skeptic
n., adj.
an archaic, and the usual US, spelling of sceptic
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sobriety
n.1) the state or quality of being sober.
2) the quality of refraining from excess.
3) the quality of being serious or sedate.
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solicitous
adj.1) showing consideration, concern, attention, etc.
2) keenly anxious or willing; eager.
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solipsistic
<No meaning yet.>
solvent
adj.1) capable of meeting financial obligations.
2) (of a substance, esp a liquid) capable of dissolving another substance.
;n.3) a liquid capable of dissolving another substance.
4) the component of a solution that does not change its state in forming the solution or the component that is present in excess.
5) something that solves.
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somnolent
adj.1) drowsy; sleepy.
2) causing drowsiness.
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sophomoric
<No meaning yet.>
sovereign
n.1) a person exercising supreme authority, esp a monarch.
2) a former British gold coin worth one pound sterling.
;adj.3) supreme in rank or authority.
4) excellent or outstanding.
5) of, relating to, or characteristic of a sovereign.
6) independent of outside authority.
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specious
adj.1) apparently correct or true, but actually wrong or false.
2) deceptively attractive in appearance.
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spectrum
n., pl -tra [-trə].
1) the distribution of colours produced when white light is dispersed by a prism or diffraction grating. There is a continuous change in wavelength from red, the longest wavelength, to violet, the shortest. Seven colours are usually distinguished: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red.
2) the whole range of electromagnetic radiation with respect to its wavelength or frequency.
3) any particular distribution of electromagnetic radiation often showing lines or bands characteristic of the substance emitting the radiation or absorbing it.
4) any similar distribution or record of the energies, velocities, masses, etc., of atoms, ions, electrons, etc.
5) any range or scale, as of capabilities, emotions, or moods.
6) another name for an: afterimage.
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speculative
adj.relating to or characterized by speculation, esp financial speculation
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spurious
adj.1) not genuine or real.
2) (of a plant part or organ) having the appearance of another part but differing from it in origin, development, or function; false.
3) (of radiation) produced at an undesired frequency by a transmitter, causing interference, etc.
4) rare illegitimate.
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stagnate
vb. (intr).
to be or to become stagnant
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stigma
n., pl stigmas or for sense 7 stigmata [ˈstɪgmətəˌ stɪgˈmɑ:tə].
1) a distinguishing mark of social disgrace.
2) a small scar or mark such as a birthmark.
3) pathology.
a) any mark on the skin, such as one characteristic of a specific disease.
b) any sign of a mental deficiency or emotional upset.
4) botany the receptive surface of a carpel, where deposited pollen germinates.
5) zoology.
a) a pigmented eyespot in some protozoans and other invertebrates.
b) the spiracle of an insect.
6) archaic a mark branded on the skin.
7) (plural) Christianity marks resembling the wounds of the crucified Christ, believed to appear on the bodies of certain individuals.
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stingy
adj. -gier, -giest.
1) unwilling to spend or give.
2) insufficient or scanty.
;adj. stingier, stingiest.
1) informal stinging or capable of stinging.
;n., pl stingies.
2) South Wales dialect a stinging nettle.
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stint
vb.1) to be frugal or miserly towards (someone) with (something).
2) archaic to stop or check (something).
;n.3) an allotted or fixed amount of work.
4) a limitation or check.
5) obsolete a pause or stoppage.
;n.any of various small sandpipers of the chiefly northern genus Calidris (or Erolia), such as C. minuta (little stint)
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stoic
n.1) a person who maintains stoical qualities.
;adj.2) a variant of stoical.
;n.1) a member of the ancient Greek school of philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium, the Greek philosopher (?336-?264 BC), holding that virtue and happiness can be attained only by submission to destiny and the natural law.
;adj.2) of or relating to the doctrines of the Stoics.
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stolid
adj.showing little or no emotion or interest
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strenuous
adj.1) requiring or involving the use of great energy or effort.
2) characterized by great activity, effort, or endeavour.
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striate
adj. also striated.
1) marked with striae; striped.
;vb.2) (tr) to mark with striae.
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strident
adj.1) (of a shout, voice, etc.) having or making a loud or harsh sound.
2) urgent, clamorous, or vociferous.
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strut
vb. struts, strutting, strutted.
1) (intr) to walk in a pompous manner; swagger.
2) (tr) to support or provide with struts.
3).
;n.4) a structural member used mainly in compression, esp as part of a framework.
5) an affected, proud, or stiff walk.
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stupefy
vb. -fies, -fying, -fied (tr).
1) to render insensitive or lethargic.
2) to confuse or astound.
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subjugate
vb. (tr).
1) to bring into subjection.
2) to make subservient or submissive.
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sublime
adj.1) of high moral, aesthetic, intellectual, or spiritual value; noble; exalted.
2) inspiring deep veneration, awe, or uplifting emotion because of its beauty, nobility, grandeur, or immensity.
3) unparalleled; supreme.
4) poetic of proud bearing or aspect.
5) archaic raised up.
;n. the sublime.
6) something that is sublime.
7) the ultimate degree or perfect example.
;vb.8) (tr) to make higher or purer.
9) to change or cause to change directly from a solid to a vapour or gas without first melting.
10) to undergo or cause to undergo this process followed by a reverse change directly from a vapour to a solid.
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submissive
adj.of, tending towards, or indicating submission, humility, or servility
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subpoena
n.1) a writ issued by a court of justice requiring a person to appear before the court at a specified time.
;vb. -nas, -naing, -naed.
2) (tr) to serve with a subpoena.
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subside
vb. (intr).
1) to become less loud, excited, violent, etc.; abate.
2) to sink or fall to a lower level.
3) (of the surface of the earth, etc.) to cave in; collapse.
4) (of sediment, etc.) to sink or descend to the bottom; settle.
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substantiate
vb. (tr).
1) to establish as valid or genuine.
2) to give form or real existence to.
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supersede
vb. (tr).
1) to take the place of (something old-fashioned or less appropriate); supplant.
2) to replace in function, office, etc.; succeed.
3) to discard or set aside or cause to be set aside as obsolete or inferior.
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surfeit
n.1) (usually foll by of) an excessive or immoderate amount.
2) overindulgence, esp in eating or drinking.
3) disgust, nausea, etc., caused by such overindulgence.
;vb.4) (tr) to supply or feed excessively; satiate.
5) (intr) archaic to eat, drink, or be supplied to excess.
6) (intr) obsolete to feel uncomfortable as a consequence of overindulgence.
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surreptitious
adj.1) done, acquired, etc., in secret or by improper means.
2) operating by stealth.
3) characterized by fraud or misrepresentation of the truth.
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surreptitiously
<No meaning yet.>
swarthy
adj. swarthier, swarthiest.
dark-hued or dark-complexioned
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sycophant
n.a person who uses flattery to win favour from individuals wielding influence; toady
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tangential
adj.1) of, being, relating to, or in the direction of a tangent.
2) Also: transverse.
3) of superficial relevance only; digressive.
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tantalize
vb. (tr).
to tease or make frustrated, as by tormenting with the sight of something greatly desired but inaccessible
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tedious
adj.1) causing fatigue or tedium; monotonous.
2) obsolete progressing very slowly.
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temerity
n.rashness or boldness
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temperance
n.1) restraint or moderation, esp in yielding to one's appetites or desires.
2) abstinence from alcoholic drink.
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terrestrial
adj.1) of or relating to the earth.
2) of or belonging to the land as opposed to the sea or air.
3) (of animals and plants) living or growing on the land.
4) earthly, worldly, or mundane.
5) (of television signals) sent over the earth's surface from a transmitter on land, rather than by satellite.
;n.6) an inhabitant of the earth.
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timorous
adj.1) fearful or timid.
2) indicating fear or timidity.
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tirade
n.1) a long angry speech or denunciation.
2) prosody rare a speech or passage dealing with a single theme.
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toady
n., pl toadies.
1) a person who flatters and ingratiates himself in a servile way; sycophant.
;vb. toadies, toadying, toadied.
2) to fawn on and flatter (someone).
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tome
n.1) a large weighty book.
2) one of the several volumes of a work.
;n. combining form.
indicating an instrument for cutting
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torpid
adj.1) apathetic, sluggish, or lethargic.
2) (of a hibernating animal) dormant; having greatly reduced metabolic activity.
3) unable to move or feel.
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torpor
n.a state of torpidity
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torrid
adj.1) so hot and dry as to parch or scorch.
2) arid or parched.
3) highly charged emotionally.
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tortuous
adj.1) twisted or winding.
2) devious or cunning.
3) intricate.
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tractable
adj.1) easily controlled or persuaded.
2) readily worked; malleable.
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tranquil
adj.calm, peaceful or quiet
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transgress
vb.1) to break (a law, rule, etc.).
2) to go beyond or overstep (a limit).
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transmute
vb. (tr).
1) to change the form, character, or substance of.
2) to alter (an element, metal, etc.) by alchemy.
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travesty
n., pl -ties.
1) a farcical or grotesque imitation; mockery; parody.
;vb. -ties, -tying, -tied (tr).
2) to make or be a travesty of.
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tremulous
adj.1) vibrating slightly; quavering; trembling.
2) showing or characterized by fear, anxiety, excitement, etc.
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trenchant
adj.1) keen or incisive.
2) vigorous and effective.
3) distinctly defined.
4) archaic or poetic sharp.
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truculence
<No meaning yet.>
truculent
adj.1) defiantly aggressive, sullen, or obstreperous.
2) archaic savage, fierce, or harsh.
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truncate
vb.1) (tr) to shorten by cutting off a part, end, or top.
;adj.2) cut short; truncated.
3) biology having a blunt end, as though cut off at the tip.
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turpitude
n.base character or action; depravity
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ubiquitous
adj.having or seeming to have the ability to be everywhere at once; omnipresent
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umbrage
n.1) displeasure or resentment; offence (in the phrase give or take umbrage).
2) the foliage of trees, considered as providing shade.
3) rare shadow or shade.
4) archaic a shadow or semblance.
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uncanny
adj.1) characterized by apparently supernatural wonder, horror, etc.
2) beyond what is normal or expected.
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unctuous
adj.1) slippery or greasy.
2) affecting an oily charm.
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unwarranted
adj.1) lacking justification or authorization.
2) another word for unwarrantable.
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upbraid
vb. (tr).
1) to reprove or reproach angrily.
2) to find fault with.
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usurp
vb.to seize, take over, or appropriate (land, a throne, etc.) without authority
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utilitarian
adj.1) of or relating to utilitarianism.
2) designed for use rather than beauty.
;n.3) a person who believes in utilitarianism.
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utopia
<No meaning yet.>
vacuous
adj.1) containing nothing; empty.
2) bereft of ideas or intelligence; mindless.
3) characterized by or resulting from vacancy of mind.
4) indulging in no useful mental or physical activity; idle.
5) logic, mathematics (of an operator or expression) having no import; idle: in (x) (John is tall) the quantifier (x) is vacuous.
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validate
vb. (tr).
1) to confirm or corroborate.
2) to give legal force or official confirmation to; declare legally valid.
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vapid
adj.1) bereft of strength, sharpness, flavour, etc.; flat.
2) boring or dull; lifeless.
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variegated
adj.1) displaying differently coloured spots, patches, streaks, etc.
2) (of foliage or flowers) having pale patches, usually as a result of mutation, infection, etc.
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vehemently
<No meaning yet.>
venerable
adj.1) (esp of a person) worthy of reverence on account of great age, religious associations, character, position, etc.
2) (of inanimate objects) hallowed or impressive on account of historical or religious association.
3) ancient.
4) Roman Catholic Church a title bestowed on a deceased person when the first stage of his canonization has been accomplished and his holiness has been recognized in a decree of the official Church.
5) Church of England a title given to an archdeacon.
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veracious
adj.1) habitually truthful or honest.
2) accurate; precise.
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veracity
n., pl -ties.
1) truthfulness or honesty, esp when consistent or habitual.
2) precision; accuracy.
3) something true; a truth.
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verbose
adj.using or containing an excess of words, so as to be pedantic or boring; prolix
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vex
vb. (tr).
1) to anger or annoy.
2) to confuse; worry.
3) archaic to agitate.
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viable
adj.1) capable of becoming actual, useful, etc.; practicable.
2) (of seeds, eggs, etc.) capable of normal growth and development.
3) (of a fetus) having reached a stage of development at which further development can occur independently of the mother.
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vicarious
adj.1) obtained or undergone at second hand through sympathetic participation in another's experiences.
2) suffered, undergone, or done as the substitute for another.
3) delegated.
4) taking the place of another.
5) pathology (of menstrual bleeding) occurring at an abnormal site.
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vicissitude
n.1) variation or mutability in nature or life, esp successive alternation from one condition or thing to another.
2) a variation in circumstance, fortune, character, etc.
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vigilant
adj.keenly alert to or heedful of trouble or danger, as while others are sleeping or unsuspicious
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vilify
vb. -fies, -fying, -fied (tr).
1) to revile with abusive or defamatory language; malign.
2) rare to make vile; debase; degrade.
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vindicate
vb. (tr).
1) to clear from guilt, accusation, blame, etc., as by evidence or argument.
2) to provide justification for.
3) to uphold, maintain, or defend (a cause, etc.).
4) Roman law to bring an action to regain possession of (property) under claim of legal title.
5) rare to claim, as for oneself or another.
6) obsolete to take revenge on or for; punish.
7) obsolete to set free.
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vindictive
adj.1) disposed to seek vengeance.
2) characterized by spite or rancour.
3) English law (of damages) in excess of the compensation due to the plaintiff and imposed in punishment of the defendant.
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virtuoso
n., pl -sos or -si [-si:].
1) a consummate master of musical technique and artistry.
2) a person who has a masterly or dazzling skill or technique in any field of activity.
3) a connoisseur, dilettante, or collector of art objects.
4) obsolete a scholar or savant.
5) (modifier) showing masterly skill or brilliance.
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viscous
adj.1) (of liquids) thick and sticky; viscid.
2) having or involving viscosity.
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vitriolic
adj.1) (of a substance, esp a strong acid) highly corrosive.
2) severely bitter or caustic; virulent.
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vituperate
vb.to berate or rail (against) abusively; revile
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vituperative
<No meaning yet.>
vivacious
adj.1) full of high spirits and animation; lively or vital.
2) obsolete having or displaying tenacity of life.
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vocation
n.1) a specified occupation, profession, or trade.
2).
a) a special urge, inclination, or predisposition to a particular calling or career, esp a religious one.
b) such a calling or career.
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volatile
adj.1) (of a substance) capable of readily changing from a solid or liquid form to a vapour; having a high vapour pressure and a low boiling point.
2) (of persons) disposed to caprice or inconstancy; fickle; mercurial.
3) (of circumstances) liable to sudden, unpredictable, or explosive change.
4) lasting only a short time.
5) computing (of a memory) not retaining stored information when the power supply is cut off.
6) obsolete flying or capable of flight; volant.
;n.7) a volatile substance.
8) rare a winged creature.
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wallow
vb. (intr).
1) (esp of certain animals) to roll about in mud, water, etc., for pleasure.
2) to move about with difficulty.
3) to indulge oneself in possessions, emotion, etc.
4) (of smoke, waves, etc.) to billow.
;n.5) the act or an instance of wallowing.
6) a muddy place or depression where animals wallow.
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wane
vb. (intr).
1) (of the moon) to show a gradually decreasing portion of illuminated surface, between full moon and new moon.
2) to decrease gradually in size, strength, power, etc.
3) to draw to a close.
;n.4) a decrease, as in size, strength, power, etc.
5) the period during which the moon wanes.
6) the act or an instance of drawing to a close.
7) a rounded surface or defective edge of a plank, where the bark was.
8).
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wary
adj. warier, wariest.
1) watchful, cautious, or alert.
2) characterized by caution or watchfulness.
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welter
vb. (intr).
1) to roll about, writhe, or wallow.
2) (esp of the sea) to surge, heave, or toss.
3) to lie drenched in a liquid, esp blood.
;n.4) a rolling motion, as of the sea.
5) a confused mass; jumble.
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whimsical
adj.1) spontaneously fanciful or playful.
2) given to whims; capricious.
3) quaint, unusual, or fantastic.
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wily
adj. wilier, wiliest.
characterized by or proceeding from wiles; sly or crafty
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winsome
adj.charming; winning; engaging
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