Pronunciation: 'sA-kr&d
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from past participle of sacren to consecrate, from Old French
sacrer, from Latin sacrare, from sacr-, sacer sacred; akin to Latin sancire to make
sacred, Hittite saklAi- rite
Date: 14th century
1 a : dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity <a tree sacred to the
gods> b : devoted exclusively to one service or use (as of a person or purpose) <a fund
sacred to charity>
2 a : worthy of religious veneration : HOLY b : entitled to reverence and respect
3 : of or relating to religion : not secular or profane <sacred music>
4 archaic : ACCURSED
5 a : UNASSAILABLE, INVIOLABLE b : highly valued and important <a sacred responsibility>
- sa·cred·ly adverb
- sa·cred·ness noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sa-krO-"sa[ng](k)t
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin sacrosanctus, probably from sacro sanctus hallowed by a sacred rite
Date: 1601
1 : most sacred or holy : INVIOLABLE
2 : treated as if holy : immune from criticism or violation <politically sacrosanct
programs>
- sac·ro·sanc·ti·ty /"sa-krO-'sa[ng](k)-t&-tE/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sA-"di-z&m, 'sa-
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from Marquis de Sade
Date: 1888
1 : a sexual perversion in which gratification is obtained by the infliction of physical
or mental pain on others (as on a love object) -- compare MASOCHISM
2 a : delight in cruelty b : excessive cruelty
- sa·dist /'sA-dist, 'sa-/ noun
- sa·dis·tic /s&-'dis-tik also sA- or sa-/ adjective
- sa·dis·ti·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sa[ng](k)-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin sanction-, sanctio, from
sancire to make holy -- more at SACRED
Date: 15th century
1 : a formal decree; especially : an ecclesiastical decree
2 a obsolete : a solemn agreement : OATH b : something that makes an oath binding
3 : the detriment, loss of reward, or coercive intervention annexed to a violation of a
law as a means of enforcing the law
4 a : a consideration, principle, or influence (as of conscience) that impels to moral
action or determines moral judgment b : a mechanism of social control for enforcing a
society's standards c : explicit or official approval, permission, or ratification :
APPROBATION
5 : an economic or military coercive measure adopted usually by several nations in concert
for forcing a nation violating international law to desist or yield to adjudication
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sAn
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): san·er; san·est
Etymology: Latin sanus healthy, sane
Date: 1628
1 : proceeding from a sound mind : RATIONAL
2 : mentally sound; especially : able to anticipate and appraise the effect of one's
actions
3 : healthy in body
synonym see WISE
- sane·ly adverb
- sane·ness /'sAn-n&s/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: s&-'nar-E-"O, -'ner-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -i·os
Etymology: Italian, from Latin scaenarium place for erecting stages, from scaena stage
Date: 1878
1 a : an outline or synopsis of a play; especially : a plot outline used by actors of the
commedia dell'arte b : the libretto of an opera
2 a : SCREENPLAY b : SHOOTING SCRIPT
3 : a sequence of events especially when imagined; especially : an account or synopsis of
a possible course of action or events <his scenario for a settlement envisages...
reunification -- Selig Harrison>
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'skä-l&r"ship
Function: noun
Date: circa 1536
1 : a grant-in-aid to a student (as by a college or foundation)
2 : the character, qualities, activity, or attainments of a scholar : LEARNING
3 : a fund of knowledge and learning <drawing on the scholarship of the ancients>
synonym see KNOWLEDGE
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sin-t&l-"At
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -lat·ed; -lat·ing
Etymology: Latin scintillatus, past participle of scintillare to sparkle, from scintilla
spark
Date: circa 1623
intransitive senses
1 : to emit sparks : SPARK
2 : to emit quick flashes as if throwing off sparks : SPARKLE
transitive senses : to throw off as a spark or as sparkling flashes <scintillate
witticisms>
- scin·til·la·tor /-"A-t&r/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 a : the act or process of scraping b : a sound made by scraping c : damage or injury
caused by scraping : ABRASION <bumps and scrapes>
2 : a bow made with a drawing back of the foot along the ground
3 a : a distressing encounter <a scrape with death> b : QUARREL, FIGHT
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'skri-b&l
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): scrib·bled; scrib·bling /-b(&-)li[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English scriblen, from Medieval Latin scribillare, from Latin scribere
to write
Date: 15th century
transitive senses
1 : to write hastily or carelessly without regard to legibility or form
2 : to cover with careless or worthless writings or drawings
intransitive senses : to write or draw hastily and carelessly
- scribble noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): sculp·tured; sculp·tur·ing /'sk&lp-ch&-ri[ng], 'sk&lp-shri[ng]/
Date: 1645
transitive senses
1 a : to form an image or representation of from solid material (as wood or stone) b : to
form into a three-dimensional work of art
2 : to change (the form of the earth's surface) by natural processes (as erosion and
deposition)
3 : to shape by or as if by carving or molding
intransitive senses : to work as a sculptor
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: si-'düs, -'dyüs
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): se·duced; se·duc·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin seducere, from Latin, to lead away, from se-
apart + ducere to lead -- more at TOW
Date: 15th century
1 : to persuade to disobedience or disloyalty
2 : to lead astray usually by persuasion or false promises
3 : to carry out the physical seduction of : entice to sexual intercourse
4 : ATTRACT
synonym see LURE
- se·duc·er noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sEk
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): sought /'sot/; seek·ing
Etymology: Middle English seken, from Old English sEcan; akin to Old High German suohhen
to seek, Latin sagus prophetic, Greek hEgeisthai to lead
Date: before 12th century
transitive senses
1 : to resort to : go to
2 a : to go in search of : look for b : to try to discover
3 : to ask for : REQUEST <seeks advice>
4 : to try to acquire or gain : aim at <seek fame>
5 : to make an attempt : TRY -- used with to and an infinitive <governments... seek to
keep the bulk of their people contented -- D. M. Potter>
intransitive senses
1 : to make a search or inquiry
2 a : to be sought b : to be lacking <in critical judgment... they were sadly to seek --
Times Literary Supplement>
- seek·er noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
seethe
Pronunciation: 'sE[th_]
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): seethed; seeth·ing
Etymology: Middle English sethen, from Old English sEothan; akin to Old High German
siodan to seethe
Date: before 12th century
transitive senses
1 archaic : BOIL, STEW
2 : to soak or saturate in a liquid
intransitive senses
1 archaic : BOIL
2 a : to be in a state of rapid agitated movement b : to churn or foam as if boiling
3 : to suffer violent internal excitement
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: adjective
Date: circa 1628
: seeking only to further one's own interests
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sen(t)-s&-"tIz
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -tized; -tiz·ing
Etymology: sensitive + -ize
Date: circa 1859
transitive senses : to make sensitive or hypersensitive
intransitive senses : to become sensitive
- sen·si·tiz·er noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sE-kw&n(t)s, -"kwen(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin sequentia, from Late Latin, sequel,
literally, act of following, from Latin sequent-, sequens, present participle of sequi
Date: 14th century
1 : a hymn in irregular meter between the gradual and Gospel in masses for special
occasions (as Easter)
2 : a continuous or connected series: as a : an extended series of poems united by a
single theme <a sonnet sequence> b : three or more playing cards usually of the same suit
in consecutive order of rank c : a succession of repetitions of a melodic phrase or
harmonic pattern each in a new position d : a set of elements ordered so that they can be
labeled with the positive integers e (1) : a succession of related shots or scenes
developing a single subject or phase of a film story (2) : EPISODE
3 a : order of succession b : an arrangement of the tenses of successive verbs in a
sentence designed to express a coherent relationship especially between main and
subordinate parts
4 a : CONSEQUENCE, RESULT b : a subsequent development
5 : continuity of progression
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): shored; shor·ing
Etymology: Middle English; akin to Old Norse skortha to prop
Date: 14th century
1 : to support by a shore : PROP
2 : to give support to : BRACE -- usually used with up
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): shoul·dered; shoul·der·ing /-d(&-)ri[ng]/
Date: 14th century
transitive senses
1 : to push or thrust with or as if with the shoulder : JOSTLE <shouldered his way
through the crowd>
2 a : to place or bear on the shoulder <shouldered her knapsack and took off> b : to
assume the burden or responsibility of <shoulder the blame>
intransitive senses : to push with or as if with the shoulders aggressively
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sik, 'sEk
Function: adverb
Etymology: Latin, so, thus -- more at SO
Date: circa 1859
: intentionally so written -- used after a printed word or passage to indicate that it
is intended exactly as printed or to indicate that it exactly reproduces an original
<said he seed [sic]g it all>
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: "sI-m&l-'tA-nE-&s, -ny&s also "si-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin simul at the same time + English -taneous (as in instantaneous) -- more
at SAME
Date: circa 1660
1 : existing or occurring at the same time : exactly coincident
2 : satisfied by the same values of the variables <simultaneous equations>
synonym see CONTEMPORARY
- si·mul·ta·ne·ity /-t&-'nE-&-tE, -'nA-/ noun
- si·mul·ta·neous·ly /-'tA-nE-&s-lE, -ny&s-/ adverb
- si·mul·ta·neous·ness noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sla[ng]
Function: noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1756
1 : language peculiar to a particular group: as a : ARGOT b : JARGON 2
2 : an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed
words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech
- slang adjective
- slang·i·ly /'sla[ng]-&-lE/ adverb
- slang·i·ness /'sla[ng]-E-n&s/ noun
- slangy /'sla[ng]-E/ adjective
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 a : having a smooth surface : SLIPPERY <slick wet leaves> b : having surface
plausibility or appeal : GLIB, GLOSSY <slick advertising> c : based on stereotype : TRITE
<slick stories soon forgotten>
2 archaic : SLEEK 1
3 a : characterized by subtlety or nimble wit : CLEVER; especially : WILY <a reputation
as a slick operator> b : DEFT, SKILLFUL <a slick ballplayer>
4 : extremely good : FIRST-RATE
synonym see SLEEK, SLY
- slick adverb
- slick·ly adverb
- slick·ness noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Variant(s): or smoul·der /'smOl-d&r/
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s): smol·dered or smoul·dered; smol·der·ing or smoul·der·ing
/-d(&-)ri[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English smolderen to smother, from smolder smoke, smudge; akin to
Middle Dutch smOlen to smolder
Date: 1529
1 a : to burn sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke b : to be consumed by
smoldering -- often used with out
2 : to exist in a state of suppressed activity <hostilities smoldered for years>
3 : to show suppressed anger, hate, or jealousy <eyes smoldering with hate>
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: noun
Etymology: Dutch snuf, short for snuftabak, from snuffen to snuff + tabak tobacco
Date: 1683
1 : a preparation of pulverized tobacco to be inhaled through the nostrils, chewed, or
placed against the gums
2 : the amount of snuff taken at one time
- up to snuff : of sufficient quality : meeting an applicable standard
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: s&-'li-s&t
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, to disturb, take charge of, from Middle French solliciter, from
Latin sollicitare to disturb, from sollicitus anxious, from sollus whole (from Oscan;
akin to Greek holos whole) + citus, past participle of ciEre to move -- more at SAFE,
-KINESIS
Date: 15th century
transitive senses
1 a : to make petition to : ENTREAT b : to approach with a request or plea
2 : to urge (as one's cause) strongly
3 a : to entice or lure especially into evil b : to proposition (someone) especially as or
in the character of a prostitute
4 : to try to obtain by usually urgent requests or pleas
intransitive senses
1 : to make solicitation : IMPORTUNE
2 of a prostitute : to offer to have sexual relations with someone for money
synonym see ASK
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'saund
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gesund; akin to Old High German gisunt
healthy
Date: 13th century
1 a : free from injury or disease : exhibiting normal health b : free from flaw, defect,
or decay <sound timber>
2 : SOLID, FIRM; also : STABLE
3 a : free from error, fallacy, or misapprehension <sound reasoning> b : exhibiting or
based on thorough knowledge and experience <sound scholarship> c : legally valid <a sound
title> d : logically valid and having true premises e : agreeing with accepted views :
ORTHODOX
4 a : THOROUGH b : deep and undisturbed <a sound sleep> c : HARD, SEVERE <a sound
whipping>
5 : showing good judgment or sense
synonym see HEALTHY, VALID
- sound·ly /'saun(d)-lE/ adverb
- sound·ness /'saun(d)-n&s/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'spA-sh&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin spatium space
Date: 1847
: relating to, occupying, or having the character of space
- spa·ti·al·i·ty /"spA-shE-'a-l&-tE/ noun
- spa·tial·ly /'spA-sh(&-)lE/ adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sfir
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English spere globe, celestial sphere, from Middle French espere, from
Latin sphaera, from Gk sphaira, literally, ball; perhaps akin to Greek spairein to
quiver -- more at SPURN
Date: 14th century
1 a (1) : the apparent surface of the heavens of which half forms the dome of the visible
sky (2) : any of the concentric and eccentric revolving spherical transparent shells in
which according to ancient astronomy stars, sun, planets, and moon are set b : a globe
depicting such a sphere; broadly : GLOBE a
2 a : a globular body : BALL b : PLANET, STAR c (1) : a solid that is bounded by a
surface consisting of all points at a given distance from a point constituting its center
-- see VOLUME table (2) : the bounding surface of a sphere
3 : natural, normal, or proper place; especially : social order or rank
4 a obsolete : ORBIT b : an area or range over or within which someone or something acts,
exists, or has influence or significance
- spher·ic /'sfir-ik, 'sfer-/ adjective, archaic
- sphe·ric·i·ty /sfir-'i-s&-tE/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: spän-'tA-nE-&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin spontaneus, from Latin sponte of one's free will, voluntarily
Date: 1656
1 : proceeding from natural feeling or native tendency without external constraint
2 : arising from a momentary impulse
3 : controlled and directed internally : SELF-ACTING <spontaneous movement characteristic
of living things>
4 : produced without being planted or without human labor : INDIGENOUS
5 : developing without apparent external influence, force, cause, or treatment
6 : not apparently contrived or manipulated : NATURAL
- spon·ta·ne·ous·ly adverb
- spon·ta·ne·ous·ness noun
synonyms SPONTANEOUS, IMPULSIVE, INSTINCTIVE, AUTOMATIC, MECHANICAL mean acting or activated
without deliberation. SPONTANEOUS implies lack of prompting and connotes naturalness <a
spontaneous burst of applause>. IMPULSIVE implies acting under stress of emotion or spirit
of the moment <impulsive acts of violence>. INSTINCTIVE stresses spontaneous action
involving neither judgment nor will <blinking is an instinctive reaction>. AUTOMATIC
implies action engaging neither the mind nor the emotions and connotes a predictable
response <his denial was automatic>. MECHANICAL stresses the lifeless, often perfunctory
character of the response <a mechanical teaching method>.
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'spä-tE
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): spot·ti·er; -est
Date: 14th century
1 : marked with spots : SPOTTED
2 : lacking uniformity especially in quality <the performance was spotty>; also :
irregularly or sparsely distributed <spotty attendance> <spotty data>
- spot·ti·ly /'spä-t&l-E/ adverb
- spot·ti·ness /'spä-tE-n&s/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'skwän-d&r
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): squan·dered; squan·der·ing /-d(&-)ri[ng]/
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1536
transitive senses
1 : to spend extravagantly or foolishly : DISSIPATE
2 : to cause to disperse : SCATTER
3 : to lose (as an advantage or opportunity) through negligence or inaction
intransitive senses : DISPERSE, SCATTER
- squan·der·er /-d&r-&r/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): squee·geed; squee·gee·ing
Date: 1883
: to smooth, wipe, or treat with a squeegee
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'sta-m&r
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): stam·mered; stam·mer·ing /'sta-m&-ri[ng], 'stam-ri[ng]/
Etymology: Middle English stameren, from Old English stamerian; akin to Old High German
stamalOn to stammer, Old Norse stemma to hinder, damn up -- more at STEM
Date: before 12th century
intransitive senses : to make involuntary stops and repetitions in speaking : HALT --
compare STUTTER
transitive senses : to utter with involuntary stops or repetitions
- stammer noun
- stam·mer·er /-m&r-&r/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'stash
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1785
: to store in a usually secret place for future use -- often used with away
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: noun
Etymology: static electricity
Date: 1913
1 : noise produced in a radio or television receiver by atmospheric or various natural or
man-made electrical disturbances; also : the electrical disturbances producing this noise
2 : heated opposition or criticism
- stat·icky /'sta-ti-kE/ adjective
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'ster-&l, chiefly British -"Il
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English steryle, from Latin sterilis; akin to Gothic stairo barren
animal, Sanskrit starI sterile cow
Date: 15th century
1 a : failing to bear or incapable of producing fruit or spores b : failing to produce or
incapable of producing offspring <a sterile hybrid> c : incapable of germinating <sterile
spores> d of a flower : neither perfect nor pistillate
2 a : unproductive of vegetation <a sterile arid region> b : free from living organisms
and especially microorganisms c : lacking in stimulating emotional or intellectual quality
: LIFELESS <a sterile work of art>
- ster·ile·ly /-&(l)-lE/ adverb
- ste·ril·i·ty /st&-'ri-l&-tE/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'st&rn
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English sterne, from Old English styrne; akin to Old English starian
to stare -- more at STARE
Date: before 12th century
1 a : having a definite hardness or severity of nature or manner : AUSTERE b : expressive
of severe displeasure : HARSH
2 : forbidding or gloomy in appearance
3 : INEXORABLE <stern necessity>
4 : STURDY, STOUT <a stern resolve>
synonym see SEVERE
- stern·ly adverb
- stern·ness /'st&rn-n&s/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'stig-m&
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural stig·ma·ta /stig-'mä-t&, 'stig-m&-t&/; or stig·mas
Etymology: Latin stigmat-, stigma mark, brand, from Greek, from stizein to tattoo -- more
at STICK
Date: circa 1593
1 a archaic : a scar left by a hot iron : BRAND b : a mark of shame or discredit : STAIN
c : an identifying mark or characteristic; specifically : a specific diagnostic sign of a
disease
2 a stigmata pl : bodily marks or pains resembling the wounds of the crucified Christ and
sometimes accompanying religious ecstasy b : PETECHIA
3 a : a small spot, scar, or opening on a plant or animal b : the usually apical part of
the pistil of a flower which receives the pollen grains and on which they germinate -- see
FLOWER illustration
- stig·mal /'stig-m&l/ adjective
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'st&r
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): stirred; stir·ring
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English styrian; akin to Old High German stOren to
scatter
Date: before 12th century
transitive senses
1 a : to cause an especially slight movement or change of position of b : to disturb the
quiet of : AGITATE
2 a : to disturb the relative position of the particles or parts of especially by a
continued circular movement b : to mix by or as if by stirring
3 : BESTIR, EXERT
4 : to bring into notice or debate : RAISE
5 a : to rouse to activity : evoke strong feelings in b : to call forth (as a memory) :
EVOKE c : PROVOKE
intransitive senses
1 a : to make a slight movement b : to begin to move (as in rousing)
2 : to begin to be active
3 : to be active or busy
4 : to pass an implement through a substance with a circular movement
5 : to be able to be stirred
- stir·rer noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'st&r-i[ng]
Function: adjective
Date: before 12th century
1 : ACTIVE, BUSTLING
2 : ROUSING, INSPIRING <a stirring speech>
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'stra-t&-j&m, -"jem
Function: noun
Etymology: Italian stratagemma, from Latin strategema, from Greek stratEgEma, from
stratEgein to be a general, maneuver, from stratEgos general, from stratos camp, army
(akin to Latin stratus, past participle, spread out) + agein to lead -- more at STRATUM,
AGENT
Date: 15th century
1 a : an artifice or trick in war for deceiving and outwitting the enemy b : a cleverly
contrived trick or scheme for gaining an end
2 : skill in ruses or trickery
synonym see TRICK
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'stü-p&-"fI, 'styü-
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -fied; -fy·ing
Etymology: Middle English stupifien, from Middle French stupefier, modification of Latin
stupefacere, from stupEre to be astonished + facere to make, do -- more at DO
Date: 15th century
1 : to make stupid, groggy, or insensible
2 : ASTONISH, ASTOUND
- stu·pe·fy·ing·ly /-i[ng]-lE/ adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 's&b-si-kw&nt, -s&-"kwent
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin subsequent-, subsequens, present participle of
subsequi to follow close, from sub- near + sequi to follow -- more at SUB-, SUE
Date: 15th century
: following in time, order, or place
- subsequent noun
- sub·se·quent·ly /-"kwent-lE, -kw&nt-/ adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 's&-t&l
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): sub·tler /'s&t-l&r, 's&-t&l-&r/; sub·tlest /'s&t-l&st, 's&-t&l-&st/
Etymology: Middle English sutil, sotil, from Middle French soutil, from Latin subtilis,
literally, finely textured, from sub- + tela cloth on a loom; akin to Latin texere to
weave -- more at TECHNICAL
Date: 14th century
1 a : DELICATE, ELUSIVE <a subtle fragrance> b : difficult to understand or perceive :
OBSCURE <subtle differences in sound>
2 a : PERCEPTIVE, REFINED <a writer's sharp and subtle moral sense> b : having or marked
by keen insight and ability to penetrate deeply and thoroughly <a subtle scholar>
3 a : highly skillful : EXPERT <a subtle craftsman> b : cunningly made or contrived :
INGENIOUS
4 : ARTFUL, CRAFTY <a subtle rogue>
5 : operating insidiously <subtle poisons>
- sub·tle·ness /'s&-t&l-n&s/ noun
- sub·tly /'s&t-lE, 's&-t&l-(l)E/ adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 's&-fiks
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin suffixum, from Latin, neuter of suffixus, past participle of
suffigere to fasten underneath, from sub- + figere to fasten -- more at FIX
Date: 1778
: an affix occurring at the end of a word, base, or phrase -- compare PREFIX
- suf·fix·al /'s&-fik-s&l, (")s&-'fik-s&l/ adjective
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: süt
Date: 14th century
transitive senses
1 a : to be becoming to b : to be proper for : BEFIT
2 : to outfit with clothes : DRESS
3 : ACCOMMODATE, ADAPT <suit the action to the word>
4 : to meet the needs or desires of : PLEASE <suits me fine>
intransitive senses
1 : to be in accordance : AGREE <the position suits with your abilities>
2 : to be appropriate or satisfactory <these prices don't suit>
3 : to put on specially required clothing (as a uniform or protective garb) -- usually used with up
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 's&-l&n
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English solain solitary, probably from (assumed) Anglo-French solein,
alteration of Old French soltain, from Late Latin solitaneus private, ultimately from
Latin solus alone
Date: 14th century
1 a : gloomily or resentfully silent or repressed b : suggesting a sullen state :
LOWERING
2 : dull or somber in sound or color
3 : DISMAL, GLOOMY
4 : moving sluggishly
- sul·len·ly adverb
- sul·len·ness /'s&-l&(n)-n&s/ noun
synonyms SULLEN, GLUM, MOROSE, SURLY, SULKY, CRABBED, SATURNINE, GLOOMY mean showing a
forbidding or disagreeable mood. SULLEN implies a silent ill humor and a refusal to be
sociable <remained sullen amid the festivities>. GLUM suggests a silent dispiritedness <a
glum candidate left to ponder a stunning defeat>. MOROSE adds to GLUM an element of
bitterness or misanthropy <morose job seekers who are inured to rejection>. SURLY implies
gruffness and sullenness of speech or manner <a typical surly teenager>. SULKY suggests
childish resentment expressed in peevish sullenness <grew sulky after every spat>. CRABBED
applies to a forbidding morose harshness of manner <the school's notoriously crabbed
headmaster>. SATURNINE describes a heavy forbidding aspect or suggests a bitter disposition
<a saturnine cynic always finding fault>. GLOOMY implies a depression in mood making for
seeming sullenness or glumness <a gloomy mood ushered in by bad news>.
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'shur-'fIr
Function: adjective
Date: circa 1909
: certain to get successful or expected results <a surefire recipe>
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: s&r-'vA, 's&r-"
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): sur·veyed; sur·vey·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French surveeir to look over, from sur- + veeir to
see -- more at VIEW
Date: 15th century
transitive senses
1 a : to examine as to condition, situation, or value : APPRAISE b : to query (someone)
in order to collect data for the analysis of some aspect of a group or area
2 : to determine and delineate the form, extent, and position of (as a tract of land) by
taking linear and angular measurements and by applying the principles of geometry and
trigonometry
3 : to view or consider comprehensively
4 : INSPECT, SCRUTINIZE <he surveyed us in a lordly way -- Alan Harrington>
intransitive senses : to make a survey
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: s&-'stAn
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English sustenen, from Old French sustenir, from Latin sustinEre to
hold up, sustain, from sub-, sus- up + tenEre to hold -- more at SUB-, THIN
Date: 13th century
1 : to give support or relief to
2 : to supply with sustenance : NOURISH
3 : KEEP UP, PROLONG
4 : to support the weight of : PROP; also : to carry or withstand (a weight or pressure)
5 : to buoy up <sustained by hope>
6 a : to bear up under b : SUFFER, UNDERGO <sustained heavy losses>
7 a : to support as true, legal, or just b : to allow or admit as valid <the court
sustained the motion>
8 : to support by adequate proof : CONFIRM <testimony that sustains our contention>
- sus·tained·ly /-'stA-n&d-lE, -'stAnd-lE/ adverb
- sus·tain·er noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'swet
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): sweat or sweat·ed; sweat·ing
Etymology: Middle English sweten, from Old English sw[AE]tan, from swAt sweat; akin to
Old High German sweiz sweat, Latin sudare to sweat, Greek hidrOs sweat
Date: before 12th century
intransitive senses
1 a : to excrete moisture in visible quantities through the openings of the sweat glands :
PERSPIRE b : to labor or exert oneself so as to cause perspiration
2 a : to emit or exude moisture <cheese sweats in ripening> b : to gather surface
moisture in beads as a result of condensation <stones sweat at night> c (1) : FERMENT (2)
: PUTREFY
3 : to undergo anxiety or mental or emotional distress
4 : to become exuded through pores or a porous surface : OOZE
transitive senses
1 : to emit or seem to emit from pores : EXUDE
2 : to manipulate or produce by hard work or drudgery
3 : to get rid of or lose (weight) by or as if by sweating or being sweated
4 : to make wet with perspiration
5 a : to cause to excrete moisture from the skin b : to drive hard : OVERWORK c : to
exact work from at low wages and under unfair or unhealthful conditions d slang : to give
the third degree to
6 : to cause to exude or lose moisture; especially : to subject (as tobacco leaves) to
fermentation
7 a : to extract something valuable from by unfair or dishonest means : FLEECE b : to
remove particles of metal from (a coin) by abrasion
8 a : to heat (as solder) so as to melt and cause to run especially between surfaces to
unite them; also : to unite by such means <sweat a pipe joint> b : to heat so as to
extract an easily fusible constituent <sweat bismuth ore> c : to sauté in a covered
vessel until natural juices are exuded
9 slang : to worry about <doesn't sweat the small stuff -- Barry McDermott>
- sweat blood : to work or worry intensely <in preparing speeches each sweats blood in
his own way -- Stewart Cockburn>
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: -b&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural syl·la·bi /-"bI, -"bE/; or -bus·es
Etymology: Late Latin, alteration of Latin sillybus label for a book, from Greek sillybos
Date: circa 1656
1 : a summary outline of a discourse, treatise, or course of study or of examination
requirements
2 : HEADNOTE 2
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'si-l&-b&l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French sillabe, from Latin syllaba, from Greek
syllabE, from syllambanein to gather together, from syn- + lambanein to take -- more at
LATCH
Date: 14th century
1 : a unit of spoken language that is next bigger than a speech sound and consists of one
or more vowel sounds alone or of a syllabic consonant alone or of either with one or more
consonant sounds preceding or following
2 : one or more letters (as syl, la, and ble) in a word (as syl·la·ble) usually set off
from the rest of the word by a centered dot or a hyphen and roughly corresponding to the
syllables of spoken language and treated as helps to pronunciation or as guides to placing
hyphens at the end of a line
3 : the smallest conceivable expression or unit of something : JOT
4 : SOL-FA SYLLABLES
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'si-"naps, s&-'naps
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin synapsis, from Greek, juncture, from synaptein to fasten together,
from syn- + haptein to fasten
Date: 1899
: the point at which a nervous impulse passes from one neuron to another
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'tamp
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: probably back-formation from obsolete tampion, tampin plug, from Middle
English, from Middle French tapon, tampon, from (assumed) Old French taper to plug, of
Germanic origin; akin to Old English tæppa tap
Date: 1834
1 : to drive in or down by a succession of light or medium blows <tamp wet concrete>
2 : to put a check on : REDUCE, LESSEN
- tamp·er noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin tangent-, tangens, from linea tangens tangent line
Date: 1594
1 a : the trigonometric function that for an acute angle is the ratio between the leg
opposite to the angle when it is considered part of a right triangle and the leg adjacent
b : a trigonometric function that is equal to the sine divided by the cosine for all real
numbers θ for which the cosine is not equal to zero and is exactly equal to the
tangent of an angle of measure θ in radians
2 : a line that is tangent; specifically : a straight line that is the limiting position
of a secant of a curve through a fixed point and a variable point on the curve as the
variable point approaches the fixed point -- see CIRCLE illustration
3 : an abrupt change of course : DIGRESSION <the speaker went off on a tangent>
4 : a small upright flat-ended metal pin at the inner end of a clavichord key that strikes
the string to produce the tone
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'tan-t&-"maunt
Function: adjective
Etymology: obsolete tantamount, noun, equivalent, from Anglo-French tant amunter to
amount to as much
Date: 1641
: equivalent in value, significance, or effect
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: perhaps from Middle French tenter to try, tempt -- more at TEMPT
Date: 1539
: to reproach or challenge in a mocking or insulting manner : jeer at
synonym see RIDICULE
- taunt·er noun
- taunt·ing·ly /'ton-ti[ng]-lE, 'tän-/ adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'tek-ni-k&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Gk technikos of art, skillful, from technE art, craft, skill; akin to Greek
tektOn builder, carpenter, Latin texere to weave, Sanskrit taksati he fashions
Date: 1617
1 a : having special and usually practical knowledge especially of a mechanical or
scientific subject <a technical consultant> b : marked by or characteristic of
specialization <technical language>
2 a : of or relating to a particular subject b : of or relating to a practical subject
organized on scientific principles <a technical school> c : TECHNOLOGICAL 1
3 a : based on or marked by a strict or legal interpretation b : LEGAL 6
4 : of or relating to technique
5 : of, relating to, or produced by ordinary commercial processes without being subjected
to special purification <technical sulfuric acid>
6 : relating to or caused by the functioning of the market as a discrete mechanism not
influenced by macroeconomic factors <technical rally> <technical analysis>
- tech·ni·cal·ly /-k(&-)lE/ adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: tek-'nEk
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from technique technical, from Greek technikos
Date: 1817
1 : the manner in which technical details are treated (as by a writer) or basic physical
movements are used (as by a dancer); also : ability to treat such details or use such
movements <good piano technique>
2 a : a body of technical methods (as in a craft or in scientific research) b : a method
of accomplishing a desired aim
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: adjective
Date: 15th century
1 : carried through to completion : EXHAUSTIVE <a thorough search>
2 a : marked by full detail <a thorough description> b : careful about detail :
PAINSTAKING <a thorough scholar> c : complete in all respects <thorough pleasure> d :
having full mastery (as of an art) <a thorough musician>
3 : passing through
- thor·ough·ly adverb
- thor·ough·ness noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'ti-m&d
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin timidus, from timEre to fear
Date: 1549
1 : lacking in courage or self-confidence <a timid person>
2 : lacking in boldness or determination <a timid policy>
- ti·mid·i·ty /t&-'mi-d&-tE/ noun
- tim·id·ly /'ti-m&d-lE/ adverb
- tim·id·ness noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: tI-'ta-nik also t&-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Greek titanikos of the Titans
Date: 1709
: having great magnitude, force, or power : COLOSSAL
- ti·tan·i·cal·ly /-ni-k(&-)lE/ adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'tä-l&-r&n(t)s, 'täl-r&n(t)s
Function: noun
Date: 15th century
1 : capacity to endure pain or hardship : ENDURANCE, FORTITUDE, STAMINA
2 a : sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with
one's own b : the act of allowing something : TOLERATION
3 : the allowable deviation from a standard; especially : the range of variation
permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece
4 a (1) : the capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (as
a drug) or a physiological insult with repeated use or exposure <immunological tolerance
to a virus> <an addict's increasing tolerance for a drug> (2) : relative capacity of an
organism to grow or thrive when subjected to an unfavorable environmental factor b : the
maximum amount of a pesticide residue that may lawfully remain on or in food
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): tor·tured; tor·tur·ing /'torch-ri[ng], 'tor-ch&-/
Date: 1588
1 : to cause intense suffering to : TORMENT
2 : to punish or coerce by inflicting excruciating pain
3 : to twist or wrench out of shape : DISTORT, WARP
synonym see AFFLICT
- tor·tur·er /'tor-ch&r-&r/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'trAps
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): traipsed; traips·ing
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1647
intransitive senses : to go on foot : WALK <traipsed over to the restaurant> <children
traipsing at her heels>; also : to walk or travel about without apparent plan but with or
without a purpose <a week traipsing through the Ozarks> <traipsing from office to office>
transitive senses : TRAMP, WALK
synonym see WANDER
- traipse noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: tran(t)-'skrIb
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): tran·scribed; tran·scrib·ing
Etymology: Latin transcribere, from trans- + scribere to write -- more at SCRIBE
Date: 1552
1 a : to make a written copy of b : to make a copy of (dictated or recorded matter) in
longhand or on a machine (as a typewriter) c : to paraphrase or summarize in writing d :
WRITE DOWN, RECORD
2 a : to represent (speech sounds) by means of phonetic symbols b : TRANSLATE 2a c : to
transfer (data) from one recording form to another d : to record (as on magnetic tape) for
later broadcast
3 : to make a musical transcription of
4 : to cause (as DNA) to undergo genetic transcription
- tran·scrib·er noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: tran(t)-'si-sh&n, tran-'zi-, chiefly British tran(t)-'si-zh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin transition-, transitio, from transire
Date: 1551
1 a : passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : CHANGE b : a
movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another
2 a : a musical modulation b : a musical passage leading from one section of a piece to
another
3 : an abrupt change in energy state or level (as of an atomic nucleus or a molecule)
usually accompanied by loss or gain of a single quantum of energy
- tran·si·tion·al /-'sish-n&l, -'sizh-, -'zish-; -'si-sh&-n&l, -'zi-, -zh&-/ adjective
- tran·si·tion·al·ly adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'trau-m&, 'tro-
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural traumas also trau·ma·ta /-m&-t&/
Etymology: Gk traumat-, trauma wound, alteration of trOma; akin to Greek titrOskein to
wound, tetrainein to pierce -- more at THROW
Date: circa 1693
1 a : an injury (as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent <surgical
trauma> b : a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from mental or emotional
stress or physical injury
2 : an agent, force, or mechanism that causes trauma
- trau·mat·ic /tr&-'ma-tik, tro-, trau-/ adjective
- trau·mat·i·cal·ly /-ti-k(&-)lE/ adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: tri-'men-d&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin tremendus, from gerundive of tremere
Date: 1632
1 : being such as may excite trembling or arouse dread, awe, or terror
2 a : notable by reason of extreme size, power, greatness, or excellence -- often used as
a generalized term of approval b : unusually large : HUGE
synonym see MONSTROUS
- tre·men·dous·ly adverb
- tre·men·dous·ness noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: noun
Etymology: Norwegian troll & Danish trold, from Old Norse troll giant, demon; probably
akin to Middle High German trolle lout
Date: 1616
: a dwarf or giant in Scandinavian folklore inhabiting caves or hills
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'tr&[ng]-"kAt, 'tr&n-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin truncatus, past participle of truncare to shorten, from truncus trunk
Date: 1716
: having the end square or even <the truncate leaves of the tulip tree>
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: t&-'wi-sh&n, tyu-
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English tuicioun protection, from Old French tuicion, from Latin
tuition-, tuitio, from tueri to look at, look after
Date: 15th century
1 archaic : CUSTODY, GUARDIANSHIP
2 : the act or profession of teaching : INSTRUCTION <pursued his studies under private
tuition>
3 : the price of or payment for instruction
- tu·ition·al /-'wish-n&l, -'wi-sh&-n&l/ adjective
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 't&n-dr& also 'tun-
Function: noun
Etymology: Russian, of Lappish origin; akin to Kola Lappish tundar hill
Date: circa 1841
: a level or rolling treeless plain that is characteristic of arctic and subarctic
regions, consists of black mucky soil with a permanently frozen subsoil, and has a
dominant vegetation of mosses, lichens, herbs, and dwarf shrubs; also : a similar region
confined to mountainous areas above timberline
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'twE
Function: adjective
Etymology: baby-talk alteration of sweet
Date: 1905
chiefly British : affectedly or excessively dainty, delicate, cute, or quaint <such a
theme might sound twee or corny -- Times Literary Supplement>
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: tI-'pä-gr&-fE
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin typographia, from Greek typos impression, cast + -graphia
-graphy -- more at TYPE
Date: 1610
1 : letterpress printing
2 : the style, arrangement, or appearance of typeset matter
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: -m&t-lE
Function: adverb
Date: 1652
1 : in the end : FINALLY, FUNDAMENTALLY
2 : EVENTUALLY
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: yu-'nEk
Function: adjective
Etymology: French, from Latin unicus, from unus one -- more at ONE
Date: 1602
1 : being the only one : SOLE <his unique concern was his own comfort> <I can't walk away
with a unique copy. Suppose I lost it? -- Kingsley Amis> <the unique factorization of a
number into prime factors>
2 a : being without a like or equal : UNEQUALED <could stare at the flames, each one new,
violent, unique -- Robert Coover> b : distinctively characteristic : PECULIAR 1 <this is
not a condition unique to California -- Ronald Reagan>
3 : UNUSUAL <a very unique ball-point pen> <we were fairly unique, the sixty of us, in
that there wasn't one good mixer in the bunch -- J. D. Salinger>
synonym see STRANGE
- unique·ly adverb
- unique·ness noun
usage Many commentators have objected to the comparison or modification (as by somewhat
or very) of unique; the statement that a thing is either unique or it is not has often
been repeated by them. Objections are based chiefly on the assumption that unique has but
a single absolute sense, an assumption contradicted by information readily available in a
dictionary. Unique dates back to the 17th century but was little used until the end of the
18th when, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, it was reacquired from French. H.
J. Todd entered it as a foreign word in his edition (1818) of Johnson's Dictionary,
characterizing it as "affected and useless." Around the middle of the 19th century it
ceased to be considered foreign and came into considerable popular use. With popular use
came a broadening of application beyond the original two meanings (here numbered 1 and
2a). In modern use both comparison and modification are widespread and standard but are
confined to the extended senses 2b and 3. When sense 1 or sense 2a is intended, unique is
used without qualifying modifiers.
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: -'wE(&)l-dE
Function: adjective
Date: 1530
: not easily managed, handled, or used (as because of bulk, weight, complexity, or
awkwardness) : CUMBERSOME
- un·wield·i·ly /-'wEl-d&-lE/ adverb
- un·wield·i·ness /-dE-n&s/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: yü-'ti-l&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -ties
Etymology: Middle English utilite, from Middle French utilité, from Latin utilitat,
utilitas, from utilis useful, from uti to use
Date: 14th century
1 : fitness for some purpose or worth to some end
2 : something useful or designed for use
3 a : PUBLIC UTILITY b (1) : a service (as light, power, or water) provided by a public
utility (2) : equipment or a piece of equipment to provide such service or a comparable
service
4 : a program or routine designed to perform or facilitate especially routine operations
(as copying files or editing text) on a computer
Pronunciation: 'yü-t&l-"Iz
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -lized; -liz·ing
Etymology: French utiliser, from utile
Date: 1807
: to make use of : turn to practical use or account <I'm a great person for utilizing
waste power -- Robert Frost>
synonym see USE
- uti·liz·able /-"I-z&-b&l/ adjective
- uti·li·za·tion /"yü-t&l-&-'zA-sh&n/ noun
- uti·liz·er /'yü-t&l-"I-z&r/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'va-l&d
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French valide, from Medieval Latin
validus, from Latin, strong, from valEre
Date: 1571
1 : having legal efficacy or force; especially : executed with the proper legal authority
and formalities <a valid contract>
2 a : well-grounded or justifiable : being at once relevant and meaningful <a valid
theory> b : logically correct <a valid argument> <valid inference>
3 : appropriate to the end in view : EFFECTIVE <every craft has its own valid methods>
4 of a taxon : conforming to accepted principles of sound biological classification
- va·lid·i·ty /v&-'li-d&-tE, va-/ noun
- val·id·ly /'va-l&d-lE/ adverb
synonyms VALID, SOUND, COGENT, CONVINCING, TELLING mean having such force as to compel serious
attention and usually acceptance. VALID implies being supported by objective truth or
generally accepted authority <a valid reason for being absent> <a valid marriage>. SOUND
implies a basis of flawless reasoning or of solid grounds <a sound proposal for reviving
the economy>. COGENT may stress either weight of sound argument and evidence or lucidity of
presentation <the prosecutor's cogent summation won over the jury>. CONVINCING suggests a
power to overcome doubt, opposition, or reluctance to accept <a convincing argument for
welfare reform>. TELLING stresses an immediate and crucial effect striking at the heart of a
matter <a telling example of bureaucratic waste>.
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'ver-E-&n(t)s, 'var-
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 : the fact, quality, or state of being variable or variant : DIFFERENCE, VARIATION
<yearly variance in crops>
2 : the fact or state of being in disagreement : DISSENSION, DISPUTE
3 : a disagreement between two parts of the same legal proceeding that must be consonant
4 : a license to do some act contrary to the usual rule <a zoning variance>
5 : the square of the standard deviation
synonym see DISCORD
- at variance : not in harmony or agreement
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'ver-E-&nt, 'var-
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 obsolete : VARIABLE
2 : manifesting variety, deviation, or disagreement
3 : varying usually slightly from the standard form <variant readings>
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'v&rb
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English verbe, from Middle French, from Latin verbum word, verb -- more
at WORD
Date: 14th century
: a word that characteristically is the grammatical center of a predicate and expresses an
act, occurrence, or mode of being, that in various languages is inflected for agreement
with the subject, for tense, for voice, for mood, or for aspect, and that typically has
rather full descriptive meaning and characterizing quality but is sometimes nearly devoid
of these especially when used as an auxiliary or linking verb
- verb·less /'v&r-bl&s/ adjective
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'v&r-b&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin verbalis, from
Latin verbum word
Date: 15th century
1 a : of, relating to, or consisting of words <verbal instructions> b : of, relating to,
or involving words rather than meaning or substance <a consistency that is merely verbal
and scholastic -- B. N. Cardozo> c : consisting of or using words only and not involving
action <a verbal protest>
2 : of, relating to, or formed from a verb <a verbal adjective>
3 : spoken rather than written <a verbal contract>
4 : VERBATIM, WORD-FOR-WORD <a verbal translation>
5 : of or relating to facility in the use and comprehension of words <verbal aptitude>
- ver·bal·ly /-b&-lE/ adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'v&r-zh&n, -sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Medieval Latin version-, versio act of turning, from Latin
vertere to turn -- more at WORTH
Date: 1582
1 : a translation from another language; especially : a translation of the Bible or a
part of it
2 a : an account or description from a particular point of view especially as contrasted
with another account b : an adaptation of a literary work <the movie version of the
novel> c : an arrangement of a musical composition
3 : a form or variant of a type or original <an experimental version of the plane>
4 a : a condition in which an organ and especially the uterus is turned from its normal
position b : manual turning of a fetus in the uterus to aid delivery
- ver·sion·al /'v&rzh-n&l, 'v&rsh-; 'v&r-zh&-n&l, -sh&-/ adjective
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: -br&nt
Function: adjective
Date: 1616
1 a (1) : oscillating or pulsating rapidly (2) : pulsating with life, vigor, or activity
<a vibrant personality> b (1) : readily set in vibration (2) : RESPONSIVE, SENSITIVE
2 : sounding as a result of vibration : RESONANT <a vibrant voice>
3 : BRIGHT 4 <a vibrant orange>
- vi·brant·ly adverb
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'vi-g&r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French vigor, from Latin, from vigEre to be
vigorous
Date: 14th century
1 : active bodily or mental strength or force
2 : active healthy well-balanced growth especially of plants
3 : intensity of action or effect : FORCE
4 : effective legal status
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'vI-t&l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin vitalis of life, from vita
life; akin to Latin vivere to live -- more at QUICK
Date: 14th century
1 a : existing as a manifestation of life b : concerned with or necessary to the
maintenance of life <vital organs> <blood and other vital fluids>
2 : full of life and vigor : ANIMATED
3 : characteristic of life or living beings
4 a : fundamentally concerned with or affecting life or living beings: as (1) : tending to
renew or refresh the living : INVIGORATING (2) : destructive to life : MORTAL b : of the
utmost importance
5 : recording data relating to lives
6 : of, relating to, or constituting the staining of living tissues
synonym see ESSENTIAL
- vi·tal·ly /-t&l-E/ adverb
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Pronunciation: 'vau(-&)l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French vouel, from Latin vocalis -- more at VOCALIC
Date: 14th century
1 : one of a class of speech sounds in the articulation of which the oral part of the
breath channel is not blocked and is not constricted enough to cause audible friction;
broadly : the one most prominent sound in a syllable
2 : a letter or other symbol representing a vowel -- usually used in English of a, e, i,
o, u, and sometimes y
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Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old North French warantir, from warant
Date: 14th century
1 a : to declare or maintain with certainty : be sure that <I'll warrant he'll be here by
noon> b : to assure (a person) of the truth of what is said
2 a : to guarantee to a person good title to and undisturbed possession of (as an estate)
b : to provide a guarantee of the security of (as title to property sold) usually by an
express covenant in the deed of conveyance c : to guarantee to be as represented d : to
guarantee (as goods sold) especially in respect of the quality or quantity specified
3 : to guarantee security or immunity to : SECURE <I'll warrant him from drowning --
Shakespeare>
4 : to give warrant or sanction to : AUTHORIZE <the law warrants this procedure>
5 a : to give proof of the authenticity or truth of b : to give assurance of the nature of
or for the undertaking of : GUARANTEE
6 : to serve as or give adequate ground or reason for <promising enough to warrant
further consideration>
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'war-E, 'wer-
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): war·i·er; -est
Etymology: 1ware, from Middle English war, ware, from Old English wær careful, aware,
wary; akin to Old High German giwar aware, attentive, Latin vereri to fear, Greek horan
to see
Date: 15th century
: marked by keen caution, cunning, and watchful prudence especially in detecting and
escaping danger
synonym see CAUTIOUS
- war·i·ly /'war-&-lE, 'wer-/ adverb
- war·i·ness /'war-E-n&s, 'wer-/ noun
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Pronunciation: 'wend
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wendan; akin to Old High German wenten to
turn, Old English windan to twist -- more at WIND
Date: before 12th century
intransitive senses : to direct one's course : TRAVEL
transitive senses : to proceed on (one's way) : DIRECT
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Pronunciation: 'wil
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English willa will, desire; akin to Old English wille
Date: before 12th century
1 : DESIRE, WISH: as a : DISPOSITION, INCLINATION <where there's a will there's a way> b
: APPETITE, PASSION c : CHOICE, DETERMINATION
2 a : something desired; especially : a choice or determination of one having authority
or power b (1) archaic : REQUEST, COMMAND (2) [from the phrase our will is which
introduces it] : the part of a summons expressing a royal command
3 : the act, process, or experience of willing : VOLITION
4 a : mental powers manifested as wishing, choosing, desiring, or intending b : a
disposition to act according to principles or ends c : the collective desire of a group
<the will of the people>
5 : the power of control over one's own actions or emotions <a man of iron will>
6 : a legal declaration of a person's wishes regarding the disposal of his or her property
or estate after death; especially : a written instrument legally executed by which a
person makes disposition of his or her estate to take effect after death
- at will : as one wishes : as or when it pleases or suits oneself
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Pronunciation: 'wiz-d&m
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wIsdOm, from wIs wise
Date: before 12th century
1 a : accumulated philosophic or scientific learning : KNOWLEDGE b : ability to discern
inner qualities and relationships : INSIGHT c : good sense : JUDGMENT d : generally
accepted belief <challenges what has become accepted wisdom among many historians --
Robert Darnton>
2 : a wise attitude or course of action
3 : the teachings of the ancient wise men
synonym see SENSE
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Function: noun
Date: 13th century
1 : a condition of deep suffering from misfortune, affliction, or grief
2 : ruinous trouble : CALAMITY, AFFLICTION <economic woes>
synonym see SORROW
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Variant(s): also wo·ful /'wO-f&l/
Function: adjective
Date: 14th century
1 : full of woe : GRIEVOUS <woeful prophecies>
2 : involving or bringing woe
3 : lamentably bad or serious : DEPLORABLE <woeful ignorance>
- woe·ful·ly /-f(&-)lE/ adverb
- woe·ful·ness /-f&l-n&s/ noun
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Pronunciation: 'w&r-[th_]E
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): wor·thi·er; -est
Date: 13th century
1 a : having worth or value : ESTIMABLE <a worthy cause> b : HONORABLE, MERITORIOUS
<worthy candidates>
2 : having sufficient worth or importance <worthy to be remembered>
- wor·thi·ly /'w&r-[th_]&-lE/ adverb
- wor·thi·ness /-[th_]E-n&s/ noun
[Click here for a pronunciation key]
Pronunciation: 'yE(&)ld
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gieldan; akin to Old High German geltan to
pay
Date: before 12th century
transitive senses
1 archaic : RECOMPENSE, REWARD
2 : to give or render as fitting, rightfully owed, or required
3 : to give up possession of on claim or demand: as a : to give up (as one's breath) and
so die b : to surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another : hand over
possession of c : to surrender or submit (oneself) to another d : to give (oneself) up to
an inclination, temptation, or habit e : to relinquish one's possession of (as a position
of advantage or point of superiority) <yield precedence>
4 a : to bear or bring forth as a natural product especially as a result of cultivation
<the tree always yields good fruit> b : to produce or furnish as return <this soil should
yield good crops> c (1) : to produce as return from an expenditure or investment :
furnish as profit or interest <a bond that yields 12 percent> (2) : to produce as revenue
: BRING IN <the tax is expected to yield millions>
5 : to give up (as a hit or run) in baseball <yielded two runs in the third inning>
intransitive senses
1 : to be fruitful or productive : BEAR, PRODUCE
2 : to give up and cease resistance or contention : SUBMIT, SUCCUMB
3 : to give way to pressure or influence : submit to urging, persuasion, or entreaty
4 : to give way under physical force (as bending, stretching, or breaking)
5 a : to give place or precedence : acknowledge the superiority of someone else b : to be
inferior <our dictionary yields to none> c : to give way to or become succeeded by
someone or something else
6 : to relinquish the floor of a legislative assembly
synonyms YIELD, SUBMIT, CAPITULATE, SUCCUMB, RELENT, DEFER mean to give way to someone or
something that one can no longer resist. YIELD may apply to any sort or degree of giving
way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty <yields too easily in any argument>.
SUBMIT suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of
another <a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God>. CAPITULATE stresses the
fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an
adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force <officials
capitulated to the protesters' demands>. SUCCUMB implies weakness and helplessness to the
one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force <a stage actor
succumbing to the lure of Hollywood>. RELENT implies a yielding through pity or mercy by
one who holds the upper hand <finally relented and let the children stay up late>. DEFER
implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference
and affection toward another <I defer to your superior expertise in these matters>.
synonym see in addition RELINQUISH
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