Unit 1
apparel - clothing, that which serves as dress or decoration; to put clothes on, dress up
besiege - to attack by surrounding with military forces; to cause worry or trouble
compress - to press together; to reduce in size or volume; a folded cloth or pad applied to an injury
denounce - to condemn openly; to accuse formally
dispatch - to send off or out for a purpose; to kill; an official message; promptness, speed; the act of killing
douse - to plunge into a liquid, drench; to put out quickly, extinguish
expressly - plainly, in so many words; for a particular purpose
famished - suffering severely from hunger or from a lack of something
forsake - to give up, renounce; to leave, abandon
gainful - profitable; bringing in money or some special advantage
immense - very large or great; beyond ordinary means of measurement
inept - totally without skill or appropriateness
ingenious - showing remarkable originality, inventiveness, or resourcefulness; clever
instantaneous - done in an instant; immediate
irk - to annoy, trouble, make weary
libel - a written statement that unfairly or falsely harms the reputation of the person about whom it is made; to write or publish such a statement
misgiving - a feeling of fear, doubt, or uncertainty
oaf - a stupid person; a big, clumsy, slow individual
recede - to go or move backward; to become more distant
repast - a meal, food
Unit 2
adverse - unfavorable, negative; working against, hostile
arid - extremely dry; uninteresting, dull
assailant - a person who attacks violently (with blows or words)
billow - a large wave; to rise or swell like a wave
confront - to meet face-to-face, especially as a challenge; come to grips with
constrain - to force, compel; to restrain, hold back
contemporary - belonging to the same period of time as oneself; a person of the same time
depict - to portray; to represent or show in the form of a picture
disinterested - fair-minded, free from selfish motives; indifferent
encompass - to encircle, go or reach around; to enclose; to include with a certain group or class
groundless - without any good reason or cause, unjustified
hypocrite - a person who pretends to be what he or she is not or better than he or she really is; a two-faced person
incomprehensible - impossible to understand
manipulate - to handle or use skillfully; to manage or control for personal gain or advantage
maximum - the greatest possible amount or degree; reaching the greatest possible amount or degree
mimic - a person who does imitations; to imitate; to make fun of
ruffle - to wrinkle, make uneven; to annoy, upset; to flip through; material used for trimming edges; a ripple; a low drumbeat
serene - peaceful, calm; free of emotional upset; clear or free of storm; majestic, grand
sheepish - embarrassed; resembling a sheep in meekness, timid
stamina - the strength needed to keep going or overcome physical or mental strain; staying power
Unit 3
barrage - a rapid, large-scale outpouring of something
bigot - an intolerant, prejudiced, or biased person
designate - to indicate, point out; to appoint; selected but not yet installed
diversity - difference, variety; a condition of having many different types or forms
enigma - someone or something that is extremely puzzling; that which cannot be understood or explained
gloat - to look at or think about with great intensity and satisfaction; to take great personal joy in
global - of, relating to, or involving the entire world; comprehensive
illusion - a false idea; something that one seems to see or to be aware of that really does not exist
infuriate - to make very angry, enrage
motivate - to provide with a reason for doing; to push on to some goal
pacifist - one who is against war or the use of violence; opposing war or violence
queue - a line of people waiting for something (such as a bus); to form such a line
restrict - to keep within set limits; to confine
sage - wise; a very wise person
slake - to satisfy, relieve, or bring to an end
terrain - the landscape, especially its physical features or fitness for some use; a field of knowledge
vocation - any trade, profession, or occupation; a sense of fitness or special calling for one's work
vow - a solemn or sacred promise or pledge; to declare or promise in a solemn way
waylay - to lie in wait for and attack, ambush
wither - to dry up, wilt, sag; to cause someone to feel ashamed, humiliated, or very small
Unit 4
acquit - to declare not guilty, free from blame, discharge completely; to conduct or behave oneself
deem - to think, believe; to consider, have an opinion
devastate - to destroy, lay waste, leave in ruins
discredit - to throw doubt upon, cause to be distrusted; to damage in reputation; a loss or lack of belief, confidence, or reputation
elusive - difficult to catch or to hold; hard to explain or understand
generate - to bring into existence; to be the cause of
idolize - to worship as an idol, make an idol of; to love very much
ingratitude - a lack of thankfulness
keepsake - something kept in memory of the giver; a souvenir
mortal - a being that must eventually die; of or relating to such a being; causing death, fatal; possible, conceivable
ovation - an enthusiastic public welcome, an outburst of applause
petty - unimportant, trivial; narrow-minded; secondary in rank, minor
plight - a sorry condition or state; to pledge, promise solemnly
repent - to feel sorry for what one has done or has failed to do
reverie - a daydream; the condition of being lost in thought
revocation - an act or instance of calling back, an annulment, cancellation
scan - to examine closely; to look over quickly but thoroughly; to analyze the rhythm of a poem; an examination
strand - a beach or shore; a string of wire, hair, etc.; to drive or run aground; to leave in a hopeless position
strife - bitter disagreement; fighting, struggle
topple - to fall forward; to overturn, bring about the downfall of
Unit 5
acute - with a sharp point; keen and alert; sharp and severe; rising quickly to a high point and lasting for short time
bluster - to talk or act in a noisy and threatening way; to blow in stormy gusts; speech that is loud and threatening
bungle - to act or work clumsily and awkwardly; to ruin something through clumsiness
commentary - a series of notes clarifying or explaining something; an expression of opinion
duration - the length of time that something continues or lasts
eerie - causing fear because of strangeness; weird, mysterious
facet - one aspect or side of a subject or problem; one of the cut surfaces of a gem
fidelity - the state of being faithful; accuracy in details, exactness
fray - a brawl, a noisy quarrel; to wear away by rubbing; make ragged or worn; to strain, irritate
headstrong - willful, stubborn
inhabitant - one living permanently in a given place
numb - having lost the power of feeling or movement; to dull the feelings of; to cause to lose feeling
pacify - to make peaceful or calm; to soothe
ravenous - greedy; very hungry; eager for satisfaction
refute - to prove incorrect
remorse - deep and painful regret for one's past misdeeds; pangs of conscience
setback - something that interferes with progress; a disappointment, unexpected loss or defeat; a step-like recession in a wall
smug - overly self-satisfied, self-righteous
synopsis - a brief statement giving a general view of some subject, book, etc.; a summary
tarry - to delay leaving; to linger, wait; to remain or stay for a while
Unit 6
agenda - the program for a meeting; a list, outline, or plan of things to be considered or done
amiable - friendly, good-natured
befuddle - to confuse, make stupid
blight - a disease that causes plants to wither and die; a condition of disease or ruin; to destroy, ruin
boisterous - rough and noisy in a cheerful way; high-spirited
clarity - clearness, accuracy
compliant - willing to do what someone else wants; obedient
conserve - to preserve; to keep from being damaged, lost, or wasted; to save
debut - a first public appearance; a formal entrance into society; to make a first appearance
gory - marked by bloodshed, slaughter, or violence
gross - coarse, vulgar; very noticeable; total; overweight; an overall total (without deductions); twelve dozen; to earn
induce - to cause, bring about; to persuade
leeway - extra space for moving along a certain route; allowance for mistakes or inaccuracies; margin of error
limber - flexible; to cause to become flexible
maze - a network of paths through which it is hard to find one's way; something very mixed-up and confusing
oracle - someone or something that can predict the future; someone who gives astute answers or advice that seems authoritative
partisan - a strong supporter of a person, party, or cause; one whose support is unreasoning; a resistance fighter, guerrilla; strongly supporting one side only
reimburse - to pay back; to give payment for
vacate - to go away from, leave empty; to make empty; to void, annul
vagabond - an idle wanderer; a tramp; wandering; irresponsible
Unit 7
authorize - to approve or permit; to give power or authority to
culprit - a person who has committed a crime or is guilty of some misconduct; an offender
dawdle - to waste time; to be idle; to spend more time in doing something than is necessary
dissect - to cut apart in preparation for scientific study; to analyze with great care
expend - to pay out, spend; to use up
fatality - an event resulting in death; an accidental death
gullible - easily fooled, tricked, or cheated
illicit - not permitted, unlawful, improper
immerse - to plunge or dip into a fluid; to involve deeply
inflammatory - causing excitement, or anger; leading to unrest, violence, or disorder
memorandum - a note to aid one's memory; an informal note or report
pathetic - marked by strong emotion, especially pity and sorrow; able to move people emotionally; worthy of pity; woefully inadequate or lacking
persevere - to keep doing something in spite of difficulties; to refuse to quit even when the going is tough
prevaricate - to lie, tell an untruth; to mislead on purpose
quash - to crush, put down completely
relish - enjoyment or satisfaction; something that adds a pleasing flavor; to enjoy greatly
reminisce - to recall one's past thoughts, feelings, or experiences
scour - to clean or polish by and rubbing; to examine with great care
testimonial - a statement that speaks to a person's character or to the benefits of a product; expressing the value and worth of someone or something.
writhe - to make twisting or turned movements in a way that suggests pain or struggle.
Unit 8
Affluence - Wealth, riches, prosperity; great abundance, plenty
Arrears - Unpaid or overdue debts; an unfinished duty
Cascade - A steep narrow waterfall; something falling or rushing forth in quantity; to flow downward
Cringe - To shrink back or hide in fear or submissiveness
Crotchety - Cranky, ill-tempered; full of odd whims
Immobile - Not movable; not moving
Impassable - Blocked so that nothing can go through
Innovation - Something new, a change; the act of introducing a new method, idea, device, etc.
Jovial - Good-humored, in high spirits; merry
Manacle - A handcuff, anything that chains or confines; to chain or restrain
Martial - Warlike, fond of fighting; relating to war, the army or military life
Minimum - The smallest possible amount; the lowest permissible or possible
Nimble - Quick and skillful in movement, agile; clever
Onset - The beginning, start (especially of something violent and destructive); an attack, assault
Perishable - Likely to spoil or decay
Partition - Something that divides (such as a wall); the act of dividing something into parts or sections; to divide or subdivide into parts or shares
Retrieve - To find something and bring back, get back; put right, make good
Sinister - Appearing evil or dangerous; threatening evil or harm
Taut - Drawn tightly, tense; neat, in good order
Template - A pattern, typically in form of metal, wood, or plastic; something that is typically used as a model to imitate
Unit 9
avenge - to get revenge for, to get even for, settle a score; to punish someone or get satisfaction for a wrong or injury
cede - to give up, surrender; to hand over to another
deluge - a great flood; a heavy fall of rain; anything that comes in a vast quantity (like a flood); to flood
discretion - good judgment; care in speech and action; freedom to judge or choose
giddy - dizzy; light-headed; lacking seriousness
impact - the striking of one object against another; the shock caused by a collision; to affect, especially forcefully
intimidate - to make timid or frighten by threats; to use fear to get someone to do (or not to do) something
liberate - to free from bondage or domination; to release
logical - reasonable; making use of reason and good sense
misrepresent - to give a false or untrue idea
optional - left to one's own choice; not required
outright - complete; instantaneous; without reservation
rendezvous - to meet in accordance with a plan; a meeting by agreement; a meeting place
rotund - rounded and plump; full or rich in sound
saunter - to stroll; walk in an easy, leisurely way; a stroll
sluggish - lazy; slow-moving; not active, dull
subordinate - lower in rank or position, secondary; one who is in a lower position or under the orders of someone else; to put in a lower or secondary position
tint - a delicate color or hue; a slight trace of something; to give color to something; to dye
variable - likely to undergo change; changeable; a value or quantity that varies; a symbol for such
verge - the point at which something begins or happens; a border; to incline, tend toward, approach; to be in the process of becoming something else
Unit 10
abominable - arousing hatred; disgusting, detestable
bumbling - blundering and awkward; clumsiness
consequence - a result, effect; importance
delude - to fool, deceive; to mislead utterly
dole - to give out in small amounts; money, food, or other necessities given as charity; a small portion
engulf - to swallow up, overwhelm, consume
foil - to defeat; to keep from gaining some end; a thin sheet of metal; a light fencing sword; a person or thing serving as contrast to another
formulate - to express definitely or systematically; to devise, invent; to state as a formula
initiative - the taking of the first step or move; the ability to act without being directed or urged from the outside
memento - something that serves as a reminder
nonconformist - a person who refuses to follow established ideas or ways of doing things; of or relating to the unconventional
null and void - without legal force or effect; no longer binding
panorama - a wide, unobstructed view of an area; a complete survey of a subject; a continuously passing or changing scene; a range or spectrum
posterity - all of a person's offspring, descendants; all future generations
pry - to pull loose by force; to look at closely or inquisitively; to be nosy about something
refurbish - to brighten, freshen, or polish; to restore or improve
resourceful - able to deal promptly and effectively with all sorts of problems; clever in finding ways and means of getting along
rigorous - severe, harsh, strict; thoroughly logical
subsequent - coming after; following in time, place, or order
unerring - making no mistakes, faultless, completely accurate
Unit 11
alias - an assumed name, especially as used to hide one's identity; otherwise called
amble - to walk slowly; stroll; an easy pace; a leisurely walk
burly - big and strong; muscular
distort - to give a false or misleading account of; to twist out of shape
dogged - persistent, stubbornly determined, refusing to give up
dumbfounded - so amazed that one is unable to speak, bewildered
extinct - no longer in existence; no longer active; gone out of use
grit - very fine sand or gravel; courage in the face of hardship or danger; to grind; to make a grating sound
inevitable - sure to happen, unavoidable
ingrained - fixed deeply and firmly; working into the grain or fiber; forming a part of the inmost being
meteoric - resembling a meteor in speed; having sudden and temporary brilliance similar to a meteor's
parody - a humorous or ridiculous imitation; to make fun of something by imitating it
prevail - to triumph over; to succeed; to exist widely, be in general use; to get someone to do something by urging
relic - an object from the past with historical value or interest; a trace of an outdated custom; remaining fragments, ruins
rend - to tear to pieces; split violently apart
replenish - to fill again, make good, replace
rummage - to search through, investigate the contents of; an active search; a collection of odd items
skimp - to save, be thrifty; to be extremely sparing with; to give little attention or effort to
sleuth - a detective
vandalism - deliberate and pointless destruction of public or private property
Unit 12
abduct - to kidnap, carry off by force
ambiguous - not clear; having two or more possible meanings
balk - to stop short and refuse to go on; to refuse abruptly; to prevent from happening; (in baseball) an illegal motion made by a pitcher
compact - closely and firmly packed together; small; to squeeze together; an agreement between parties; a small case containing a mirror and face powder; a small car
confer - to consult, talk over, exchange opinions; to present as a gift, favor, or honor
earmark - to set aside for a special purpose; to mark an animal's ear for identification; an identifying mark or feature
frigid - extremely cold; lacking in warmth or feeling
implement - an instrument, tool; to put into effect
incalculable - too great to be counted; unpredictable, uncertain
indisputable - beyond question or argument, definitely true
intensive - thorough, deep; showing great effort; concentrated
maneuver - a planned movement; a skillful plan; a scheme; to perform or carry out such a planned movement
sabotage - an action taken to destroy something or to prevent it from working properly; to take such destructive action
scant - not enough; barely enough; marked by a small or insufficient amount
stealthy - done in a way so as not to be seen or observed; sneaky, underhanded
strapping - tall, strong, and healthy
strident - harsh, shrill; unpleasant sounding
thrive - to grow vigorously; to grow in wealth and possessions
titanic - of enormous size, strength, power, or scope
valiant - possessing or acting with bravery or boldness
Unit 13
adhere - to stick to, remain attached; to be devoted or loyal as a follower or supporter
affirm - to declare to be true, state positively; to confirm
atrocity - an extremely wicked, brutal, or cruel act; something very bad or unpleasant
cope - to struggle successfully against; to prove to be a match for, deal with satisfactorily; a long religious cloak; a canopy
deter - to discourage, scare off, or prevent through fear or doubt
disquieting - causing uneasiness or worry
empower - to give power or authority to; to enable; to permit
fluent - speaking or writing easily and smoothly, flowing gracefully
lag - to move slowly or fall behind; to bring up the rear; a falling behind; the amount by which someone or something is behind; an interval
mangle - to injure very seriously by cutting, tearing, crushing, etc.; to bring to ruin
misapprehension - a wrong idea, misunderstanding
optimist - one who expects things to turn out for the best; someone who looks on the bright side of things
prowl - to roam about stealthily in search of something
recitation - a reading in public of something that is memorized; a memorized poem or piece of prose that is read aloud
stupefy - to make stupid, dull, or groggy; to surprise or astonish
sulky - in a bad or nasty mood, resentful; gloomy
supplement - something added to complete a thing or make up for a lack; a section added to a book or document; to provide such an addition or completion
surge - to have a heavy, violent, swelling motion (like waves); a powerful forward rush
trait - a quality or characteristic (especially of personality); a distinguishing feature
unscrupulous - dishonest; not guided or controlled by moral principles
Unit 14
abstain - to stay away from doing something by one's own choice
accommodate - to do a favor or service for, help out; to provide for, supply with; to have space for; to make fit or suitable
allegiance - the loyalty or obligation owed to a government, nation, or cause
amalgamate - to unite; to combine elements into a unified whole
append - to attach, add, or tack on as a supplement or extra item
commemorate - to preserve, honor, or celebrate the memory of
enumerate - to count; to name one by one, list
exalt - to make high in rank, power, character, or quality; to fill with pride, joy, or noble feeling; to praise, honor
extort - to obtain by violence, misuse of authority, or threats
far-fetched - strained or improbable (in the sense of not being logical or believable), going far afield from a topic
glum - depressed, gloomy
replica - a copy, close reproduction
responsive - answering or replying; reacting readily to requests, suggestions, etc.; showing interest and understanding
sanctuary - a sacred or holy place; refuge or protection from capture or punishment; a place of refuge or protection
self-seeking - selfishly ambitious
submissive - humbly obedient; tending to five in to authority, obeying without protest
tally - to count up; to keep score; to make entries for reckoning; to correspond or agree; a total or score
taskmaster - one whose job it is to assign work to others; one who uses his or her power to make people work very hard
transform - to change completely in appearance or form; to make into something else
upheaval - a sudden, violent upward movement; great disorder or radical change
Unit 15
beacon - a light or other signal that warns and guides; a lighthouse; anything that guides or inspires
berserk - violently and destructively enraged
celestial - having to do with the sky or heavens; heavenly; yielding great bliss or happiness
chasten - to punish (in order to bring about improvement in behavior, attitude, etc.); to restrain, moderate
confiscate - to seize by authority; to take and keep
data - information; facts, figures, statistics
detract - to take away from; reduce in value or reputation
encounter - a meeting (especially one that is unplanned); a meeting of enemies, battle; to meet or come upon
epic - a long narrative poem (or other literary composition) about the deeds of heroes; an event or movement of great sweep; on a grand scale, vast, titanic
pantomime - a play or story performed without words by actors using only gestures; to express in this way
pessimist - one who believes or expects the worst; prophet of doom
precaution - care taken beforehand; a step or action taken to prevent something from happening
prosecute - to bring before a count of law for trial; to carry out
puncture - a small hole made by a sharp object; to make such a hole, pierce
retaliate - to get revenge; to strike back for an injury
sham - fake, not genuine; something false pretending to be genuine; a pretender; a decorated pillow covering; to pretend
uncouth - unrefined, crude; awkward or clumsy
underscore - to draw a line under; to put special emphasis on; a line drawn under something
wholesome - healthy; morally and socially sound and good; helping to bring about or preserve good health
wistful - full of melancholy yearning or longing, sad, pensive
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