Word List 2

500 words 1 learner

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fray
wear away by rubbing
fracas
a noisy, angry argument or fight between people
breach
an opening, especially a gap in a dike or fortification
respiration
a single complete act of breathing in and out
fancier
a person having a strong liking for something
concise
expressing much in few words
laconic
brief and to the point
glossary
an alphabetical list of technical terms in a field
compendium
a publication containing a variety of works
succinct
briefly giving the gist of something
illuminate
make lighter or brighter
refulgent
radiating or as if radiating light
nonplus
be a mystery or bewildering to
incur
make oneself subject to
farce
a comedy characterized by broad satire
spatula
a hand tool with a thin flexible blade
amplify
increase the volume of
sibling
a person's brother or sister
contusion
an injury in which the skin is not broken
atrocity
an act of shocking cruelty
bugaboo
an imaginary monster used to frighten children
fabricate
put together out of artificial or natural components
voluminous
large in capacity or bulk
browbeat
discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner
ruffian
a cruel and brutal fellow
sheaf
a package of several things tied together
encumber
hold back, impede, or weigh down
incubus
an evil spirit thought to visit people while they sleep
onus
a burdensome or difficult concern
onerous
burdensome or difficult to endure
cauterize
burn, sear, or freeze using a hot iron or electric current
smolder
burn slowly and without a flame
caustic
capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
implode
burst inward
inter
place in a grave or tomb
entrepreneur
someone who organizes a business venture
guy
a cable, wire, or rope that is used to brace something
wheedle
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
catastrophe
a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
actuarial
relating to statistics to calculate insurance premiums
fanfare
a short lively tune played on brass instruments
evoke
call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
convoke
call together
rally
gather or bring together
invoke
request earnestly; ask for aid or protection
dispassionate
unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
phlegmatic
showing little emotion
allay
lessen the intensity of or calm
halcyon
a mythical bird said to breed at the winter solstice
imperturbable
marked by extreme calm and composure
equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
serenity
the absence of mental stress or anxiety
tranquility
an untroubled state that is free from disturbances
rescind
cancel officially
negate
make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
abolish
do away with
expunge
remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
revoke
cancel officially
countermand
cancel officially
outspoken
given to expressing yourself freely or insistently
taper
diminish gradually
venal
capable of being corrupted
reparable
capable of being rectified
malleable
capable of being shaped or bent
tensile
of or relating to physical stress or strain
prehensile
adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
sentient
endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
ambidextrous
equally skillful with each hand
vagary
an unexpected and inexplicable change in something
mercurial
liable to sudden unpredictable change
whimsical
determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
enthrall
hold spellbound
thrifty
mindful of the future in spending money
lax
without rigor or strictness
scabbard
a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet
quiver
shake with fast, tremulous movements
slough
cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
cavalier
showing a lack of concern or seriousness
offhand
with little or no preparation or forethought
cursory
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
descry
catch sight of
panderer
person who caters to the passions or plans of others
grievance
a complaint about a wrong that causes resentment
bane
something causing misery or death
stultify
deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
supersede
take the place or move into the position of
nauseate
upset and make ill
leaven
a substance used to produce fermentation in dough
germinate
sprout; produce buds or branches
engender
call forth
generate
bring into existence
prompt
according to schedule or without delay
carcinogenic
causing or tending to cause cancer
analgesic
capable of relieving pain
pestilential
likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease
pathetic
deserving or inciting pity
prudent
marked by sound judgment
chary
characterized by great caution
luminary
a celebrity who is an inspiration to others
reprove
reprimand, scold, or express dissatisfaction with
kernel
a single whole grain of a cereal
pivotal
being of crucial importance
mace
a ceremonial staff carried as a symbol of office
formality
a requirement of etiquette or custom
ordination
the act of conferring holy orders
certitude
complete assurance or confidence
shackle
a restraint that confines or restricts freedom
hap
come to pass
veer
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
vicissitude
a variation in circumstances or fortune
ossify
become bony
metamorphosis
striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
gerrymander
divide voting districts unfairly and to one's advantage
transmute
change or alter in form, appearance, or nature
innovation
the act of starting something for the first time
volatile
liable to lead to sudden change or violence
fickle
liable to sudden unpredictable change
migrant
traveler who moves from one region or country to another
sear
become superficially burned (also figurative)
temperament
your usual mood
generic
relating to or applicable to an entire class or group
pristine
immaculately clean and unused
universal
applicable to or common to all members of a group or set
mountebank
a flamboyant deceiver
indict
accuse formally of a crime
arraign
accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy
impeach
bring an accusation against
quack
the sound made by a duck
talisman
a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
amulet
a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
engaging
attracting or delighting
idyllic
charmingly simple and serene
babble
utter meaningless sounds
jabber
talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
tawdry
tastelessly showy
swindler
a person who steals by means of deception or fraud
cozen
be dishonest with
fraudulent
intended to deceive
stanch
stop the flow of a liquid
stern
serious and harsh in manner or behavior
alacrity
liveliness and eagerness
sanguine
confidently optimistic and cheerful
geniality
a disposition to be friendly and approachable
masticate
bite and grind with the teeth
ruminate
chew the cuds
cardinal
a vivid red color
puerile
displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
infantile
of or relating to babies
progeny
the immediate descendants of a person
indiscriminate
failing to make or recognize distinctions
chortle
a soft partly suppressed laugh
prelate
a senior clergyman and dignitary
curmudgeon
an irascible, cantankerous person full of stubborn ideas
rotunda
a building having a circular plan and a dome
contention
the act of competing as for profit or a prize
vociferous
conspicuously and offensively loud
friction
the resistance when a body is moved in contact with another
talon
a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey
expurgate
edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
limpid
clear and bright
bouillon
a clear seasoned broth
exculpate
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
vindicate
show to be right by providing justification or proof
perspicuity
clarity as a consequence of being easily understandable
repartee
adroitness and cleverness in reply
stratagem
an elaborate or deceitful scheme to deceive or evade
shrewd
marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
ingenious
showing inventiveness and skill
precipice
a very steep cliff
clamber
climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
scale
an ordered reference standard
compress
squeeze or push together
array
an impressive display or assortment
raiment
especially fine or decorative clothing
buffoonery
acting like a clown
saccharine
overly sweet
bludgeon
a club used as a weapon
lout
an awkward, foolish person
maladroit
not quick or skillful in action or thought
gauche
lacking social poise or refinement
fodder
coarse food composed of plants or leaves and stalks
abusive
characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment
cajole
influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
convoluted
highly complex or intricate
bleak
unpleasantly cold and damp
clavicle
bone linking the scapula and sternum
amass
collect or gather
menagerie
a collection of live animals for study or display
canon
a collection of books accepted as holy scripture
agglomeration
the act of collecting in a mass
hue
the quality of a color determined by its dominant wavelength
spectrum
a broad range of related objects, values, or qualities
pigment
dry coloring material
militant
engaged in war
pugnacity
a natural disposition to be hostile
merger
an occurrence that involves the production of a union
compound
a whole formed by a union of two or more elements or parts
coalesce
fuse or cause to come together
amalgamate
bring or combine together or with something else
synthesis
the combination of ideas into a complex whole
accrue
grow by addition
intervene
be placed or located between other things
solace
comfort offered to one who is disappointed or miserable
malapropism
misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
travesty
a composition that imitates or misrepresents a style
lateral
situated at or extending to the side
fiat
a legally binding command or decision
enjoin
give instructions to or direct somebody to do something
memorialize
be or provide a monument to a person or an event
embark
go on board
annotate
add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
perpetrate
perform an act, usually with a negative connotation
plebeian
of or associated with the great masses of people
hackneyed
repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
tumult
a state of commotion and noise and confusion
analogous
similar or equivalent in some respects
simile
a figure of speech expressing a resemblance between things
remunerative
for which money is paid
lexicographer
a compiler or writer of a dictionary
grouse
popular game bird having a plump body and feathered legs
consummate
having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
unanimity
everyone being of one mind
complement
something added to embellish or make perfect
plenary
full in all respects
integral
existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
absolute
perfect or complete or pure
imbroglio
an intricate and confusing interpersonal situation
sedate
characterized by dignity and propriety
fathom
a linear unit of measurement for water depth
constraint
the state of being physically limited
addiction
being dependent on something habit-forming
narcissist
someone who is excessively self-centered
smirk
smile in a mocking or condescending way
olfactory
of or relating to the sense of smell
mercantile
relating to or characteristic of trade or traders
precis
a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument
terse
brief and to the point
pithy
concise and full of meaning
brevity
the attribute of being short or fleeting
coda
the closing section of a musical composition
finale
the closing section of a musical composition
peroration
the concluding section of a rhetorical address
denounce
speak out against
abridge
lessen, diminish, or curtail
deign
do something that one considers to be below one's dignity
anemia
a deficiency of red blood cells
plight
a situation from which extrication is difficult
bestow
give as a gift
parley
a negotiation between enemies
validate
confirm the legal force of
corroborate
give evidence for
discord
lack of agreement or harmony
fluster
cause to be nervous or upset
befuddle
be confusing or perplexing to
muddle
make clouded as with sediment
obfuscate
make obscure or unclear
confound
be confusing or perplexing to
disconcert
cause to lose one's composure
hubbub
loud confused noise from many sources
discombobulate
cause to be confused emotionally
bemused
perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements
nexus
the means of connection between things linked in series
epicure
a person who takes great pleasure in fine food and drink
gourmet
a person highly knowledgeable and appreciative of fine food and drink
subjugate
make subservient; force to submit or subdue
scrupulous
characterized by extreme care and great effort
anoint
administer an oil or ointment to, often ceremonially
corollary
an inference following from the proof of another proposition
deliberate
carefully thought out in advance
notable
worthy of attention or interest
prominent
conspicuous in position or importance
flagrant
conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
collusion
secret agreement
solecism
a socially awkward or tactless act
liaison
a means of communication between groups
trough
a long narrow shallow receptacle
taint
place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
vie
compete for something
din
a loud, harsh, or strident noise
knit
make by needlework with interlacing yarn
belie
be in contradiction with
contravene
go against, as of rules and laws
foil
hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
antithesis
exact opposite
ascendancy
the state when one person or group has power over another
polemic
a verbal or written attack, especially of a belief or dogma
amenities
things that make you comfortable and at ease
mores
the conventions embodying the fundamental values of a group
cogent
powerfully persuasive
facsimile
an exact copy or reproduction
replica
copy that is not the original
transcribe
write out, as from speech or notes
pith
spongelike central cylinder of the stems of flowering plants
cadaver
the dead body of a human being
disabuse
free somebody from an erroneous belief
reconcile
come to terms
orthography
representing the sounds of a language by written symbols
emend
make corrections to
amend
make revisions to
emendation
a correction by emending
congruence
the quality of agreeing; being suitable and appropriate
vitriolic
harsh, bitter, or malicious in tone
debauch
corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
perversion
the action of corrupting something
mentor
a wise and trusted guide and advisor
barrister
a British lawyer who speaks in the higher courts of law
recrimination
mutual accusations
bogus
fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
yokel
a person who is not intelligent or interested in culture
pluck
pull lightly but sharply
mettle
the courage to carry on
tribunal
an assembly to conduct judicial business
deference
courteous regard for people's feelings
chivalrous
attentive and honorable like an ideal knight
comity
a state or atmosphere of harmony or mutual civility
fawning
attempting to win favor by flattery
glaze
a coating, as for ceramics or metal
craven
lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
pusillanimous
lacking in courage, strength, and resolution
quail
draw back, as with fear or pain
bovine
any of various wild or domestic cattle
crevice
a long narrow opening
Machiavellian
of or relating to amoral or conniving political principles
hurtle
throw forcefully
grovel
show submission or fear
zany
ludicrous or foolish
statutory
relating to or created by regulations
predator
any animal that lives by preying on other animals
credo
any system of principles or beliefs
fissure
a long narrow depression in a surface
juncture
the shape or manner in which things come together
censorious
harshly critical or expressing censure
stricture
a principle that restricts the extent of something
animadversion
harsh criticism or disapproval
pan
shallow container made of metal
askew
turned or twisted to one side
horde
a vast multitude
throng
a large gathering of people
diadem
an ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty
pulverize
make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust
fell
able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
exclaim
utter aloud, often with surprise, horror, or joy
wily
marked by skill in deception
therapeutic
tending to cure or restore to health
panacea
hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases
elixir
a substance believed to cure all ills
imprecation
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
malediction
the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
execrate
curse or declare to be evil or anathema
aquiline
curved down like an eagle's beak
convex
curving or bulging outward
wont
an established custom
excise
remove by cutting
prune
cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
retrench
tighten one's belt; use resources carefully
dismember
separate the limbs from the body
amputate
remove surgically
hew
strike with an axe; cut down, strike
sever
set or keep apart
abscission
the act of cutting something off
trenchant
having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought
incisive
demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
diurnal
having a daily cycle or occurring every day
quotidian
found in the ordinary course of events
marred
blemished by injury or rough wear
perdition
the place or state in which one suffers eternal punishment
dank
unpleasantly cool and humid
humid
containing or characterized by a great deal of water vapor
hazardous
involving risk or danger
murky
cloudy, dirty, and difficult to see through
swarthy
naturally having skin of a dark color
opaque
not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy
obscure
not clearly understood or expressed
eclipse
the phenomenon when one celestial body obscures another
bolt
a screw that screws into a nut to form a fastener
reverie
an abstracted state of absorption
resplendent
having great beauty
defunct
no longer in force or use; inactive
lethal
of an instrument of certain death
stalemate
a situation in which no progress can be made
baleful
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
demise
the time when something ends
obituary
a notice of someone's death
libertine
unrestrained by convention or morality
decadence
the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities
decomposition
the organic phenomenon of rotting
guile
shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
delude
be dishonest with
hoodwink
conceal one's true motives from
illusive
based on or having the nature of a fantasy
artifice
the use of deception or trickery
illusory
having the nature of something unreal or deceptive
delusive
inappropriate to reality or facts
resolve
find a solution or answer
conclusive
forming a decisive end or resolution
hatch
a movable barrier covering an entrance
manifesto
a public declaration of intentions
avow
declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
decipher
convert something hidden or secretive into ordinary language
adorn
make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
garnish
decorate, as with parsley or other ornamental foods
embroider
decorate with needlework
wane
a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
ordinance
an authoritative rule
edict
a formal or authoritative proclamation
ordain
invest with ministerial or priestly authority
consecrate
give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
infer
conclude by reasoning
exploit
use or manipulate to one's advantage
ignominy
a state of dishonor
tureen
a large deep serving dish with a cover
woe
misery resulting from affliction
profound
situated at or extending to great depth
ingrained
deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
inveterate
habitual
slander
words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
libel
a false and malicious publication
discredit
the state of being held in low esteem
foil
hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
rampart
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
mulct
money extracted as a penalty
demean
reduce in worth or character, usually verbally
crestfallen
brought low in spirit
defer
yield to another's wish or opinion
tarry
leave slowly and hesitantly
belated
after the expected or usual time
dilatory
wasting time
calculated
carefully thought out in advance
finesse
subtly skillful handling of a situation
filigree
delicate and intricate ornamentation
consign
give over to another for care or safekeeping
render
give or supply
acquittal
a judgment of not guilty
cataclysm
a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
hallucination
illusory perception
peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action
laborious
characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion
disavowal
denial of any connection with or knowledge of
centigrade
temperature scale on which water freezes at 0 degrees
panoramic
as from an altitude or distance
inveigh
complain bitterly
gainsay
take exception to
renege
fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
atheistic
related to a lack of belief in the existence of God
abscond
run away, often taking something or somebody along
exodus
a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment
contingent
determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
turpitude
a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
despondent
without or almost without hope
disenfranchise
deprive of voting rights
bereft
lacking or deprived of something
devolve
pass on or delegate to another
deducible
capable of being figured out by what is known
posterity
all future generations
lineage
the kinship relation between an individual and progenitors
sacrilegious
grossly irreverent toward what is considered holy
forsake
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
renegade
someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw
defection
withdrawing support or help despite allegiance
culpable
deserving blame or censure as being wrong or injurious
reprehensible
bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
venerable
profoundly honored
invidious
containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
scurvy
a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid
annihilate
kill in large numbers
corrode
cause to deteriorate due to water, air, or an acid
obliterate
remove completely from recognition or memory
raze
tear down so as to make flat with the ground
defoliate
deprived of leaves
demolition
the act of destroying completely
holocaust
an act of mass destruction and loss of life
carnage
the savage and excessive killing of many people
resolution
a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner
resolve
find a solution or answer
canvass
get opinions by asking specific questions
bent
stooped (used of the back and knees)
dogged
stubbornly unyielding
loathe
dislike intensely; feel disgust toward
abhor
feel hatred or disgust toward
abominable
unequivocally detestable
odium
hate coupled with disgust
depose
force to leave an office
swerve
turn sharply; change direction abruptly
aberration
a state or condition markedly different from the norm
die
lose all bodily functions necessary to sustain life
diabolical
showing cunning or ingenuity or wickedness
sensual
marked by the appetites and passions of the body
pious
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
piety
righteousness by virtue of being religiously devout
sleight
adroitness in using the hands
lexicon
a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words
disparity
inequality or difference in some respect
diverse
distinctly dissimilar or unlike
divergent
tending to move apart in different directions
fastidious
giving careful attention to detail
quarry
animal hunted or caught for food
exhume
dig up for reburial or for medical investigation
unearth
recover through digging
disinter
dig up for reburial or for medical investigation
delve
turn up, loosen, or remove earth

Created on 十二月 3, 2013 (updated 四月 14, 2019)

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