enigma
(n) Anything that is puzzling, mysterious,
or hard to figure out.
ineffectual
(adj) Not bringing about the desired result;
futile.
infallible
(adj) 1. Incapable of making an error; never wrong.
luminous
(adj) 1. Giving off light.
2. Clear; easy to understand.
millennium
(n) A period of one thousand years.
mire
(n) An area of wet, swampy ground; deep mud.
(v) To get stuck as if in a mire; unable to make progress.
pestilence
(n) A rapidly spreading and usually fatal
disease.
stagnate
(v) To fail to develop, change, or move.
sublime
(adj) Great or noble in expression, thought, or
manner; splendid.
vie
(v) To compete for, as in a contest.
…..
ascertain
(v) To find out for certain.
encroach
(v) To advance little by little beyond the
usual limits or boundaries.
foreboding
(n) A strong feeling that something bad is
about to happen.
lurid
(adj) 1. Causing horror; extremely gruesome.
2. Glowing with the redness of flames seen through a haze.
restive
(adj) Showing impatience because of
restrictions or delays.
…….
ardent
(adj) Intensely eager; passionate.
assail
(v) 1. To attack violently or verbally.
2. To trouble in the mind.
asset
(n) 1. Anything owned that is of value and can be sold or
otherwise disposed of.
2. A quality that can be used to advantage.
barter
(v) To exchange goods or services without the use of
money.
(n) The exchange of goods or services without the use
of money.
bonanza
(n) A source of great wealth; something
that brings great riches.
contagious
(adj) Able to be passed easily from one
person to another.
contemplate
(v) 1. To give careful thought to; to ponder.
2. To have a possible plan to; to intend.
deter
(v) To discourage or prevent from taking
action.
flair
(n) A natural gift or ability; a talent.
forfeit
(v) To be forced to give up or lose.
(n) Something lost or given up as a result of an error or
failing.
innovation
(n) Something new; a new way of doing
something.
mania
(n) An intense or extreme enthusiasm or
excitement.
stymie
(v) To thwart; to make difficulties for or
find problems with.
synonymous
(adj) Alike or close in meaning; closely
related.
……
accede
(v) To agree to; to consent to, often after
urging from another.
affluent
(adj) Generously supplied with money or
possessions; wealthy.
arbitrary
(adj) Determined by chance or whim
rather than by reason or necessity.
artisan
(n) One able to do skilled work with the
hands; a craftsperson.
dismantle
(v) To take apart.
immerse
(v) 1. To cover with liquid.
2. To completely engage the attention of.
legacy
(n) 1. Money or property left to another in a will.
2. Something passed on to those who come after.
ostentatious
(adj) Extravagantly showy or ornate.
panorama
(n) 1. A complete view of a surrounding area.
2. A thorough presentation of a subject.
philanthropy
(n) The attempt to improve the well-being
of those in need by donating money or
aid.
prestige
(n) High standing; respect earned by
accomplishments.
prolific
(adj) Abundantly productive.
reticent
(adj) Inclined to keep one's thoughts and
feelings to oneself; quiet and reserved.
tycoon
(n) A wealthy and powerful
businessperson.
…..
augment
(v) To increase in size, amount, or degree.
benign
(adj) 1. Kind; gracious; gentle.
2. Favorable; not threatening.
connoisseur
(n) A person with extensive knowledge, especially of the
fine arts; a person of refined taste.
discern
(v) 1. To detect with the eyes.
2. To understand or comprehend..
3. To recognize as separate or different.
embellish
(v) 1. To make beautiful by adding decorative elements.
2. To add fictitious details to.
execute
(v) 1. To carry out; to perform.
2. To create, as a work of art.
3. To put to death as a legal penalty.
exemplify
(v) To illustrate by being an example of.
grotesque
(adj) So distorted or strange as to appear
bizarre or comical.
hallowed
(adj) Greatly respected; holy; sacred.
impersonate
(v) 1. To assume the character or appearance of.
2. To mimic.
malevolent
(adj) Showing ill will or hatred; producing
harm or evil.
ornate
(adj) Heavily and elaborately decorated.
pastoral
(adj) 1. Having to do with shepherds and herders.
2. Relating to country life, and often presented as
charmingly simple.
precarious
(adj) Not safe or secure; dangerously
uncertain.
renown
(n) Fame; honor.
….
abject
(adj) 1. Most miserable; wretched.
advocate
(v) To plead in favor of; to defend.
(n) One who argues for or defends a person, group, or
idea.
atrocity
(n) An act of great cruelty and
wickedness.
commemorate
(v) To serve as a memorial to; to remember
in a solemn manner.
dialect
(n) A form of a language spoken in a
certain geographical region that has its
own grammar, pronunciation, and
vocabulary.
dire
(adj) Having terrible consequences;
urgent or desperate.
elite
(n) A group that enjoys superior status to others.
(adj) Considered superior to others.
enhance
(v) To make greater or better.
flagrant
(adj) Clearly offensive or bad;
conspicuously acting against what is right.
languish
(v) To lose hope, strength, or vitality because of neglect
or bad conditions.
mute
(v) To soften or tone down the sound of.
(adj) Not speaking or not able to speak; silent.
reprisal
(n) A retaliation for an injury.
turmoil
(n) A state of confusion or agitation;
tumult.
wreak
(v) 1. To bring about or inflict.
2. To express or vent.
raze
(v) To level to the ground; to destroy
completely.
……
abet
(v) To encourage or assist in some
activity, especially a questionable one.
agile
(adj) 1. Able to move quickly and easily; nimble.
2. Able to think quickly.
allot
(v) To assign or distribute as a portion or
share.
balmy
(adj) Soothing, mild.
congregate
(v) To come together in a group; to
assemble.
divert
(v) 1. To turn aside.
2. To entertain or amuse.
humdrum
(adj) Lacking excitement; boring or
monotonous.
influx
(n) A flowing or pouring in; arrival in
massive numbers.
intricate
(adj) Complicated; having many related
details or parts.
memento
(n) Something kept as a reminder of a past
event; a souvenir.
query
(n) A question.
(v) To ask or ask about.
sporadic
(adj) Happening occasionally; not
regularly.
staple
(n) 1. A basic food that is used frequently and in large amounts.
2. A U-shaped fastener with sharp ends.
(v) To attach with staples.
(adj) Most important, principal.
tumult
(n) Noisy excitement; an uproar or
disturbance.
adept
(adj) Highly skilled; expert.
audible
(adj) Capable of being heard.
azure
(n, adj) The blue color of a cloudless sky.
banter
(v) To exchange playful, teasing remarks.
(n) Light, playful conversation.
capacious
(adj) Able to hold a large amount; roomy.
crucial
(adj) Extremely important; vital in
resolving something.
copious
(adj) Large in quantity; abundant.
decelerate
(v) To slow down or to cause to slow
down.
deploy
(v) 1. To arrange troops or equipment in position for
battle.
2. To put into use.
facilitate
(v) To make easier.
fastidious
(adj) 1. Paying close attention to detail.
2. Difficult to please.
fitful
(adj) Not steady; irregular.
grapple
(v) 1. To struggle with in close combat; to wrestle.
2. To come to grips with.
(n) An iron shaft with a claw for grasping and holding things.
pang
(n) A sudden sharp feeling of pain or
distress.
claustrophobia
(n) An abnormal fear of narrow, enclosed
spaces.
colleague
(n) An associate or coworker of similar
status.
condescend
(v) 1. To lower oneself to a position one considers
inferior.
2. To behave in an offensively superior manner.
contingent
(adj) 1. Conditional; depending on something else.
2. Likely, but not certain to happen; possible.
(n) A group that is part of a larger one.
daunt
(v) To discourage or intimidate.
deluge
(n) 1. A downpour of rain; a flood.
2. A flood of anything.
(v) To flood or overwhelm.
dispel
(v) To clear away; to remove or get rid of,
as if by scattering.
dub
(v) To give a title, nickname, or description
to.
fanfare
(n) 1. A sounding of trumpets or other brass instruments.
2. Any showy display.
fledgling
(n) 1. A young bird just learning to fly.
2. A young and inexperienced person.
(adj) New and untested.
inane
(adj) Empty; shallow or silly.
mettle
(n) Courage to bear up under difficult
circumstances; spirit.
negligible
(adj) Small and unimportant, not worth
noticing.
protract
(v) To draw out or lengthen in time.
anarchy
(n) 1. Total absence of government.
2. Lack of order; total
apprehend
(v) 1. To seize; to arrest.
2. To grasp the meaning of; to understand.
arraign
(v) To bring before a court to face
charges.
assimilate
(v) 1. To absorb into a population.
2. To take in a part and absorb into the whole.
bizarre
(adj) Strikingly out of the ordinary;
peculiar.
calamity
(n) An event that causes great suffering
and harm; a disaster.
conspire
(v) 1. To plan together secretly to do something wrong or illegal.
2. To join or act together.
dissension
(n) A difference of opinion; disagreement.
elapse
(v) To pass or slip by. Used with time.
imminent
(adj) About to happen; likely to occur in
the very near future.
interrogate
(v) To ask questions of, especially in a thorough
or formal manner.
lionize
(v) To treat as a celebrity.
meticulous
(adj) Extremely careful; attentive to small
details.
shackle
(n) 1. A ring or band put around the arm or leg to prevent free movement.
2. Something that prevents free action.
(v) To prevent freedom of action.
swelter
(v) To suffer from or to be overcome by
great heat.
audacious
(adj) 1. Willing to take risks; daring.
2. Showing disrespect or a lack of courtesy.
confiscate
(v) To seize, by force if necessary; to take
possession of
conscientious
(adj) 1. Thorough; careful.
2. Honest; principled.
depict
(v) To give a picture of; to describe.
embark
(v) 1. To go on board a ship or airplane at the start of a voyage.
2. To start out; to begin.
inkling
(n) A slight suspicion; a vague idea.
lackadaisical
(adj) Showing little spirit or enthusiasm.
mutiny
(n) Deliberate refusal to obey orders given by those in
command, especially by sailors.
(v) To rebel openly against a commander.
pilfer
(v) To steal repeatedly small amounts or
things that are of little value.
profusion
(n) A plentiful supply; a great or generous
amount.
prudent
(adj) Very careful; showing judgment and
wisdom.
rankle
(v) To cause continuing anger or irritation.
rebuke
(v) To criticize strongly; to reprimand.
(n) A sharp criticism.
serene
(adj) Calm and untroubled; peaceful.
…
abhor
(v) To shrink from in disgust; to detest.
affable
(adj) Pleasant; approachable; gracious.
amiss
(adv) In a wrong or imperfect way.
(adj) Out of order; wrong.
despondent
(adj) Depressed from loss of hope or confidence;
utterly discouraged
entreat
(v) To ask earnestly; to beg.
haunt
(v) 1. To stay in one's mind continually.
2. To visit frequently.
3. To appear in the form of a ghost.
impel
(v) 1. To drive or to propel.
2. To urge or drive by force or moral pressure.
interminable
(adj) Endless; seeming to be without end.
irascible
(adj) Quick-tempered; irritable.
profound
(adj) 1. Intense; deeply felt.
2. Having understanding or knowledge that goes beneath the
surface, beyond the obvious.
recluse
(n) A person who lives apart from society
and often alone.
reverberate
(v) To be repeated as in a series of
echoes or vibrations.
sage
(adj) Having wisdom and good judgment.
(n) 1. A person known for wisdom and good judgment.
2. An aromatic grayish-green plant used in cooking.
tirade
(n) A long, angry speech.
tremulous
(adj) 1. Marked by trembling or shaking.
2. Timid or fearful.
anonymous
(adj) Of an unknown source or unrevealed
name.
anthology
(n) A collection of various writings, such
as songs, stories, or poems.
conjecture
(n) A conclusion based on guesswork or insufficient
evidence.
disposition
(n) 1. A person's usual mood; temperament.
2. A regular tendency or inclination
(v) To form an opinion while lacking sufficient evidence.
encompass
(v) 1. To enclose or encircle.
2. To include.
extricate
(v) To free from a difficult or tangled
situation.
generation
(n) 1. One step in the line of descent of a family.
2. All the people born and living about the same time.
3. The average span of time between the birth of parents and their children.
guile
(n) Cunning or deceit in dealing with
others; trickery.
imperative
(adj) 1. Urgent; pressing.
2. Having the power or authority to command.
instill
(v) To introduce gradually in order to
establish securely.
modify
(v) 1. To make less extreme or severe.
2. To make changes in.
3. In grammar, to limit or restrict in meaning.
pivot
(n) 1. A small bar or rod on which something else turns.
2. A person or thing on which others depend.
(v) To turn on or as if on a pivot.
prevalent
(adj) Commonly occurring; widely
accepted or practiced.
recur
(v) 1. To come up again or to happen again.
2. To come to mind again.
spontaneous
(adj) 1. Voluntary and unplanned.
2. Occurring or produced without human labor.
…..
abrasion
(n) 1. A wearing away or rubbing away by friction.
2. A scraped or worn area.
clad
(adj) Clothed or covered.
corroborate
(v) To provide evidence to make more
certain; to confirm.
cursory
(adj) Done in a hurry and with little
attention to detail
dehydrate
(v) 1. To remove the water from.
2. To cause to lose bodily fluids.
derive
(v) 1. To take or receive from a source.
2. To obtain through reasoning.
electrify
(v) 1. To wire or equip with electric power.
2. To thrill or shock.
endeavor
(v) To attempt earnestly.
(n) A serious, earnest effort toward a goal.
gingerly
(adj) Cautious; very careful.
(adv) Extremely cautiously.
grimace
(v) To make a face expressing feelings of pain, disgust, or contempt.
(n) A facial expression that seems to express pain, contempt, or disgust.
gruesome
(adj) Causing horror or disgust.
inventory
(n) 1. A list of possessions or goods on hand.
2. The stock of goods on hand.
(v) To make a complete list of.
simulate
(v) 1. To take on the qualities of another; to imitate.
2. To pretend.
succumb
(v) 1. To give up or give in to; to yield.
2. To cease to exist; to die.
surmise
(v) To suppose something without sufficient evidence.
(n) A guess.
avid
(adj) 1. Having a strong desire for, to the
point of greed.
2. Eager; enthusiastic.
brusque
(adj) Abrupt in manner or speech; gruff.
concise
(adj) Short and to the point.
demean
(v) To cause a lowering of self-esteem; to
lower in reputation or character.
despicable
(adj) Deserving contempt or scorn.
emulate
(v) To try to equal; to imitate.
evoke
(v) 1. To call forth; to produce.
2. To bring to mind, often by suggestion.
excruciating
(adj) Very painful.
inaugurate
(v) 1. To install in office with a formal ceremony.
2. To begin officially or mark the opening of.
pervade
(v) To spread throughout.
proprietor
(n) An owner of a store or other business.
pseudonym
(n) A fictitious name used by an author; a
pen name.
rebuff
(v) 1. To reject bluntly.
2. To drive back.
(n) 1. A blunt rejection.
2. An abrupt setback in progress.
resilient
(adj) 1. Capable of recovering quickly from misfortune.
2. Returning quickly to an original shape or condition.
turbulent
(adj) 1. Chaotic; unruly.
2. Stormy; tempestuous.
….
