equivocate | to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead |
superfluous | 1. unnecessary; 2. being more than is sufficient or required
|
bilateral | two-sided |
unilateral | one-side |
circumspect | cautious |
commensurate | 1. having the same measure; 2. corresponding in amount, magnitude, or degree |
malevolence | evil intent |
neophyte | beginner |
misanthropist | people-hater |
bellicose | warlike |
anthropomorphic | Attribution of human motivation, characteristics, or behavior to inanimate objects, animals, or natural phenomena |
captious | easily notices and makes much of trivial faults or defects; faultfinding; difficult to please. |
neologism | new word |
malediction | a curse |
incredulous | Skeptical; disbelieving |
omniscient | all-knowing |
monomania | obsession with one thing |
specious | 1. false; 2. Having the ring of truth or plausibility but actually fallacious |
excoriate | To express strong disapproval of; to denounce |
prototype | the original or model on which something is based or formed |
xenophobia | fear of foreigners |
benediction | blessing; an expression of good wishes |
amorphous | lacking definite form; having no specific shape; formless, shapeless |
preponderance | superiority in weight, power, numbers, etc.; bulk |
magnanimous | great-minded; courageously noble in mind and heart |
mollify | to soften in feeling or temper, as a person; pacify; appease |
ichthyologist | fish scientist |
polyglot | able to speak or write several languages; multilingual |
diaphanous | almost completely transparent or translucent |
sinecure | an easy profitable job |
soliloquy | speech to oneself |
adherent | supporter |
abjure | renounce; to give up |
caustic | burning |
confluence | flowing together |
depose | to remove from office or position |
egomania | self-obsession |
egregious | outrageously bad or reprehensible; blatant, flagrant |
analgesic | painkiller |
chiromancy | palm reading |
oligarchy | government by a few |
intractable | not easily controlled; stubborn |
intransigent | not compromising |
perfidious | treacherous; deceitful |
perspicuous | clearly expressed or presented; easy to understand |
ingenuous | innocent and naive |
circumlocution | a roundabout expression |
gregarious | sociable |
discursive | rambling |
somniferous | bringing sleep |
egocentric | sef-centered |
tangible | touchable |
demagogue | person who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people |
preclude | prevent |
cryptologist | code breaker |
ethnocentrism | racial or cultural prejudice |
pedagogue | teacher |
recant | to withdraw or disavow a statement |
revoke | cancel |
pugnacious | combative |
incisive | sharp; cutting |
diatribe | abusive criticism |
anomaly | abnormality |
enumerate | to list; count |
circumscribed | limited |
intercede | mediate |
disputatious | argumentative |
loquacious | talkative |
abrogate | to abolish, do away with, or annul |
prescience | foreknowledge |
sacrosanct | sacred |
androgynous | masculine and feminine |
acronym | word from initial letters |
congenital | at birth |
cacophony | bad sound; harsh or discordant sound |
advocate | to speak or write in favor of |
ponderous | weighty |
retribution | revenge |
android | robot |
infidel | unbeliever |
resurgence | rising again |
punctilious | precise in conduct |
condescend | lower oneself |
collateral | side by side |
irrevocable | unalterable; unable to be repealed or annulled |
elucidate | explain |
epigram | witty comment |
eccentricity | oddness |
cognizant | aware |
stringent | strict; binding |
anthropoid | manlike |
diffident | shy |
pandemonium | tumult or chaos |
urbane | sophisticated; suave |
tractable | docile; easily managed or controlled |
supersede | replace |
temporize | delay |
somnambulist | sleepwalker |
sanguinary | bloody |
inanimate | lifeless |
introspective | inward looking |
intervene | come between |
syndrome | group of symptoms |
subordinate | lower |
dissonant | harsh in sound; inharmonious |
belligerent | warlike |
credible | believable |
impending | about to happen |
polyphonic | multi-melodic |
exculpate | free from blame |
euphemism | pleasant name |
benefactor | helper |
megalomania | delusions of greatness |
magnate | powerful person |
vivacious | lively |
heliotropic | sun-following |
amour-propre | self-esteem; self-love |
octogenarian | an eighty-year-old |
cognoscenti | persons who have superior knowledge |
surfeit | excess |
primate | monkeys, apes, humans |
pellucid | crystal clear |
circumvent | get around |
hemiplegia | paralysis on one side |
narcolepsy | attack of sleep |