belabor
 beat soundly; assail verbally
belated
 delayed
beleaguer
 besiege
belie
 contradict
belittle
 disparage; depreciate
bellicose
 warlike
belligerent
 quarrelsome
bemused
 confused; lost in thought; preoccupied
benediction
 blessing
benefactor
 gift giver; patron
beneficent
 kindly; doing good
beneficiary
 person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will
benevolent
 generous; charitable
benighted
 overcome by darkness
benign
 kindly; favorable; not malignant
benignity
 state of being kind, benign, gracious
benison
 blessing
bent
 determined; natural talent or inclination
bequeath
 leave to someone by means of a will
berate
 scold strongly
bereavement
 state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved
bereft
 deprived of; lacking
berserk
 frenzied
beset
 harass; trouble
besmirch
 soil, defile
bestial
 beastlike; brutal; inhuman
bestow
 confer
bete noire
 aversion; person or thing strongly disliked or avoided
betroth
 become engaged to marry
bevy
 large group
bicameral
 two-chambered
bicker
 quarrel
biennial
 every two years
bifurcated
 divided into two branches; forked
bigotry
 stubborn intolerance
bile
 bad temper and bitterness
bilious
 suffering from indigestion; irritable
bilk
 swindle; cheat
billingsgate
 vituperation; abusive language
bivouac
 temporary encampment
bizarre
 fantastic; violently contrasting
blanch
 bleach; whiten
bland
 soothing; mild
blandishment
 flattery
blase
 bored with pleasure or dissipation
blasphemous
 profane; impious
blatant
 extremely obvious; loudly offensive
blazon
 decorate with an heraldic coat of arms
bleak
 cold; cheerless
blighted
 suffering from a disease; destroyed
blithe
 gay; joyous
bloated
 swollen or puffed as with water or air
blowhard
 talkative boaster
bludgeon
 club; heavy-headed weapon
bluff
 pretense (of strength); deception; high cliff
blunder
 error
blurt
 utter impulsively
bode
 foreshadow; portend
bogus
 counterfeit; not authentic
boisterous
 violent; rough; noisy
bolster
 supporter; reinforce
bombast
 pompous, inflated language
bombastic
 pompous, using inflated language
boon
 blessing; benefit
boorish
 rude; insensitive; clownish
bootless
 useless
bouillon
 clear beef soup
bountiful
 generous; showing bounty
bourgeois
 middle-class person
bovine
 cow like
bowdlerize
 expurgate
brackish
 somewhat saline
braggadocio
 boasting
braggart
 boaster
bravado
 swagger; assumed air of defiance
brawn
 muscular strength; sturdiness
brazen
 insolent
brazier
 open pan in which live coals are burned
breach
 breaking of contract or duty
breadth
 width; extent
breviary
 book containing the daily prayers
brevity
 conciseness
brindled
 tawny or grayish with streaks or spots
bristling
 rising like bristles; showing irritation
brittle
 easily broken; difficult
broach
 open up
brocade
 rich, figured fabric
brochure
 pamphlet
brooch
 ornamental clasp
brood
 spend time thinking anxiously or sadly about something
brook
 tolerate; endure
browbeat
 bully; intimidate
brusque
 blunt; abrupt
bucolic
 rustic; pastoral
buffoonery
 clowning
bugaboo
 bugbear; object of baseless terror
bullion
 gold and silver in the form of bars
bulwark
 earthwork or other strong defense; person who defends
bumpkin
 an awkward foolish person from the country (rather than the city)
bungle
 spoil by clumsy behavior
bureaucracy
 government by bureaus
burgeon
 grow forth; send out buds
burlesque
 give an imitation that ridicules
burly
 husky; muscular
burnish
 make shiny by rubbing; polish
buskin
 thick-soled half boot worn by actors of Greek tragedy
buttress
 support; prop up
buxom
 full-bosomed; plump; jolly
cabal
 small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
cache
 hiding place
cacophony
 discord
cadaver
 corpse
cadaverous
 like a corpse; pale
cadence
 rhythmic rise and fall
cajole
 coax; wheedle
calamity
 disaster; misery
caliber
 ability; capacity
calligraphy
 beautiful writing; excellent penmanship
callous
 hardened; unfeeling
callow
 youthful; immature
calorific
 heat-producing
calumniate
 slander
calumny
 malicious misrepresentation; slander
camaraderie
 good-fellowship
cameo
 shell or jewel carved in relief
canard
 unfounded rumor; exaggerated report
candor
 frankness
canine
 related to dogs
canker
 any ulcerous sore; any evil
canny
 shrewd; thrifty
cant
 pious phraseology; jargon of criminals
cantankerous
 ill-humored; irritable
cantata
 story set to music, to be sung by a chorus
canter
 slow gallop
canto
 division of a long poem
canvass
 determine or seek opinions, votes
capacious
 spacious
caparison
 showy harness or ornamentation for a horse; put showy ornamentation on a horse
capillary
 having a very fine bore
capitulate
 surrender
caprice
 whim
capricious
 fickle; incalculable
caption
 title; chapter heading; text under illustration
captious
 fault-finding
carafe
 glass water bottle; decanter
carapace
 shell covering the back (of a turtle, crab)
carat
 unit of weight for precious stones
carcinogenic
 causing cancer
cardinal
 chief
careen
 lurch; sway from side to side
caricature
 distortion; burlesque
carillon
 a set of bells capable of being played
carmine
 rich red color
carnage
 destruction of life; slaughter; mass of carcasses
carnal
 fleshly; concerning the body
carnivorous
 meat-eating
carousal
 drunken revel
carping
 petty criticism; fault-finding
carrion
 rotting flesh of a dead body
carte blanche
 unlimited authority or freedom
cartographer
 map-maker
caryatid
 sculptured column of a female figure
cascade
 small waterfall
caste
 one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society
castigate
 punish
castigation
 punishment; severe criticism
casualty
 serious or fatal accident
casuistry
 subtle or sophisticated reasoning resulting in minute distinctions
cataclysm
 deluge; upheaval
catalyst
 agent that brings about a chemical change
catapult
 slingshot; a hurling machine
cataract
 great waterfall; eye abnormality
catastrophe
 calamity
catechism
 book for religious instruction; instruction by question and answer
categorical
 without exceptions; unqualified; absolute
catharsis
 purging or cleaning of any passage of the body
cathartic
 purgative
catholic
 universal; wide-ranging liberal
caucus
 private meeting of members of a party to select officers or determine policy
caulk
 to make watertight(by plugging seams)
causal
 implying a cause and effect relationship
caustic
 burning; sarcastically biting
cauterize
 burn with hot iron or caustic
cavalcade
 procession; parade
cavalier
 casual and offhand; arrogant
cavil
 make frivolous objections
cede
 transfer; yield title to
celerity
 speed; rapidity
celestial
 heavenly
celibate
 abstaining from sexual intercourse; unmarried
censor
 overseer of morals
censorious
 critical
censure
 blame; criticize
centaur
 mythical figure, half man and half horse
centigrade
 denoting a widely used temperature scale
centrifugal
 radiating; departing from the center
centrifuge
 machine that separates substances by whirling 
centripetal
 tending toward the center
centurion
 Roman army officer
cerebral
 pertaining to the brain or intellect
cerebration
 thought
ceremonious
 marked by formality
cessation
 stopping
cession
 yielding to another; ceding
chafe
 warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing
chaff
 worthless products of an endeavor
chaffing
 bantering; joking
chagrin
 vexation; disappointment
chalice
 goblet; consecrated cup
chameleon
 lizard that changes color in different situations
champ
 chew noisily
champion
 support militantly
chaotic
 in utter disorder
charisma
 divine gift; great popular charm or appeal of a political leader
charlatan
 quack; pretender to knowledge
chary
 cautious; sparing or restrained about giving
chase
 ornament a metal surface by indenting
chasm
 abyss
chassis
 framework and working parts of an automobile
chaste
 pure
chasten
 discipline; punish in order to correct
chastise
 punish
chattel
 personal property
chauvinist
 blindly devoted patriot
check
 stop motion; curb or restrain
checked
 having a pattern of squares
checkered
 marked by changes in fortune
cherubic
 angelic; innocent looking
chicanery
 trickery
chide
 scold
chimerical
 fantastic; highly imaginative
chiromancy
 art of telling fortunes by reading the hand; palmistry
chiropodist
 one who treats disorders of the feet
chivalrous
 courteous; faithful; brave
choleric
 hot-tempered
choreography
 art of dancing
chronic
 long-established as a disease
chronicle
 report; record(in chromatically order)
churlish
 boorish; rude
ciliated
 having minute hairs
cipher
 nonentity; worthless person or thing
cipher
 secret chord
circlet
 small ring; band
circuitous
 roundabout
circumlocution
 indirect or roundabout expression
circumscribe
 limit; confine 
circumspect
 prudent; cautious
circumvent
 outwit; baffle
citadel
 fortress
cite
 quote; commend
civil
 courteous and polite
clairvoyant
 having foresight; fortuneteller
clamber
 climb by crawling
clamor
 noise
clandestine
 secret
clangor
 loud, resounding noise
clapper
 striker (tongue) of a bell
clarion
 shrill, trumpet-like sound
claustrophobia
 fear of being locked in
clavicle
 collarbone
cleave
 split asunder
cleft
 split
clemency
 disposition to be lenient; mildness, as of the weather
cliche
 phrase dulled in meaning by repetition
clientele
 body of customers
climactic
 relating to the highest point
clime
 region; climate
clique
 small, exclusive group
cloister
 monastery or convent
clout
 great influence
cloying
 distasteful; excessively sweet or sentimental
coadjutor
 assistant; colleague
coagulate
 thicken; congeal; colt
coalesce
 combine; fuse
cockade
 decoration worn on hat
coda
 concluding section of a musical or literary compo 
coddle
 treat gently ; pamper
codicil
 supplement to the body of a will
codify
 arrange as a code; classify
coerce
 use of force
coercion
 force
coeval
 living at the same time; contemporary
cog
 tooth projecting from a wheel
cogent
 convincing
cogitate
 think over 
cognate
 related linguistically; allied by blood
cognitive
 having to do with knowing or perceiving
cognizance
 knowledge 
cognomen
 family name
cohere
 stick together
cohesion
 tendency to keep together
cohorts
 armed band
coiffure
 hairstyle
coincident
 occurring at the same time
colander
 utensil with perforated bottom used for straining
collaborate
 work together
collage
 work of art put together from fragments
collate
 examine in order to verify authenticity; arrange in order
collateral
 security given for loan
collation
 a light meal
collier
 worker in coal mine; ship carrying coal
colloquial
 pertaining to conversational or common speech
colloquy
 informal discussion
collusion
 conspiring in a fraudulent scheme
colossal
 huge
colossus
 gigantic statue
comatose
 in a coma; extremely sleepy
combustible
 easily burned
comely
 attractive; agreeable
comestible
 something fit to be eaten
comeuppance
 rebuke; deserts
comity
 courtesy; civility
commandeer
 to draft for military purposes; to take for public use
commemorative
 remembering; honoring
commensurate
 equal in extent
commiserate
 feel or express pity or sympathy for
commodious
 spacious and comfortable
communal
 held in common; of a group of people
compact
 agreement; contract
compact
 tightly packed; firm; brief
compatible
 harmonious; in harmony with
compelling
 overpowering; irresistible in effect
compendium
 brief, comprehensive summary
compensatory
 making up for; repaying
compilation
 listing of statistical information in tabular or book form
complacent
 self-satisfied
complaisant
 trying to please; obliging
complement
 complete; consummate; make perfect
compliance
 conformity in fulfilling requirements
compliant
 yielding
complicity
 participation; involvement
component
 element; ingredient
comport
 bear one's self; behave
composure
 mental calmness
compound
 combine; constitute; pay interest; increase
comprehensive
 thorough; inclusive
compress
 close; squeeze; contract
comprise
 include; consist of
compromise
 adjust; endanger the interests or reputation of
compunction
 remorse
compute
 reckon; calculate
concatenate
 link as in chain
concave
 hollow
concede
 admit; yield
conceit
 whimsical idea; extravagant metaphor
concentric
 having a common center
conception
 beginning; forming of an idea
concerted
 mutually agreed on; done together
concession
 an act of yielding
conch
 large sea shell
conciliatory
 reconciling; soothing
concise
 brief and compact
conclave
 private meeting
conclusive
 decisive; ending all debate
concoct
 prepare by combining; make up in concert
concomitant
 that which accompanies
concord
 harmony
concordat
 agreement, usually between the papal authority and the secular
concur
 agree
concurrent
 happening at the same time
condescend
 bestow courtesies with a superior air
condign
 adequate; deservedly severe
condiments
 seasonings; spices
condole
 express sympathetic sorrow
condone
 overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse
conducive
 helpful; contributive
conduit
 aqueduct; passageway for fluids
confidant
 trusted friend
confiscate
 seize; commandeer
conflagration
 great fire
confluence
 flowing together
conformity
 harmony; agreement
confound
 confuse; puzzle
congeal
 freeze; coagulate
congenial
 pleasant; friendly
congenital
 existing at birth
conglomeration
 mass of material sticking together
congruence
 correspondence of parts; harmonious relationship
conifer
 pine tree; cone-bearing tree
conjecture
 surmise; guess
conjugal
 pertaining to marriage
conjure
 summon a devil; practice magic; imagine; invent
connivance
 pretence of ignorance of something wrong; passive cooperation
connoisseur
 person competent to act as a judge of art
connotation
 suggested or implied meaning of an expression
connubial
 pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state
consanguinity
 kinship
conscientious
 scrupulous; careful
conscript
 draftee; person forced into military service
consecrate
 dedicate; sanctify
consensus
 general agreement
consequential
 pompous; self-important
conservatory
 school of the fine arts(music, act, art)
consign
 deliver officially; entrust; set apart
consistency
 absence of contradictions; dependability
console
 lessen sadness or disappointment; give comfort
consonance
 harmony; agreement
consort
 associate with
consort
 husband or wife
conspiracy
 treacherous plot
constituent
 supporter
constraint
 compulsion; repression of feelings
construe
 explain; interpret
consummate
 complete
contagion
 infection
contaminate
 pollute
contemn
 regard with contempt; despise
contempt
 scorn; disdain
contend
 struggle; compete; assert earnestly
contentious
 quarrelsome
contest
 dispute
context
 writings preceding and following passage quoted
contiguous
 adjacent to; touching upon
continence
 self-restraint; sexual chastity
contingent
 conditional
contortion
 twisting; distortion
contraband
 illegal trade; smuggling; smuggled goods
contravene
 contradict; oppose; infringe on or transgress
contrite
 penitent
contrived
 forced; artificial; not spontaneous
controvert
 oppose with arguments; contradict
contumacious
 disobedient; resisting authority
contumely
 scornful insolence; insult
contusion
 bruise
conundrum
 riddle
convene
 assemble
convention
 social or moral custom; established practice
conventional
 ordinary; typical
converge
 come together
conversant
 familiar with
converse
 opposite
convert
 one who has adopted a different religion 
convex
 curving outward
conveyance
 vehicle; transfer
conviction
 strongly held belief
convivial
 festive; gay; characterized by joviality
convoke
 call together
convoluted
 coiled around; involved; intricate
copious
 plentiful
coquette
 flirt
cordial
 gracious; heartfelt
cordon
 extended line of men to prevent access
cormorant
 greedy, rapacious bird
cornice
 projecting molding on building (usually above columns)
cornucopia
 horn overflowing with fruit and grain
corollary
 consequence; accompaniment
corporeal
 bodily; material
corpulent
 very fat
correlation
 mutual relationship
corroborate
 confirm
corrosive
 eating away by chemicals or disease
corrugated
 wrinkled; ridged
corsair
 pirate; pirate ship
cortege
 procession
coruscate
 glitter; scintillate
cosmic
 pertaining to the universe; vast
coterie
 group that meets socially; select circle
countenance
 approve; tolerate
countenance
 face
countermand
 cancel; revoke
counterpart
 a thing that completes another; things very much alike
coup
 highly successful action or sudden attack
couple
 join; unite
courier
 messenger
covenant
 agreement
covert
 secret; hidden; implied
covetous
 avaricious; eagerly desirous of
cow
 terrorize; intimidate
cower
 shrink quivering, as from fear
coy
 shy; modest; coquettish
cozen
 cheat; hoodwink; swindle
crab
 to complain in a b1ad-tempered way
crabbed
 sour; peevish
crass
 very unrefined; grossly insensible
craven
 cowardly
credence
 belief
credo
 creed
credulity
 belief on slight evidence; readiness to believe
creed
 system of religious or ethical belief
crepuscular
 pertaining to twilight
crescendo
 increase in the volume or intensity; climax
crestfallen
 dejected; dispirited
crevice
 crack; fissure
cringe
 shrink back, as if in fear
criteria
 standards used in judging
crone
 hag
cross
 angry; bad-tempered
crotchety
 eccentric; whimsical
cruet
 small glass bottle for vinegar, oil, etc
crux
 crucial point
crypt
 secret recess or vault, usually used for burial
cryptic
 mysterious; hidden; secret
cubicle
 small chamber used for sleeping
cuisine
 style of cooking
cul-de-sac
 blind alley; trap
culinary
 relating to cooking
cull
 pick out; reject
culmination
 attainment of highest point
culpable
 deserving blame
culvert
 artificial channel for water
cumbersome
 heavy; hard to manage
cumulative
 growing by addition
cupidity
 greed
curator
 superintendent; manager
curmudgeon
 churlish, miserly individual
curry
 dress; treat leather; seek favor
cursive
 flowing, running
cursory
 casual; hastily done
curtail
 shorten; reduce
cynic
 one who is skeptical or distrustful of human motives
cynical
 skeptical or distrustful of human motives
cynosure
 object of general attention
dais
 raised platform for guests of honor
dally
 trifle with; procrastinate
dank
 damp
dapper
 neat and trim
dappled
 spotted
dastard
 coward
daub
 smear (as with paint)
daunt
 intimidate
dauntless
 bold
dawdle
 loiter; waste time
deadlock
 stand still; stalemate
deadpan
 wooden; impassive
dearth
 scarcity
debacle
 breaking up; downfall
debase
 reduce to lower state
debauch
 corrupt; make intemperate
debenture
 bond issued to secure a loan
debilitate
 weaken; enfeeble
debonair
 friendly; aiming to please
debris
 rubble
debunk
 expose as false, exaggerated, worthless
debutante
 young woman making formal entrance into society
decadence
 decay
decant
 pour off gently
decapitate
 behead
decelerate
 slow down
deciduous
 falling off, as of leaves
decimate
 kill, usually one out of ten
decipher
 decode
declivity
 downward slope
d?ollete
 having a low-cut neckline
decomposition
 decay
decorous
 proper
decorum
 propriety; seemliness
decoy
 lure or bait
decrepit
 worn out by age
decrepitude
 state of collapse caused by illness or old age
decry
 express strong disapproval of; disparage
deducible
 derived by reasoning
deface
 mar; disfigure
defalcate
 misuse money held in trust
defamation
 harming a person's reputation
default
 failure to do
defeatist
 resigned to defeat
defection
 desertion
deference
 courteous regard for another's wish
defile
 pollute; profane
definitive
 most reliable or complete
deflect
 turn aside
defoliate
 destroy leaves
defray
 provide for the payment of
defrock
 to strip a priest or minister of church authority
deft
 neat; skillful
defunct
 dead; no longer in use or existence
degenerate
 become worse; deteriorate
degraded
 lower in rank; debased
dehydrate
 remove water from; dry out
deify
 turn into a god
deign
 condescend
delete
 erase; strike out
deleterious
 harmful
deliberate
 consider; ponder
delineate
 portray
delineation
 portrayal
deliquescent
 capable of absorbing moisture from the air and becoming liquid
delirium
 mental disorder marked by confusion
delta
 flat plain of mud between branches of river
delude
 deceive
deluge
 flood; rush
delusion
 false belief; hallucination
delusive
 deceptive; raising vain hopes
delve
 dig; investigate
demagogue
 false leader
demean
 degrade; humiliate
demeanor
 behavior; bearing
demented
 insane
demesne
 domain; land over which a person has full sovereignty
demise
 death
demographic
 related to population balance
demolition
 destruction
demoniac
 fiendish
demotic
 pertaining to the people
demur
 delay; object
demure
 grave; serious; coy
denigrate
 blacken
denizen
 inhabitant of
denotation
 meaning; distinguishing by name
denouement
 outcome; final development of the plot of a play
denounce
 condemn; criticize
depict
 remove hair
depilate
 portray
deplete
 reduce; exhaust
deplore
 regret
deploy
 move troops so that the battle line is extended at the expense of depth
depose
 dethrone; remove from office
deposition
 testimony under oath
depravity
 corruption; wickedness
deprecate
 express disapproval of; protest against; belittle
deprecatory
 disapproving
depreciate
 lessen in value
depredation
 plundering
deranged
 insane
derelict
 neglectful of duty; abandoned
deride
 scoff at
derision
 ridicule
derivative
 unoriginal; obtained from another source
dermatologist
 physician who treats the skin and its diseases
derogatory
 expressing a low opinion
descant
 discuss fully
descry
 catch sight of
desecrate
 profane; violate the sanctity of
desiccate
 dry up
desideratum
 that which is desired
desolate
 rob of joy; lay waste to; forsake
desperado
 reckless outlaw
despicable
 contemptible
despise
 scorn
despoil
 plunder
despondent
 depressed; gloomy
despotism
 tyranny
destitute
 extremely poor
desuetude
 disused condition
desultory
 aimless; haphazard; digressing at random
detached
 emotionally removed; calm and objective; indifferent
detergent
 cleansing agent
determinate
 having a fixed order of procedure; invariable
deterrent
 something that discourages; hindrance
detonation
 explosion
detraction
 slandering; aspersion
detriment
 harm; damage
detrimental
 harmful; damaging
deviate
 turn away from
devious
 going astray; erratic
devoid
 lacking
devolve
 deputize; pass to others
devotee
 enthusiastic follower
devout
 pious
dexterous
 skillful
diabolical
 devilish
diadem
 crown
dialectic
 art of debate
diaphanous
 sheer; transparent
diatribe
 bitter scolding; invective
dichotomy
 branching into two parts
dictum
 authoritative and weighty statement
didactic
 teaching; instructional; preaching or moralizing
die
 device for stamping or impressing; mold
diffidence
 shyness
diffusion
 wordiness; spreading in all directions like a gas
digression
 wandering away from the subject
digressive
 wandering away from the subject
dilapidated
 ruined because of neglect
dilate
 expand
dilatory
 delaying
dilemma
 problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives
dilettante
 aimless follower of the arts; amateur; dabbler
diligence
 steadiness of effort; persistent hard work
dilute
 make less concentrated; reduce in strength
diminution
 lessening; reduction in size
din
 continued loud noise
dinghy
 small boat
dingy
 dull; not fresh; cheerless
dint
 means; effort
diorama
 life-size, three-dimensional scene from nature
dipsomaniac
 one who has a strong craving for intoxicating liquor
dire
 disastrous; warning of disaster
dirge
 lament with music
disabuse
 correct a false impression; undeceive
disaffected
 disloyal
disapprobation
 disapproval; condemnation
disarray
 a disorderly or untidy state
disavowal
 denial; disclaiming
disband
 dissolve; disperse
disburse
 pay out
discernible
 distinguishable; perceivable
discerning
 mentally quick and observant; having insight
disclaim
 disown; renounce claim to
disclose
 reveal
discombobulated
 confused; discomposed
discomfit
 put to rout; defeat; disconcert
disconcert
 confuse; upset; embarrass
disconsolate
 sad
discordant
 inharmonious; conflicting
discount
 disregard
discourse
 formal discussion; conversation
discredit
 defame; destroy confidence in; disbelieve
discrepancy
 lack of consistency
discrete
 separate; unconnected
discretion
 prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances; individual judgement
discrimination
 ability to see differences; prejudice
discursive
 digressing; rambling
disdain
 treat with scorn or contempt
disembark
 go ashore; unload cargo from a ship
disenfranchise
 deprive of a civil right
disengage
 uncouple; separate; disconnected
disfigure
 mar the appearance of; spoil
disgorge
 surrender something; eject; vomit
disgruntle
 make discontented
dishabille
 in a state of undress
dishearten
 discourage
disheveled
 untidy
disinclination
 unwillingness
disingenuous
 not naive; sophisticated
disinter
 dig up; unearth
disinterested
 unprejudiced
disjointed
 disconnected
dislodge
 remove (forcibly)
dismantle
 take apart
dismember
 cut into small parts
dismiss
 eliminate from consideration; reject
disparage
 belittle
disparate
 basically different; unrelated
disparity
 difference; condition of inequality
dispassionate
 calm; impartial
dispatch
 speediness; prompt execution
dispel
 scatter; drive away; cause to vanish
disperse
 scatter
dispersion
 scattering
dispirited
 lacking in spirit
disport
 amuse
disputatious
 argumentative; fond  of argument
disquisition
 a formal systematic inquiry; an explanation of the results of a formal inquiry
dissection
 analysis; cutting apart in order to examine
dissemble
 disguise; pretend
disseminate
 scatter (like seed)
dissent
 disagree
dissertation
 formal essay
dissident
 dissenting; rebellious
dissimulate
 pretend; conceal by feigning
dissipate
 squander
dissolute
 loose in morals
dissolution
 disintegration; looseness in morals
dissonance
 discord
dissuade
 advise against
distaff
 female
distant
 reserved or aloof; cold in manner
distend
 expand; swell out
distill
 purify; refine; concentrate
distortion
 twisting out of shape
distrait
 absent-minded
distraught
 upset; distracted by anxiety
diurnal
 daily
diva
 operatic singer; prima donna
diverge
 vary; go in different directions from the same point
divergent
 differing; deviating
diverse
 differing in some characteristics; various
diversion
 act of turning aside; pastime
diversity
 variety; dissimilitude
divest
 strip; deprive
divination
 foreseeing the future with aid of magic
divine
 perceive intuitively; foresee the future
divulge
 reveal
docile
 obedient; easily managed
docket
 program, as for trial; book where such entries are made
doctrinaire
 dogmatic; unyielding
document
 provide written evidence
doddering
 shaky; infirm from old age
doff
 take off
dogged
 determined; stubborn
doggerel
 poor verse
dogmatic
 arbitrary; dictatorial
doldrums
 blues; listlessness; slack period
dolorous
 sorrowful
dolt
 stupid person
domicile
 home
domineer
 rule over tyrannically
don
 put on
dormant
 sleeping; lethargic; torpid
dormer
 window projecting from roof
dorsal
 relating to the back of an animal
dossier
 file of documents on a subject
dotage
 senility
dote
 be excessively fond of; show signs of mental decline
doughty
 courageous
dour
 sullen; stubborn
douse
 plunge into water; drench; extinguish
dowdy
 slovenly; untidy
downcast
 disheartened; sad
drab
 dull; lacking color; cheerless
dregs
 sediment; worthless residue
droll
 queer and amusing
drone
 idle person; male bee
drone
 talk dully; buzz or murmur like a bee
dross
 waste matter; worthless impurities
drudgery
 menial work
dubious
 doubtful
ductility
 malleability; flexibility; ability to be drawn out
duenna
 attendant of young female; chaperone
dulcet
 sweet sounding
dupe
 someone easily fooled
duplicity
 double-dealing; hypocrisy
durance
 restraint; imprisonment
duress
 forcible restraint, especially unlawfully
dutiful
 respectful; obedient
dwindle
 shrink; reduce
dynamic
 active; efficient
dyspeptic
 suffering from indigestion
earthy
 unrefined; coarse
ebb
 recede; lessen
ebullient
 showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm
eccentric
 odd; whimsical; irregular
eccentricity
 oddity; idiosyncrasy
ecclesiastic
 pertaining to the church
eclat
 brilliance; glory
eclectic
 selective; composed of elements drawn from sources
eclecticism
 selection of elements from various sets of opinions or systems
eclipse
 darken; extinguish; surpass
ecologist
 person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environments
economy
 efficiency or conciseness in using something
ecstasy
 rapture, joy; any overpowering emotion
eddy
 swirling current of water, air, etc.
edify
 instruct; correct morally
educe
 draw forth; elicit
eerie
 weird
efface
 rub out
effectual
 efficient
effeminate
 having womanly traits
effervesce
 bubble over; show excitement
effervescence
 inner excitement; exuberance
effete
 worn out; exhausted; barren
efficacy
 power to produce desired effect
effigy
 dummy
efflorescent
 flowering; realizing full power or quality
effluvium
 noxious smell
effrontery
 shameless boldness
effulgent
 brilliant radiant
effusion
 pouring forth
effusive
 pouring forth; gushing
egoism
 excessive interest in oneself
egotism
 conceit; vanity
egregious
 notorious; conspicuously bad; shocking
egress
 exit
ejaculation
 exclamation
elaboration
 addition of details; intricacy
elated
 overjoyed; in high spirits
elation
 a rise in spirits; exaltation
elegiacal
 like a lament; mournful
elegy
 poem or song expressing lamentation
elicit
 draw out by discussion
elixir
 cure all; something invigorating
ellipsis
 omission of words from a text
elliptical
 oval; ambiguous because key words have been left out
eloquence
 expressiveness; persuasive speech
elucidate
 explain; enlighten
elusive
 evasive; baffling; hard to grasp
elusory
 tending to deceive expectations; elusive
elysian
 relating to paradise; blissful
emaciated
 thin and wasted
emanate
 issue forth
emancipate
 set free
embargo
 ban on commerce or other activity
embark
 commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey
embed
 enclose; place in something
embellish
 adorn
embezzlement
 stealing
emblazon
 deck in brilliant colors
embroil
 throw into confusion; involve in strife; entangle
embryonic
 undeveloped; rudimentary
emend
 correct, usually a text
emendation
 correction of errors; improvement
emeritus
 retired but retained in an honorary capacity
emetic
 substance causing vomiting
eminent
 high; lofty
emissary
 agent; messenger
emollient
 soothing or softening remedy
emolument
 salary; compensation
empathy
 ability to identify with another's feelings or ideas
empirical
 based on experience
empyreal
 celestial; fiery
emulate
 rival; imitate
enamored
 in love
enclave
 territory enclosed within an alien land
encomiastic
 praising; eulogistic
encomium
 high praise; eulogy
encompass
 surround
encroachment
 gradual intrusion
encumber
 burden
endearment
 fond word or act
endemic
 prevailing among a specific group of people
endive
 species of leafy plant used in salads
endorse
 approve; support
endue
 provide with some quality; endow
enduring
 lasting; surviving
energize
 invigorate; make forceful and active
enervate
 weaken; unnerve
enfranchise
 admit to the rights of citizenship
engage
 attract; hire; pledge oneself; confront
engaging
 charming; attractive
engender
 cause; produce
engross
 occupy fully
enhance
 advance; improve
enigma
 puzzle
enigmatic
 obscure; puzzling
enjoin
 command; order; forbid
enmity
 ill will; hatred
ennui
 boredom
enormity
 hugeness(in a bad sense)
enrapture
 please intensely
ensconce
 settle comfortably
ensue
 follow
enthrall
 capture; enslave
entice
 lure; attract; tempt
entity
 real being
entomology
 study of insects
entrance
 put under a spell; carry away with emotion
entreat
 plead; ask earnestly
entree
 entrance; a way in
entrepreneur
 business person; contractor
enumerate
 list; mention one by one
enunciate
 speak distinctly
environ
 enclose; surround
eon
 long period of time; an age
epaulet
 ornament worn on the shoulder
ephemeral
 short-lived; fleeting
epic
 long heroic poem, novel or similar work of art
epicure
 connoisseur of food and drink
epicurean
 person who devotes himself to pleasures of the senses, especially to food
epigram
 witty thought or saying, usually short
epilogue
 short speech at conclusion of dramatic work
episodic
 loosely connected
epistemologist
 philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge
epitaph
 inscription in memory of a dead person
epithet
 word characteristically used to describe a thing
epitome
 summary; concise abstract; perfect example or embodiment
epoch
 period of time
equable
 tranquil; steady; uniform
equanimity
 calmness of temperament
equestrian
 rider on horseback
equilibrium
 balance
equine
 resembling a horse
equinox
 period of equal days and nights
equipage
 horse-drawn carriage
equipoise
 balance; balancing force; equilibrium
equitable
 fair; impartial
equity
 fairness; justice
equivocal
 doubtful; ambiguous
equivocate
 lie; mislead; attempt to conceal the truth
erode
 eat away
erotic
 pertaining to passionate love
errant
 wandering
erratic
 odd; unpredictable
erroneous
 mistaken; wrong
erudite
 learned; scholarly
erudition
 high degree of knowledge and learning
escapade
 prank; flighty conduct
eschew
 avoid
escutcheon
 shield-shaped surface on which coat of arms is placed
esoteric
 hard to understand; known only to the chosen few
espionage
 spying
espouse
 adopt; support
esprit de corps
 comradeship; spirit
esteem
 respect; value; judge
estrange
 separate; alienate
estranged
 separated
ethereal
 light; heavenly; fine
ethnic
 relating to races
ethnology
 study of humankind
ethos
 underlying character of a culture, group, etc.
etymology
 study of word part
eugenic
 pertaining to the improvement of race
eulogistic
 praising
eulogy
 praise
euphemism
 mild expression in place of an unpleasant one
euphony
 sweet sound
euphoria
 feeling of exaggerated (or unfounded) well-being
euthanasia
 mercy killing
evanescent
 fleeting; vanishing
evasive
 not frank; eluding
evenhanded
 show clearly
evince
 disembowel; remove entrails
eviscerate
 impartial; fair
evoke
 call force
ewe
 female sheep
ewer
 water pitcher
ex officio
 worsen; embitter
exacerbate
 extremely demanding
exacting
 exorbitant demand; extortion
exaction
 raise in rank or dignity; praise
exalt
 vex
exasperate
 selected passage(written or musical)
excerpt
 treasury
exchequer
 cut away; cut out
excise
 act of cutting away
excision
 flay; abrade
excoriate
 clear from blame
exculpate
 very bad
execrable
 curse; express of abhorrence for
execrate
 put into effect; carry out
execute
 explanation, especially of biblical passages
exegesis
 serving as a model; outstanding
exemplary
 show by example; furnish an example
exemplify
 effort; expenditure of much physical work
exertion
 urge
exhort
 dig out of the ground; remove from a grave
exhume
 urgent situation
exigency
 small; minute
exiguous
 pertaining to existence
existential
 departure
exodus
 by virtue of one's office
exonerate
 acquit; exculpate
exorbitant
 excessive
exorcise
 drive out evil spirit
exotic
 not native; strange
expatiate
 talk at length
expatriate
 exile; someone who has withdrawn from his country
expediency
 that which is advisable or practical
expedient
 suitable; practical; politic
expedite
 hasten
expeditiously
 rapidly and efficiently
expertise
 specialized knowledge; expert skill
expiate
 make amends for (a sin)
expletive
 interjection; profane oath
explicate
 explain; interpret; clarify
explicit
 totally clear; definite; out spoken
exploit
 deed or action, particularly brave deed
exploit
 make use of, sometimes unjustly
expository
 explanatory; serving to explain
expostulation
 protest; remonstrance
exposure
 risk of being exposed to disease; unmasking
expunge
 cancel; remove
expurgate
 clean; remove offensive parts of a book
extant
 still in existence
extemporaneous
 not planned; impromptu
extenuate
 weaken; mitigate
extirpate
 root up
extol
 praise; glorify
extort
 wring from; get money by threats
extradition
 surrender of prisoner by one state to another
extraneous
 not essential; external
extrapolation
 projection; conjecture
extricate
 free; disentangle
extrinsic
 external; not inherent; foreign
extrovert
 person interested mostly in external objects
extrude
 force or push out
exuberant
 abundant; effusive; lavish
exude
 discharge; give forth
exult
 rejoice
fabricate
 build; lie
facade
 front of the building
facet
 small plane surface (for a gem); a side
facetious
 humorous; jocular
facile
 easy; expert
facilitate
 make less difficult
facsimile
 copy
faction
 party; clique; dissension
factious
 inclined to form factions; causing dissension
factitious
 artificial; sham
factotum
 handyman man; person who does all kinds of work
faculty
 mental or bodily powers; teaching staff
fain
 gladly
fallacious
 misleading
fallible
 liable to err
fallow
 plowed but not sowed; uncultivated
falter
 hesitate
fanaticism
 excessive zeal
fancied
 imagined; unreal
fancier
 breeder or dealer of animals
fanciful
 whimsical; visionary
fanfare
 call by bugles or trumpets; showy display
fantastic
 unreal; grotesque; whimsical
farce
 broad comedy; mockery
fastidious
 difficult to please; squeamish
fatalism
 belief that events are determined by forces beyond one's control
fathom
 comprehend; investigate
fatuous
 foolish; inane
fauna
 animals of a period or region
faux pas
 an error or slip (in manners or behavior)
fawning
 courting favor by cringing and flattering
faze
 disconcert; dismay
fealty
 loyalty; faithfulness
feasible
 practical
febrile
 feverish
fecundity
 fertility; fruitfulness
feign
 pretend
feint
 trick; shift; sham blow
felicitous
 apt; suitably expressed; well chosen
felicity
 happiness; appropriateness
fell
 cruel; deadly
felon
 person convicted of a grave crime
ferment
 agitation; commotion
ferret
 drive or hunt out of hiding
fervent
 ardent; hot
fervid
 ardent
fervor
 glowing ardor
fester
 generate pus; rankle, produce irritation or resentment
festive
 joyous; celebratory
fete
 honor at a festival
fetid
 malodorous
fetish
 object supposed to possess magical powers; an object of special devotion
fetter
 shackle
fiasco
 total failure
fiat
 command
fickle
 changeable; faithless
fictitious
 imaginary
fidelity
 loyalty
fiduciary
 pertaining to a position of trust
figment
 invention; imaginary thing
figurative
 not literal, but metaphorical
figurine
 small ornamental statuette
filch
 steal
filial
 pertaining to a son or daughter
filibuster
 block legislation by making long speeches
filigree
 delicate, lace like metalwork
finale
 conclusion
finesse
 delicate skill
finicky, finical
 too particular; fussy
finite
 limited
firebrand
 hothead; troublemaker
fissure
 crevice
fitful
 spasmodic; intermittent
flaccid
 flabby
flag
 droop; grow feeble
flagellate
 flog; whip
flagging
 weak; drooping
flagrant
 conspicuously wicked
flail
 thresh grain by hand; strike or slap
flair
 talent
flamboyant
 ornate
flaunt
 display ostentatiously
flay
 strip off skin; plunder
fleck
 spot
fledgling
 inexperienced
fleece
 wool coat of a sheep
fleece
 rob; plunder
flick
 light stroke as with a whip
flinch
 hesitate; shrink
flippancy
 trifling gaiety
flit
 fly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by
floe
 mass of floating ice
flora
 plants of a region or era
florid
 flowery; ruddy
flotsam
 drifting wreckage
flourish
 grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures
flout
 reject; mock
fluctuation
 wavering
fluency
 smoothness of speech
fluke
 unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune
fluster
 confuse; befuddle with liquor
fluted
 having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar)
flux
 flowing; series of changes
fodder
 coarse food for cattle, horses
foible
 weakness; slight fault
foil
 contrast
foil
 defeat; frustrate
foist
 insert improperly; palm off
foliage
 masses of leaves
foment
 stir up; instigate; foster
foolhardy
 rash
foppish
 vain about dress and appearance
foray
 raid
forbearance
 patience
ford
 place where a river can be crossed on foot
forebears
 ancestors
foreboding
 premonition of evil
forensic
 suitable to debate or courts of law
foreshadow
 give an indication beforehand; portend; prefigure
foresight
 ability to foresee future happening; prudence
forestall
 prevent by taking action in advance
forgo
 give up; do without
formality
 adherence to established rules or procedures
formidable
 menacing; threatening
forsake
 desert; abandon; renounce
forswear
 renounce; abandon
forte
 strong point or special talent
forthright
 straightforward; direct; frank
fortitude
 bravery; courage
fortuitous
 accidental; by chance
foster
 rear; encourage
founder
 fail completely; sink
founder
 person who established (an organization, business)
fracas
 brawl, melee
fractious
 unruly
frailty
 weakness
franchise
 right granted by authority
frantic
 wild
fraudulent
 cheating; deceitful
fraught
 filled
fray
 brawl
freebooter
 buccaneer
frenetic
 frenzied; frantic
frenzied
 madly excited
fresco
 painting on plaster (usually fresh)
freshet
 sudden overflow, usually of a stream
fret
 to be annoyed or vexed
friction
 clash in opinion; rubbing against
frieze
 ornamental band on a wall
frigid
 intensely cold
frisky
 overflowing with life and activity; joyfully alive and playful
fritter
 waste
frivolous
 lacking in seriousness; self-indulgently carefree
frolicsome
 prankish; gay
frond
 fern leaf; palm or banana leaf
froward
 disobedient; perverse; stubborn
frowzy
 slovenly; unkempt; dirty
fructify
 bear fruit
frugality
 thrift; economy
fruition
 bearing of fruit; fulfillment; realization
frustrate
 thwart; defeat
fugitive
 fleeting or transitory; roving
fulcrum
 support on which a lever rests
fulgent
 beaming; radiant
fulminate
 thunder; explode
fulsome
 disgustingly excessive
functionary
 official
fundamental
 basic; primary; essential
funereal
 sad; solemn
furor
 frenzy; great excitement
furtive
 stealthy; sneaky
fusillade
 simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles)
fusion
 union; coalition
fussy
 too concerned about details
fustian
 pompous; bombastic
futile
 ineffective; fruitless
gadfly
 animal-biting fly; an irritating person
gaff
 hook; barbed fishing spear
gaffe
 social blunder
gainsay
 deny
gait
 manner of walking or running; speed
galaxy
 the Milky Way; any collection of high personalities
gall
 bitterness; nerve
gall
 annoy; chafe
galleon
 large sailing ship
galvanize
 stimulate by shock; stir up
gambit
 opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed
gambol
 skip; leap playfully
gamely
 gambler
gamester
 in a spirited manner; with courage
gamut
 entire range
gape
 open widely
garbled
 mixed up; jumbled; distorted
gargantuan
 huge; enormous
gargoyle
 waterspout carved in grotesque figure on a building
garish
 gaudy
garner
 gather; store up; granary
garnish
 decorate
garrulity
 talkativeness
garrulous
 excessively talkative; loquacious; wordy
gasconade
 bluster; boastfulness
gastronomy
 science of preparing and serving good food
gauche
 clumsy; boorish
gaudy
 flashy; showy
gaunt
 lean and angular; barren
gauntlet
 leather glove, challenge
gawk
 stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe
gazette
 official periodical publication
genealogy
 record of descent; lineage
generality
 vague statement
generic
 characteristic of an entire class of species
genesis
 beginning; origin
geniality
 cheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy
genre
 particular variety of art or literature
genteel
 well-bred; elegant
gentility
 those of gentle birth; refinement
gentry
 people of standing; class of people below nobility
genuflect
 bend the knee as in worship
germane
 pertinent; bearing upon the case at hand
germinal
 pertaining to a germ; creative
germinate
 cause to sprout; sprout
gerontocracy
 government ruled by old people
gerrymander
 change voting district lines in order to favor a political party
gestate
 evolve, as in prenatal growth
gesticulation
 motion; gesture
ghastly
 horrible
gibber
 speak foolishly
gibberish
 nonsense; babbling
gibbet
 gallows
gibe
 mock
giddy
 light-hearted; dizzy
gig
 two-wheeled carriage
gingerly
 very carefully
girth
 distance around something; circumference
gist
 essence
glacial
 like a glacier; extremely cold
glaring
 highly conspicuous; harshly bright
glaze
 cover with a thin and shiny surface
glean
 gather leavings
glib
 fluent
glimmer
 shine erratically; twinkle
gloaming
 twilight
gloat
 express evil satisfaction; view malevolently
gloss over
 explain away
glossary
 brief explanation of words used in the text
glossy
 smooth and shining
glower
 scowl
glut
 overstock; fill to excess
glutinous
 sticky; viscous
glutton
 someone who eat to much
gluttonous
 greedy for food
gnarled
 twisted
gnome
 dwarf; underground spirit
goad
 urge on
gorge
 narrow canyon; steep, rocky cleft
gorge
 stuff oneself
gory
 bloody
gossamer
 sheer; like cobwebs
gouge
 tear out
gourmand
 epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in fine food 
gourmet
 epicure; connoisseur of food and drink
graduated
 arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.)
granary
 storehouse for grain; garner
grandeur
 impressiveness; stateliness; majesty
grandiloquent
 pompous; bombastic; using high-sounding language
grandiose
 imposing; impressive
granulate
 form into grains
graphic
 pertaining to the art of delineating
grapple
 wrestle; come to grips with
grate
 make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect
gratify
 please
gratis
 free
gratuitous
 given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for
gratuity
 tip
gravity
 seriousness
gregarious
 sociable
grievance
 cause of complaint
grill
 question severely
grimace
 a facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc.
grisly
 ghastly
grotesque
 fantastic; comically hideous
grotto
 small cavern
grouch
 a person who keeps complaining
grouse
 complain; fuss
grovel
 crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate
grudging
 unwilling; reluctant; stingy
gruel
 thin, liquid porridge
grueling
 exhausting
gruesome
 grisly
gruff
 rough-mannered
guffaw
 boisterous laughter
guile
 deceit; duplicity
guileless
 without deceit
guise
 appearance; costume
gullible
 easily deceived
gustatory
 affecting the sense of taste
gusto
 enjoyment; enthusiasm
gusty
 windy
guttural
 pertaining to the throat
gyroscope
 apparatus used to maintain balance
habiliments
 garb; clothing
hackles
 hairs on back and neck of a dog
hackneyed
 commonplace; trite
haggard
 wasted away; gaunt
haggle
 argue about prices
halcyon
 calm; peaceful
hale
 healthy
hallowed
 blessed; consecrated
hallucination
 delusion
halting
 hesitant; faltering
hamper
 obstruct
hap
 chance; luck
haphazard
 random; by chance
hapless
 unfortunate
harangue
 long, passionate and vehement speech
harass
 annoy by repeated attacks
harbinger
 forerunner
harbor
 provide a refuge for; hide
hardy
 sturdy; robust; able to stand inclement weather
harping
 tiresome dwelling on a subject
harridan
 shrewish hag
harrow
 break up ground after plowing; torture
harry
 harass, annoy, torment; raid
hatch
 deck opening; lid covering a deck opening
haughtiness
 pride; arrogance
hauteur
 haughtiness
hawser
 large rope
hazardous
 dangerous
hazy
 slightly obscure
headlong
 hasty; rash
headstrong
 stubborn; willful; unyielding
heckler
 person who verbally harasses others
hedonism
 belief that pleasure is the sole aim in life
heedless
 not noticing; disregarding
hegemony
 dominance, especially of one nation over others
hegira
 flight, especially Mohammed's flight from Mecca to Medina
heinous
 atrocious; hatefully bad
herbivorous
 grin-eating
heresy
 opinion contrary to popular belief
heretic
 person who maintains opinions contrary to the church
hermetic
 sealed by fusion so as to be airtight
hermetic
 obscure and mysterious; occult
hermitage
 home of a hermit
herpetologist
 one who studies reptiles
heterodox
 unorthodox; unconventional
heterogeneous
 dissimilar
hew
 cut to pieces with ax or sword
heyday
 time of greatest success; prime
hiatus
 gap; pause
hibernal
 wintry
hibernate
 sleep throughout the winter
hierarchy
 body divided into ranks
hieroglyphic
 picture writing
hilarity
 boisterous mirth
hindmost
 furthest behind
hindrance
 block; obstacle
hinterlands
 back country
hireling
 one who serves for hire (usually contemptuously)
hirsute
 hairy
histrionic
 theatrical
hoard
 stockpile; accumulate for future use
hoary
 white with age
hoax
 trick; practical joke
hogshead
 large barrel
holocaust
 destruction by fire
holster
 pistol case
homage
 honor; tribute
homeostasis
 tendency of a system to maintain relative stability
homespun
 domestic; made at home
homily
 sermon; serious warning
homogeneous
 of the same kind
homonym
 word similar in sound but different in meaning
hone
 sharpen
hoodwink
 deceive; delude
horde
 crowd
hortatory
 encouraging; exhortive
horticultural
 pertaining to cultivation of gardens
hostelry
 inn
hovel
 shack; small, wretched house
hover
 hang about; wait nearby
hoyden
 boisterous girl
hubbub
 confused uproar
hubris
 arrogance; excessive self-conceit
hue
 color; aspect
hue and cry
 outcry
humane
 kind
humdrum
 dull; monotonous
humid
 damp
humility
 humbleness of spirit
hummock
 small hill
humus
 substance formed by decaying vegetable matter
hurtle
 crash; rush
husbandry
 frugality; thrift; agriculture
hustings
 meetings particularly to choose candidates
hybrid
 mongrel; mixed breed
hydrophobia
 fear of water; rabies
hyperbole
 exaggeration; overstatement
hyperborean
 situated in  extreme north; arctic; cold
hypercritical
 excessively exacting
hypochondriac
 person unduly worried about his health; worrier without cause about illness
hypocritical
 pretending to be virtuous; deceiving
hypothecate
 mortgage; pledge as security
hypothetical
 based on assumptions or hypotheses
ichthyology
 study of fish
icon
 religious image; idol
iconoclastic
 attacking cherished traditions
ideology
 ideas of a  group of people
idiom
 special usage in language
idiosyncrasy
 peculiarity; eccentricity
idiosyncratic
 private; peculiar to an individual
idolatry
 worship of idols; excessive admiration
idyllic
 charmingly carefree; simple
igneous
 produced by fire; volcanic
ignite
 kindle; light
ignoble
 of lowly origin; unworthy
ignominious
 disgraceful
illicit
 illegal
illimitable
 infinite
illuminate
 brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten
illusion
 misleading vision
illusive
 deceiving
illusory
 deceptive; not real
imbalance
 lack of valance or symmetry; disproportion
imbecility
 weakness of mind
imbibe
 drink in
imbroglio
 a complicated situation; perplexity; entanglement
imbrue
 drench, stain, especially with blood
imbue
 saturate, fill
immaculate
 pure; spotless
imminent
 near at hand; impending
immobility
 state of being immovable
immolate
 offer as a sacrifice
immune
 exempt
immure
 imprison; shut up in confinement
immutable
 unchangeable
impair
 worsen; diminish in value
impale
 pierce
impalpable
 imperceptible; intangible
impasse
 predicament from which there is no escape
impassive
 without feeling; not affected by pain
impeach
 charge with crime in office; indict
impeccable
 faultless
impecunious
 without money
impede
 hinder; block
impediment
 hindrance; stumbling-block
impending
 nearing; approaching
impenetrable
 not able to be pierced or entered
impenitent
 not repentant
imperial
 like an emperor; related to an empire
imperious
 domineering
imperiousness
 lordliness; domineering manner; arrogance
impermeable
 impervious; not permitting passage
impertinent
 insolent
imperturbable
 calm; placid
impervious
 not penetrable; not permitting passage through
impetuous
 violent; hasty; rash
impetus
 moving force; incentive; stimulus
impiety
 irreverence; wickedness
impinge
 infringe; touch; collide with
impious
 irreverent
implacable
 incapable of being pacified
implausible
 unlikely; unbelievable
implement
 put into effect; supply with tools
implication
 that which is hinted at or suggested
implicit
 understand but not stated
implore
 beg
imply
 suggest a meaning not expressed; signify
impolitic
 not wise
imponderable
 weightless
import
 significance
importunate
 urging; demanding
importune
 beg persistently
imposture
 assuming a false identity; masquerade
impotent
 weak; ineffective
imprecate
 curse; pray that evil will befall
imprecation
 curse
impregnable
 invulnerable
imprimatur
 permission to print or publish a book
impromptu
 without previous preparation
impropriety
 state of being inappropriate
improvident
 thriftless
improvise
 compose on the spur of the moment
imprudent
 lacking caution; injudicious
impugn
 doubt; challenge; gainsay
impuissance
 powerlessness; feebleness
impunity
 freedom from punishment
imputation
 charge; reproach
impute
 attribute; ascribe
inadvertence
 oversight; carelessness
inadvertently
 carelessly; unintentionally; by over sight
inalienable
 not to taken away; nontransferable
inane
 silly; senseless
inanimate
 lifeless
inarticulate
 speechless; producing indistinct speech
inaugurate
 begin formally; install in office
incandescent
 strikingly bright; shinning with intense heat
incantation
 singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula
incapacitate
 disable
incarcerate
 imprison; immure
incarnadine
 stain crimson or blood-color
incarnate
 endowed with flesh; personified
incarnation
 act of assuming a human body and human nature
incendiary
 arsonist
incense
 enrage; infuriate
incentive
 spur; motive
inception
 start; beginning
incessant
 uninterrupted
inchoate
 recently begun; rudimentary; elementary
incidence
 rate of occurrence; particular occurrence
incidental
 not essential; minor
incipient
 beginning; in an early stage
incisive
 cutting; sharp
incite
 arouse to action
inclement
 stormy; unkind
incline
 slope; slant
inclined
 tending or leaning toward; bent
inclusive
 tending to include all
incognito
 with identity concealed; using an assumed name
incoherent
 unintelligible; muddled; illogical
incommodious
 not spacious; inconvenient
incompatible
 inharmonious
incongruity
 lack of harmony; absurdity
incongruous
 not fitting; absurd
inconsequential
 	insignificant; unimportant
inconsistency
 state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity
incontinent
 lacking self-restraint; licentious
incontrovertible  
 indisputable
incorporate
 introduce something into a larger whole; combine
incorporeal
 immaterial; without a material body
incorrigible
 uncorrectable
incredulity
 a tendency to disbelief
incredulous
 withholding belief; skeptical
increment
 increase
incriminate
 accuse; serve as evidence against
incubate
 hatch; scheme
incubus
 burden; metal care; nightmare
inculcate
 teach
incumbent
 office holder
incur
 bring upon oneself
incursion
 temporary invasion
indefatigable
 tireless
indemnify
 make secure against loss; compensate for loss
indenture
 bind as servant or apprentice to master
indeterminate
 uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite
indicative
 suggestive, implying
indict
 charge
indifferent
 unmoved; lacking concern
indigence
 poverty
indigenous
 native
indigent
 poor
indignation
 anger at an injustice
indignity
 offensive or insulting treatment
indiscriminate
 choosing at random; confused
indisputable
 too certain to be disputed
indissoluble
 permanent
indite
 write; compose
indolence
 laziness
indomitable
 unconquerable
indubitable
 beyond a doubt
induce
 persuade; being about
inductive
 pertaining to induction
indulgent
 humoring; yielding; lenient
inebriety
 habitual intoxication
ineffable
 unutterable; cannot be expressed in speech
ineffectual
 not effective; weak
ineluctable
 irresistible; not to be escaped
inept
 lacking skill; inadequate; inappropriate
inequity
 unfairness
inerrancy
 infallibility
inertia
 state of being inert or indisposed to move
inevitable
 unavoidable
inexorable
 relentless; unyielding; implacable
infallible
 unerring
infamous
 notoriously bad
infantile
 childish; infant like
infer
 deduce; conclude
inference
 conclusion drawn from data
infernal
 pertaining to hell; devilish
infidel
 unbeliever
infiltrate
 pass into or through; penetrate sneaky
infinitesimal
 very small
infirmity
 weakness
inflated
 exaggerated; pompous; enlarged
influx
 flowing into
infraction
 violation
infringe
 violate; encroach
ingenious
 clever
ingenue
 an artless girl; an actress who plays such parts
ingenuous
 naive; young and unsophisticated
ingrained
 deeply established; firmly rooted
ingrate
 ungrateful person
ingratiate
 become popular with
inherent
 firmly established by nature or habit
inhibit
 prohibit; interdict; restrain
inimical
 unfriendly; hostile
inimitable
 matchless; not able to be imitated
iniquitous
 unjust; wicked
initiate
 begin; originate; receive into a group
injurious
 harmful
inkling
 hint
innate
 inborn
innocuous
 harmless
innovation
 change; introduction of something new
innuendo
 hint; insinuation
inopportune
 untimely; poorly chosen
inordinate
 unrestrained; excessive
inquisitor
 questioner(especially harsh); investigator
insalubrious
 unwholesome; not healthful
insatiable
 not easily satisfied; greedy
inscrutable
 impenetrable; not readily understood; mysterious
insensate
 without feeling
insensible
 unconscious; unresponsive
insidious
 treacherous; stealthy; sly
insinuate
 hint; imply
insipid
 lacking in favor; dull
insolence
 impudent disrespect; haughtiness
insolent
 haughty and contemptuous
insolvency
 bankruptcy; lack of ability to repay debts
insolvent
 bankrupt; lacking money to pay
insomnia
 wakefulness; inability to sleep
insouciant
 indifferent; without concern or care
instigate
 urge; start; provoke
insubordinate
 disobedient
insubstantial
 lacking substance; insignificant; frail
insular
 like an island; narrow-minded
insularity
 narrow-mindedness; isolation
insuperable
 insurmountable; invincible
insurgent
 rebellious
insurrection
 rebellion; uprising
intangible
 not able to be perceived by touch; vague
integral
 complete; necessary for completeness
integrate
 make whole; combine; make into one unit
integrity
 uprightness; wholeness
integument
 outer covering or skin
intellect
 higher mental powers
intelligentsia
 intellectuals; members of educated elite
inter
 bury
interdict
 prohibit; forbid; inhibit
interim
 meantime
interlocutory
 conversational; intermediate, not final
interloper
 intruder
interment
 burial
interminable
 endless
intermittent
 periodic; on and off
internecine
 mutually destructive
interpolate
 insert between
interregnum
 period between two reigns
interrogate
 question closely; cross-examine
interstices
 chinks; crevices
intervene
 come between
intimate
 hint; suggest
intimate
 familiar; intrinsic
intimidation
 fear
intractable
 unruly; refractory
intransigence
 state of stubborn unwillingness to compromise
intransigent
 refusing any compromise
intrepid
 fearless
intrinsic
 belonging to a thing in itself; inherent
intrinsically
 essentially; inherently; naturally
introspective
 looking within oneself
introvert
 one who is introspective; inclined to think oneself
intrude
 trespass; enter as an uninvited person
intuition
 power of knowing without reasoning
inundate
 overflow; flood
inured
 accustomed; hardened
invalidate
 weaken; destroy
invective
 abuse
inveigh
 denounce; utter censure or invective
inveigle
 lead astray; wheedle
inverse
 opposite
invert
 turn upside down or inside out
inveterate
 deep-rooted; habitual
invidious
 designed to create ill-will or envy
invincible
 unconquerable
inviolability
 security from being destroyed, corrupted, or profaned
invoke
 call upon; ask for
invulnerable
 incapable of injury
iota
 very small quantity
irascible
 irritable; easily angered
irate
 angry
iridescent
 exhibiting rainbowlike colors
irksome
 annoying; tedious
ironic
 occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner
irony
 hidden sarcasm or satire; use of word which antonym
irreconcilable
 incompatible; not able to be resolved
irrefragable
 not to be disproved; indisputable
irrelevant
 not applicable; uncorrectable
irremediable
 incurable; uncorrectable
irreparable
 not able to be corrected or repaired
irrepressible
 unable to be restrained or held back
irresolute
 uncertain how to act; weak
irreverent
 lacking proper respect
irrevocable
 unalterable
isotope
 varying from of an element; nuclide
isthmus
 narrow neck of land connecting two larger land bodies
iterate
 utter a second time; repeat
itinerant
 wandering; traveling
itinerary
 plan of a trip
jaded
 fatigued; surfeited
jargon
 language used by special group; gibberish
jaundiced
 yellowed; prejudiced; envious
jaunt
 trip; short journey
jaunty
 lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree
jejune
 lacking interest; barren; meager
jeopardy
 exposure to death or danger
jeremiad
 lament; complaint
jettison
 throw overboard
jingoism
 extremely aggressive and militant patriotism
jocose
 given to joking; facetious
jocular
 said or done in jest
jocund
 merry; cheerful
jollity
 gaiety; cheerfulness
jostle
 shove; bump
jovial
 good-natured; merry
jubilation
 rejoicing
judicious
 determined by sound judgment; wise
juggernaut
 irresistible crushing force
juncture
 crisis; joining point
junket
 trip; a merry feast or picnic
junta
 group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal
junto
 group of men joined on political intrigue; cabal
jurisprudence
 science of law
juxtapose
 place side by side
kaleidoscope
 produce interesting symmetrical effects
ken
 range of knowledge
killjoy
 grouch; spoilsport
kindle
 start a fire; inspire; be exited
kindred
 related; similar in nature or character
kinetic
 producing motion
kiosk
 summer-house; open pavilion
kismet
 fate
kith
 familiar friends
kleptomaniac
 person who has a compulsive desire to steal
knavery
 rascality
knead
 mix; work dough
knell
 tolling of a bell, especially to indicate a funeral
knit
 contract into winkles
knoll
 little, round hill
knotty
 intricate; difficult; tangled
kudos
 honor; glory; praise
labile
 likely to change; unstable
laborious
 demanding much work or care; tedious; industrious
labyrinth
 maze
lacerate
 mangle; tear
lachrymose
 producing tears
lackadaisical
 affectedly languid
lackey
 footman; toady
lackluster
 dull
laconic
 brief and to the point
laggard
 slow; sluggish; dilatory
lagniappe
 trifling present given to a customer
lagoon
 shallow body of water near a sea; lake
laity
 laypersons; persons not connected with the clergy
lambaste
 beat; thrash verbally or physically
lambent
 flickering; softly radiant
lament
 grieve; express sorrow
lampoon
 ridicule
languid
 weary; sluggish; listless
languish
 lose animation; lose strength
languor
 lassitude; depression
lank
 worker in precious stones
lapidary
 long and thin
larceny
 theft
larder
 pantry; place where food is kept
largess
 generous gift
lascivious
 lustful
lassitude
 languor; fatigue
latent
 dormant; hidden
lateral
 coming from the side
latitude
 freedom from narrow limitations
laudable
 praiseworthy; commendable
laudatory
 expressing praise
lave
 wash
lavish
 liberal; wasteful
lax
 careless
leaven
 cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven
lecherous
 impure in thought and act; lustful; unchaste
lechery
 gross lewdness; lustfulness
lectern
 reading desk
leery
 suspicious; cautious
leeway
 room to move; margin
legacy
 a gift made by a will
legend
 explanatory list of symbols on a map; caption
legerdemain
 sleight of hand; deception
leniency
 mildness; permissiveness
leonine
 like a lion
lesion
 unhealthy change in structure; injury
lethal
 deadly
lethargic
 drowsy; dull
levee
 embankment to preventing flooding; quay
levitate
 float in the air (especially by magical means)
levity
 lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity
levy
 impose(a fine); collect(a payment); seize
lewd
 lustful
lexicographer
 compiler of dictionary
lexicon
 dictionary (especially Latin or Greek)
liability
 drawback; debts
liaison
 intermediary
libelous
 defamatory
libertine
 debauched person, roue
libidinous
 lustful
libido
 emotional urges behind human activity
libretto
 text of an opera
licentious
 wanton; lewd; dissolute
lien
 legal claim on a property
lieu
 instead
ligneous
 like wood; woody
lilliputian
 extremely small; dwarf
limber
 flexible
limbo
 region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept
limn
 draw; outline; describe vividly
limpid
 clear
lineage
 descent; ancestry
lineaments
 features, especially of the face
linguistic
 pertaining to language
lionize
 treat as a celebrity
liquidate
 settle accounts; clear up
lissom
 agile; lithe
list
 tilt; lean over
listless
 lacking in spirit or energy
litany
 supplicatory prayer
lithe
 flexible; supple
litigation
 lawsuit
litotes
 understatement for emphasis
livid
 lead-colored; black and blue; ashen ; enlarged
loath
 averse; reluctant
loathe
 detest
lode
 metal-bearing vein; lodestone
lofty
 very high
loiter
 hang around; linger
loll
 lounge about
longevity
 long life
lope
 gallop slowly
loquacious
 talkative
lout
 clumsy person
low
 moo; humble; depressed
lubricity
 slipperiness; evasiveness
lucent
 shining
lucid
 easily understood; clear; intelligible
lucrative
 profitable
lucre
 money; profit; richness
ludicrous
 laughable; trifling
lugubrious
 mournful; sad
lull
 moment of calm
lumber
 move heavily or clumsily; timber
lumen
 unit of light energy (one candle's worth)
luminary
 celebrity; dignitary
luminous
 shining; issuing light
lunar
 pertaining to the moon
lurid
 wild; sensational
lurk
 stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived
luscious
 pleasing to taste or smell
luster
 shine; gloss
luster
 someone who have excessive sexual desire
lustrous
 shining
luxuriant
 fertile; abundant; ornate
macabre
 gruesome; grisly
mace
 ceremonial staff; club like mediaeval weapon
macerate
 soften by soaking in liquid; waste away
machiavellian
 crafty; double-dealing
machinations
 schemes
maculated
 spotted; stained
madrigal
 pastoral song
maelstrom
 whirlpool
magisterial
 authoritative; imperious
magnanimity
 generosity
magnanimous
 generous
magnate
 person of prominence or influence
magniloquent
 boastful, pompous
magnitude
 greatness; extent
maim
 mutilate; injure
maladroit
 clumsy; bungling
malaise
 uneasiness; distress
malapropism
 comic misuse of a word
malcontent
 person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs
malediction
 curse
malefactor
 criminal
malevolent
 wishing evil
malfeasance
 wrongdoing
malicious
 dictated by hatred or spite
malign
 malignant
malignant
 having on evil influence; virulent; (opp. benignant)
malingerer
 one who feigns illness to escape duty
mall
 public walk
malleable
 capable of being shaped by pounding
malodorous
 foul-smelling
mammal
 vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young
mammoth
 gigantic
manacle
 restrain; handcuff
mandate
 order; charge
mandatory
 obligatory
mangy
 shabby; wretched
maniacal
 raving mad
manifest
 understandable; clear
manifestation
 outward demonstration; indication
manifesto
 declaration; statement of policy
manifold
 numerous; varied
manipulate
 operate with the hands
mannered
 affected; not natural
manumit
 emancipate; free from bondage
marauder
 raider; intruder
marital
 pertaining to marriage
maritime
 bordering on the sea; nautical
marked
 noticeable; targeted for vengeance; conspicuous
marred
 damaged; disfigured
marrow
 soft tissue filling bones
marshal
 put in order
marsupial
 one of a family of mammals one is brought up in a pouch
martial
 warlike
martinet
 strict disciplinarian
masochist
 person who enjoys his own pain
masticate
 chew
materialism
 preoccupation with physical comforts and things
maternal
 motherly
matriarch
 woman who rules a family or large social group
matricide
 murder of a mother by a child
matrix
 point of origin; mold or die
maudlin
 effusively sentimental
maul
 handle roughly
maunder
 to talk incoherently; to utter drivel
mausoleum
 monumental tomb
mauve
 pale purple
maverick
 rebel; nonconformist
mawkish
 sickening; insipid
maxim
 proverb; a truth pithily stated; saying
mayhem
 injury to body
meager
 scanty; inadequate; poor; thin
mealymouthed
 indirect in speech; hypocritical; evasive
meander
 to wind or turn in its course
meddlesome
 interfering
mediate
 settle a dispute through the services of an outsider
mediocre
 ordinary; commonplace
meditation
 reflection; thought
medley
 mixture
meek
 submissive; patient and long-suffering; gentle
megalomania
 mania for doing grandiose things
melange
 medley; miscellany
melee
 fight
mellifluous
 flowing smoothly; smooth
memento
 token; reminder
memorialize
 commemorate
mendacious
 lying; false
mendicant
 beggar
menial
 suitable for servants; low
mentor
 counselor; teacher
mercantile
 concerning trade
mercenary
 motivated solely by money or gain
mercurial
 fickle; changing
meretricious
 flashy; tawdry
merger
 combination (of two business corporations)
meringue
 a pastry decoration made of white of eggs
mesa
 high, flat-topped hill
mesmerize
 hypnotize
metallurgical
 pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores
metamorphosis
 change of form
metaphor
 implied comparison
metaphysical
 pertaining to speculative philosophy
mete
 measure; distribute; allot
meteoric
 swift; momentarily brilliant
methodical
 systematic; orderly
meticulous
 excessively careful
metropolis
 large city
mettle
 courage; spirit
mews
 group of stables built around a courtyard
miasma
 swamp gas; heavy, vaporous atmosphere
microcosm
 small world
mien
 demeanor; bearing
migrant
 changing its habitat; wandering; migratory
migratory
 wandering; migrant
milieu
 environment; means of expression
militant
 combative; bellicose
militate
 work against
millennium
 thousand-year period; period of happiness & prosperity
mimicry
 imitation
minaret
 slender tower attached to a mosque
minatory
 menacing; threatening
mincing
 affectedly dainty
minion
 a servile dependent
minuscule
 extremely small
minute
 extremely small; moment
minutiae
 petty details
mirage
 unreal reflection; optical illusion
mire
 entangle; stick in swampy ground
mirth
 merriment; laughter
misadventure
 mischance; ill luck
misanthrope
 one who hates mankind
misapprehension
 error; misunderstanding
miscegenation
 intermarriage between races
miscellany
 mixture of writings on various subjects
mischance
 ill luck
misconstrue
 interpret incorrectly; misjudge
miscreant
 wretch; villain
misdemeanor
 minor crime
miserly
 stingy; mean
misgivings
 doubts
mishap
 accident
misnomer
 wrong name; incorrect designation
misogamy
 hatred of marriage
misogynist
 hater of women
missile
 object to be thrown or projected
missive
 letter
mite
 very small object or creature; small coin
mitigate
 appease
mnemonic
 pertaining to memory
mobile
 movable; not fixed
mode
 prevailing style
modicum
 limited quantity
modish
 fashionable
modulation
 toning down; changing from one key to another
mogul
 powerful person
moiety
 half; part
molecule
 the smallest particle of a substance 
mollify
 soothe
mollycoddle
 pamper; indulge excessively
molt
 shed or cast off hair or feathers
molten
 melted
momentous
 very important
momentum
 quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus
monarchy
 government under a single hereditary ruler
monastic
 related to monks
monetary
 pertaining to money
monochromatic
 having only one color
monolithic
 solidly uniform; unyielding
monotheism
 belief in one God
monotony
 sameness leading to boredom
monumental
 massive
moodiness
 fits of depression or gloom
moor
 marshy wasteland
moot
 debatable
moratorium
 legal delay of payment
morbid
 given to unwholesome thought; gloomy
mordant
 biting; sarcastic; stinging
mores
 customs
morganatic
 describing a marriage between a member of a royal family and a commoner in which it is 
agreed that any children will not inherit 
motley
 parti-colored; mixed
mottled
 spotted
mountebank
 charlatan; boastful pretender
muddle
 confuse; mix up
muggy
 warm and damp
mugwump
 defector from a party
mulct
 defraud a person of something
multifarious
 varied; greatly diversified
multiform
 having many forms
multilingual
 having many languages
multiplicity
 state of being numerous
mundane
 worldly as opposed to spiritual
munificent
 very generous
murkiness
 darkness; gloom
murrain
 plague; cattle disease
muse
 ponder
musky
 having the odor of musk
muster
 gather; assemble
musty
 stale; spoiled by age
mutable
 changing in form; fickle
muted
 silent; muffled; toned down
mutilate
 maim
mutinous
 unruly; rebellious
myopic
 nearsighted
myriad
 very large number
nadir
 lowest point
naivete
 quality of being unsophisticated
narcissist
 conceited person
narrative
 related to telling a story
nascent
 incipient; coming into being
natal
 pertaining to birth
natation
 swimming
natty
 neatly or smartly dressed
nauseate
 cause to become sick; fill with disgust
nautical
 pertaining to ships or navigation
nave
 min body of a church
neap
 lowest
nebulous
 vague; hazy; cloudy
necrology
 obituary notice; list of the dead
necromancy
 black magic; dealing with the dead
nefarious
 very wicked
negation
 denial (opp. affirmation)
negligence
 carelessness
negligible
 so small, trifling as to be easily disregarded
nemesis
 revenging agent
neologism
 new or newly coined word or phrase
neophyte
 recent convert; beginner
nepotism
 favoritism (to a relative)
nether
 lower
nettle
 annoy; vex
nexus
 connection
nib
 beak; pen-point
nicety
 precision; minute distinction
niggardly
 meanly stingy; parsimonious
niggle
 spend too much time on minor point; carp
nihilism
 denial of a traditional values; total skepticism
nirvana
 in Buddhist teaching, ideal state
nocturnal
 done at night (opp. diurnal)
noisome
 foul smelling; unwholesome
nomadic
 wandering
nomenclature
 terminology; system of names
nominal
 in name only; trifling
non sequitur
 indifference; lack of interest
nonchalance
 neutral; unpledged; undecided
noncommittal
 undistinctive; ordinary
nondescript
 person of no importance; nonexistence
nonentity
 bring to a halt by confusion; perplex
nonplus
 a conclusion that does not follow from the facts stated
nosegay
 fragrant bouquet
nostalgia
 homesickness; longing for the past
nostrum
 questionable medicine
notoriety
 disrepute; ill fame
notorious
 outstandingly bad; unfavorably known
novelty
 something new; newness
novice
 beginner
noxious
 harmful
nuance
 shade of difference in meaning or color
nubile
 marriageable
nugatory
 futile; worthless
nullify
 to make invalid
numismatist
 person who collects coins
nuptial
 related to marriage
nurture
 nourish; educate; foster
nutrient
 nourishing substance
oaf
 stupid, awkward person
obdurate
 stubborn
obeisance
 bow
obelisk
 tall column tapering and ending in a pyramid
obese
 excessively fat
obfuscate
 confuse; muddle
obituary
 death notice
objective
 not influenced by emotions; fair
objective
 goal; aim
objurgate
 scold; rebuke severely
objurgation
 severe rebuke; scolding
oblation
 the Eucharist; pious donation
obligatory
 binding; required
oblique
 slanting; deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line
obliquity
 departure from right principles; perversity
obliterate
 destroy completely; blot out
oblivion
 forgetfulness
obloquy
 slander; disgrace; infamy
obnoxious
 offensive
obscure
 dark; vague; unclear
obsequious
 slavishly attentive; servile; sycophantic
obsequy
 funeral ceremony; obsequies
obsession
 fixed idea; continued brooding
obsidian
 black volcanic rock
obsolete
 out-moded
obstetrician
 physician specializing in delivery of babies
obstinate
 stubborn
obstreperous
 boisterous; noisy
obtrude
 push into prominence
obtrusive
 pushing forward
obtuse
 blunt; stupid (opp. cute)
obviate
 make unnecessary; get rid of
Occident
 the West
occlude
 shut; close
occult
 mysterious; secret; supernatural
oculist
 physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes
odious
 hateful
odium
 repugnance; dislike
odoriferous
 giving off an odor
odorous
 having an odor
odyssey
 long, eventful journey
offal
 waste; garbage
offensive
 attacking; insulting; distasteful
offertory
 collection of money at religious ceremony; part of the Mass during which offerings are made
offhand
 casual; done without prior thought; impromptu
officious
 meddlesome; pushy in offering one's services
ogle
 glance coquettishly at; make eyes at
olfactory
 concerning the sense of smell
oligarchy
 government by a few; (opp. polyarchy)
ominous
 threatening
omnipotent
 all-powerful
omnipresent
 universally present; ubiquitous
omniscient
 all-knowing
omnivorous
 eating both plant and animal food
onerous
 burdensome
onomatopoeia
 words formed in imitation of natural sounds
onslaught
 vicious assault
onus
 burden; responsibility
opalescent
 iridescent
opaque
 dark; not transparent (opp. lucid)
opiate
 sleep producer; deadener of pain
opportune
 timely; well chosen
opportunist
 individual who sacrifices principles for expediency
opprobrious
 disgraceful
opprobrium
 infamy; vilification
optician
 maker and seller of eyeglasses
optimist
 person who looks on the bright side
optimum
 most favorable
optional
 not compulsory; left to one's choice
optometrist
 one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects
opulence
 extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance
opus
 work
oracular
 foretelling; mysterious
oratorio
 dramatic poem set to music
ordain
 command; arrange; consecrate
ordeal
 severe trial or affliction
ordinance
 decree
ordination
 ceremony conferring holy orders
orient
 get one's bearings; adjust
orientation
 act of finding oneself in society
orifice
 mouthlike opening; small opening
orison
 prayer
ornate
 excessively or elaborately decorated
ornithologist
 scientific student of birds
ornithology
 study of birds
orotund
 having a round, resonant quality; inflated speech
orthodox
 traditional; conservative in belief
orthography
 correct spelling (opp. cacography)
oscillate
 vibrate pendulumlike; waver
osseous
 made of bone; bony
ossify
 change or harden into bone
ostensible
 apparent; professed; pretended (opp. real; actual)
ostentatious
 showy; pretentious; trying to attract attention
osteopath
 one who practices healing by manipulation
ostracize
 exclude from public favor; ban
oust
 expel; drive out
outlandish
 bizarre; peculiar; unconventional
outmoded
 no longer stylish; old fashioned
outskirts
 fringes; outer borders
outspoken
 candid; blunt
outstrip
 surpass; outdo
outwit
 outsmart; trick
ovation
 enthusiastic applause
overbearing
 bossy; arrogant; decisively important
overt
 open to view (opp. covert)
overweening
 presumptuous
overwrought
 extremely agitated; hysterical
ovoid
 egg-shaped
pachyderm
 thick-skinned animal
pacifist
 one opposed to force; antimilitarist
pacify
 soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue
paddock
 saddling enclosure at race track; lot for exercising horses
paean
 song of praise or joy
painstaking
 showing hard work; taking great care
palatable
 agreeable; pleasing to the taste
palatial
 magnificent
palaver
 discussion; misleading speech; chatter
paleontology
 study of prehistoric life
palette
 board on which a painter mixes pigments
palimpsest
 parchment used for second time that has been erased
pall
 grow tiresome
pallet
 small, poor bed
palliate
 ease pain; make less severe or offensive
palliation
 act of making less severe or violent
pallid
 pale; wan
palpable
 tangible; easily perceptible
palpitate
 throb; flutter
paltry
 insignificant; petty
pan
 criticize harshly
panacea
 cure-all
panache
 flair; flamboyance
pandemic
 widespread; affecting the majority of people
pandemonium
 wild tumult
pander
 cater to the low desires of others
panegyric
 formal praise
panoply
 full set of armor
panoramic
 denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view
pantomime
 acting without dialogue
papyrus
 ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant
parable
 short, simple story teaching a moral
paradigm
 model; example; pattern
paradox
 statement that looks false but is actually correct
paragon
 model of perfection
parallelism
 state of being parallel; similarity
parameter
 limit; independent variable
paramount
 foremost in importance; supreme
paramour
 illicit lover
paranoia
 psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur
paranoiac
 mentally unsound person suffering from delusions
parapet
 low wall at edge of roof or balcony
paraphernalia
 equipment; odds and ends
paraphrase
 restate a passage in own words while retaining thought of author
parasite
 animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant
parched
 extremely dry; very thirsty
paregoric
 medicine that eases pain
pariah
 social outcast
parity
 equality; close resemblance
parlance
 language; idiom
parley
 conference
parlous
 dangerous; perilous
parochial
 narrow in outlook; provincial; related to parishes
parody
 humorous imitation; travesty
paroxysm
 fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage
parquet
 floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic pattern
parricide
 person who murders his own father
parry
 ward off a blow
parsimonious
 stingy; excessively frugal
partial
 incomplete
partial
 biased; having a liking for something
partiality
 inclination; bias; fondness
partisan
 one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party
parturition
 delivery; childbirth
parvenu
 upstart; newly-rich person
pass
 old-fashioned; past the prime
passive
 not active; acted upon
pastiche
 imitation of another's style in musical composition or in writing
pastoral
 rural
patent
 open for the public to read; obvious
pathetic
 causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching
pathological
 pertaining to disease
pathos
 tender sorrow; pity; quality in art that produces these feelings
patina
 green crust on old bronze works
patois
 local or provincial dialect
patriarch
 father and ruler of a family or tribe
patrician
 noble; aristocratic
patricide
 person who murders his father; murder of a father
patrimony
 inheritance from father
patronize
 support; act superior toward
paucity
 scarcity
pauper
 very poor person
peccadillo
 slight offence
peculate
 steal; embezzle
peculation
 embezzlement; theft
pecuniary
 pertaining to money
pedagogue
 teacher; dull and formal teacher
pedagogy
 teaching; art of education
pedant
 scholar who overemphasizes book learning or technicalities
pedantic
 showing off learning; bookish
pedestrian
 ordinary; unimaginative
pediatrician
 physician specializing in children's diseases
pediment
 triangular part above columns in Greek buildings
pejorative
 negative in connotation; having belittling effect
pelf
 stolen property; money or wealth (in a contemptuous sense)
pell-mell
 in confusion; disorderly
pellucid
 transparent; limpid; easy to understand
penance
 self-imposed punishment for sin
penchant
 strong inclination; liking
pendant
 hanging down from something
pendant
 ornament (hanging from a necklace, etc.)
pendent
 suspended; jutting; pending
pendulous
 hanging; suspended
penitent
 repentant
pennate
 having wings or feathers
pensive
 dreamily thoughtful (with a hint of sadness)
penumbra
 partial shadow (in an eclipse)
penurious
 stingy; parsimonious
penury
 extreme poverty; destitution
peon
 landless agricultural worker; bond servant
perceptive
 insightful; aware; wise
percussion
 striking one object against another sharply
perdition
 damnation; complete ruin
peregrination
 journey
peremptory
 demanding and leaving no choice
perennial
 something long lasting
perfidious
 treacherous; disloyal
perfidy
 violation of a trust
perforate
 pierce; put a hole through
perforce
 of necessity
perfunctory
 superficial; not thorough; lacking interest
perigee
 point of moon's orbit it is nearest the earth
perimeter
 outer boundary
peripatetic
 walking about; moving
peripheral
 marginal; outer
periphery
 edge, especially of a round surface
peristyle
 series of columns surrounding a building or yard
perjury
 false testimony while under oath
permeable
 porous; allowing passage through
permeate
 pass though; spread
pernicious
 very destructive
peroration
 conclusion of an oration
perpetrate
 commit an offense
perpetual
 everlasting
perquisite
 any gain above stipulated salary
persiflage
 flippant conversation; banter
personable
 attractive
perspicacious
 having insight; penetrating; astute
perspicuity
 clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity
perspicuous
 plainly expressed
pert
 impertinent; forward
pertinacious
 stubborn; persistent
pertinent
 suitable; to the point
perturb
 disturb greatly
perturbation
 agitation
perusal
 reading
pervade
 spread throughout
pervasive
 spread throughout
perverse
 stubbornly wrong headed; wicked and unacceptable
perversion
 corruption; turning from right to wrong
perversity
 stubborn maintenance of a wrong cause
pervious
 penetrable
pessimism
 belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess
pestilential
 causing plague; baneful
pestle
 tool for mashing or grinding substances in a bowl
petrify
 turn to stone
petty
 trivial; unimportant; very small
petulant
 touchy; peevish
pharisaical
 pertaining to the Pharisees who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; 
hypocritical
phenomena
 observable facts; subject of scientific investigation
phial
 small bottle
philander
 make love lightly; flirt
philanderer
 faithless lover; flirt
philanthropist
 lover of mankind; doer of good
philatelist
 stamp-collector
philistine
 narrow-minded person
philology
 study of language
phlegmatic
 calm; not easily disturbed
phobia
 morbid fear
physiognomy
 face
physiological
 pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms
picaresque
 pertaining to rogues in literature
piebald
 of different colors; mottled; spotted
pied
 variegated; multicolored
piety
 devoutness; reverence for God
pigment
 coloring matter
pillage
 plunder
pillory
 punish by placing in a wooden frame
pine
 languish, decline; long for, yearn
pinion
 restrain
pinnacle
 peak
pious
 devout
piquant
 pleasantly tart-tasting; stimulating
pique
 irritation; resentment
piscatorial
 pertaining to fishing
pithy
 concise; meaty
pittance
 a small allowance or wage
pivotal
 central; critical
placate
 pacify; conciliate
placebo
 harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill
placid
 peaceful; calm
plagiarism
 theft of another's idea or writings passed off as original
plagiarize
 steal another's ideas and pass them off as one's own
plaintive
 mournful
plangent
 plaintive; resounding sadly
plasticity
 ability to be molded
platitude
 trite remark; commonplace statement
platonic
 purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire
plauditory
 approving; applauding
plausible
 having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious
plebeian
 common; pertaining to the common people
plebiscite
 expression of the will of a people by direct election
plenary
 complete; full
plenipotentiary
 fully empowered
plenitude
 abundance; completeness
plethora
 excess; overabundance
pliable
 flexible; yielding; adaptable; pliant
pliant
 flexible; easily influenced; pliable
pluck
 courage
plumb
 vertical; plummet; checking perpendicularity
plummet
 fall sharply; plumb
plutocracy
 society ruled by the wealthy
podiatrist
 doctor who treats ailments of the feet; chiropodist
podium
 pedestal; raised platform
poignancy
 quality of being deeply moving; keenness of emotion
poignant
 keen; piercing; severe
polarize
 spilt into opposite extremes or camps
polemic
 controversy; argument in support of  point of view
politic
 expedient; prudent; well-devised
polity
 form of government of nation or state
poltroon
 coward
polygamist
 one who has more than one spouse at a time
polyglot
 speaking several languages
pommel
 beat
pomposity
 self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt
ponderous
 weighty; unwieldy
pontifical
 pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous; pretentious
pore
 study industriously; ponder; scrutinize
porous
 full of pores; like a sieve
porphyry
 igneous rock containing feldspar or quartz crystals
portend
 foretell; presage
portent
 sign; omen; forewarning
portentous
 ominous; serious
portly
 stout; corpulent
poseur
 person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc.
posterity
 descendants; future generations
posthumous
 after death
postprandial
 after dinner
postulate
 self-evident truth
posture
 assume an affected pose; act artificially
potable
 suitable for drinking
potent
 powerful; persuasive; greatly influential
potentate
 monarch; sovereign
potential
 expressing possibility; latent
potion
 dose (of liquid)
potpourri
 heterogeneous mixture; medley
poultice
 soothing application applied to sore portions
practicable
 feasible; possible
practical
 based on experience; useful
pragmatic
 practical (as opposed to idealistic)
pragmatist
 practical person
prate
 speak foolishly; boast idly; chatter
prattle
 babble
preamble
 introductory statement
precarious
 uncertain; risky
precedent
 something preceding in time that may be used as an authority or guide for future action
precedent
 preceding in time, rank, etc.
precept
 practical rule guiding conduct
preciosity
 overrefinement in art or speech
precipice
 cliff; dangerous position
precipitate
 headlong; rash
precipitate
 throw headlong; hasten
precipitous
 steep; over hasty
precise
 exact
preclude
 make impossible; eliminate
precocious
 advanced in development
precursor
 forerunner
predatory
 plundering
predecessor
 former occupant of a post
predilection
 partiality; preference
preeminent
 outstanding; superior
preempt
 head off; forestall by acting first; supplant
preen
 make oneself tidy in appearance; self-satisfaction
prefatory
 introductory
prehensile
 capable of grasping or holding
prelate
 church dignitary
prelude
 introduction; forerunner
premeditate
 plan in advance
premise
 assumption; postulate
premonition
 forewarning
premonitory
 serving to warn
preponderance
 superiority of power, quantity; majority
preponderate
 be superior in power; outweigh
preposterous
 absurd; ridiculous
prerogative
 privilege; unquestionable right
presage
 foretell
prescience
 ability to foretell the future
presentiment
 premonition; foreboding
prestige
 impression produced by achievement or reputation
presumption
 arrogance; effrontery
presumptuous 
 arrogant; taking liberties
pretentious
 ostentatious; ambitious
preternatural
 beyond that which is normal in nature
pretext
 excuse
prevail
 induce; triumph over
prevalent
 widespread; generally accepted
prevaricate
 lie
prey
 target of a hunt; victim
prim
 very precise and formal; exceedingly proper
primogeniture
 seniority by birth
primordial
 existing at the beginning (of time); rudimentary
primp
 dress or groom oneself with care
pristine
 characteristic of earlier times; primitive, unspoiled
privation
 hardship; want
privy
 secret; hidden; not public
probe
 explore with tools
probity
 uprightness; incorruptibility
problematic
 perplexing; unsettled; questionable
proboscis
 long snout; nose
proclivity
 inclination; natural tendency
procrastinate
 postpone; delay
procurement
 obtaining
prod
 poke; stir up; urge
prodigal
 wasteful; reckless with money
prodigious
 enormous; marvelous; vast
prodigy
 highly gifted child; marvel
profane
 violate; desecrate
profligate
 dissipated; wasteful; licentious
profound
 deep; not superficial; complete
profusion
 lavish expenditure; overabundant condition
progenitor
 ancestor
progeny
 children; offspring
prognathous
 having projecting jaws
prognosis
 forecasted course of a disease; prediction
prognosticate
 predict
projectile
 missile
proletarian
 member of the working class
proliferate
 grow rapidly; spread; multiply
prolific
 abundantly fruitful
prolix
 verbose; drawn out
prolong
 extend; draw out; lengthen
prominent
 conspicuous; notable; protruding
promiscuous
 mixed indiscriminately; haphazard; irregular
promontory
 headland
prompt
 cause; provoke; provide a cue for an actor
promulgate
 make known by official proclamation or publication
prone
 inclined to; prostrate (opp. supine)
propagate
 multiply; spread
propellant
 substance that propels or drives forward
propensity
 natural inclination
prophetic
 having to do with predicting the future
prophylactic
 used to prevent disease
propinquity
 nearness; kinship
propitiate
 appease
propitious
 favorable; kindly
proponent
 person who supports or proposes (an idea)
propound
 put forth for analysis
propriety
 fitness; correct conduct
propulsive
 driving forward
prorogue
 dismiss parliament; end officially
prosaic
 dull and unimaginative; matter of fact; factual
proscenium
 part of stage in front of curtain
proscribe
 ostracize; banish; outlaw
proselytize
 induce someone to convert to a religion or belief
prosody
 the art of versification
prosperity
 good fortune; financial success; physical well being
prostrate
 stretch out full on ground
prot?e
 person under the protection and support of a patron
protean
 versatile; able to take on many forms
protocol
 diplomatic etiquette
prototype
 original work used as a model by others
protract
 prolong
protrude
 stick out
protuberance
 protrusion; bulge
provenance
 origin or source of something
provender
 dry food; fodder
provident
 displaying foresight; thrifty
provincial
 pertaining to province; limited in outlook
provisional
 tentative
proviso
 stipulation; condition
provocation
 cause for anger or retaliation
provoke
 stir to anger; cause retaliation
proximity
 nearness
proxy
 authorized agent
prude
 excessively modest or proper person; opp. coquette
prudent
 cautious; careful
prune
 cut away; trim
prurient
 based on lascivious thoughts
pseudonym
 pen name
psyche
 sol; mind
psychiatrist
 a doctor who treats mental diseases
psychopathic
 pertaining to mental derangement
psychosis
 mental disorder
pterodactyl
 extinct flying reptile
puerile
 childish
pugilist
 boxer
pugnacious
 combative; disposed to fight
puissant
 powerful; strong; potent
pulchritude
 beauty; comeliness
pulmonary
 pertaining to the lungs
pulsate
 throb
pulverize
 crush or grind into very small particles
pummel
 beat
punctilious
 laying stress on niceties of conduct or form; precise
pundit
 learned Hindu; any learned person; authority on a subject
pungency
 sharpness; stinging quality
pungent
 stinging; caustic
punitive
 punishing
puny
 insignificant; tiny; weak
purblind
 dim-sighted; obtuse
purchase
 firm grasp or footing
purgatory
 place of spiritual expiation
purge
 clean by removing impurities; clear of charges
purloin
 steal
purport
 intention; meaning
purveyor
 furnisher of foodstuffs; caterer
purview
 scope
pusillanimous
 cowardly; fainthearted
putative
 supposed; reputed
putrid
 foul; rotten; decayed
pyromaniac
 person with an insane desire to set things on a fire
quack
 charlatan; impostor
quadruped
 four-footed animal
quaff
 drink with relish
quagmire
 soft, wet, boggy land; complex or dangerous situation
quail
 cower; lose heart
quaint
 odd; old-fashioned; picturesque; incongruous
qualified
 limited; restricted
qualms
 misgivings
quandary
 dilemma
quarantine
 isolation of a person to prevent spread of infection
quarry
 victim; object of a hunt
quarry
 dig into
quash
 subdue; crush; squash
quay
 dock; landing place
queasy
 easily nauseated; squeamish; fastidious
quell
 put down; quit
querulous
 fretful; whining
queue
 line
qui vive
 equivocate; play on words
quibble
 at rest; dormant
quiescent
 tranquility
quietude
 purest and highest embodiment
quintessence
 taunt
quip
 startling twist; caprice
quirk
 traitor who aids invaders
quisling
 shake tremulously; tremble
quiver
 case for arrows
quiver
 wide awake; expectant
quixotic
 idealistic but impractical
quizzical
 bantering; comical; humorously serious; chaffing
quorum
 number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
quotidian
 daily; commonplace; customary
rabid
 like a fanatic; furious
raconteur
 story teller
ragamuffin
 person wearing tattered clothes
rail
 scold; rant
raiment
 clothing
rakish
 stylish; sporty
ramble
 wander aimlessly(physically or mentally)
ramification
 branching out; subdivision
ramify
 divide into branches or subdivisions
ramp
 slope; inclined plane
rampant
 rearing up on hind legs; unrestrained
rampart
 defensive mound of earth
ramshackle
 rickety; falling apart
rancid
 having the odor of stale fat
rancor
 bitterness; hatred
random
 without definite purpose, plan or aim; haphazard
rankle
 irritate; fester
rant
 rave; speak bombastically
rapacious
 excessively grasping; plundering
rapport
 emotional closeness; harmony
rapprochement
 reconciliation
rarefied
 made less dense (of a gas)
raspy
 grating; harsh
ratify
 approve formally; verify
ratiocination
 reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises
rationalization
 bringing into conformity with reason
rationalize
 reason; justify an improper act
raucous
 harsh and shrill
ravage
 plunder; despoil
rave
 overwhelmingly favorable review
ravel
 fall apart into tangles; unravel or untwist; entangle
ravening
 rapacious; seeking prey
ravenous
 extremely hungry
ravine
 narrow valley with steep sides
raze
 destroy completely
reactionary
 recoiling from progress; retrograde
realm
 kingdom; sphere
reaper
 one who harvest grain
rebate
 discount
rebuff
 snub; beat back
rebus
 puzzle in which pictures stand for words
rebuttal
 refutation; response with contrary evidence
recalcitrant
 obstinately stubborn
recant
 repudiate; withdraw previous statement
recapitulate
 summarize
receptive
 quick or willing to receive ideas, suggestions, etc.
recession
 withdrawal; retreat; time of low economic activity
recherche
 choice, sought after; rare
recidivism
 habitual return to crime
recipient
 receiver
reciprocal
 mutual; exchangeable; interacting
reciprocate
 repay in kind
recluse
 hermit
reconcile
 correct inconsistencies; become friendly after a quarrel
recondite
 abstruse; profound; secret
reconnaissance
 survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering
recount
 narrate or tell; count over again
recourse
 resorting to help when in trouble
recreant
 coward; betrayer of faith
recrimination
 countercharges
recrudescence
 reopening of a wound or sore
rectify
 correct
rectitude
 uprightness; correctness
recumbent
 reclining; lying down completely or in part
recuperate
 recover
recurrent
 occurring again and again
recusant
 person who refuses to comply; applied specifically to those who refused to attend
redolent
 fragrant; odorous; suggestive of an odor
redoubtable
 formidable; causing fear
redress
 remedy; compensation
redundant
 superfluous; excessively wordy; repetitious
reek
 emit (odor)
refection
 slight refreshment
refectory
 dining hall
refraction
 bending of a ray of light
refractory
 stubborn; unmanageable
refrain
 abstain from; resist
refulgent
 radiant
refurbish
 renovate; make bright by polishing
refutation
 disproof of opponents' arguments
refute
 disprove
regal
 royal
regale
 entertain
regatta
 boat or yacht race
regeneration
 spiritual rebirth
regicide
 murder of king or queen
regime
 method or system of government
regimen
 prescribed diet and habits
rehabilitate
 restore to proper condition
reimburse
 repay
reiterate
 repeat
rejoinder
 retort; comeback; reply
rejuvenate
 make young again
relegate
 banish; consign to inferior position
relent
 give in
relevancy
 pertinence; reference to the case in hand
relevant
 pertinent; referring to the case in hand
relic
 surviving remnant; memento
relinquish
 abandon; renounce
relish
 savor; enjoy
remediable
 repairable
remedial
 curative; corrective
reminiscence
 recollection
remiss
 negligent; careless
remission
 temporary moderation of disease symptoms; pardon
remnant
 remainder; scrap
remonstrance
 protest; objection
remonstrate
 protest
remorse
 guilt; self-reproach; compunction
remunerative
 compensating; rewarding
rend
 split; tear apart
render
 deliver; provide; represent	
rendezvous
 meeting place
rendition
 translation; artistic interpretation of a song
renegade
 deserter; traitor
renege
 deny; go back on
renounce
 abandon; disown; repudiate; surrender
renovate
 restore to good condition; renew	
renown
 fame
rent
 tear or rip; split
renunciation
 giving up; renouncing
reparable
 capable of being repaired
reparation
 amends; compensation
repartee
 clever reply
repeal
 revoke; annul
repellent
 driving away; unattractive
repercussion
 rebound; reverberation; reaction
repertoire
 list of works of music, drama, etc.
repine
 fret; complain
replenish
 fill up again
replete
 filled to capacity; abundantly supplied
replica
 copy
replicate
 reproduce; duplicate
repository
 storehouse
reprehensible
 deserving blame
repress
 restrain; crush; oppress
reprieve
 temporary stay
reprimand
 reprove severely
reprisal
 retaliation
reprise
 recurrent action; musical repetition; repeat performance
reproach
 blame; censure
reprobate
 person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency
reprobation
 severe disapproval
reprove
 censure; rebuke
repudiate
 disown; disavow
repugnance
 loathing
repulsion
 act of driving back; distaste
reputable
 respectable
reputed
 supposed
requiem
 mass for the dead; dirge
requisite
 necessary requirement
requite
 repay; revenge
rescind
 cancel
rescission
 abrogation; annulment
reserve
 self-control; formal but distant manner
residue
 remainder; balance
resignation
 patient submissiveness
resilient
 elastic; having the power of springing back; buoyant
resolution
 determination
resolve
 decide; settle; solve
resonant
 echoing; resounding; deep and full in sound
respiration
 breathing; exhalation
respite
 delay in punishment; interval of relief; rest
resplendent
 brilliant; lustrous
responsiveness
 state of reacting readily to appeals, orders, etc.
restitution
 reparation; indemnification
restive
 restlessly impatient; obstinately
restraint
 controlling force
resumption
 taking up again; recommencement
resurgent
 rising again after defeat, etc.
resuscitate
 revive
retain
 keep; employ
retaliate
 repay in kind (usually for bad treatment)
retentive
 holding; having a good memory
reticence
 reserve; uncommunicativeness; inclination to be silent
reticent
 reserved; uncommunicative; inclined to silence
reticulated
 covered with a network; having the appearance of a mesh
retinue
 following; attendants
retiring
 modest; shy
retort
 quick, sharp reply
retraction
 withdrawal
retrench
 cut down; economize; reduce
retribution
 vengeance; compensation; punishment for offenses
retrieve
 recover; find and bring in; atone for
retroactive
 taking effect before its enactment or imposition
retrograde
 go backwards; degenerate
retrospective
 looking back on the past; retroactive
revelry
 boisterous merrymaking
reverberate
 echo; resound
reverent
 respectful
reverie
 day-dreaming; musing
revile
 slander; vilify
revoke
 cancel; retract; repeal; annul
revulsion
 sudden violent change of feeling; negative reaction
rhapsodize
 to speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner
rhetoric
 art of effective communication
rheumy
 pertaining to a discharge from nose and eyes
ribald
 wanton; profane
rider
 amendment or clause added to a legislative bill
rife
 abundant; current
rift
 opening; break
rig
 fix or manipulate
rigid
 stiff and unyielding; strict; hard and unbending
rigor
 severity
rile
 vex; irritate; muddy
rime
 white frost
risible
 inclined to laugh; ludicrous
risque
 verging upon the improper; off-color
riveting
 absorbing; engrossing
rivulet
 small stream; cf. rill; brook
roan
 brown mixed with gray or white
robust
 vigorous; strong
rococo
 ornate; highly decorated
roil
 to make liquids murky by stirring up sediment; to disturb
rood
 crucifix
roseate
 rosy; optimistic
roster
 list
rostrum
 platform for speech-making; pulpit
rote
 repetition
rotunda
 circular building or hall covered with a dome
rotundity
 roundness; sonorousness of speech
rousing
 lively; stirring
rout
 stampede; drive out
rubble
 fragments
rubicund
 having a healthy reddish color; ruddy; florid
rubric
 title or heading(in red print); protocol
ruddy
 reddish; healthy-looking
rudimentary
 not developed; elementary
rueful
 regretful; sorrowful; dejected
ruffian
 bully; scoundrel
ruminate
 chew the cud; ponder
rummage
 ransack; thoroughly search
runic
 mysterious; set down in an ancient alphabet
ruse
 trick; stratagem
rustic
 pertaining to country people; uncouth
rusticate
 banish to the country; dwell in the country
ruthless
 pitiless
saboteur
 one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property
saccharine
 cloyingly sweet
sacerdotal
 priestly
sacrilegious
 desecrating; profane
sacrosanct
 most sacred; inviolable
sadistic
 inclined to cruelty
saffron
 orange-colored; colored like the autumn crocus
saga
 Scandinavian myth; any legend
sagacious
 keen; shrewd; having insight
sage
 person celebrated for wisdom
salacious
 lascivious; lustful
salient
 prominent (opp. reentrant)
saline
 salty
sallow
 yellowish; sickly in color
saltatory
 relating to leaping
salubrious
 healthful
salutary
 tending to improve; beneficial; wholesome
salvage
 rescue from loss
salver
 tray
sanctimonious
 displaying ostentatious or hypercritical devoutness
sanction
 approve; ratify
sangfroid
 coolness in a trying situation
sanguinary
 bloody
sanguine
 cheerful; hopeful
sap
 diminish; undermine
sapid
 savory; tasty; relishable
sapient
 wise; shrewd
sarcasm
 scornful remarks; stinging rebuke
sarcophagus
 stone coffin, often highly decorated
sardonic
 disdainful; sarcastic; cynical
sartorial
 pertaining to tailors
sate
 satisfy to the full; cloy
satellite
 small body revolving around a larger one
satiate
 surfeit; satisfy fully
satiety
 condition of being crammed full; glutted state; repletion
satire
 form of literature in which irony, sarcasm, and ridicule are employed to attack vice and 
folly
satirical
 mocking
satrap
 petty ruler working for a superior despot
saturate
 soak
saturnine
 gloomy
satyr
 half human, half bestial being in the court of Dionysus
saunter
 stroll slowly
savant
 scholar
savoir faire
 tact; poise; sophistication
savor
 enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality
savory
 tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable
scabbard
 case for a sword blade; sheath
scad
 a great quantity
scaffold
 temporary platform for workers; bracing framework
scale
 climb up; ascend
scanty
 meager; insufficient
scapegoat
 someone who bears the blame for others
scarify
 make slight incisions in; scratch
scavenge
 hunt through discarded materials for usable items
scavenger
 collector and disposer of refuse; animal that devours refuse and carrion
scenario
 plot outline; screenplay; opera libretto
schematic
 relating to an outline or diagram; using a system of symbols
schism
 division; split
scintilla
 shred; least bit
scintillate
 spackle; flash
sciolism
 quackery; superficial information
scion
 offspring
scoff
 mock; ridicule
scotch
 stamp out; thwart; hinder
scourge
 lash, whip; severe punishment
screed
 long, tiresome harangue
scruple
 fret about; hesitate, for ethical reasons
scrupulous
 conscientious; extremely through
scrutinize
 examine closely and critically
scuffle
 struggle confusedly; move off in a confused hurry
scullion
 menial kitchen worker
scurrilous
 obscene; indecent
scurry
 move briskly
scurvy
 despicable; contemptible
scuttle
 sink
seamy
 sordid; unwholesome
sear
 char or burn; brand
seasoned
 experienced
sebaceous
 oily; fatty
secession
 withdrawal
seclusion
 isolation; solitude
secrete
 hide away or cache
sectarian
 narrow-minded; limited in scope
secular
 worldly; not pertaining to church matters; temporal
sedate
 composed; grave
sedentary
 requiring sitting
sedition
 resistance to authority; insubordination
sedulous
 diligent
seedy
 run-down; decrepit; disreputable
seemly
 proper; appropriate
seep
 ooze; trickle
seethe
 be disturbed; boil
seine
 net for catching fish
seismic
 pertaining to earthquakes
semblance
 outward appearance; guise
seminal
 germinal; influencing future developments
seminary
 school for training future ministers; secondary school
senescence
 state of growing old
senility
 old age; feeble mindedness of old age
sensual
 devoted to the pleasures of the senses; carnal; voluptuous
sensuous
 pertaining to the physical senses
sententious
 terse; concise; aphoristic
sentinel
 sentry; lookout
septic
 putrid; producing putrefaction
sepulcher
 tomb
sequacious
 eager to follow; ductile
sequester
 retire from public life; segregate; seclude
seraph
 high ranking, six-winged angel
sere
 parched; dry
serendipity
 gift for finding valuable or desirable things by accident
serenity
 calmness; placidity
serpentine
 winding; twisting
serrated
 having a sawtoothed edge
serried
 standing shoulder to shoulder; crowded
servile
 slavish; cringing
servitude
 slavish; cringing
servitude
 slavery; compulsory labor
severance
 division; partition; separation
severity
 harshness; plainness
sextant
 navigation tool used to determine a ship's lat(long)itude 
shackle
 chain; fetter; impediment
sham
 pretend
shambles
 slaughterhouse; scene of carnage
shard
 fragment, generally of pottery
sheaf
 bundle of stalks of grain; a bundle of things tied together
sheathe
 place into a case
sherbet
 flavored dessert ice
shibboleth
 watchword; slogan
shimmer
 glimmer intermittently
shirk
 avoid(responsibility, work, etc.); malinger
shoal
 shallow place
shoddy
 sham; not genuine; inferior
shrew
 scolding woman; termagant; shrewmouse
shrewd
 clever; astute
shun
 keep away from
shunt
 turn aside; divert; sidetrack
shyster
 lawyer using questionable methods
sibling
 brother or sister
sibylline
 prophetic; oracular
sidereal
 relating to the stars
silt
 sediment deposited by running water
simian
 monkeylike; apelike
simile
 comparison of one thing with another, using the word 'like' or 'as'
similitude
 similarity; using comparisons such as similes, etc.
simper
 smirk; smile affectedly
simpering
 smirking
simplistic
 oversimplified
simulate
 feign
sinecure
 well-paid position with little responsibility
sinewy
 tough; strong and firm
singular
 unique; extraordinary; odd
sinister
 evil; disastrous; unfortunate; wicked; opp. dexter
sinuous
 winding; bending in and out; not morally honest
sirocco
 warm, sultry wind blown from Africa to southern Europe
skeptic
 doubter; person who suspends judgment until he has examined the evidence supporting a point 
of view
skiff
 small, light sailboat or rowboat
skimp
 provide scantily; live very economically
skinflint
 miser
skirmish
 minor fight
skittish
 lively; frisky
skulduggery
 dishonest behavior
skulk
 move furtively and secretly
slacken
 slow up; loosen
slag
 residue from smelting metal; dross; waste matter
slake
 quench; sate
slander
 defamation; utterance of false and malicious statement
slapdash
 haphazard; careless; sloppy; impetuous; roughcast
slattern
 untidy or slovenly person
sleazy
 flimsy; unsubstantial
sleeper
 something originally of little value or importance
sleight
 dexterity
slight
 insult to one's dignity; snub
slither
 slip or slide
sloth
 laziness
sloth
 slow moving tree-dwelling mammal
slough
 cast off
slovenly
 untidy; slipshod
sluggard
 lazy person
sluggish
 slow; lazy; lethargic
sluice
 artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow
slur
 disparage; calumniate; reproach; stain
slur
 insult to one's character or reputation; slander
smattering
 slight knowledge
smirk
 conceited smile
smolder
 burn without flame; be liable to break out at any moment
snicker
 half-stifled laugh; snigger
snivel
 run at the nose; snuffle; whine
sobriety
 moderation; seriousness
sobriquet
 nickname
sodden
 soaked; dull, as if from drink
sojourn
 temporary stay
solace
 comfort in trouble
solder
 repair or make whole by using a metal alloy
solecism
 construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically
solemnity
 seriousness; gravity
solicit
 request earnestly; seek
solicitous
 worried, concerned
soliloquy
 taking to oneself
solstice
 point at which the son is farthest from the equator
solvent
 able to pay all debts
somatic
 pertaining to the body; physical
somber
 gloomy; depressing
somnambulist
 sleepwalker
somnolent
 half asleep
sonorous
 resonant
sophist
 teacher of philosophy; quibbler
sophistication
 artificiality; unnaturalness
sophistry
 seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning
sophomoric
 immature; shallow
soporific
 sleep producing
sordid
 filthy; base; vile; avaricious
soup on
 suggestion; hint; taste
spangle
 small metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
Spartan
 lacking luxury and comfort; sternly disciplined
spasmodic
 fitful; periodic
spat
 squabble; minor dispute
spate
 sudden flood
spatial
 relating to space
spatula
 broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing
spawn
 lay eggs
specious
 seemingly reasonable but incorrect
spectral
 ghostly
spectrum
 band separated by the passage of light through a prism
spendthrift
 some who wastes money; prodigal
sphinx-like
 enigmatic; mysterious
splenetic
 spiteful; irritable; peevish
splice
 fasten together; unite
spoliation
 pillaging; depredation
spontaneity
 impulsiveness; absence of premeditation
spoonerism
 accidental transposition of sounds in successive words
sporadic
 occurring irregularly; occasional; scattered
sportive
 playful
spruce
 neat and trim
spry
 vigorously active; nimble; brisk
spume
 froth, foam
spurious
 false; counterfeit; forged; illogical
spurn
 reject; scorn
squabble
 minor quarrel; bickering
squalid
 dirty; neglected; poor
squander
 waste
squat
 crouch; sit
squat
 stocky; short and thick
staccato
 played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt, sharp sound
stagnant
 motionless; stale; dull
staid
 sober; sedate
stalemate
 deadlock
stalwart
 strong, brawny; steadfast
stamina
 strength; staying power
stanch
 check flow or blood
stanza
 division of poem
static
 unchanging; lacking development
statute
 law
statutory
 created by statute or legislative action
steadfast
 loyal; unswerving
stealth
 slyness; sneakiness; secretiveness
steep
 soak; saturate
stein
 beer mug
stellar
 pertaining to the stars
stem
 check the flow
stem from
 arise from
stentorian
 extremely loud
stereotyped
 oversimplified; lacking individuality; seen as a type
stertorous
 having a snoring sound
stickler
 perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right
stifle
 suppress; extinguish; inhibit
stigma
 token of disgrace; brand
stigmatize
 brand; mark as wicked
stilted
 bombastic; stiffly pompous
stint
 be thrifty; set limits
stint
 supply; allotted amount; assigned portion of work
stipend
 pay for services
stipple
 paints or draw with dots
stipulate
 make express condition, specify
stodgy
 stuffy; boringly conservative
stoic
 person who is indifferent to pleasure or pain
stoke
 stir up a fire; feed plentifully
stolid
 dull; impassive
stolidity
 dullness; impassiveness
stratagem
 deceptive scheme
stratified
 divided into classes; arranged into strata
stratum
 layer of earth's surface; layer of society
strew
 spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter
striated
 marked with parallel bands; grooved
stricture
 critical comments; severe and adverse criticism
strident
 loud and harsh
stringent
 binding; rigid
strut
 pompous walk
strut
 supporting bar
studied
 unspontaneous; deliberate; thoughtful
stultify
 cause to appear or becoming stupid or inconsistent
stupefy
 make numb; stun; amaze
stupor
 state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness
stymie
 present an obstacle; stump
suave
 smooth; bland
suavity
 urbanity; polish
sub rosa
 subordinate
subaltern
 occurring or taking place within the mind; unreal
subjective
 conquer; bring under control
subjugate
 refine; purify
sublimate
 exalted; noble; uplifting
sublime
 below the threshold
subliminal
 yielding; timid
submissive
 persuade to act unlawfully
suborn
 writ summoning a witness to appear
subpoena
 in strict confidence; privately
subsequent
 following; later
subservient
 behaving like a slave; servile; obsequious
subside
 settle down; descend; grow quiet
subsidiary
 subordinate; secondary
subsidy
 direct financial aid by government, etc.
subsistence
 existence; means of support; livelihood
substantiate
 verify; support
substantive
 essential; pertaining to the substance
subsume
 include; encompass
subterfuge
 pretense; evasion
subtlety
 nicety; cunning; guile; delicacy
subversive
 tending to overthrow; destructive
succinct
 brief; terse; compact
succor
 aid; assistance; relief
succulent
 juicy; full of richness
succumb
 yield; give in; die
sudorific
 pertaining to perspiration
suffragist
 advocate of voting rights (for women)
suffuse
 spread over
sully
 tarnish; soil
sultry
 sweltering
summation
 act of finding the total; summary
sumptuary
 limiting or regulating expenditures
sumptuous
 lavish; rich
sunder
 separate; part
sundry
 various; several
superannuated
 retired or disqualified because of age
supercilious
 contemptuous; haughty
supererogatory
 superfluous; more than needed or demanded
superficial
 trivial; shallow
superfluity
 excess; overabundance
superfluous
 excessive; overabundant, unnecessary
superimpose
 place over something else
supernal
 heavenly; celestial
supernumerary
 person or thing in excess of what is necessary; extra
supersede
 cause to be set aside; replace
supine
 lying on back (opp. prone)
supplant
 replace; usurp
supple
 flexible; pliant
suppliant
 entreating; beseeching
supplicate
 petition humbly; pray to grant a favor
supposition
 hypothesis; surmise
supposititious
 assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
suppurate
 create pus
surcease
 cessation
surfeit
 satiate; stuff; indulge to excess in anything
surly
 rude; cross
surmise
 guess
surmount
 overcome
surpass
 exceed
surreptitious
 secret
surrogate
 substitute
surveillance
 watching; guarding
susceptible
 impressionable
sustain
 experience; support; nourish
sustenance
 mean of supporting, food, nourishment
suture
 stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision
swarthy
 dark; dusky
swathe
 wrap around; bandage
swelter
 be oppressed by heat
swerve
 deviate; turn aside sharply
swill
 drink greedily
swindler
 cheat
sybarite
 lover of luxury
sycophant
 servile flatterer
sycophantic
 servilely flattering
syllogism
 logical formula (major premise, minor premise, conclusion)
sylvan
 pertaining to the woods; rustic
symbiosis
 interdependent relationship, often mutually beneficial
symmetry
 arrangement of part so that balance is obtained; congruity
synchronous
 similarly timed; simultaneous with
synoptic
 providing a general overview; summary
synthesis
 combining part into a whole
synthetic
 artificial; resulting from synthesis
tacit
 understood; not put into words
taciturn
 habitually silent; talking little
tactile
 pertaining to the organs or sense of touch
tainted
 contaminated; corrupt
talisman
 charm
talon
 claw of bird
tangential
 peripheral; only slightly connected; digressing
tangible
 able to be touched; real palpable
tanner
 person who turns animal hides into leather
tantalize
 tease; torture with disappointment
tantamount
 equal
tantrum
 fit of petulance; caprice
taper
 candle
tarantula
 venomous spider
tarn
 small mountain lake
tarry
 delay; dawdle
tatterdemalion
 ragged fellow
taut
 tight; ready
tautological
 needlessly repetitious
tawdry
 cheap and gaudy
taxonomist
 specialist in a classifying
tedium
 boredom; weariness
teleology
 belief that a final purpose or design exists for the presence of individual beings or of 
the universe itself
temerarious
 rash
temerity
 boldness; rashness
temper
 moderate; tone down or restrain; toughen (steel)
temperament
 characteristic frame of mind; disposition; emotional excess
temperate
 restrained; self-controlled
tempo
 speed of music
temporal
 not lasting forever; limited by time; secular
temporize
 avoid committing oneself; gain time
tenacious
 holding fast
tenacity
 firmness; persistency; adhesiveness
tendentious
 having an aim; biased; designed to further a cause
tender
 offer; extend
tenebrous
 dark; gloomy
tenet
 doctrine; dogma
tensile
 capable of being stretched
tentative
 provisional; experimental
tenuous
 thin; rare; slim
tenure
 holding of an office; time during which such an office is held
tepid
 lukewarm
tergiversation
 evasion; fickleness
termagant
 shrew; scolding, brawling woman
terminate
 to bring to an end
terminology
 terms used in a science or art
terminus
 last stop of railroad; terminal
terrapin
 American marsh tortoise
terrestrial
 on or relating to the earth
terse
 concise; abrupt; pithy
tertiary
 third
tessellated
 inlaid; mosaic
testator
 make of a will
testy
 irritable; short-tempered
tether
 tie with a rope
thaumaturgist
 miracle worker; magician
thematic
 relating to a unifying motif or idea
theocracy
 government of a community by religious leader
theoretical
 wisdom in divine things
theosophy
 not practical or applied; hypothetical
therapeutic
 curative
thermal
 pertaining to heat
thespian
 pertaining to drama
thrall
 slave; bondage
threnody
 song of lamentation ; dirge
thrifty
 careful about money; economical
thrive
 prosper; flourish
throes
 violent anguish
throng
 crowd
throttle
 strangle
thwart
 baffle; frustrate
thyme
 aromatic plant used for seasoning
tightwad
 excessively frugal person; miser
till
 cultivate; plough
tiller
 handle used to move boat's rudder (to steer)
timbre
 quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument
timidity
 lack of self-confidence or courage
timorous
 fearful; demonstrating fear; timid
tipple
 drink (alcoholic beverages) frequently
tirade
 extended scolding; denunciation
titanic
 gigantic
tithe
 tax of one-tenth
titillate
 tickle
title
 right or claim to possession; mark of rank; name
titter
 nervous laugh
titular
 having the title of an office without the obligations
toady
 servile flatterer; yes man; flatter for favors
tocsin
 alarm bell
toga
 Roman outer robe
tome
 large volume
tonsure
 shaving of the head, by person entering religious orders
topography
 physical features of a region
torpid
 dormant; dull; lethargic
torpor
 lethargy; sluggishness; dormancy
torque
 twisting force; force producing rotation
torrent
 rushing stream; flood
torso
 trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk
tortuous
 winding; full of curves
touchstone
 stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion
touchy
 sensitive; irascible
tout
 publicize; praise excessively
toxic
 poisonous
tract
 pamphlet; a region of indefinite size
tractable
 docile
traduce
 expose to slander
trajectory
 path taken by a projectile
tranquillity
 calmness; peace
transcend
 exceed; surpass
transcribe
 copy
transgression
 violation of a law; sin
transient
 momentary; temporary; staying for a short time
transition
 going from one state of action to another
transitoriness
 impermanence
translucent
 partly transparent
transmute
 change; convert to something different
transparent
 permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected
transpire
 exhale; be revealed; happen
transport
 strong emotion
trappings
 outward decorations; ornaments
traumatic
 pertaining to an injury caused by violence
travail
 painful labor
traverse
 go through or across
travesty
 comical parody; treatment aimed at making ridiculous
treacle
 syrup obtained in refining sugar
treatise
 article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
trek
 travel; journey
tremor
 trembling; slight quiver
tremulous
 trembling; wavering
trenchant
 cutting; keen
trencherman
 good eater
trepidation
 fear; trembling agitation
tribulation
 distress; suffering
tribunal
 court of justice
tribute
 tax levied by a ruler; mark of respect
trident
 three-pronged spear
trigger
 set off
trilogy
 group of three works
trinket
 knickknack; bauble
triolet
 eight-line stanza with rhyme scheme a b aaa b a b
trite
 hackneyed; commonplace
trivia
 trifles; unimportant matters
troglodyte
 cave dweller
trope
 figure of speech
troth
 pledge of good faith especially in betrothal
trough
 container for feeding farm animals; lowest point
truckle
 curry favor; act in an obsequious way
truculence
 aggressiveness; ferocity
truism
 self-evident truth
trumpery
 objects that are showy, valueless, deceptive
truncate
 cut the top off
tryst
 meeting
tumbrel
 tip-cart
tumid
 swollen; pompous; bombastic
tumult
 commotion; riot; noise
tundra
 rolling, treeless plain in Siberia and arctic N. America
turbid
 muddy; having the sediment disturbed
turbulence
 state of violent agitation; disturbance
tureen
 deep dish for serging soup
turgid
 swollen; distended
turmoil
 confusion; strife; tumult
turncoat
 traitor
turnkey
 jailer
turpitude
 depravity
tutelage
 guardianship; training
tutelary
 protective; pertaining to a guardianship
tycoon
 wealthy leader
tyranny
 oppression; cruel government
tyro
 beginner; novice
ubiquitous
 being everywhere; omnipresent
ukase
 official decree, usually Russian
ulterior
 situated beyond; unstated and open questionable
ultimate
 final; not susceptible to further analysis
ultimatum
 last demand; warning
umbrage
 resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult
unanimity
 complete agreement
unassuaged
 unsatisfied; not soothed
unassuming
 modest
unbridled
 violent
uncanny
 strange; mysterious
unconscionable
 unscrupulous; excessive
uncouth
 outlandish; clumsy; boorish
unction
 the act of anointing with oil
unctuous
 oily; bland; insincerely suave
undermine
 weaken; sap
underscore
 emphasize; underline
undulate
 move with a wavelike motion
unearth
 dig up
unearthly
 not earthly; weird
unequivocal
 plain; obvious
unerringly
 infallibly
unfaltering
 steadfast
unfeigned
 genuine; real
unfettered
 liberated; freed from chains
unfledged
 immature; opp. fullfledged
unfrock
 to strip a priest or minister of church authority
ungainly
 awkward; clumsy
unguent
 ointment
uniformity
 sameness; consistency; monotony
unilateral
 one-sided
unimpeachable  
 blameless and exemplary
uninhibited
 unrepressed
unintimidating
 unfrightening
unique
 without an equal; single in kind
unison
 unity of pitch; complete accord
universal
 characterizing or affecting all; present everywhere
unkempt
 disheveled; with uncared for appearance
unmitigated
 harsh; severe; not lightened
unobtrusive
 inconspicuous; not blatant; modest
unprecedented
 novel; unparalleled
unprepossessing
 unattractive
unravel
 disentangle; solve
unrequited
 not reciprocated
unruly
 disobedient; lawless
unsavory
 distasteful
unsavory
 morally offensive
unscathed
 unharmed
unseemly
 unbecoming; indecent
unsightly
 ugly
unsullied
 untarnished
untenable
 unsupportable
untoward
 unfortunate; annoying
unwarranted
 unjustified; groundless; undeserved
unwieldy
 awkward; cumbersome; unmanageable
unwitting
 unintentional; not knowing
unwonted
 unaccustomed
upbraid
 scold; reproach
uproarious
 marked by commotion; extremely funny; very noisy
upshot
 outcome
urbane
 suave; refined; elegant
urchin
 mischievous child (usually a boy)
ursine
 bear-like; pertaining to a bear
usufruct
 right of enjoying things belonging to another
usurp
 seize power; supplant
usurpation
 act of seizing power and rank of another
usury
 lending money at illegal rates of interest
utopia
 imaginary land with perfect social and political system
uxorious
 excessively devoted to one's wife
vacillate
 waver; fluctuate
vacillation
 fluctuation; wavering
vacuous
 empty; lacking in ideas; stupid
vagabond
 wanderer; tramp
vagary
 caprice; whim
vagrant
 stray; random
vagrant
 homeless wanderer
vainglorious
 boastful; excessively conceited
valance
 short drapery hanging above window frame
valedictory
 pertaining to farewell
valetudinarian
 invalid
valid
 logically convincing; sound; legally acceptable
validate
 confirm; ratify
valor
 bravery
vampire
 ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living
vanguard
 forerunners; advance forces
vantage
 position giving an advantage
vapid
 insipid; inane
variegated
 many-colored
vassal
 in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord
vaunted
 boasted; bragged; highly publicized
veer
 change in direction
vegetate
 live in a monotonous way
vehement
 impetuous; with marked vigor
vellum
 speed
velocity
 parchment
venal
 capable of being bribed
vendetta
 blood feud
vendor
 seller; (opp. vendee)
veneer
 thin layer; cover
venerable
 deserving high respect
venerate
 revere
venial
 forgivable; trivial
venison
 the meet of a deer
vent
 a small opening; outlet
vent
 express; utter
ventral
 abdominal (opp. dorsal)
ventriloquist
 someone who can make his seem to come from another person
venturesome
 bold
venturous
 daring
venue
 location
veracious
 truthful
veracity
 truthfulness
verbalize
 put into word
verbatim
 word for word
verbiage
 pompous array of words
verbose
 wordy
verdant
 green; lush in vegetation
verdigris
 green coating on copper which has been exposed to the air
verge
 border; edge
verisimilitude
 appearance of truth; likelihood
verity
 truth; reality
vermicular
 pertaining to a worm
vernacular
 living language; natural style
vernal
 pertaining to spring
versatile
 having many talents; capable of working in many fields
vertex
 summit
vertiginous
 giddy; causing dizziness
vertigo
 dizziness
verve
 enthusiasm; liveliness
vestige
 trace; remains
vex
 annoy; distress
viable
 capable of maintaining life; practicable; workable
viand
 food
vicarious
 acting as a substitute; done by a deputy
vicissitude
 change of fortune
victuals
 food
vie
 contend; compete
vigilance
 watchfulness
vignette
 active strength
vigor
 picture short literary sketch
vilify
 slander
vindicate
 clear of charges
vindictive
 revengeful
vintner
 wine maker; seller of wine
viper
 poisonous snake
virago
 shrew
virile
 manly
virtual
 in essence; for practical purposes
virtue
 goodness; moral excellence; good quality
virtuoso
 highly skilled artist
virulent
 extremely poisonous
virus
 disease communicator
visage
 face; appearance
visceral
 felt in one's inner organs
viscid
 adhesive; gluey
viscous
 sticky; gluey
vise
 tool for holding work in place
visionary
 produced by imagination; fanciful; mystical
vital
 vibrant and lively; critical; living, breathing
vitiate
 spoil the effect of; make inoperative
vitreous
 pertaining to or resembling glass
vitriolic
 corrosive; sarcastic
vituperative
 abusive; scolding
vivacious
 lively or animated; sprightly
vivisection
 act of dissecting living animals
vixen
 female fox; ill-tempered woman
vociferous
 clamorous; noisy
vogue
 popular fashion
volatile
 changeable; explosive; evaporating rapidly
volition
 act of making a conscious choice
voluble
 fluent; glib
voluminous
 bulky; large
voluptuous
 gratifying the senses
voracious
 ravenous
vortex
 whirlwind; whirlpool; center of turbulence
votary
 follower of cult
vouchsafe
 grant condescendingly; guarantee
voyeur
 Peeping Tom
vulnerable
 susceptible to wounds
vulpine
 like a fox; crafty
vying
 contending
waffle
 speak equivocally about an issue
waft
 moved gently by wind or waves
waggish
 mischievous; humorous; tricky
waif
 homeless child or animal
waive
 give up temporarily; yield
wallow
 roll in; indulge in; become helpless
wan
 having a pale or sickly color; pallid
wane
 grow gradually smaller
wangle
 wiggle out; fake
wanton
 unrestrained; willfully malicious; unchaste
warble
 sing; babble
warrant
 justify; authorize
warranty
 guarantee; assurance by seller
warren
 tunnels in which rabbits live; crowded condition
wary
 very cautious
wastrel
 profligate
wax
 increase; grow
waylay
 ambush; lie in wait
wean
 give up a cherished activity
wean
 accustom a baby not to nurse
weather
 endure the effects of weather or other forces
welkin
 sky
welt
 mark from a beating or whipping
welter
 turmoil; bewildering jumble
welter
 wallow
wheedle
 young wolf, dog, tiger, etc.
whelp
 sharpen; stimulate
whet
 puff or gust (of air, scent, etc.); hint
whiff
 capricious; fanciful
whimsical
 neigh like a hoarse
whinny
 smallest speck
whit
 pare; cut off bits
whittle
 ring of leaves around stem; ring
whorl
 intentional; headstrong
willful
 cunning; artful
wily
 shrink back; flinch
wince
 fallen fruit; unexpected lucky event
windfall
 sift; separate good parts from bad
winnow
 agreeable; gracious; engaging
winsome
 thin; slight; barely discernible
wispy
 vaguely longing; sadly pensive
wistful
 introverted; remote
withdrawn
 shrivel; decay
wither
 foolish; idiotic
witless
 witty saying; facetious remark
witticism
 sorcery; magic
wizardry
 withered; shriveled
wizened
 custom; habitual procedure
wont
 engrossed in matters of this earth; not spiritual
worldly
 quarrel; obtain through arguing; herd cattle
wraith
 anger; fury
wrangle
 ghost; phantom of a living person
wrath
 inflict
wreak
 pull; strain; twist
wrench
 cajole; coax; deceive by flattery
wrest
 pull away; taken by violence
writ
 written command issued by a court
writhe
 squirm, twist
wry
 twisted; within a humorous twist
xenophobia
 fear or hatred of foreigner
yen
 longing; urge
yeoman
 man owning small estate; middle-class farmer
yield
 amount produced; crop; income on investment
yield
 give in; surrender
yoke
 join together, unite
yokel
 country bumpkin; rustic
yore
 time past
zany
 crazy; comic
zeal
 eager enthusiasm
zealot
 fanatic; person who shows excessive zeal
zenith
 point directly overhead in the sky; summit (opp. nadir)
zephyr
 gentle breeze; west wind


