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c_starrett
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abjure-- v.
1) To renounce under oath 2) To recant solemnly 3) To give up (an action or practice)
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abrogate-- v.
To abolish, do away with, or annul
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abstemious--adj.
1) Eating and drinking in moderation 2) Sparingly used or consumed; restricted to bare necessities
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acumen-- n.
Quickness and keenness of judgment or insight
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antebellum-- adj.
Belonging to the period before a war, especially the American Civil War
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auspicious-- adj.
1) Attended by favorable circumstances 2) Successful; prosperous
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belie-- v.
1) To picture falsely; misrepresent 2) To show to be false 3) To be counter to; contradict
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bellicose-- adj.
Warlike in manner or temperament; pugnacious
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bowdlerize-- v.
1) To expurgate (a book, for example) prudishly 2) To modify, as by shortening or simplifying or by skewing content
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chicanery-- n.
1) Deception by trickery or sophistry 2) A trick; a subterfuge
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chromosome-- n.
1) A linear strand of DNA and associated proteins in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells that carries the genes and functions in the transmission of hereditary information 2) A circular strand of DNA in bacteria that contains the hereditary information necessary for cell life
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churlish-- adj.
1) Of, like, or befitting a churl; boorish or vulgar 2) Surly 3) Difficult to work with, such as soil
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circumlocution-- n.
1) The use of unnecessarily wordy and indirect language 2) Evasion in speech or writing 3) A roundabout expression
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circumnavigate-- v.
1) To proceed completely around 2) To go around; circumvent
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deciduous-- adj.
1) Falling off or shed at a specific season or stage of growth 2) Shedding or losing foliage at the end of the growing season 3) Not lasting; ephemeral
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deleterious-- adj.
Having a harmful effect; injurious
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diffident-- adj.
1) Lacking or marked by a lack of self-confidence; shy 2) Reserved in manner
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enervate-- v. or adj.
- 1) To weaken or destroy the strength or vitality of 2) Medicine to remove a nerve or part of a nerve
- 1) Deprived of strength; debilitated
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enfranchise-- v.
1) To bestow a franchise on 2) To endow with the rights of citizenship, especially the right to vote 3) To free
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epiphany-- n.
1) A revelatory manifestation of a divine being 2) A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something; a comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization
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equinox-- n.
1) Either of two points on the celestial sphere at which the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator 2) Either of the two times during a year when the sun crosses the celestial equator and when day and night are of approximately equal length
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euro or Euro-- n.
The basic unit of currency among members of the European Monetary Union
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evanescent-- adj.
Vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor
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expurgate-- v.
To remove erroneous, vulgar, or otherwise objectionable material from (a book, for example) before publication
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facetious-- adj.
Playfully jocular; humorous
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fatuous-- adj.
1) Vacuously, smugly, and unconsciously foolish 2) Delusive; unreal
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feckless-- adj.
1) Feeble or ineffective 2) Careless and irresponsible
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fiduciary-- adj. or n.
- 1) Of or relating to a holding of something in trust for another 2) Of or consisting of fiat money
- 1) One, such as a company director, that has a special relation of trust or responsibility in certain obligations to others
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filibuster-- n. or v.
- 1) The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, in order to delay legislative action 2) An adventurer who engages in a private military action in a foreign country
- 1) To use obstructionist tactics in a legislative body 2) To take part in a military action in a foreign country
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gamete-- n.
A reproductive cell having the haploid number of chromosomes, especially a mature sperm or egg capable of fusing with a gamete of the opposite sex to produce the fertilized egg
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gauche-- adj.
Lacking social polish; tactless
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gerrymander-- n.
1) To divide (a geographic area) into voting districts so as to give unfair advantage to one party in elections 2) A district of configuration of districts differing widely in size or population because of gerrymandering
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hegemony-- n.
The predominant influence, as of a state, region, or group, over another or others
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hemoglobin-- n.
The iron-containing respiratory pigment in red blood cells of vertebrates, consisting of about 6% heme and 94% globin
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homogeneous-- adj.
1) Of the same or similar nature or kind 2) Uniform in structure of composition 3) (Mathematics) Consisting of terms of the same degree or elements of the same dimension
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hubris (also hybris)-- n.
Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance
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hypotenuse (also hypothenuse)-- n.
The side of a right triangle opposite the right angle
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impeach-- v.
1) To accuse; to charge (a public official) with improper conduct in office before a proper tribunal 2) To try to discredit
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incognito-- adv. & adj. or n.
- With one's identity disguised or concealed
- One whose identity is disguised or concealed
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incontrovertible-- adj.
Impossible to dispute; unquestionable
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inculcate-- v.
1) To impress (something) upon the mind of another by frequent instruction or repetition 2) To indoctrinate
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infrastructure-- n.
1) An underlying foundation, espcially for an organization or a system 2) The basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society
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interpolate-- v.
1) To insert or introduce between other elements or parts 2) To change or falsify (a text) with new or incorrect material 3) (Mathematics) To estimate a value (a function or series) between two known values
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irony-- n.
1) The use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning 2) Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs
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jejune-- adj.
1) Dull 2) Lacking maturity; childish 3) Lacking in nutrition
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kinetic-- adj.
1) Of, relating to, or produced by motion 2) Relating to or exhibiting kinesis
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kowtow-- v. or n.
- 1) To kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in expression of deep respect, worship, or submission
- 1) The act of kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground 2) An obsequious act
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laissez faire (also laisser faire)-- n.
1) An economic doctrine that opposes governmental regulation of or interference in commerce 2) Noninterference in the affairs of others
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lexicon-- n.
1) A dictionary 2) A stock of terms used in a particular profession, subject, or style 3) (Linguistics) The morphemes of a language considered as a group
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loquacious-- adj.
Very talkative; garrulous
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lugubrious-- adj.
Mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree
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metamorphosis-- n.
1) A transformation, as by magic 2) A marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function 3) (Biology) Change in the form and often habits of an animal during normal development after the embryonic stage
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mitosis-- n.
(Biology) 1) The process in cell division by which the nucleus divides 2) The entire process of cell division including division of the nucleus and the cytoplasm
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moiety-- n.
1) A half 2) A part, portion, or share 3) Either of two kinship groups based on unilateral descent that together make up a tribe or society
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nanotechnology-- n.
The science and technology of building electronic circuits and devices from individual atoms and molecules
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nihilism-- n.
1) (Philosophy) An extreme form of skepticism that denies all existence 2) Rejection of all distinctions in moral or religious value 3) The belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement
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nomenclature-- n.
1) A system of names used in an art or science 2) The procedure of assigning names to organisms listed in a taxonomic classification
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nonsectarian-- adj.
Not limited to or associated with a particular religious denomination
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notarize-- v.
To certify or attest to (the validity of a signature on a document, for example) as a notary public
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obsequious-- adj.
Full of or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning
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oligarchy-- n.
1) Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families; those making up such a government 2) A state goverened by an oligarchy
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omnipotent-- adj. or n.
- Having unlimited or universal power, authority, or force
- One who is omnipotent
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orthography-- n.
1) The art or study of standard spelling 2) A method of representing a language or the sounds of language by written symbols; spelling
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oxidize-- v.
1) To combine with oxygen 2) To increase the positive charge or valence of (an element) by removing electrons 3) To coat with oxide
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parabola-- n.
A plane curve formed by the intersection of a right circular cone and a plane parallel to an element of the cone or by the locus of points equidistant from a fixed line and a fixed point not on the line
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paradigm-- n.
1) One that serves as pattern or model 2) A set or list of all the inflectional forms of a word or of one of its grammatical categories 3) A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them
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parameter-- n.
1) (Mathematics) A constant in an equation that varies in other equations of the same general form 2) One of a set of measurable factors that define a system and determine its behavior and are varied in an experiment 3) A distinguishing characteristic or feature
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pecuniary-- adj.
1) Of or relating to money 2) Requiring payment of money
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photosynthesis-- n.
The process by which green plants and certain other organisms synthesize carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water using light as an energy source and usually releasing oxygen as a byproduct
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plagiarize-- v.
To use and pass off (the ideas or writings of another) as one's own
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plasma (also plasm)-- n.
1) The clear yellowish fluid portion of blood, lymph, or intramuscular fluid in which cells are suspended 2) (Medicine) Cell-free sterilized blood plasma, used in transfusions
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polymer-- n.
Any of numerous natural or synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of repeated linked units, each a relatively light and simple molecule
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precipitous-- adj.
1) Extremely steep 2) Having several precipices
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quasar-- n.
An extremely distant celestial object whose power output is thousands of times that of our entire galaxy
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quotidian-- adj.
1) Everyday commonplace 2) Recurring daily. Used especially of attacks of malaria
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recapitulate-- v.
1) To repeat in concise form 2) (Biology) To appear to repeat (the evolutionary stages of the species) during the embryonic development of the individual organism
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reciprocal-- adj. or n.
- 1) Concerning each of two or more persons or things 2) Given or owed to each other 3) Interchangeable; complimentary
- 1) Something that is reciprocal to something else
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reparation-- n.
1) The act or process of repairing or the condition of being repaired 2) The act or process of making amends
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respiration-- n.
1) The act or process of inhaling and exhaling 2) Any of various metabolic processes by which certain organisms, such as fungi, obtain energy from organic molecules
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sanguine-- adj.
1) Of the color of blood; a healthy reddish color 2) Cheerfully confident; optimistic
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soliloquy--
1) A dramatic or literary form of discourse in which a character reveals his or her thoughts when alone or unaware of the presence of other characters 2) The act of speaking to oneself
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subjugate-- v.
1) To bring under control; conquer 2) enslave
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suffragist-- n.
An advocate of the extension of political voting rights, especially to women
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supercilious-- adj.
Feeling or showing haughty disdain
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tautology- n.
1) Needless repitition of the same sense in different words 2) (Logic) An empty statement composed of simpler statements in a fashion that makes it logically true whether the simpler statements are factually true or false; for example, Either we'll go or we'll stay
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taxonomy-- n.
1) The classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships 2) The science, laws, or principles of classification
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tectonic-- adj.
1) (Geology) Relating to, causing, or resulting from structural deformation of the earth's crust 2) Relating to construction of building
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tempestuous-- adj.
Tumultuous; stormy
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thermodynamics-- n.
The branch of physics that deals with the relationships and conversions between heat and other forms of energy
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totalitarian-- adj. or n.
- Of, being, or composing a form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life
- A practitioner or supporter of such a government
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unctuous-- adj.
1) Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness 2) Having the quality or characteristics of oil or ointment; slippery 3) Abundant in organic material; soft and rich
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usurp-- v.
To seize and hold (the power or rights of another, for example) by force and without legal authority
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vacuous-- adj.
1) Devoid of matter 2) Stupid 3) Idle
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vehement-- adj.
1) Forceful or intense in expression, emotion, or conviction 2) Vigorous or energetic
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vortex-- n.
1) A spiral motion of fluid within a limited area especially a whirling mass of water or air that sucks everything near it towards its center 2) A place or situation regarded as drawing into its center all that surrounds it
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winnow-- v.
1) To seperate the chaff from (grain) by means of a current of air 2) To blow (chaff) off or away
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wrought-- adj.
1) Created 2) Shaped by hammering with tools 3) Made delicately or elaborately
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xenophobe-- n.
A person unduly fearful or contemptuous of that which is foreign, especially of strangers or foreign peoples
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yeoman-- n.
1) An attendant or lesser official in a royal or noble household 2) A petty officer performing chiefly clerical duties in the US Navy 3) An assistant or other subordinate 4) A diligent, dependable worker
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ziggurat-- n.
A temple tower of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, having the form of a terraced pyramid of successively receding stories
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