The Ever Evolving

Lexicon
Fourth Edition

Kevin
NEADLEY

a
a.vant-garde |noun (usu. the avant-garde)
new and unusual or experimental ideas, esp. in the arts,
or the people introducing them : works by artists of the
Russian avant-garde.
adjective
favoring or introducing such new ideas : a controversial
avant-garde composer
a.sym.met.ri.cal |adjective
having parts that fail to correspond to one another in
shape, size, or arrangement; lacking symmetry : the
church has an asymmetrical plan with an aisle only on
one side.
having parts or aspects that are not equal or equivalent;
unequal in some respect : the asymmetrical relationship
between a landlord and a tenant.

DERIVATIVES
asymmetric adjective
asymmetrically adverb

a.fore.men.tioned |adjective
denoting a thing or person previously mentioned : songs
from the aforementioned album.

a.fi.ci.o.na.do |noun ( pl. -dos)

a person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic
about an activity, subject, or pastime : aficionados of the
finest wines.

au.tar.ky |noun
economic independence or self-sufficiency.
a country, state, or society that is economically
independent.

ap.a.thy |noun
lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern : widespread
apathy among students.

ad hoc |adjective & adverb

formed, arranged, or done for a particular purpose only :
[as adj. ] an ad hoc committee | the discussions were on
an ad hoc basis | [as adv. ] the group was constituted ad
hoc.

ac.tiv.ism |noun
the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to
bring about political or social change.

DERIVATIVES
activist noun

ad.verse |adjective
preventing success or development; harmful; unfavorable
: taxes are having an adverse effect on production |
adverse weather conditions. See note at hostile .

DERIVATIVES: adversely

am.biv.a.lent |adjective
having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about
something or someone : some loved her, some hated her,
few were ambivalent about her | an ambivalent attitude
to terrorism.

DERIVATIVES
ambivalence noun
ambivalently adverb

al.lude |verb [ intrans. ] ( allude to)

suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at : she had a
way of alluding to Jean but never saying her name.
• mention without discussing at length : we will allude
briefly to the main points.

ax.i.om |noun
a statement or proposition that is regarded as being
established, accepted, or self-evidently true : the axiom
that supply equals demand.

ad lib |verb ( ad libbed , ad libbing )

speak or perform in public without previously preparing
one's words : Charles had to ad lib because he'd
forgotten his script | she ad libbed half the speech.

ac.me |noun
the point at which someone or something is best, perfect,
or most successful : physics is the acme of scientific
knowledge.
ac.ri.mo.ni.ous |adjective
(typically of speech or a debate) angry and bitter : an
acrimonious dispute about wages

DERIVATIVES
acrimoniously adverb

al.tru.ism |noun
the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless
concern for the well-being of others : some may choose
to work with vulnerable elderly people out of altruism.
Zoology behavior of an animal that benefits another at its
own expense.

DERIVATIVES
altruist noun
altruistic | adjective
altruistically | adverb

ap.o.plec.tic |adjective informal

overcome with anger; extremely indignant : Mark was
apoplectic with rage at the decision.

DERIVATIVES
apoplectically adverb
an.tith.e.sis |noun
a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone
or something else : love is the antithesis of selfishness.
• a contrast or opposition between two things : the
antithesis between occult and rational mentalities.
a figure of speech in which an opposition or contrast of
ideas is expressed by parallelism of words that are the
opposites of, or strongly contrasted with, each other,
such as “hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins” :
his sermons were full of startling antitheses.

a.nach.ro.nism |noun
a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than
that in which it exists, esp. a thing that is conspicuously
old-fashioned : everything was as it would have appeared
in centuries past apart from one anachronism, a bright
yellow construction crane.
• an act of attributing a custom, event, or object to a
period to which it does not belong.

DERIVATIVES
anachronistic |adjective
anachronistically |adverb

allude | verb [ intrans. ] ( allude to)

suggest or call attention to indirectly; hint at : she had a
way of alluding to Jean but never saying her name.
• mention without discussing at length : we will allude
briefly to the main points.

b
bul.wark |noun
a defensive wall.
• figurative a person, institution, or principle that acts as a
defense : the security forces are a bulwark against the
breakdown of society.

be.la.bor |verb [ trans. ]

1 argue or elaborate (a subject) in excessive detail :
critics thought they belabored the obvious.
2 attack or assault (someone) physically or verbally :
Tyndale seized every opportunity to belabor the Roman
Church.

bel.lig.er.ence |noun
aggressive or warlike behavior : the reaction ranged from
wild enthusiasm to outright belligerence.

but.tress |noun
a projecting support of stone or brick built against a wall.
• figurative a source of defense or support : there was a
demand for a new stable order as a buttress against
social collapse.
verb [ trans. ]
figurative increase the strength of or justification for;
reinforce : authority was buttressed by religious belief.

be.nev.o.lent |adjective
well meaning and kindly : a benevolent smile.
(of an organization) serving a charitable rather than a
profit-making purpose : a benevolent fund.

DERIVATIVES
benevolence noun
benevolently adverb

be.hest |noun
a person's orders or command : they had assembled at
his behest | the slaughter of the male children at the
behest of Herod.

be.nign adjective
1 gentle; kindly : her face was calm and benign | his
benign but firm manner.
• (of a climate or environment) mild and favorable
not harmful to the environment : [in combination ] an
ozone-benign refrigerant.

DERIVATIVES
benignly adverb
be.moan |verb
express discontent or sorrow over (something) : single
women bemoaning the absence of men.

be.lat.ed |adjective
coming or happening later than should have been the
case : a belated apology.

DERIVATIVES
belatedly adverb
belatedness noun

ba.nal |adjective
so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring :
songs with banal, repeated words.

DERIVATIVES
banality |noun
banally adverb

c
con.du.cive |adjective
making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible :
the harsh lights and cameras were hardly conducive to
a relaxed atmosphere.

cy.no.sure |noun
a person or thing that is the center of attention or
admiration : the Queen was the cynosure of all eyes.

carte blanche |noun

complete freedom to act as one wishes or thinks best :
we were given carte blanche.
ORIGIN late 17th cent.: French, literally ‘blank paper’ (i.e.,
a blank sheet on which to write whatever one wishes,
particularly one's own terms for an agreement).

cir.cum.vent |verb [ trans. ]

find a way around (an obstacle).
• overcome (a problem or difficulty), typically in a clever
and surreptitious way : terrorists found the airport checks
easy to circumvent.
archaic deceive; outwit : he's circumvented her with some
of his stories.

DERIVATIVES
circumvention noun

con.cur.rent |adjective
existing, happening, or done at the same time : there are
three concurrent art fairs around the city.
DERIVATIVES
concurrently adverb

ca.pri.cious |adjective
given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or
behavior : a capricious and often brutal administration | a
capricious climate.
DERIVATIVES
capriciously adverb
capriciousness noun

cir.cum.spect |adjective
wary and unwilling to take risks : the officials were very
circumspect in their statements.

DERIVATIVES
circumspection | noun
circumspectly adverb

ca.coph.o.ny |noun ( pl. -nies)

a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds : a cacophony of
deafening alarm bells | figurative a cacophony of
architectural styles | songs of unrelieved cacophony.

DERIVATIVES
cacophonous adjective
ce.re.bral |adjective
1 of the cerebrum of the brain : a cerebral hemorrhage |
the cerebral cortex.
• intellectual rather than emotional or physical :
photography is a cerebral process.
2 Phonetics another term for retroflex .

DERIVATIVES
cerebrally adverb

co.erce |verb [ trans. ]

persuade (an unwilling person) to do something by using
force or threats : they were coerced into silence. See
note at compel .
• obtain (something) by such means : their confessions
were allegedly coerced by torture.

DERIVATIVES
coercible adjective
coercion noun

cor.dial |adjective
warm and friendly : the atmosphere was cordial and
relaxed.
strongly felt : I earned his cordial loathing.
DERIVATIVES
cordiality |noun
cordially adverb

car.i.ca.ture |noun
a picture, description, or imitation of a person or thing in
which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in
order to create a comic or grotesque effect.
• the art or style of such exaggerated representation :
there are elements of caricature in the portrayal of the
hero.
a ludicrous or grotesque version of someone or
something : he looked like a caricature of his normal self.

DERIVATIVES
caricatural adjective
caricaturist noun

co.lo.ni.al.ism |noun
the policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political
control over another country, occupying it with settlers,
and exploiting it economically.

DERIVATIVES
colonialist noun & adjective

cur.tail |verb (often be curtailed)

reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on :
civil liberties were further curtailed.
• ( curtail someone of) archaic deprive someone of
(something) : I that am curtailed of this fair proportion.

DERIVATIVES
curtailment noun

can.dor |( Brit. candour) noun

the quality of being open and honest in expression;
frankness : a man of refreshing candor.

col.lude |verb
come to a secret understanding for a harmful purpose;
conspire : university leaders colluded in price-rigging |
the president accused his opponents of colluding with
foreigners.

DERIVATIVES
colluder noun

con.note |verb
(of a word) imply or suggest (an idea or feeling) in
addition to the literal or primary meaning : the term
“modern science” usually connotes a complete openness
to empirical testing.
• (of a fact) imply as a consequence or condition : in that
period a log cabin connoted hard luck.

DERIVATIVES
connotative |adjective
clan.des.tine |adjective
kept secret or done secretively, esp. because illicit : she
deserved better than these clandestine meetings. See
note at secret .

DERIVATIVES
clandestinely adverb
clandestinity |noun

con.fab | noun
an informal private conversation or discussion : they
wandered off to the woods for a private confab.
• a meeting or conference of members of a particular
group : this year's annual American Booksellers
Association confab.

verb ( -fabbed , -fabbing ) [ intrans. ]

engage in informal private conversation : Peter was
confabbing with a curly-haired guy.

con.com.i.tant |adjective
naturally accompanying or associated : she loved travel,
with all its concomitant worries | concomitant with his
obsession with dirt was a desire for order.
noun
a phenomenon that naturally accompanies or follows
something : some of us look on pain and illness as
concomitants of the stresses of living.

DERIVATIVES
concomitantly adverb

d
det.ri.men.tal |adjective
tending to cause harm : releasing the documents would
be detrimental to national security | moving her could
have a detrimental effect on her health.

DERIVATIVES
detrimentally adverb

dis.po.sit.ion |noun
1 a person's inherent qualities of mind and character : a
sweet-natured girl of a placid disposition.
[often with infinitive ] an inclination or tendency : the
cattle showed a decided disposition to run | the judge's
disposition to clemency.

the power to deal with something as one pleases : if

Napoleon had had railroads at his disposition, he would
have been invincible.
de.praved |adjective
morally corrupt : a depraved indifference to human life.
THE RIGHT WORD
There are many terms to describe the dark side of human
nature.
Someone who preys on young children would be
considered depraved, a term that means totally immoral
and implies a warped character or a twisted mind (: a
depraved man who stole money from his own mother and
eventually murdered her).

di.chot.o.my |noun
a division or contrast between two things that are or are
represented as being opposed or entirely different : a
rigid dichotomy between science and mysticism.

dis.sen.sus |noun
widespread dissent : analysis reveals notable dissensus
in evaluations of occupational roles.

dis.par.ity |noun ( pl. -ties)

a great difference : economic disparities between
different regions of the country | the great disparity of
weight between the sun and the planets.

dog.ma |noun
a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority
as incontrovertibly true : the Christian dogma of the
Trinity | the rejection of political dogma.

dis.sent |verb [ intrans. ]

hold or express opinions that are at variance with those
previously, commonly, or officially expressed : two
members dissented from the majority | [as adj. ]
( dissenting) there were only a couple of dissenting
voices.

dis.dain.ful |dɪsˌdeɪnfʊl|adjective
showing contempt or lack of respect : with a last
disdainful look, she turned toward the door.

DERIVATIVES
disdainfully adverb
disdainfulness noun

dil.i.gence |noun
1

careful and persistent work or effort.

de.duce |verb
arrive at (a fact or a conclusion) by reasoning; draw as a
logical conclusion : little can be safely deduced from
these figures | [with clause ] they deduced that the fish
died because of water pollution.

DERIVATIVES
deducible adjective

de.bunk |verb [ trans. ]

expose the falseness or hollowness of (a myth, idea, or
belief) : the magazine that debunks claims of the
paranormal.
reduce the inflated reputation of (someone), esp. by
ridicule : comedy takes delight in debunking heroes.

DERIVATIVES
debunker noun
debunkery noun

dé.tente |noun
the easing of hostility or strained relations, esp. between
countries : a serious effort at détente with the eastern
bloc.

des.pot.ism |noun
the exercise of absolute power, esp. in a cruel and
oppressive way : the King's arbitrary despotism.
a country or political system where the ruler holds
absolute power.
de.ri.sion |noun
contemptuous ridicule or mockery : my stories were
greeted with derision and disbelief.
PHRASES
hold (or have) in derision archaic regard with mockery.

DERIVATIVES
derisible |adjective

de fac.to | adverb
in fact, whether by right or not : the island has been de
facto divided into two countries. Often contrasted with de
jure .
adjective [ attrib. ]
denoting someone or something that is such in fact : a de
facto one-party system.

de.funct |adjective
no longer existing or functioning : the now defunct
communist common market.

deft |adjective
neatly skillful and quick in one's movements : a deft
piece of footwork.
• demonstrating skill and cleverness : the script was both
deft and literate.

DERIVATIVES
deftly adverb
deftness noun

e
esprit de corps |noun
a feeling of pride, fellowship, and common loyalty shared
by the members of a particular group.

e.gal.i.tar.i.an |adjective
of, relating to, or believing in the principle that all people
are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities : a
fairer, more egalitarian society.
noun
a person who advocates or supports such a principle.

e.gre.gious |adjective
1 outstandingly bad; shocking : egregious abuses of
copyright.

DERIVATIVES
egregiously adverb
egregiousness noun
ex.po.si.tion |noun
1 a comprehensive description and explanation of an
idea or theory : an exposition and defense of Marx's
writings.
en.am.or |( chiefly Brit. enamour)
verb ( be enamored of/with/by)
be filled with a feeling of love for : it is not difficult to see
why Edward is enamored of her.
• have a liking or admiration for : she was truly enamored
of New York.

ev.a.nes.cent |adjective chiefly poetic/literary

soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly
fading or disappearing : a shimmering evanescent
bubble. See note at temporary .

DERIVATIVES
evanescence noun
evanescently adverb

ex.as.per.ate |verb
irritate intensely; infuriate : this futile process
exasperates prison officials | [as adj. ] ( exasperated)
she grew exasperated with his inability to notice anything
| [as adj. ] ( exasperating) they suffered a number of
exasperating setbacks.

DERIVATIVES
exasperatedly adverb
exasperatingly adverb
exasperation |noun

en.dog.e.nous | adjective
having an internal cause or origin : the expected rate of
infection is endogenous to the system. Often contrasted
with exogenous .
• Biology growing or originating from within an organism :
endogenous gene sequences.
• chiefly Psychiatry (of a disease or symptom) not
attributable to any external or environmental factor :
endogenous depression.
• confined within a group or society.

DERIVATIVES
endogenously adverb

em.bel.lish |verb
make (something) more attractive by the addition of
decorative details or features : blue silk embellished with
golden embroidery.
• make (a statement or story) more interesting or
entertaining by adding extra details, esp. ones that are
not true : she had real difficulty telling the truth because
she liked to embellish things.

DERIVATIVES
embellisher noun

e.qua.nim.i.ty |noun
mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper,
esp. in a difficult situation : she accepted both the good
and the bad with equanimity.

DERIVATIVES
equanimous | adjective
e.gre.gious |adjective
1 outstandingly bad; shocking : egregious abuses of
copyright.
2 archaic remarkably good.

DERIVATIVES
egregiously adverb
egregiousness noun

ex.tol |verb ( extolled , extolling ) [ trans. ]

praise enthusiastically : he extolled the virtues of the
Russian peoples. See note at praise.

DERIVATIVES
extoller noun
extolment noun

ex.ac.er.bate |verb [ trans. ]

make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling)
worse : the forest fire was exacerbated by the lack of
rain.

DERIVATIVES
exacerbation |noun
ex.u.ber.ant |adjective
filled with or characterized by a lively energy and
excitement : giddily exuberant crowds | flamboyant and
exuberant architectural invention.
growing luxuriantly or profusely : exuberant foliage.
DERIVATIVES
exuberance noun
exuberantly adverb

e.mol.lient |adjective
having the quality of softening or soothing the skin : an
emollient cream.
attempting to avoid confrontation or anger; soothing or
calming : the president's emollient approach to
differences.

DERIVATIVES
emollience noun

ech.e.lon |noun
1 a level or rank in an organization, a profession, or
society : the upper echelons of the business world.
• [often with adj. ] a part of a military force differentiated
by position in battle or by function : the rear echelon.
2 Military a formation of troops, ships, aircraft, or vehicles
in parallel rows with the end of each row projecting
further than the one in front.

em.bar.go |noun ( pl. -goes)

an official ban on trade or other commercial activity with
a particular country : an embargo on grain sales | the oil
embargo of 1973.
an official prohibition on any activity.

ex.trap.o.late |verb
extend the application of (a method or conclusion, esp.
one based on statistics) to an unknown situation by
assuming that existing trends will continue or similar
methods will be applicable : the results cannot be
extrapolated to other patient groups. | [ intrans. ] it is
always dangerous to extrapolate from a sample.
• estimate or conclude (something) in this way : attempts
to extrapolate likely human cancers from laboratory
studies.

DERIVATIVES
extrapolation |-ˌleɪʃ(ə)n| noun
extrapolative |-lətɪv| adjective
extrapolator noun

er.ro.ne.ous |adjective
wrong; incorrect : employers sometimes make erroneous
assumptions.

DERIVATIVES
erroneously adverb
erroneousness noun
 f
fal.li.ble |adjective
capable of making mistakes or being erroneous : experts
can be fallible.

DERIVATIVES
fallibility |noun

fa.tal.ism |noun
the belief that all events are predetermined and therefore
inevitable.
a submissive attitude to events, resulting from such a
belief.

DERIVATIVES
fatalist noun
fatalistic |-ˌlɪstɪk| adjective
fatalistically |-ˌlɪstɪk(ə)li| adverb

feu.dal |adjective
according to, resembling, or denoting the system of
feudalism : feudal barons.
absurdly outdated or old-fashioned : his view of
patriotism was more than old-fashioned—it was positively
feudal.

fru.gal |adjective
sparing or economical with regard to money or food : he
led a remarkably frugal existence. See note at
economical .
• simple and plain and costing little : a frugal meal.

DERIVATIVES
frugality |noun
frugally adverb
frugalness noun

fac.toid |noun
a brief or trivial item of news or information.
an assumption or speculation that is reported and
repeated so often that it becomes accepted as fact.

fer.vent |adjective
having or displaying a passionate intensity : a fervent
disciple of tax reform. See note at eager .
• archaic hot, burning, or glowing.

DERIVATIVES
fervency noun
fervently adverb

for.lorn |adjective
1 pitifully sad and abandoned or lonely : forlorn figures at
bus stops.
2 (of an aim or endeavor) unlikely to succeed or be
fulfilled; hopeless : a forlorn attempt to escape.

DERIVATIVES
forlornly adverb
forlornness |noun
foi.ble | noun
1 a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone's
character : they have to tolerate each other's little
foibles. See note at fault .

fe.brile |adjective
having or showing the symptoms of a fever : a febrile
illness.
• having or showing a great deal of nervous excitement or
energy : a febrile imagination.

DERIVATIVES
febrility |
feck.less |adjective
(of a person) lacking in efficiency or vitality : a feckless
mama's boy.
unthinking and irresponsible : the feckless exploitation of
the world's natural resources.

DERIVATIVES
fecklessly adverb
fecklessness noun

h
hub.ris |noun
excessive pride or self-confidence.
(in Greek tragedy) excessive pride toward or defiance of
the gods, leading to nemesis.

DERIVATIVES
hubristic |adjective

har.dy |adjective ( -dier , -diest )

robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions.
(of a plant) able to survive outside during winter.

het.er.o.ge.ne.ous |adjective
diverse in character or content : a large and
heterogeneous collection.
DERIVATIVES
heterogeneity |noun
heterogeneously adverb
heterogeneousness noun

hap.haz.ard |adjective
lacking any obvious principle of organization : the kitchen
drawers contained a haphazard collection of silver
souvenir spoons.

DERIVATIVES
haphazardly adverb
haphazardness noun

har.bin.ger |noun
a person or thing that announces or signals the approach
of another : witch hazels are the harbingers of spring.
• a forerunner of something : these works were not yet
opera, but they were the most important harbinger of
opera.

hith.er.to |adverb
until now or until the point in time under discussion :
there is a need to replace what has hitherto been a
haphazard
method of payment.
 i
im.passe |noun
a situation in which no progress is possible, esp. because
of disagreement; a deadlock : the current political
impasse.

in.ter a.li.a |adverb

among other things : the study includes, inter alia,
computers, aircraft, and pharmaceuticals.

in.sol.vent |adjective
unable to pay debts owed : the company became
insolvent.
relating to insolvency : insolvent liquidation.

DERIVATIVES
insolvency noun
in.trac.ta.ble |adjective
hard to control or deal with : intractable economic
problems | intractable pain.
(of a person) difficult; stubborn.

DERIVATIVES
intractability |noun
intractableness noun
intractably adverb

in.con.tro.vert.i.ble |adjective
not able to be denied or disputed : incontrovertible proof.

DERIVATIVES
incontrovertibility | noun
incontrovertibly adverb

in.cum.bent |adjective
1 [ predic. ] ( incumbent on/upon) necessary for
(someone) as a duty or responsibility : it is incumbent on
all decent people to concentrate on destroying this evil.
2 [ attrib. ] (of an official or regime) currently holding
office : the incumbent president had been defeated.
noun
the holder of an office or post.
in.can.des.cent |adjective
emitting light as a result of being heated : plumes of
incandescent liquid rock.
• (of an electric light) containing a filament that glows
white-hot when heated by a current passed through it.
• extremely angry : she was incandescent at the way the
IRS acted.
• of outstanding and exciting quality; brilliant :
Mravinsky's incandescent performance of Siegfried's
Funeral March.

DERIVATIVES
incandescence noun
incandescently adverb

in.fi.del.i.ty |noun ( pl. -ties)

1 the action or state of being unfaithful to a spouse or
other sexual partner : her infidelity continued after her
marriage | I ought not to have tolerated his infidelities.
2 unbelief in a particular religion, esp. Christianity.

il.lic.it |adjective
forbidden by law, rules, or custom : illicit drugs | illicit
sex.

DERIVATIVES
illicitly adverb
illicitness noun
in.fer.ence |noun
a conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and
reasoning.
the process of reaching such a conclusion : his emphasis
on order and health, and by inference cleanliness.

DERIVATIVES
inferential |adjective
inferentially |adverb

in.dig.nant |adjective
feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is
perceived as unfair treatment : he was indignant at being
the object of suspicion.
DERIVATIVES
indignantly adverb

in.tel.li.gi.ble |adjective
able to be understood; comprehensible : this would make
the system more intelligible to the general public.

DERIVATIVES
intelligibility |noun
intelligibly adverb
 j
ju.ris.pru.dence |noun
the theory or philosophy of law.
a legal system : American jurisprudence.

DERIVATIVES
jurisprudent adjective & noun
jurisprudential | adjective

jin.go | jin.go.ism |
a vociferous supporter of policy favoring war, esp. in the
name of patriotism.
noun chiefly derogatory
extreme patriotism, esp. in the form of aggressive or
warlike foreign policy.

DERIVATIVES
jingoist noun
jingoistic adjective

jux.ta.pose |verb
place or deal with close together for contrasting effect :
black-and-white photos of slums were starkly
juxtaposed with color images.

DERIVATIVES
juxtaposition noun
juxtapositional adjective
 k
kil.ter |noun (in phrase out of kilter)
out of harmony or balance : daylight savings throws
everybody's body clock out of kilter.

kudos |noun
praise and honor received for an achievement.

l
lex.i.con |noun ( pl. -cons or -ca )
1 the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of
knowledge : the size of the English lexicon.

leit.mo.tif |noun
a recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary
composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or
situation.

laissez-faire |noun
a policy or attitude of letting things take their own course,
without interfering.
Economics abstention by governments from interfering in
the workings of the free market : [as adj. ] laissez-faire
capitalism.

DERIVATIVES
laissez-faireism noun

m
mis.no.mer |noun
a wrong or inaccurate name or designation : “king crab”
is a misnomer—these creatures are not crustaceans at
all.
a wrong or inaccurate use of a name or term : to call this
“neighborhood policing” would be a misnomer.

mag.nan.i.mous |adjective
very generous or forgiving, esp. toward a rival or
someone less powerful than oneself.

DERIVATIVES
magnanimity |noun
magnanimously adverb

mel.an.chol.y |noun
a deep, pensive, and long-lasting sadness.
• another term for melancholia (as a mental condition).
• historical another term for black bile .

adjective
sad, gloomy, or depressed : she felt a little melancholy |
the dog has a melancholy expression.
• causing or expressing sadness; depressing : the study
makes melancholy if instructive reading.

DERIVATIVES
melancholic |-ˌkɒlɪk| adjective
melancholically |-ˌkɒlɪk(ə)li| adverb

mon.o.lith.ic |adjective
1 formed of a single large block of stone.
• (of a building) very large and characterless.
2 (of an organization or system) large, powerful, and
intractably indivisible and uniform : rejecting any move
toward a monolithic European superstate.
ma.lev.o.lent |adjective
having or showing a wish to do evil to others : the glint of
dark, malevolent eyes | some malevolent force of nature.

DERIVATIVES
malevolence noun
malevolently adverb

mo.dus vi.ven.di |
an arrangement or agreement allowing conflicting parties
to coexist peacefully, either indefinitely or until a final
settlement is reached.
• a way of living.

mo.dus op.e.ran.di |
a particular way or method of doing something, esp. one
that is characteristic or well-established : the volunteers
were instructed to buy specific systems using our usual
modus operandi—anonymously and with cash.
the way something operates or works.

ma.lign |adjective
evil in nature or effect; malevolent : she had a strong and
malign influence.
speak about (someone) in a spitefully critical manner :
don't you dare malign her in my presence.

DERIVATIVES
maligner noun
malignity |noun
malignly adverb

mod.i.cum |noun [in sing. ]

a small quantity of a particular thing, esp. something
considered desirable or valuable : his statement had
more than a modicum of truth.
 n
nex.us |noun ( pl. same or -uses )
a connection or series of connections linking two or more
things : the nexus between industry and political power.
• a connected group or series : a nexus of ideas.
the central and most important point or place : the nexus
of all this activity was the disco.

nep.o.tism |noun
the practice among those with power or influence of
favoring relatives or friends, esp. by giving them jobs.

DERIVATIVES
nepotist noun
nepotistic |adjective

o
om.nip.o.tent |adjective
(of a deity) having unlimited power; able to do anything.
having ultimate power and influence : an omnipotent
sovereign.

DERIVATIVES
omnipotence noun
omnipotently adverb

os.ten.sibly |adverb [ sentence adverb ]

apparently or purportedly, but perhaps not actually :
portrayed as a blue-collar type, ostensibly a carpenter.

os.ten.ta.tious |adjective
characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed
to impress or attract notice : books that people buy and
display ostentatiously but never actually finish.

DERIVATIVES
ostentatiously adverb
ostentatiousness noun

o.pine |verb [ reporting verb ] formal

hold and state as one's opinion : [with direct speech ]
“The man is a genius,” he opined | [with clause ] the
critic opined that the most exciting musical moment
occurred when the orchestra struck up the national
anthem.

o.pac.i.ty |noun
the condition of lacking transparency or translucence;
opaqueness : thinner paints need black added to increase
opacity.

ordain |verb [ trans. ]

1 make (someone) a priest or minister; confer holy orders
on.
2 order or decree (something) officially : equal
punishment was ordained for the two crimes.
• (esp. of God or fate) prescribe; determine (something) :
the path ordained by God.

DERIVATIVES
ordainer noun
ordainment noun

ob.fus.cate |verb [ trans. ]

render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible : the spelling
changes will deform some familiar words and obfuscate
their etymological origins.
bewilder (someone) : it is more likely to obfuscate people
than enlighten them.

DERIVATIVES
obfuscation |noun
obfuscatory adjective

op.u.lent |adjective
ostentatiously rich and luxurious or lavish : the opulent
comfort of a limousine.
• wealthy : his more opulent tenants.

DERIVATIVES
opulence noun
opulently adverb

om.i.nous |adjective
giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant
is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious : there were
ominous dark clouds gathering overhead.

DERIVATIVES
ominously adverb
ominousness noun

o.paque |adjective ( opaquer, opaquest)

not able to be seen through; not transparent : the
windows were opaque with steam.
figurative (esp. of language) hard or impossible to
understand; unfathomable : technical jargon that was
opaque to her.

DERIVATIVES
opaquely adverb
opaqueness noun

op.pro.bri.um |noun
harsh criticism or censure : his films and the critical
opprobrium they have generated.
the public disgrace arising from someone's shameful
conduct : the opprobrium of being closely associated with
thugs and gangsters.

p
pan.a.ce.a |noun
a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases : the
panacea for all corporate ills | the time-honored panacea,
cod liver oil.

DERIVATIVES
panacean adjective

pal.pa.ble |adjective
able to be touched or felt : the palpable bump at the
bridge of the nose. See note at tangible .
• (esp. of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to be
almost touched or felt : a palpable sense of loss.
• clear to the mind or plain to see : to talk of dawn raids
in the circumstances is palpable nonsense.

DERIVATIVES
palpability |-ˌbɪlɪti| noun
palpably adverb
prom.is.so.ry |adjective chiefly Law
conveying or implying a promise : statements that are
promissory in nature | promissory words.
archaic indicative of something to come; full of promise :
the glow of evening is promissory of the splendid days
to come.

pro.cras.ti.nate |verb [ intrans. ]

delay or postpone action; put off doing something : it
won't be this price for long, so don't procrastinate.

DERIVATIVES
procrastination |noun
procrastinator noun
procrastinatory adjective

pos.ter.i.ty |noun
all future generations of people : the victims' names are
recorded for posterity.
archaic the descendants of a person : God offered
Abraham a posterity like the stars of heaven.
pe.ruse |verb [ trans. ] formal
read thoroughly or carefully : the pursed lips of an
auditor perusing an unsatisfactory set of accounts.
examine carefully or at length : Laura perused a
Caravaggio.

pe.ru.sal |noun formal

the action of reading or examining something : I
continued my perusal of the instructions.

pro.po.nent |noun
a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or project : a
collection of essays by both critics and proponents of
graphology.

pro.cure.ment noun
the action of obtaining or procuring something : financial
assistance for the procurement of legal advice | the
company's procurements from foreign firms.

pen.sive |adjective
engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious
thought : a pensive mood.

DERIVATIVES
pensively adverb
pensiveness noun
pre.ten.tious |adjective
attempting to impress by affecting greater importance,
talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed : a
pretentious literary device.

DERIVATIVES
pretentiously adverb
pretentiousness noun

pol.ly.an.na |noun
an excessively cheerful or optimistic person.

pro.voc.a.tive |adjective
causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction,
esp. deliberately : a provocative article | his provocative
remarks on race.
arousing sexual desire or interest, esp. deliberately.

DERIVATIVES
provocatively adverb
provocativeness noun

pro.pi.tious |adjective
giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable :
the timing for such a meeting seemed propitious.
archaic favorably disposed toward someone : there were
points on which they did not agree, moments in which
she did not seem propitious.

DERIVATIVES
propitiously adverb
propitiousness noun

per.me.ate |verb [ trans. ]

spread throughout (something); pervade : the aroma of
soup permeated the air | [ intrans. ] his personality has
begun to permeate through the whole organization.

DERIVATIVES
permeation |noun

per.en.ni.al |adjective
lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time;
enduring : his perennial distrust of the media.
• (of a plant) living for several years : tarragon is
perennial. Compare with annual , biennial .
(esp. of a problem or difficult situation) continually
occurring : perennial manifestations of urban crisis.

DERIVATIVES
perennially adverb
par.a.dox.i.cal |adjective
seemingly absurd or self-contradictory : by glorifying the
acts of violence they achieve the paradoxical effect of
making them trivial.

DERIVATIVES
paradoxically adverb : [ sentence adverb ]
paradoxically, the more fuel a star starts off with, the
sooner it runs out.

pe.nul.ti.mate |adjective [ attrib. ]

last but one in a series of things; second to the last : the
penultimate chapter of the book.

prag.mat.ic |adjective
dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that
is based on practical rather than theoretical
considerations : a pragmatic approach to politics.
• relating to philosophical or political pragmatism.

DERIVATIVES
pragmatically adverb
pro.bi.ty |noun formal
the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and
decency : financial probity.

pen.u.ry |noun
extreme poverty; destitution : he died in a state of virtual
penury.
par.ti.san |noun
1 a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person.
2 a member of an armed group formed to fight secretly
against an occupying force, in particular one operating in
enemy-occupied Yugoslavia, Italy, and parts of eastern
Europe in World War II.
adjective
prejudiced in favor of a particular cause : newspapers
have become increasingly partisan.

DERIVATIVES
partisanship noun

pre.clude |verb [ trans. ]

prevent from happening; make impossible : the secret
nature of his work precluded official recognition. See note
at prohibit .
( preclude someone from) (of a situation or condition)
prevent someone from doing something : his difficulties
preclude him from leading a normal life.

DERIVATIVES
preclusion |noun
preclusive |adjective

par.ti pris |noun ( pl. partis pris pronunc. same)

a preconceived view; a bias.
adjective
prejudiced; biased.

pas.tiche |noun
an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another
work, artist, or period : the operetta is a pastiche of
18th century styles | the songs amount to much more
than blatant pastiche.
• an artistic work consisting of a medley of pieces taken
from various sources.
a confused mixture or jumble : his speech is a pastiche of
false starts and unfinished sentences.

pleth.o.ra |noun ( a plethora of)

an excess of (something) : a plethora of committees and
subcommittees

pro.fess.ed.ly adverb
ostensibly; apparently (used in reference to something
claimed or asserted, possibly falsely) : restrictions
professedly designed to stop the use of political
propaganda.
pug.na.cious |adjective
eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight : the
increasingly pugnacious demeanor of politicians.
• having the appearance of a willing fighter : the set of
her pugnacious jaw.

DERIVATIVES
pugnaciously adverb
pugnacity |-ˌnasɪti| noun

per.ti.nent |adjective
relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite :
she asked me a lot of very pertinent questions | the
unreleased section of tape was not pertinent to the
investigation.

DERIVATIVES
pertinence noun
pertinency noun
pertinently adverb

prof.li.gate |adjective
recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources
: profligate consumers of energy.
licentious; dissolute : he succumbed to drink and a
profligate lifestyle.
DERIVATIVES
profligacy |-gəsi| noun
profligately adverb

q
quid pro quo |noun ( pl. quos)
a favor or advantage granted or expected in return for
something : the pardon was a quid pro quo for their help
in releasing hostages.

r
rat.i.fy |verb ( -fies, -fied) [ trans. ]
sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or
agreement), making it officially valid. See note at
approve .

ret.i.cent |adjective
not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily : she was
extremely reticent about her personal affairs.

DERIVATIVES
reticence noun
reticently adverb
rec.i.pro.city |noun
the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual
benefit, esp. privileges granted by one country or
organization to another.

re.nege |verb
go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract : the
administration had reneged on its election promises.
• another term for revoke (sense 2).
[ trans. ] archaic renounce or abandon (someone or
something).

DERIVATIVES
reneger noun

ret.i.cent |adjective
not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily : she was
extremely reticent about her personal affairs.

DERIVATIVES:
reticence noun
reticently adverb

s
sine qua non |noun
an essential condition; a thing that is absolutely
necessary : grammar and usage are the sine qua non of
language teaching and learning

sty.mie |verb ( -mies , -mied , -mying or -mieing ) [

trans. ] informal
prevent or hinder the progress of : the changes must not
be allowed to stymie new medical treatments.

su.per.flu.ous |adjective
unnecessary, esp. through being more than enough : the
purchaser should avoid asking for superfluous
information

sec.u.lar |adjective
1 denoting attitudes, activities, or other things that have
no religious or spiritual basis : secular buildings | secular
moral theory. Contrasted with sacred .

Economics(of a fluctuation or trend) occurring or persisting

over an indefinitely long period : there is evidence that
the slump is not cyclical but secular.

DERIVATIVES
secularism noun
secularist noun
secularity |noun
secularization | noun
secularize verb
secularly adverb

sac.ro.sanct |adjective
(esp. of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too
important or valuable to be interfered with : the
individual's right to work has been upheld as sacrosanct.

DERIVATIVES
sacrosanctity |noun
ser.en.dip.i.ty |noun
the occurrence and development of events by chance in a
happy or beneficial way : a fortunate stroke of
serendipity | a series of small serendipities.

DERIVATIVES
serendipitous adjective
serendipitously adverb

sol.ace |noun
comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness :
she sought solace in her religion.

san.guine |adjective
1 cheerfully optimistic : they are not sanguine about the
prospect.
DERIVATIVES
sanguinely adverb
sanguineness noun

syc.o.phant |noun
a person who acts obsequiously toward someone in order
to gain advantage; a servile flatterer.

DERIVATIVES
sycophancy noun
sycophantic |adjective
sycophantically |adverb

so.lic.it |verb ( -ited , -iting )

ask for or try to obtain (something) from someone : he
called a meeting to solicit their views. See note at beg .
ask (someone) for something : historians and critics are
solicited for opinions by the auction houses.

DERIVATIVES
solicitation |noun

sac.ro.sanct |adjective
(esp. of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too
important or valuable to be interfered with : the
individual's right to work has been upheld as sacrosanct.

DERIVATIVES
sacrosanctity |noun

su.per.la.tive |adjective
1 of the highest quality or degree : a superlative piece of
skill.
2 Grammar (of an adjective or adverb) expressing the
highest or a very high degree of a quality (e.g., bravest,
most fiercely). Contrasted with positive and
comparative .

sub.sume |verb (often be subsumed)

include or absorb (something) in something else : most of
these phenomena can be subsumed under two broad
categories.

DERIVATIVES
subsumable adjective
subsumption |noun
 t
tan.gi.ble |adjective
perceptible by touch : the atmosphere of neglect and
abandonment was almost tangible.
• clear and definite; real : the emphasis is now on
tangible results.
noun (usu. tangibles)
a thing that is perceptible by touch.

DERIVATIVES
tangibility | noun
tangibleness noun
tangibly | adverb
tem.er.i.ty |noun
excessive confidence or boldness; audacity : no one had
the temerity to question his conclusions.

u
un.ten.a.ble |adjective
(esp. of a position or view) not able to be maintained or
defended against attack or objection : this argument is
clearly untenable.

DERIVATIVES
untenability | noun
untenably adverb
un.eq.uiv.o.cal |adjective
leaving no doubt; unambiguous : an unequivocal answer |
he was unequivocal in condemning the violence.
DERIVATIVES
unequivocally adverb
unequivocalness noun
un.am.big.u.ous |adjective
not open to more than one interpretation : instructions
should be unambiguous.

DERIVATIVES: unambiguity,
unambiguously

u.biq.ui.tous |adjective
present, appearing, or found everywhere : his ubiquitous
influence was felt by all the family | cowboy hats are
ubiquitous among the male singers.

DERIVATIVES
ubiquitously adverb
ubiquitousness noun
ubiquity noun
 v
ve.he.ment |adjective
showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense :
her voice was low but vehement | vehement criticism.

DERIVATIVES
vehemence noun
vehemently adverb

vi.va |
exclamation
long live! (used to express acclaim or support for a
specified person or thing) : “Viva Mexico!”
noun
a cry of this as a salute or cheer.

volte-face |noun ( pl. same)

an act of turning around so as to face in the opposite
direction.
an abrupt and complete reversal of attitude, opinion, or
position : a remarkable volte-face on taxes.
vir.u.lent |adjective
1 (of a disease or poison) extremely severe or harmful in
its effects.
• (of a pathogen, esp. a virus) highly infective.
2 bitterly hostile : a virulent attack on liberalism.

DERIVATIVES
virulence noun
virulently adverb

va.de me.cum |noun

a handbook or guide that is kept constantly at hand for
consultation.

w
where.with.al |noun
the money or other means needed for a particular
purpose : they lacked the wherewithal to pay.

z
zeitgeist |noun
the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history
as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time : the story
captured the zeitgeist of the late 1960s.