The flashcards below were created by user
elitesat
on FreezingBlue Flashcards.
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ineffable
incapable of being expressed
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forage
to search for food or provisions
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sect
a small group, esp. religious, united by a specific set of beliefs
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vernacular
informal speech; native language
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sanguine
optimistic, cheerful
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kindle
to build a fire; to set on fire or ignite; to arouse
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ruminate
to ponder at length
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culpable
deserving blame or punishment
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idiosyncrasy
a particular, peculiar, or eccentric trait
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dissemble
to deceive or conceal; to hide one's motives; to simulate
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lugubrious
sad or mournful, esp. in a way that seems exaggerated or ridiculous
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internecine
pertaining to conflict whitin a group; mutually destructive
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abolish
to put to an end to
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acquiesce
to agree without protest
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rural
relating to the country or farming
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chimerical
created by or as if by a fanciful imagination
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odyssey
a long, adventurous journey
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rail
to speak bitterly or reproachfully
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gratuitous
unnecessary or inappropriate
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inherent
included as an essential part; intrinsic
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saga
a long prose narrative, often telling of adventure or heroism; a long detailed report
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primeval
relating to the beginning of the first world ages
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mammoth
very large; of clumsy or unwieldly size
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marquee
a sign over the entrance to a public building
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intimate
to make known subtly; to hint
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revert
to return to a former condition
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ulterior
lying beyond what is evident, revealed, or claimed
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sedentary
sitting down most of the time
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quell
to ease; to calm down
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forensic
related to the law or debate
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clique
exclusive group of people
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clandestine
done in secret, esp. to conceal something improper
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surmount
to overcome (e.g, an obstacle); to climb to the top of
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pilfer
to steal a small amount
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sweltering
oppressively hot and humid
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subterfuge
a sneaky or devious method for avoiding difficulty or unpleasantness
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endorse
to give approval or support
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niche
a place or situation suited for a person or thing; a recess in a wall
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ellipsis
in a sentence, the omission of a word replaced bu three periods
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apt
appropriate; having a natural tendency
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ersatz
artificial; not genuine; fake
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instigate
to stir up or arouse; to foment
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predominant
surpassing all others; most common
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valedictory
a farewell speech
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blunder
to move carelessly
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foolhardy
reckless; bold without judgment
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haphazard
occurring or happening by mere chance
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toxic
poisonous; dangerous
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bow
forward part of a ship; prow
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conspire
to plan secretly together
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erode
to wear away slowly
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persist
to continue despite difficulty
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diction
word choice in speech or writing; degree of clarity in speaking
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mentor
a counselor or teacher
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segue
an easy, effective or uninterrupted transition
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brazen
showing shameless, insolent boldness; made of brass
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jingoism
an extreme patriotism
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extradite
to deliver someone (e.g., a fugitive) to the authority of another government or jurisdiction
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abridge
to reduce (a text etc.) in scope
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jaundice
prejudice; bias; a yellowish discoloration of the skin
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eloquent
articulate; convincing and effective in speech
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clairvoyant
having the supposed power to see objects or events that cannot be perceived by the senses
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derive
to obtain from a specified source
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onerous
burdensome, hard to bear
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dovetail
to combine or interlock into unified whole
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carcass
the dead body of an animal, esp. one slaughtered for food (also used figuratively)
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earshot
the distance within which a sound can be heard
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feisty
irritable; quarrelsome; full of spirit
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retort
to reply, esp. in a quick or witty manner
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consort
to associate; to keep company
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parrot
to blindly repeat or copy
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extraneous
not an essential part of; unimportant
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interdict
to forbid or stop the activities or entry of
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belie
to picture falsely; to contradict
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vigorous
energetic; forceful; strong and healthy
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synthesis
the combination of separate parts into a unified whole
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maxim
a short saying expressing a general principle
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regimen
a set of rules, usually followed for therapeutic effect
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saturnine
of a gloomy temperament
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stigma
a sign of disgrace; a mark that lowers a reputation
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histrionic
overly dramatic, theatrical
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innovative
marked by a new or unusual way of doing things
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bilious
bad-tempered; cross
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choleric
easily angered; bad tempered
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rebuff
to refuse someone; to reject an offer
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warp
to distort, as a twist or bend
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abdicate
to willingly give up the position of king
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nimble
fast and light in motion
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aftermath
a result of consequence
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indict
to formally accuse of criminal activity
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amuck
frenzied, esp. violently
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subsidy
monetary assistance
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ingenious
inventive, cunning, clever
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explicit
fully revealed or made clear
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juggernaut
a terrible, irresistable force
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jurisdiction
the extent of authority or control; the right and power to interpret and apply the law
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woebegone
affected with great sadness, esp. as reflected in one's appearance
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valiant
courageous, brave, as in battle
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polemic
a controversial argument, esp. attacking a particular opinion
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saturate
to soak or fill to capacity
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edict
an authority order issued publicly; a decree
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hiatus
an interruption in activity or progress
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constitute
to make up the parts of; to compose
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estuary
the part of river that meets a sea
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mettle
courage; strength of character
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phlegmatic
having a calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional
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ad hoc
for a specific purpose and no other; improvised
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extemporaneous
done with little or no preparation
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trek
to travel or migrate, esp slowlt or with great difficulty
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ensue
to happen subsequently
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palette
a board which an artist can hold while painting and on which colors can be mixed
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bazaar
a market consisting of a street lined with shops
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diurnal
daily; occurring during the daytime
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ardent
passionate or enthusiastic
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postscript
additional information added to the end of a letter or other document
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pallet
a narrow, hard or straw-filled mattress; an often wooden platform used for moving and storing freight
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currency
general acceptance or use; the state of being up-to-date
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eon
a long period of time
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effrontery
bold and insulting behavior
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dictum
an authoritative, often formal, pronouncement
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cordial
warm and friendly; polite and respectful
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impalpable
that which cannot be felt by touching; not easily understood
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ovation
enthusiastic and lengthy applause
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pittance
a small amount, esp. of money
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confide
to tell something in secret
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dual
composed of two parts
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manuscript
a book or other document written by hand; an author's original copy of a document submitted for publication
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knell
to ring in a slow, solemn way
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de facto
actual or effective, esp. when without legal authority; in fact
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scour
to wash by scrubbing vigorously
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dauntless
incapable of being intimidated
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nondescript
lacking distinction or individual character
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cardinal
of main importance; principal
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paraphrase
to restate in different words; to summarize
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debonair
easy and carefree in manner
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circumscribe
to define the limits of
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cascade
a waterfall or series of small waterfalls; a succession of stages, processes, or units
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etymology
the study of origins of words
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etiquette
the forms of behavior of polite society
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dissident
disagreeing or dissenting, especially politically
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cerebral
pertaining to the brain; intellectual
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chronology
arrangement of events in time
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scribe
a professional copyist of manuscripts and documents, esp. in ancient times
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dilate
to make wider; to expand
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demagogue
a leader who obtains power by appealing to the emotions and prejudices of the people
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remunerate
to pay or compensate
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sentinel
one who keeps watch
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engender
to beget; to cause; to promote
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genocide
killing of a whole national or ethnic group
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bristle
to react in an angry or offended manner
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quid pro quo
an equal exchange or substitution
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segregate
to separate into groups or parts
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bolster
to support or strengthen
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abstract
without reference to specific instance or concrete existence; theoretical
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mosaic
an image created by the assembly of many small colored pieces, e.g., tiles
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toddle
to walk with short, unsteady steps, like a child
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pulverize
to crush; to grind into powder or dust
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crony
A long time friend or close companion
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incongruous
lacking agreement; incompatible
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complaisant
showing a desire to please; cheerfully obliging
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cumbersome
clumsy or difficult to manage
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spontaneous
occurring naturally or without forethought
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aberration
a departure from what is right, true, or expected
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momentous
of extreme importance
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conscript
to draft compulsorily, esp. into military service
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evoke
to call forth or call to mind
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fastidious
showing or acting with careful attention to detail; not easy to please; very critical or discriminating
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unequivocal
very clear; definite
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temporize
to act evasively in order to gain time
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figurehead
a person with apparent but no real authority
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accommodate
to oblige; to provide a service or favor; to fit
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temporal
relating to time
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aboveboard
without dishonesty or concealment
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ad infinitum
lasting forever; continuously
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piquant
agreeably pungent or sharp in taste; tart ; agreeably stimulated or interesting
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endow
to provide with material goods, talents, or qualities
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xenophobia
fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners
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fathom
to understand or comprehend;to determine the depth of
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couch
to phrase in a particular way
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banal
dull or stale; commonplace
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superlative
excellent; of the highest quality
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skirmish
a minor conflict
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lassitude
a feeling of weakness
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deranged
mentally disturbed
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draconian
extremely harsh and severe
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svelte
slender and graceful in outline
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resilient
able to recover quickly
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crux
an essential or pivotal point; a perplexing difficulty
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dapper
neatly dressed; trim; stylish
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apprehension
worry or unease
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tender
- to offer formally
- a legal offer; something, esp. money, offered in payment
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vantage
a position that gives a wide view
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waggish
mischievous; playful
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reminisce
to recall the past, esp. fondly
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recluse
one who hides from the world
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knoll
a small rounded hill
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quip
a remark or reply that is witty or sarcastic
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unkempt
sloppy;messy;unclean
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cadaver
a dead body, esp. a human body to be dissected
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shade
a small variation, a nuance, a small amout
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warren
an enclosed space in which rabbits breed or are numerous; any place that is crowded like a rabbit warren
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coalesce
to grow together; to marge into a single body
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furrow
a trench in the earth made by a plow, a wrinkle
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recede
to go back; to withdraw
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flower
to reach the best or most vigorous stage
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lore
knowledge about a particular subject, esp. of a traditional or popular nature
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recur
to repeat; to occur again
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groteque
strangely or absurdly distorted
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flail
to strike about, to hit wildly
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repose
relaxation; a state of rest
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sullen
showing silent anger and unwillingness to be pleasant to people
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consul
official residing in a foreign country
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baffle
to frustrate, as by confusing
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candor
frankness or sincerity of expression
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slovenly
careless about one's own appearance
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fluctuate
to move back and forth or up and down, esp. unpredictable
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quixotic
foolishly idealistic; extravagantly chivalrous; impulsive or capricious
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remonstrate
to make objections
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tangible
able to be touched or treated as real
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embroil
to engage in trouble; to complicate
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homely
unattractive, plain looking
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stamina
resistance to fatigue or hardship; endurance
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primp
to dress or groom with careful attention to detail
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posterity
future generations
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kindling
dry sticks of wood used to start a fire
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rift
a break in friendly relations
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rancid
spoiled or rotten (esp. oils or fats)
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shard
a fragment of a brittle substance, e.g, glass or pottery
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sarcasm
harsh, often ironic ridicule , intended to hurt
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extortion
taking (property or money) by force or threat of force
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comely
attractive or pleasing in appearance; pretty; handsome
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obsequious
showing too great a willingness to serve or obey
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scion
an heir; a descendant
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bowdlerize
to censor, esp. prudishly
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defer
to delay; to put off
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become
to be approporiate or suitable to; to look good with
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milestone
an important event
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buoy
to keep afloat; to raise the spirits of
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euphony
pleasing sound, esp. of words
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hierarchy
a ranking according to status or ability; a group with authority
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scintillate
to give off sparks; to be animated or brilliant
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anonymous
having an unknown or unacknowledged name
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lineaments
any of the features of the body, usually the face
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dilute
to lessen the concentration, force or purity of by adding something
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zeal
intense passion or enthusiasm
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blanket
applying to all conditions or instances
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deviate
to depart from the norm
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dynasty
a succession of rulers or people in power from the same family
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detriment
injury or damage
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gauge
an instrument for measuring or testing
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wreak
to inflict; to cause (something bad)
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maverick
one who rebels; a nonformist; and individualist
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protean
easily taking on different forms
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lenient
inclined not to be strict
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éclat
great brilliance, as of performance or achievement; conspicuous success
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ravine
a deep, narrow gorge, esp. one worn down with running water
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malinger
to act sick in order to avoid work
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chauvinism
unreasoning and boastful devotion to one's country or sex
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voracious
devouring; extremely hungry
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skulk
to lurk; to move secretively
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malaise
a vague feeling of physical discomfort or uneasiness
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lineage
direct descent from an ancestor; derivation
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diverge
to depart from a set course or opinion
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clamber
to crawl or climb with difficulty, esp. on all fours
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bulwark
a wall or embankment used for a defensive fortification
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acme
the highest point; as of perfection
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waif
a homeless person; especially a child or orphan; someone who is thin and gaunt, especially a girl
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skittish
nervous; easily frightened
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filament
a fine wire or thread
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perpetuity
a state of infinite or indefinitely long duration
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palpable
capable of being handled, touched or felt; easily perceived
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demure
coy; modest; reserved
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elucidate
to make something clear; to clarify
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claustrophobia
a fear of confined spaces
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mien
bearing or manner, esp. as revealing one's inner state of mind
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bedlam
any place or condition of noise and confusion
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mélange
a mixture; a hodgepodge
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improvise
to do without perparation
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indulgent
lenient; giving to the desires of others
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premonition
a sense of a future event; a warning in advance
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occult
relatng to the supernatural; beyond human comprehension; mysterious
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queasy
sick to one's stomach; nauseated
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mortal
subject to death; causing death
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insidious
subtly harmful; stealthy; sneaky
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beleaguered
harassed; besieged
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elysian
heavenly or delightful
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gist
the main objective or point
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loquacious
very talkative
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impervious
completely resistant to penetration; unaffected
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fidelity
strict faithfulness to vows or promises; exact correspondence with fact
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aptitude
an inherent capacity for learning, understanding or performing
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parochial
restricted; limited; narrow; local
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acclaim
to praise enthusiastically, esp. publically
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incessant
never pausing; continuing without a stop
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intrinsic
relating to the essential nature of a something
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recumbent
lying down in a position of comfort
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ramification
a development or consequence resulting from a course of action
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adept
very skilled, esp. natural talent improved by practice
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windfall
unexpected good fortune
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curtail
to cut short, abbreviate
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balk
to stop short and refuse to continue
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reciprocate
to give something in return
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facilitate
to make easier
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pedagogy
the art or profession of teaching
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pristine
remaining in a pure state
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arduous
difficult; laborious
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innate
possessed at birth; inborn
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pique
to arouse (interest, curiosity, etc.); to irritate
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rote
mechanical memorization, often without full understanding
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exacerbate
to make more violent, bitter or severe
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esteem
high regard; respect
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foster
to bring up or nurture
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aesthetic
relating to beauty
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specious
seeming to be truthful on the surface, but actually false
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progenitor
a direct ancestor
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audacious
fearlessly, often recklessly bold; insolent
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fluster
to make nervous or upset
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warrant
to justify or deserve
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desiccate
to dry completely
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cliché
an overused expression
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reticence
the quality or state of being silent or uncommunicative
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imbue
to inspire; to permeate; to fill with a mood or tone
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propitious
presenting favorable circumstances
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proficient
very skillful, esp. through training
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coddle
to treat indulgently
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itinerant
traveling from place to place, esp. for work
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affliction
pain; suffering; anything causing pain
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vagary
an erratic notion or action
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précis
a concise summary of a text
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enormity
great wickedness; an evil act
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discriminate
to make a clear distinction
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compass
area; range; scope
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eclectic
compound of materials from various sources
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prerogative
an exclusive right or privilege, esp. one that is the result of heredity or official position
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incur
to acquire or sustain something undesirable
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exigent
requiring immediate action
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entail
to have as a necessary result
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recount
to tell in detail
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commiserate
to express sympathy
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hermetic
completely sealed, esp. from entry or escape of air
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generic
without a trademark; general
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aspiration
a strong desire for achievement
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adulation
excessive flattery or admiration
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efficacy
the power to produce the desired effect
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temerity
excessive boldness or rashness
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imperative
urgently necessary; imossible to deter or evade
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bromide
commonplace remark intended to calm; platitude
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empirical
based on experience rather than a theory
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relegate
to assign to an obscure place or condition
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envelop
to enclose or surround
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argot
specialized vocabulary unique to a particular group
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approbation
official approval
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facetious
playfully humorous
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superfluous
unncessary; extra
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scrutiny
close examination; minute inspection; a careful watch
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elude
to escape from, as by daring or skill; to escape the understanding of
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nuance
variation of meaning; subtlety
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cosmopolitan
having worldwide scope; so sophiscated as to be at home in all parts of the world
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degenerate
to decline to an inferior state, often in mental or moral quality
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germane
fitting and appropriate
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mnemonic
pertaining to or assisting the memory
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breach
some sort of violation; a gap
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adage
a familiar saying; a proverb
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nadir
the lowest point; the bottom
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denouement
conclusion; resolution; the falling action of a story after its climax
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heterogenous
not similar; very different; mixed together
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rococo
elaborate or overdone
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distend
to stretch out; to expand
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astute
showing clever awareness, esp. with respect to one's own concern
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kindred
related or similar in origin or nature
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neophyte
a beginner; and immature person who is learning
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sublime
of high spiritual or moral worth
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tepid
moderately warm; lacking force or enthusiasm
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equivocal
capable of multiple interpretations; unclear
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versatile
competent in many things
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procure
to obtain or acquire
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paradox
a statement or situation that appears contradictory
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forebear
a person from whom one is descended; an ancestor (usually plural)
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hegemony
strong influence; domination
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onus
an pleasant task or duty; a burden or obligation
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affinity
a natural attraction or feeling of kinship; an inherent similarity
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mundane
typical of this world; commonplace
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atrophy
a wasting away, esp. of body tissue
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duplicity
deception; deceitfulness; double-dealing
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verismilitude
resemblance to the truth
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proliferate
to grow or reproduce rapidly
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shibboleth
a custom or phrase distinctive of a particular group; class, etc.
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congenital
present since birth; being an essential characteristic
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ensemble
a group, esp. of performers, working as a unified whole
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cajole
to attempt to persuade with flattery or insincere talk
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facile
with effortless ease; without proper care; superficial
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phenomenon
an occurence that can be perceived by the senses; a remarkable person or event
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civil
observing accepted social customs; not rude
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accede
to agree to something
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periphery
a boundary line; perimeter; an outside surface
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wane
to decrease; to lessen
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capacious
able to contain or hold much
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ambivalence
simultaneous existance of opposing feelings; uncertainty as to what to do
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aloof
distant or removed in attitude or manner
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stanch
to stop the flow of something
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embryonic
not yet developed; st an early stage
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depict
to represent; to portray
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finesse
subtle skill in performance or in handling a situation
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duel
a prearranged combat between two people
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fractious
disruptive or irritable
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conjecture
an inference or conclusion based on incomplete evidance
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interloper
one who interferes with the affairs of others; a meddler
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brooch
a large, decorative pin
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foment
to stir up negative feelings, esp. those that lead to violent action
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complacent
too pleased with oneself; self-satisfied
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abrade
to wear down a surface by or as if by scraping
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hallucination
a false perception of reality; a delusion
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heinous
extremely wicked; abominable
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adorn
to add beauty; to decorate
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yelp
a sharp cry expressing pain
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skeptical
tending to question or doubt
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stimulate
to rouse or excite to action or increased action; to spur on
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stoic
apparently indifferent to joy, grief, pleasure, or pain
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cadre
a core group of trained, highly skilled people capable of training others
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plethora
an abundance or excess of something
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exasperate
to make very important
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zeitgeist
the trend or spirit of the times
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forfeit
to surrender or be forced to surrender
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hallmark
any mark or symbol of genuineness or high quality
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freelance
without long-term commitment to any employer
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florid
flushed with rosy color; overdecorated
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tantalize
to torment or tease by showing something desirable while keeping it out of reach
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elicit
to draw out; to invoke
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induce
to influence, esp. by persuasion; to bring about
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exuberant
lively, happy, and full of good spirits
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ascribe
to attribute to a specific source
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derelict
deserted, abandoned (of a building); neglectful of a duty (of a person)
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goad
to prod or urge, as if with a pointed stick
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antediluvian
very old; outdated
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incumbent
necessary or obligatory
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proscribe
to prohibit or forbid; to denounce
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carte blanche
unrestricted power to act at one's own discretion
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subjective
based on personal experience or feeling, not on external evidance
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purport
to claim , esp. falsely
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maim
to cripple; to mutilate; to disable
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nocturnal
occurring at night
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contemporary
of the same time or period
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mediocre
ordinary to inferior in quality; not standing out from the average
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encroach
to infringe; to intrude; to trespass
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