| 1 |
Abrogate |
To Annul;repeal; abolish; cancel.
The rule abrogated by the committee after it was clear that it would not be effective. |
| 2 |
Acquiesce |
v. Assent, agree passively.
Although she appeared to acquiesce to her employer's suggestions, I could tell she had reservations. |
| 3 |
Acrimony |
Harshness or bitterness of speech or manner; expression of great dislike or deep resentment.
Although he was angry, the teacher refrained from acrimony when he addressed the class. |
| 4 |
Affirmation |
n. Positive assertion;confirmation.
Despite Tom's Affirmations of innocence,Aunt Polly still suspected he had eaten the pie. |
| 5 |
Aggrandizement |
That which makes richer orgreater; the state results of such.
His only interest in being elected was personal aggrandizement.
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| 6 |
Ambiguous |
adj. Unclear or doubtful inmeaning.
His ambiguous instructions misled us; we did not know which road to take. |
| 7 |
Ambivalence |
n. The state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes.
Torn between loving her parents one minute and hating them the next, she was confused by the ambivalence of her feelings. |
| 8 |
Ameliorate |
v. Improve.
Many social workers have attempted to ameliorate the conditions of people living in the slums. |
| 9 |
Animosity |
n. Active enmity; hatred.
He incurred the animosity of the ruling class because he advocated limitations of their power. |
| 10 |
Antithesis |
n. Contrast; direct opposite of or to.
This tyranny was the antithesis of all that he had hoped for, and he fought it with all his strength. |
| 11 |
Aplomb |
Self assurance; self confidence; self possession; poise.
If the speaker was nervous she didn't show it, facing the audience with aplomb.
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| 12 |
Arbitrary |
adj. Unreasonable orcapricious; imperious; tyrannical.
The members whom you do not consult will resent any arbitrary action on your part. |
| 13 |
Archaic |
Of an earlier or primitive time;ancient; no longer in popular use; outdated.
The head of a modern school should not have archaic ideas. |
| 14 |
Ascendancy |
n. Controlling influence;domination
Leaders of religious cults maintain ascendancy over their followers by methods that can verge on brainwashing. |
| 15 |
Astute |
adj. Wise; shrewd; clever
That was a very astute observation. I will follow it. |
| 16 |
Augment |
v. Increase.
How can we hope to augment our forces when our allies are deserting us? |
| 17 |
Austerity |
n. Sternness; severity; lackof luxuries.
The new justices, who were a strict and solemn group, maintained the austerity and dignity of the court. |
| 18 |
Banal |
adj. Trite; ordinary; common.
His frequent use of clichés made his essay seem banal . |
| 19 |
Benign |
adj. Kindly; favorable; notmalignant.
The old man was well liked because of his benign attitude toward friend and stranger alike. |
| 20 |
Bequeath |
v. Leave to someone by a will;hand down.
Though Maud had intended to bequeath the family home to her nephew, she died before changing her will. |
| 21 |
Berate |
v. To scold severely; Rebuke harshly
The judge berated the criminal for his evildeeds. |
| 22 |
Blasphemy |
n. Cursing; irreverence;sacrilege.
Because they had thought she was a devout believer,they were shocked to hear her utter words of blasphemy . |
| 23 |
Blatant |
abj. Obvious; conspicuous, offensivelyloud.
A little mistake may go unnoticed but a blatant error demands attention. |
| 24 |
Brevity |
n. Conciseness.
Brevity is essential when you send a telegram or cablegram; you are charged for every word. |
| 25 |
Cajole |
v. Coax;wheedle; flatter.
I will not be cajoled into granting you yourwish. |
| 26 |
Capitulate |
To surrender on certain terms;to give in; to acquiesce.
Because defeat was sure, the general was willing to capitulate.
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| 27 |
Capricious |
adj . Fickle; arbitrary
The storm was capricious and changed courseconstantly. |
| 28 |
Censure |
v. Blames; criticize.
He was censured for his inappropriate behavior. |
| 29 |
Clemency |
n. Disposition to be lenient;mildness, as of the weather.
The lawyer was pleased when the case was sent to JudgeSmith's chambers because Smith was noted for her clemency toward first offenders. |
| 30 |
Commensurate |
Equal in measures; properly proportionate.
The salary for his position will be commensurate with applicant's experience. |
| 31 |
Commodious |
spacious; roomy.
He bought a commodious home for his largefamily. |
| 32 |
Compliance |
n. Conformity in fulfillingrequirements.
The design for the new school had to be in compliance with the local building code. |
| 33 |
Conciliatory |
adj. Reconciling;soothing; apologetic.
She was still angry despite his conciliatory words. |
| 34 |
Concise |
adj. Brief and compact.
When you define a new word, be concise ; the shorter the definition, the easier it is to remember. |
| 35 |
Concur |
To reach the same conclusion;agree occur at the same time.
The members of the jury will concur with the foreman's opinion. |
| 36 |
Condone |
v. Overlook; forgive.
We cannot condone your recent criminal cooperation with the gamblers. |
| 37 |
Connoisseur |
An expert in distinguishingand judging values, especially in arts, fine foods, wines, etc.
He was a connoisseur of wine. |
| 38 |
Converge |
v. Come together.
Marchers converged on Washington for the great Peace March. |
| 39 |
Conviction |
a) n. Proof or declaration ofguilt.
The criminal's lawyer decided to appeal thecourt's conviction of his client.
B) n. Strongly held belief.
Nothing could shake his conviction that she was innocent. |
| 40 |
Corroborate |
v. Confirm; support.
Unless we find a witness to corroborate your evidence, it will not stand up in court. |
| 41 |
Credulity |
n. Belief.
The witch doctor took advantage of the credulity of the superstitious natives. |
| 42 |
Criterion |
n. Standard used injudging.
What criterion did you use when you selectedthis essay as the prizewinner? |
| 43 |
Cryptic |
adj. Mysterious; puzzling;secret.
His cryptic remarks could not be interpreted. |
| 44 |
Cursory |
adj. Casual; hastily done.
A cursory examination of the ruins indicates the possibility of arson; a more extensive study should be undertaken. |
| 45 |
Debacle |
A sudden and utter breakdown; an overwhelming and ruinous turn of events; a rout; a calamity.
What would have been a mere defeat turned into a debacle . |
| 46 |
Debilitate |
v. Weaken; enfeeble.
Over indulgence debilitates character as well as physical stamina. |
| 47 |
Debonair |
Pleasant and gracious; refined;suave; urbane.
John is rough and uncouth while, in contrast, Charlesis debonair.
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| 48 |
Decadence |
A process, condition or time ofcultural or moral decline; deterioration; decay.
In a period of decadence , high ideals are scoffed at. |
| 49 |
Delineate |
n. Portray.
He is a powerful storyteller, but he is weakest when heattempts to delineate character. |
| 50 |
Depravity |
n . Corruption; wickedness.
The depravity of the tyrant's behavior shocked all. |
| 51 |
Despondent |
adj. Depressed; gloomy.
To the dismay of his parents, he became more and more despondent every day. |
| 52 |
Despot |
n. Tyrant; harsh, authoritarianruler.
The people rebelled against the once benevolent king who had turned into a despot.
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| 53 |
Deterrent |
n. Something thatdiscourages; a hindrance.
Does the threat of capital punishment serve as a deterrent to potential killers? |
| 54 |
Didactic |
adj. Teaching; instructional.
The didactic qualities of his poetry overshadow its literary qualities; the lesson he teaches is ore memorable than the lines. |
