Vocabulary Definitions: Enhance Your Word Power

Vocabulary Definitions

• Annular - (adj) ring-shaped
• Apiary - (n) a place where bees are kept and tended
• Apocalyptic - (adj) relating to a revelation
• Apostasy - (n) abandonment of faith or dedication to basic beliefs
• Append - (v) to attach, add
• Auspices - (n) patronage, sponsorship
• Brusque - (adj) abrupt, rough in speech or manner
• Bucolic - (adj) of the countryside
• Cabal - (n) a group of people engaged in intrigue
• Cache - (n) a secret place for hiding supplies, food, etc.
• Cairn - (n) a heap of stones marking a special site
• Codicil - (n) a supplementary statement, especially as in a will
• Dissimulate - (v) to mask or confuse by false appearance
• Dissipate - (v) to cause to disappear; to scatter
• Eclectic - (adj) chosen or selected from various sources
• Ecumenical - (adj) universal, general
• Edify - (v) to enlighten, instruct
• Factious - (adj) that which produces division, dissension
• Horology - (n) the science of time measurement
• Hortatory - (adj) that which exhorts or consists of advice
• Huckster - (n) a peddler, one who is loud, persistent
• Hustings - (n) place where political campaigning is conducted
• Hymeneal - (adj) pertaining to marriage or weddings
• Hysteria - (n) a psychoneurosis marked by emotional excitability and disturbances of the psychic and sensory functions
• Icon - (n) venerated statue or picture
• Idiom - (n) local expression which differs from the general pattern
• Idyllic - (adj) simple and pleasing, especially in connection with rural and domestic life
• Impromptu - (adj) unplanned
• Jeremiad - (n) a doleful speech or story
• Kine - (n) cows collectively
• Knell - (n) an evil omen (v) to ring a bell
• Misdemeanor - (n) a crime or offense that is less serious than a felony; any minor misbehavior or misconduct
• Objurgate - (v) to reprove or rebuke
• Obscure - (adj) unclear, vague
• Pantheism - (n) the doctrine that all phenomena, forces, etc. of the whole universe are God
• Preempt - (v) to take the place of something else
• Quaff - (v) to drink deeply
• Quagmire - (n) miry, boggy ground
• Qualm - (n) a misgiving; a doubt
• Rote - (n) fixed or inflexible way of doing something
• Saccharine - (adj) overly sweet
• Saga - (n) long story
• Scourge - (v) to whip, punish severely
• Scrutiny - (n) critical observation or examination
• Subtlety - (n) a delicate action or statement
• Surfeit - (n) too much of something
• Timbre - (n) tone color
• Unkempt - (adj) slovenly; not tidy
• Unscathed - (adj) unharmed; not injured
• Zealous - (adj) very devoted and purposeful