verdure
n.1) flourishing green vegetation or its colour.
2) a condition of freshness or healthy growth.
;
vat
<No meaning yet.>
erstwhile
adj.1) former; one-time.
;adv.2) archaic long ago; formerly.
;
animosity
n., pl -ties.
a powerful and active dislike or hostility; enmity
;
anarchy
n.1) general lawlessness and disorder, esp when thought to result from an absence or failure of government.
2) the absence or lack of government.
3) the absence of any guiding or uniting principle; disorder; chaos.
4) the theory or practice of political anarchism.
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antics
<No meaning yet.>
pail
n.1) a bucket, esp one made of wood or metal.
2) Also called: pailful.
;
broom
n.1) an implement for sweeping consisting of a long handle to which is attached either a brush of straw, bristles, or twigs, bound together, or a solid head into which are set tufts of bristles or fibres.
2) any of various yellow-flowered Eurasian leguminous shrubs of the genera Cytisus, Genista, and Spartium, esp C. scoparius.
3) any of various similar Eurasian plants of the related genera Genista and Spartium.
4).
;vb.5) (tr) to sweep with a broom.
;
beseech
vb. -seeches, -seeching, -sought or -seeched (tr).
to ask (someone) earnestly (to do something or for something); beg
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modus
<No meaning yet.>
plank
n.1) a stout length of sawn timber.
2) something that supports or sustains.
3) one of the policies in a political party's programme.
4).
5) Brit slang a stupid person; idiot.
;vb. (tr).
6) to cover or provide (an area) with planks.
7) to beat (meat) to make it tender.
8) chiefly US and Canadian to cook or serve (meat or fish) on a special wooden board.
;vb. (tr) Scot.
to hide; cache
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redress
vb. (tr).
1) to put right (a wrong), esp by compensation; make reparation for.
2) to correct or adjust (esp in the phrase redress the balance).
3) to make compensation to (a person) for a wrong.
;n.4) the act or an instance of setting right a wrong; remedy or cure.
5) compensation, amends, or reparation for a wrong, injury, etc.
6) relief from poverty or want.
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den
<No meaning yet.>
revel
vb. -els, -elling, -elled or US -els, -eling, -eled (intr).
1) (foll by in) to take pleasure or wallow.
2) to take part in noisy festivities; make merry.
;n.3) (often plural) an occasion of noisy merrymaking.
4) a less common word for revelry.
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engross
vb. (tr).
1) to occupy one's attention completely; absorb.
2) to write or copy (manuscript) in large legible handwriting.
3) law to write or type out formally (a deed, agreement, or other document) preparatory to execution.
4) another word for corner 21b).
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pesky
informal chiefly US. and Canadian.
troublesome
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thaw
vb.1) to melt or cause to melt from a solid frozen state.
2) to become or cause to become unfrozen; defrost.
3) (intr) to be the case that the ice or snow is melting.
4) (intr) to become more sociable, relaxed, or friendly.
;n.5) the act or process of thawing.
6) a spell of relatively warm weather, causing snow or ice to melt.
7) an increase in relaxation or friendliness.
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reticent
<No meaning yet.>
sacrosanct
adj.very sacred or holy; inviolable
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involution
n.1) the act of involving or complicating or the state of being involved or complicated.
2) something involved or complicated.
3) zoology degeneration or structural deformation.
4) biology an involute formation or structure.
5) physiology reduction in size of an organ or part, as of the uterus following childbirth or as a result of ageing.
6) an algebraic operation in which a number, variable, expression etc., is raised to a specified power.
7) grammar an involved construction, such as one in which the subject is separated from the predicate by an additional clause.
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teem
vb.1) (intr; usually foll by with) to be prolific or abundant (in); abound (in).
2) obsolete to bring forth (young).
;vb.1) (intr; often foll by down or with rain) to pour in torrents.
2) (tr) to pour or empty out.
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faux
<No meaning yet.>
rapport
n. (often foll by with).
a sympathetic relationship or understanding
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mull
vb. (tr; often foll by over).
to study or ponder
;vb. (tr).
to heat (wine, ale, etc.) with sugar and spices to make a hot drink
;n.a light muslin fabric of soft texture
;n.a layer of nonacidic humus formed in well drained and aerated soils
;n. Scot.
a promontory
;n.a mountainous island off the west coast of Scotland, in the Inner Hebrides, separated from the mainland by the Sound of Mull. Chief town: Tobermory. Pop.: 2667 (2001). Area: 909 sq. km (351 sq. miles)
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depot
n.1) a storehouse or warehouse.
2) military.
a) a store for supplies.
b) a training and holding centre for recruits and replacements.
3) chiefly Brit a building used for the storage and servicing of buses or railway engines.
4) US and Canadian.
a) a bus or railway station.
b) (as modifier).
;adj.5) (of a drug or drug dose) designed for gradual release from the site of an injection so as to act over a long period.
;
disburse
vb. (tr).
to pay out
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frigid
adj.1) formal or stiff in behaviour or temperament; lacking in affection or warmth.
2) (esp of a woman).
a) lacking sexual responsiveness.
b) averse to sexual intercourse or unable to achieve orgasm during intercourse.
3) characterized by physical coldness.
;
vantage
n.1) a state, position, or opportunity affording superiority or advantage.
2) superiority or benefit accruing from such a position, state, etc.
3) tennis short for advantage.
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fortify
vb. -fies, -fying, -fied (mainly tr).
1) (also intr) to make (a place) defensible, as by building walls, digging trenches, etc.
2) to strengthen physically, mentally, or morally.
3) to strengthen, support, or reinforce (a garment, structure, etc.).
4) to add spirits or alcohol to (wine), in order to produce sherry, port, etc.
5) to increase the nutritious value of (a food), as by adding vitamins and minerals.
6) to support or confirm.
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perturb
vb. (tr; often passive).
1) to disturb the composure of; trouble.
2) to throw into disorder.
3) physics, astronomy to cause (a planet, electron, etc.) to undergo a perturbation.
;
satchel
n.a rectangular bag, usually made of leather or cloth and provided with a shoulder strap, used for carrying books, esp school books
;
cursory
adj.hasty and usually superficial; quick
;
budge
vb. (usually used with a negative).
1) to move, however slightly.
2) to change or cause to change opinions, etc.
;n.a lambskin dressed for the fur to be worn on the outer side
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tongs
<No meaning yet.>
clamp
n.1) a mechanical device with movable jaws with which an object can be secured to a bench or with which two objects may be secured together.
2) a means by which a fixed joint may be strengthened.
3) nautical a horizontal beam fastened to the ribs for supporting the deck beams in a wooden vessel.
;vb. (tr).
4) to fix or fasten with or as if with a clamp.
5) to immobilize (a car) by means of a wheel clamp.
6) to inflict or impose forcefully.
;n.1) a mound formed out of a harvested root crop, covered with straw and earth to protect it from winter weather.
2) a pile of bricks ready for processing in a furnace.
;vb.3) (tr) to enclose (a harvested root crop) in a mound.
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yank
vb.1) to pull, jerk, or move with a sharp movement; tug.
;n.2) a sharp jerking movement; tug.
;n.1) a slang word for an American.
2) US informal short for Yankee.
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apiece
adv. (postpositive).
for, to, or from each one
;
remittance
n.1) payment for goods or services received or as an allowance, esp when sent by post.
2) the act of remitting.
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dote
vb. (intr).
1) (foll by on or upon) to love to an excessive or foolish degree.
2) to be foolish or weak-minded, esp as a result of old age.
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concoct
vb. (tr).
1) to make by combining different ingredients.
2) to invent; make up; contrive.
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volition
n.1) the act of exercising the will.
2) the faculty or capability of conscious choice, decision, and intention; the will.
3) the resulting choice or resolution.
4) philosophy an act of will as distinguished from the physical movement it intends to bring about.
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blemish
n.1) a defect; flaw; stain.
;vb.2) (tr) to flaw the perfection of; spoil; tarnish.
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commune
vb. (intr; usually foll by with).
1) to talk or converse intimately.
2) to experience strong emotion or spiritual feelings (for).
;n.3) intimate conversation; exchange of thoughts; communion.
;vb. (intr) Christianity chiefly US.
to partake of Communion
;n.1) a group of families or individuals living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities.
2) any small group of people having common interests or responsibilities.
3) the smallest administrative unit in Belgium, France, Italy, and Switzerland, governed by a mayor and council.
4) the government or inhabitants of a commune.
5) a medieval town enjoying a large degree of autonomy.
;n. French history.
1) See: Paris Commune.
2) a committee that governed Paris during the French Revolution and played a leading role in the Reign of Terror: suppressed 1794.
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tutelage
n.1) the act or office of a guardian or tutor.
2) instruction or guidance, esp by a tutor.
3) the condition of being under the supervision of a guardian or tutor.
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stammer
vb.1) to speak or say (something) in a hesitant way, esp as a result of a speech disorder or through fear, stress, etc.
;n.2) a speech disorder characterized by involuntary repetitions and hesitations.
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cadence
n., pl -dences or -dencies.
1) the beat or measure of something rhythmic.
2) a fall in the pitch of the voice, as at the end of a sentence.
3) modulation of the voice; intonation.
4) a rhythm or rhythmic construction in verse or prose; measure.
5) the close of a musical phrase or section.
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passably
adv.1) fairly; somewhat.
2) acceptably; well enough.
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exemplary
adj.1) fit for imitation; model.
2) serving as a warning; admonitory.
3) representative; typical.
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sever
vb.1) to put or be put apart; separate.
2) to divide or be divided into parts.
3) (tr) to break off or dissolve (a tie, relationship, etc.).
;
hasten
vb.1) (may take an infinitive) to hurry or cause to hurry; rush.
2) (tr) to be anxious (to say something).
;
wistful
adj.sadly pensive, esp about something yearned for
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forte
n.1) something at which a person excels; strong point.
2) fencing the stronger section of a sword blade, between the hilt and the middle.
;music.;adj., adv.
1) loud or loudly.
;n.2) a loud passage in music.
;
keen
vb. (intr).
1) to lament the dead.
;n.2) a dirge or lament for the dead.
;
esteem
vb. (tr).
1) to have great respect or high regard for.
2) formal to judge or consider; deem.
;n.3) high regard or respect; good opinion.
4) archaic judgment; opinion.
;
unanimous
adj.1) in complete or absolute agreement.
2) characterized by complete agreement.
;
homage
n.1) a public show of respect or honour towards someone or something (esp in the phrases pay or do homage to).
2) (in feudal society).
a) the act of respect and allegiance made by a vassal to his lord.
b) something done in acknowledgment of vassalage.
;vb. (tr).
3) archaic or poetic to render homage to.
;
gulp
vb.1) (tr; often foll by down) to swallow rapidly, esp in large mouthfuls.
2) (tr; often foll by back) to stifle or choke.
3) (intr) to swallow air convulsively, as while drinking, because of nervousness, surprise, etc.
4) (intr) to make a noise, as when swallowing too quickly.
;n.5) the act of gulping.
6) the quantity taken in a gulp.
;
crux
n., pl cruxes or cruces [ˈkru:si:z].
1) a vital or decisive stage, point, etc. (often in the phrase the crux of the matter).
2) a baffling problem or difficulty.
3) mountaineering the most difficult and often decisive part of a climb or pitch.
4) a rare word for cross.
;n., Latin genitive Crucis [ˈkru:sɪs].
the more formal name for the: Southern Cross
;
devoid
adj. (postpositive; foll by of).
destitute or void (of); free (from)
;
discern
vb.1) (tr) to recognize or perceive clearly.
2) to recognize or perceive (differences).
;
relegate
vb. (tr).
1) to move to a position of less authority, importance, etc.; demote.
2) (usually passive) chiefly Brit to demote (a football team, etc.) to a lower division.
3) to assign or refer (a matter) to another or others, as for action or decision.
4) (foll by to) to banish or exile.
5) to assign (something) to a particular group or category.
;
snare
n.1) a device for trapping birds or small animals, esp a flexible loop that is drawn tight around the prey.
2) a surgical instrument for removing certain tumours, consisting of a wire loop that may be drawn tight around their base to sever or uproot them.
3) anything that traps or entangles someone or something unawares.
;vb. (tr).
4) to catch (birds or small animals) with a snare.
5) to catch or trap in or as if in a snare; capture by trickery.
;n. music.
a set of gut strings wound with wire fitted against the lower drumhead of a snare drum. They produce a rattling sound when the drum is beaten
;
calamity
n., pl -ties.
1) a disaster or misfortune, esp one causing extreme havoc, distress, or misery.
2) a state or feeling of deep distress or misery.
;
morsel
n.1) a small slice or mouthful of food.
2) a small piece; bit.
3) Irish informal a term of endearment for a child.
;
clamor
<No meaning yet.>
bashful
adj.1) disposed to attempt to avoid notice through shyness or modesty; diffident; timid.
2) indicating or characterized by shyness or modesty.
;
shudder
vb.1) (intr) to shake or tremble suddenly and violently, as from horror, fear, aversion, etc.
;n.2) the act of shuddering; convulsive shiver.
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bunker
n.1) a large storage container or tank, as for coal.
2) Also called (esp US and Canadian): sand trap.
3) an underground shelter, often of reinforced concrete and with a bank and embrasures for guns above ground.
;vb.4) (tr) golf.
a) to drive (the ball) into a bunker.
b) (passive) to have one's ball trapped in a bunker.
5) (tr) nautical.
a) to fuel (a ship).
b) to transfer (cargo) from a ship to a storehouse.
;
annihilation
n.1) total destruction.
2) the act of annihilating.
3) physics the destruction of a particle and its antiparticle when they collide. The annihilation of an electron with a positron generates two or, very rarely, three photons of annihilation radiation. The annihilation of a nucleon with its antiparticle generates several pions.
;
carp
n., pl carp or carps.
1) a freshwater teleost food fish, Cyprinus carpio, having a body covered with cycloid scales, a naked head, one long dorsal fin, and two barbels on each side of the mouth: family Cyprinidae.
2) any other fish of the family Cyprinidae; a cyprinid.
;vb. (intr; often foll by at).
to complain or find fault; nag pettily
;n. combining form.
(in botany) fruit or a reproductive structure that develops into a particular part of the fruit
;
hoarse
adj.1) gratingly harsh or raucous in tone.
2) low, harsh, and lacking in intensity.
3) having a husky voice, as through illness, shouting, etc.
;
tenacity
<No meaning yet.>
breadth
n.1) the linear extent or measurement of something from side to side; width.
2) a piece of fabric having a standard or definite width.
3) distance, extent, size, or dimension.
4) openness and lack of restriction, esp of viewpoint or interest; liberality.
;
ruse
n.an action intended to mislead, deceive, or trick; stratagem
;n.a city in NE Bulgaria, on the River Danube: the chief river port and one of the largest industrial centres in Bulgaria. Pop.: 172 000 (2005 est.)
;
jut
vb. juts, jutting, jutted.
1) (intr; often foll by out) to stick out or overhang beyond the surface or main part; protrude or project.
;n.2) something that juts out.
;
hoard
n.1) an accumulated store hidden away for future use.
2) a cache of ancient coins, treasure, etc.
;vb.3) to gather or accumulate (a hoard).
;
abate
vb.1) to make or become less in amount, intensity, degree, etc.
2) (tr) law.
a) to remove, suppress, or terminate (a nuisance).
b) to suspend or extinguish (a claim or action).
c) to annul (a writ).
3) (intr) law (of a writ, legal action, etc.) to become null and void.
4) (tr) to subtract or deduct, as part of a price.
;
colloquially
<No meaning yet.>
ravenous
adj.1) famished; starving.
2) rapacious; voracious.
;
smattering
n.1) a slight or superficial knowledge.
2) a small amount.
;
surmise
vb.1) (when tr, may take a clause as object) to infer (something) from incomplete or uncertain evidence.
;n.2) an idea inferred from inconclusive evidence.
;
imprint
n.1) a mark or impression produced by pressure, printing, or stamping.
2) a characteristic mark or indication; stamp.
3) the publisher's name and address, usually with the date of publication, in a book, pamphlet, etc.
4) the printer's name and address on any printed matter.
;vb.5) to produce (a mark, impression, etc.) on (a surface) by pressure, printing, or stamping.
6) to establish firmly; impress; stamp.
7) (of young animals) to undergo the process of imprinting.
;
jest
n.1) something done or said for amusement; joke.
2) a frivolous mood or attitude; playfulness; fun.
3) a jeer or taunt.
4) an object of derision; laughing stock; butt.
;vb.5) to act or speak in an amusing, teasing, or frivolous way; joke.
6) to make fun of (a person or thing); scoff or mock.
;
cub
n.1) the young of certain animals, such as the lion, bear, etc.
2) a young or inexperienced person.
;vb. cubs, cubbing, cubbed.
3) to give birth to (cubs).
;n.short for Cub Scout
;
hapless
adj.unfortunate; wretched
;
visage
n. chiefly literary.
1) face or countenance.
2) appearance; aspect.
;
villa
n.1) (in ancient Rome) a country house, usually consisting of farm buildings and residential quarters around a courtyard.
2) a large and usually luxurious country residence.
3) Brit a detached or semidetached suburban house.
4) NZ a medium-sized suburban house standing in its own grounds.
;
flit
vb. flits, flitting, flitted (intr).
1) to move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart.
2) to fly rapidly and lightly; flutter.
3) to pass quickly; fleet.
4) Scot and Northern English dialect to move house.
5) Brit informal to depart hurriedly and stealthily in order to avoid obligations.
6) an informal word for elope.
;n.7) the act or an instance of flitting.
8) slang chiefly US a male homosexual.
9) Brit informal a hurried and stealthy departure in order to avoid obligations (esp in the phrase do a flit).
10) See: moonlight flit.
;
slit
vb. slits, slitting, slit (tr).
1) to make a straight long incision in; split open.
2) to cut into strips lengthwise.
3) to sever.
;n.4) a long narrow cut.
5) a long narrow opening.
;
monotonous
adj.1) dull and tedious, esp because of repetition.
2) unvarying in pitch or cadence.
;
flurry
n., pl -ries.
1) a sudden commotion or burst of activity.
2) a light gust of wind or rain or fall of snow.
3) stock exchange a sudden brief increase in trading or fluctuation in stock prices.
4) the death spasms of a harpooned whale.
;vb. -ries, -rying, -ried.
5) to confuse or bewilder or be confused or bewildered.
;
slant
vb.1) to incline or be inclined at an oblique or sloping angle.
2) (tr) to write or present (news, etc.) with a bias.
3) (intr; foll by towards) (of a person's opinions) to be biased.
;n.4) an inclined or oblique line or direction; slope.
5) a way of looking at something.
6) a bias or opinion, as in an article.
7) a less technical name for solidus.
8).
;adj.9) oblique, sloping.
;
vexation
n.1) the act of vexing or the state of being vexed.
2) something that vexes.
;
porridge
n.1) a dish made from oatmeal or another cereal, cooked in water or milk to a thick consistency.
2) slang a term in prison (esp in the phrase do porridge).
;
deferential
adj.marked by or showing deference or respect; respectful
;
epitome
n.1) a typical example of a characteristic or class; embodiment; personification.
2) a summary of a written work; abstract.
;
bun
n.1) a small roll, similar to bread but usually containing sweetening, currants, spices, etc.
2) any of various types of small round sweet cakes.
3) a hairstyle in which long hair is gathered into a bun shape at the back of the head.
4).
;
chap
<No meaning yet.>
chasm
n.1) a deep cleft in the ground; abyss.
2) a break in continuity; gap.
3) a wide difference in interests, feelings, etc.
;
broach
vb.1) (tr) to initiate (a topic) for discussion.
2) (tr) to tap or pierce (a container) to draw off (a liquid).
3) (tr) to open in order to begin to use.
4) (intr) to break the surface of the water.
5) (tr) machinery to enlarge and finish (a hole) by reaming.
;n.6) a long tapered toothed cutting tool for enlarging holes.
7) a spit for roasting meat, etc.
8) a roof covering the corner triangle on the top of a square tower having an octagonal spire.
9) a pin, forming part of some types of lock, that registers in the hollow bore of a key.
10) a tool used for tapping casks.
11) a less common spelling of brooch.
;vb. nautical (usually foll by to).
to cause (a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously or (of a sailing vessel) to swerve sharply and dangerously in a following sea, so as to be broadside to the waves
;
