Index of Word Meanings
chortle
/ˈtʃɔːt(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: chortled; past participle: chortled
laugh in a noisy, gleeful way.
"he chortled at his own execrable pun"
h
Similar:
chuckle
laugh
giggle
titter
tee-hee
snigger
guffaw
cackle
- - -
vail
/veɪl/
Learn to pronounce
verbarchaic
verb: vail; 3rd person present: vails; past tense: vailed; past participle: vailed; gerund or present participle: vailing
take off or lower (one's hat or crown) as a token of respect or submission.
take off one's hat or otherwise show respect or submission to someone.
Origin
Middle English (originally in the sense ‘lower (one's eyes, weapon, banner, etc.) as a sign of submission’): shortening of obsolete avale, from Old French avaler ‘to lower’, from a val ‘down’ (literally ‘in the valley’).
Translate vail to
Tip
Similar-sounding words
vail is sometimes confused with vale and veil
- - -
vale1
/veɪl/
noun
noun: vale; plural noun: vales
a valley (used in place names or as a poetic term).
"the Vale of Glamorgan"
Phrases
vale of tears — the world regarded as a scene of trouble or sorrow.
"they hadn't asked to come into this vale of tears"
Origin
Middle English: from Old French val, from Latin vallis, valles .
vale2
/ˈvɑːleɪ/
archaic
exclamation
exclamation: vale; exclamation: valete
farewell.
noun
noun: vale
a written or spoken farewell.
Origin
Latin, literally ‘be well!, be strong!’, imperative of valere .
Translate vale to
Tip
Similar-sounding words
vale is sometimes confused with vail
- - -
chuckle means
1 : to laugh inwardly or quietly He chuckled as he read the comic strip. 2 : to make a continuous gentle sound resembling suppressed (see suppress sense 5a) mirth the clear bright water chuckled over gravel— B. A. Williams. transitive verb. : to utter with a chuckle Templeton grinned. "
- - -
cackle
/ˈkak(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
verb
laugh in a loud, harsh way.
"she cackled with laughter"
h
Similar:
laugh loudly
laugh uproariously
guffaw
crow
chortle
chuckle
giggle
tee-hee
laugh like a drain
(of a bird, especially a hen or goose) give a raucous clucking cry.
verb: cackle; 3rd person present: cackles; past tense: cackled; past participle: cackled; gerund or present participle: cackling
"the hen was cackling as if demented"
h
Similar:
squawk
cluck
clack
informal
talk at length without acting on what is said.
"corporate luminaries cackle on about the importance of quality"
noun
a loud, harsh laugh.
"her delighted cackle"
the raucous clucking cry of a bird such as a hen or a goose.
noun: cackle; plural noun: cackles
"ducks have a harsh growling cackle"
Phrases
cut the cackle — stop talking aimlessly and come to the point.
"cut the cackle and just get us there"
Origin
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impugn
/ɪmˈpjuːn/
Learn to pronounce
verb
verb: impugn; 3rd person present: impugns; past tense: impugned; past participle: impugned; gerund or present participle: impugning
dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or motive); call into question.
"the father does not impugn her capacity as a good mother"
h
Similar:
call into question
challenge
question
dispute
query
take issue with
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eudaemonic
/ˌjuːdɪˈmɒnɪk/
adjectiverare
adjective: eudemonic
conducive to happiness.
Origin
mid 19th century: from Greek eudaimonikos, from eudaimōn ‘happy’ (see eudaemonism).
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eudaemonism
/juːˈdiːmənɪz(ə)m/
noun
noun: eudaemonism; noun: eudemonism
a system of ethics that bases moral value on the likelihood of actions producing happiness.
Origin
early 19th century: from Greek eudaimonismos ‘system of happiness’, from eudaimōn ‘happy’, from eu ‘well’ + daimōn ‘guardian spirit’.
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searing
/ˈsɪərɪŋ/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: searing
extremely hot or intense.
"the searing heat of the sun"
h
Similar:
scorching
blistering
flaming
blazing (hot)
baking (hot)
burning
fiery
torrid
parching
withering
boiling
boiling hot
sizzling
roasting
sweltering
intense
excruciating
agonizing
sharp
stabbing
shooting
stinging
severe
extreme
fierce
harrowing
piercing
penetrating
racking
insufferable
unbearable
unendurable
torturous
exquisite
severely critical.
"a searing indictment of the government's performance"
h
Similar:
fierce
savage
blistering
scathing
stinging
devastating
mordant
trenchant
caustic
cutting
biting
withering
virulent
vitriolic
sear
/sɪə/
Learn to pronounce
verb
gerund or present participle: searing
1.
burn or scorch the surface of (something) with a sudden, intense heat.
"the water got so hot that it seared our lips"
h
Similar:
scorch
burn
singe
scald
char
dry up/out
parch
desiccate
dehydrate
wither
shrivel
discolour
brown
blacken
carbonize
cauterize
exsiccate
distress
grieve
sadden
make miserable/wretched
upset
trouble
harrow
cause anguish to
afflict
perturb
disturb
hurt
wound
pain
cut to the quick
affect
move
sting
mortify
torment
torture
gnaw at
vex
gall
fix (an image or memory) permanently in someone's mind or memory.
"the unfortunate childhood encounter is seared on his memory"
fry (food) quickly at a high temperature so that it will retain its juices in subsequent cooking.
"sear the chicken livers in a pan for a few minutes on each side"
h
Similar:
flash-fry
seal
brown
fry/grill quickly
toast
2.
(of pain) be experienced as a sudden, burning sensation.
"a crushing pain seared through his chest"
3.
archaic
cause to wither.
"when summer sears the plains"
make (someone's conscience or feelings) insensitive.
"a long career of ambition, craft, and despotic rule never utterly seared his conscience"
Origin
Old English sēar (adjective), sēarian (verb), of Germanic origin.
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compassion
/kəmˈpaʃ(ə)n/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: compassion; plural noun: compassions
sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
"the victims should be treated with compassion"
h
Similar:
pity
sympathy
feeling
fellow feeling
empathy
understanding
care
concern
solicitude
solicitousness
sensitivity
tender-heartedness
soft-heartedness
warm-heartedness
warmth
love
brotherly love
tenderness
gentleness
mercy
mercifulness
leniency
lenience
tolerance
consideration
kindness
humanity
humaneness
kind-heartedness
charity
benevolence
h
Opposite:
indifference
heartlessness
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sentient
/ˈsɛntɪənt,ˈsɛnʃ(ə)nt/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: sentient
able to perceive or feel things.
"she had been instructed from birth in the equality of all sentient life forms"
h
Similar:
feeling
capable of feeling
living
live
conscious
aware
responsive
reactive
h
Opposite:
insentient
Origin
early 17th century: from Latin sentient- ‘feeling’, from the verb sentire .
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hunky-dory
/hʌŋkɪˈdɔːri/
adjectiveINFORMAL
adjective: hunkydory
fine; going well.
"everything is hunky-dory"
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cackle
/ˈkak(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
verb
laugh in a loud, harsh way.
"she cackled with laughter"
Similar:
laugh loudly
laugh uproariously
guffaw
crow
chortle
chuckle
giggle
tee-hee
laugh like a drain
(of a bird, especially a hen or goose) give a raucous clucking cry.
verb: cackle; 3rd person present: cackles; past tense: cackled; past participle: cackled; gerund or present participle: cackling
"the hen was cackling as if demented"
Similar:
squawk
cluck
clack
INFORMAL
talk at length without acting on what is said.
"corporate luminaries cackle on about the importance of quality"
noun
a loud, harsh laugh.
"her delighted cackle"
the raucous clucking cry of a bird such as a hen or a goose.
noun: cackle; plural noun: cackles
"ducks have a harsh growling cackle"
Phrases
cut the cackle — stop talking aimlessly and come to the point.
"cut the cackle and just get us there"
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erstwhile
/ˈəːstwʌɪl/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: erstwhile
former.
"the erstwhile president of the company"
Similar:
former
old
past
one-time
sometime
as was
ex-
late
then
previous
prior
foregoing
quondam
whilom
Opposite:
present
future
adverbARCHAIC
adverb: erstwhile
formerly.
"Mary Anderson, erstwhile the queen of America's stage"
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dross
/drɒs/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: dross
1.
something regarded as worthless; rubbish.
"there are bargains if you have the patience to sift through the dross"
h
Similar:
junk
debris
chaff
draff
detritus
flotsam and jetsam
rubbish
trash
garbage
dreck
grot
2.
foreign matter, dregs, or mineral waste, in particular scum formed on the surface of molten metal.
"alchemists tried to create gold from dross"
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impermanence
/ɪmˈpəːmənəns/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: impermanence; noun: impermanency
the state or fact of lasting for only a limited period of time.
"she describes the impermanence of human existence"
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coronet
/ˈkɒr(ə)nɪt/
Learn to pronounce
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royalty
zoology
riding
noun
noun: coronet; plural noun: coronets
1.
a small or relatively simple crown, especially as worn by lesser royalty and peers or peeresses.
h
Similar:
crown
diadem
tiara
circlet
chaplet
fillet
garland
wreath
coronal
a circular decoration for the head, especially one made of flowers.
2.
a ring of bone at the base of a deer's antler.
3.
the band of tissue on the lowest part of a horse's pastern, containing the horn-producing cells from which the hoof grows.
Origin
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presto
/ˈprɛstəʊ/
Learn to pronounce
Music
adverb
adverb: presto
(especially as a direction) in a quick tempo.
"piano playing isn't an athletic activity unless you're playing presto non-stop"
adjective
adjective: presto
performed at a quick tempo.
"the five variations ramp the pace back up and drive toward the presto movement"
noun
noun: presto; plural noun: prestos
a movement or passage marked to be performed in a quick tempo.
exclamation
exclamation: presto
a phrase announcing the successful completion of a trick, or suggesting that something has been done so easily that it seems to be magic.
"just one quick squeeze and presto! A stir fry in seconds"
Origin
Italian, ‘quick, quickly’, from late Latin praestus ‘ready’, from Latin praesto ‘at hand’.
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equanimity
/ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti,ˌiːkwəˈnɪmɪti/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: equanimity
calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation.
"she accepted both the good and the bad with equanimity"
h
Similar:
composure
calmness
calm
level-headedness
self-possession
self-control
even-temperedness
coolness
cool-headedness
presence of mind
serenity
placidity
tranquillity
phlegm
impassivity
imperturbability
unexcitability
equilibrium
poise
self-assurance
assurance
self-confidence
aplomb
sangfroid
nerve
cool
unflappability
ataraxy
h
Opposite:
anxiety
Origin
early 17th century (also in the sense ‘fairness, impartiality’): from Latin aequanimitas, from aequus ‘equal’ + animus ‘mind’.
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ferret
/ˈfɛrɪt/
Learn to pronounce
noun
plural noun: ferrets
1.
a domesticated polecat used chiefly for catching rabbits. It is typically albino in coloration, but sometimes brown.
2.
an assiduous search for something.
"he had a quick ferret around"
verb
3rd person present: ferrets
1.
(of a person) hunt with ferrets, typically for rabbits.
"I could show you how to ferret for rabbits"
clear (a hole or area of ground) of rabbits with ferrets.
2.
rummage about in a place or container in search of something.
"he shambled over to the desk and ferreted around"
h
Similar:
rummage
search about
scrabble around
feel around
grope around
forage around
fish about
fish around
poke about
poke around
scratch about
scratch around
delve
dig
hunt
search through
hunt through
rifle through
sift through
go through
scour
ransack
explore
rootle around
fossick through
roust around
discover information by means of an assiduous search or investigation.
"she had the ability to ferret out the facts"
h
Similar:
unearth
uncover
discover
detect
search out
elicit
bring to light
bring into the open
reveal
get at
run to earth
track down
turn up
dig up
dig out
root out
hunt out
fish out
nose out
sniff out
get wind of
get wise to
rumble
uncloak
Origin
late Middle English: from Old French fuiret, alteration of fuiron, based on late Latin furo ‘thief, ferret’, from Latin fur ‘thief’.
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beleaguered
/bɪˈliːɡəd/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: beleaguered
1.
in a very difficult situation.
"the board is supporting the beleaguered director amid calls for his resignation"
2.
(of a place) surrounded by armed forces aiming to capture it or force surrender; besieged.
"he led a relief force to the aid of the beleaguered city"
beleaguer
/bɪˈliːɡə/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: beleaguered; past participle: beleaguered
1.
cause problems or difficulties for.
"he attempts to answer several questions that beleaguer the industry"
h
Similar:
hard-pressed
troubled
in difficulties
under pressure
under stress
with one's back to the wall
in a tight corner
in a tight spot
up against it
under the cosh
2.
archaic
lay siege to (a place); besiege.
"our leaders decided to beleaguer the city"
h
Similar:
besieged
under siege
blockaded
surrounded
encircled
hemmed in
under attack
Origin
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hearth
/hɑːθ/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: hearth; plural noun: hearths
1.
the floor of a fireplace.
"a cheerful fire burning in the hearth"
the area in front of a fireplace.
"they were sitting around the hearth"
used as a symbol of one's home.
"he left hearth and home to train in Denmark"
2.
the base or lower part of a furnace, where molten metal collects.
Origin
---
shire
/ˈʃʌɪə/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: shire; plural noun: shires
1.
British
a county, especially in England.
used in reference to parts of England regarded as strongholds of traditional rural culture, especially the rural Midlands.
plural noun: Shires; plural noun: the Shires
historical
an administrative district in medieval times ruled jointly by an alderman and a sheriff.
2.
Australian
a rural area with its own elected council.
Origin
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visage
/ˈvɪzɪdʒ/
Learn to pronounce
nounliterary
noun: visage; plural noun: visages
a person's face, with reference to the form or proportions of the features.
"an elegant, angular visage"
a person's facial expression.
"there was something hidden behind his visage of cheerfulness"
the manifestation, image, or aspect of something.
"the moonlit visage of the port's whitewashed buildings"
Origin
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gestation
/dʒɛˈsteɪʃ(ə)n/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: gestation
the process or period of developing inside the womb between conception and birth.
h
Similar:
pregnancy
development
incubation
maturation
ripening
gravidity
parturiency
the development of something over a period of time.
"a thorough and painstaking work which was a long time in gestation"
h
Similar:
development
origination
drafting
formation
evolution
emergence
coming into being
materializing
Origin
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bucko
/ˈbʌkəʊ/
nouninformal
noun: bucko; plural noun: buckos; noun: buckoes
a young man (often as a form of address).
"I know you, my bucko, you're a troublemaker"
Origin
late 19th century (originally nautical slang): from buck1 + -o.
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Androgyny
Androgyny is the combination of masculine and feminine characteristics into an ambiguous form. Androgyny may be expressed with regard to biological sex, gender identity, or gender expression. When androgyny refers to mixed biological sex characteristics in humans, it often refers to intersex people.
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surreal
/səˈrɪəl/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: surreal
having the qualities of surrealism; bizarre.
"a surreal mix of fact and fantasy"
h
Similar:
unreal
bizarre
unusual
weird
strange
freakish
unearthly
---
happenstance
/ˈhap(ə)nˌstans/
Learn to pronounce
nounNorth American
noun: happenstance; plural noun: happenstances
coincidence.
"it was just happenstance that I happened to be there"
Origin
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proscriptive
/prə(ʊ)ˈskrɪptɪv/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: proscriptive
(of a law or rule) forbidding or restricting something.
"a proscriptive and draconian policy"
denouncing or condemning something.
"proscriptive rebukes"
---
explication
/ɛksplɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: explication; plural noun: explications
the process of analysing and developing an idea or principle in detail.
"this term is meaningless without further explication and analysis"
the process of analysing a literary work in order to reveal its meaning.
"careful reading and explication of classical texts"
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putative
/ˈpjuːtətɪv/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: putative
generally considered or reputed to be.
"the putative author of the book"
h
Similar:
supposed
assumed
presumed
acknowledged
accepted
recognized
commonly believed
commonly regarded
presumptive
alleged
reputed
reported
rumoured
reputative
Origin
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arboreal
/ɑːˈbɔːrɪəl/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: arboreal
living in trees.
"arboreal rodents"
relating to trees.
Origin
--
neurotic
/njʊəˈrɒtɪk/
Learn to pronounce
Filter definitions by topic
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medicine
psychiatry
adjectiveMedicine
adjective: neurotic
having, caused by, or relating to neurosis.
h
Similar:
mentally ill
mentally disturbed
mentally deranged
unstable
unbalanced
maladjusted
psychoneurotic
psychopathic
phobic
h
Opposite:
stable
well balanced
(in non-technical use) abnormally sensitive, obsessive, or anxious.
"he seemed a neurotic, self-obsessed character"
h
Similar:
overanxious
anxious
nervous
tense
highly strung
jumpy
oversensitive
paranoid
obsessive
compulsive
phobic
fixated
hysterical
overwrought
manic
irrational
nervy
twitchy
stressy
h
Opposite:
calm
laid-back
level-headed
noun
noun: neurotic; plural noun: neurotics
a neurotic person.
"I wasn't going to be labelled as a hypochondriac or neurotic"
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cherub
/ˈtʃɛrəb/
Learn to pronounce
noun
plural noun: cherubim
a winged angelic being described in biblical tradition as attending on God, represented in ancient Middle Eastern art as a lion or bull with eagles' wings and a human face and regarded in traditional Christian angelology as an angel of the second highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy.
h
Similar:
angel
seraph
a representation of a cherub in Western art, depicted as a chubby, healthy-looking child with wings.
plural noun: cherubs
a beautiful or innocent-looking child.
plural noun: cherubs
"a wistful cherub of eighteen months, photographed at her playgroup"
h
Similar:
baby
infant
toddler
little one
pretty child
lovable child
well behaved child
innocent child
little angel
little dear
little darling
kid
tot
tiny tot
tiny
babe
babe in arms
Origin
---
cataclysm
/ˈkatəˌklɪz(ə)m/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: cataclysm; plural noun: cataclysms
a large-scale and violent event in the natural world.
"the cataclysm at the end of the Cretaceous Period"
a sudden violent political or social upheaval.
"the cataclysm of the First World War"
h
Similar:
disaster
catastrophe
calamity
tragedy
act of God
devastation
crisis
holocaust
ruin
ruination
upheaval
convulsion
blow
shock
reverse
trouble
trial
tribulation
misfortune
mishap
accident
mischance
misadventure
woe
affliction
distress
meltdown
whammy
car crash
bale
mishanter
h
Opposite:
salvation
godsend
Origin
--
kenosis
/kɪˈnəʊsɪs/
noun
noun: kenosis
(in Christian theology) the renunciation of the divine nature, at least in part, by Christ in the Incarnation.
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in toto
/ɪn ˈtəʊtəʊ/
Learn to pronounce
adverb
adverb: in toto
as a whole.
"such proposals should be subjected to specific criticism rather than rejected in toto"
in all; overall.
"there was, in toto, an increase in legal regulation and public surveillance"
Origin
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trudge
/trʌdʒ/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: trudged; past participle: trudged
walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions.
"I trudged up the stairs"
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dismal
/ˈdɪzm(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: dismal
causing a mood of gloom or depression.
"the dismal weather made the late afternoon seem like evening"
h
Similar:
dingy
dim
dark
gloomy
sombre
dreary
drab
dull
desolate
bleak
cheerless
comfortless
depressing
grim
funereal
inhospitable
uninviting
unwelcoming
h
Opposite:
bright
cheerful
(of a person or their mood) gloomy.
"his dismal mood was not dispelled by finding the house empty"
h
Similar:
gloomy
glum
mournful
melancholy
morose
doleful
woeful
woebegone
forlorn
abject
dejected
depressed
dispirited
downcast
crestfallen
despondent
disconsolate
miserable
sad
unhappy
sorrowful
sorrowing
desolate
wretched
lugubrious
blue
fed up
down in the dumps
down in the mouth
as sick as a parrot
dolorous
chap-fallen
h
Opposite:
cheerful
informal
pitifully or disgracefully bad.
"he shuddered as he watched his team's dismal performance"
h
Similar:
bad
poor
dreadful
awful
terrible
pitiful
disgraceful
lamentable
deplorable
inferior
mediocre
unsatisfactory
inadequate
second-rate
third-rate
shoddy
inept
bungling
crummy
dire
diabolical
bum
rotten
pathetic
lousy
duff
rubbish
ropy
chronic
pants
a load of pants
poxy
direful
egregious
vulgar slang
crap
crappy
shitty
chickenshit
h
Opposite:
excellent
Phrases
the dismals
low spirits. "a fit of the dismals"
the dismal science
economics.
Origin
---
plough
/plaʊ/
Learn to pronounce
See definitions in:
All
Farming
Nautical
verb
past tense: plowed; past participle: plowed
1.
turn up the earth of (an area of land) with a plough, especially before sowing.
"Uncle Vic ploughed his garden"
Similar:
cultivate
till
work
furrow
harrow
ridge
break up
turn up
2.
(especially of a vehicle) move in a fast and uncontrolled manner.
"the car ploughed into the side of a van"
Similar:
career
plunge
crash
smash
bulldoze
hurtle
cannon
---
dreary
/ˈdrɪəri/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: dreary; comparative adjective: drearier; superlative adjective: dreariest
depressingly dull and bleak or repetitive.
"the dreary round of working, eating, and trying to sleep"
Similar:
dull
drab
uninteresting
flat
dry
banal
bland
insipid
colourless
lifeless
sterile
tedious
wearisome
boring
unexciting
unstimulating
uninspiring
desolate
vapid
jejune
bloodless
soul-destroying
as dry as dust
humdrum
routine
monotonous
uneventful
run-of-the-mill
prosaic
pedestrian
commonplace
everyday
unexceptional
unremarkable
quotidian
unvaried
repetitive
featureless
ho-hum
sad
miserable
depressing
grim
gloomy
glum
sombre
grave
doleful
mournful
melancholic
joyless
cheerless
wretched
dismal
bleak
dark
dingy
murky
overcast
Opposite:
exciting
cheerful
bright
Origin
---
world-weary
adjective
adjective: world-weary
feeling or indicating feelings of weariness, boredom, or cynicism as a result of long experience of life.
"a tired and slightly world-weary voice"
---
leery
/ˈlɪəri/
Learn to pronounce
adjectiveINFORMAL
adjective: leery; comparative adjective: leerier; superlative adjective: leeriest
cautious or wary due to realistic suspicions.
"a city leery of gang violence"
Similar:
wary
cautious
careful
guarded
chary
suspicious
distrustful
mistrusting
dubious
sceptical
worried
anxious
apprehensive
Opposite:
heedless
trustful
Origin
late 17th century: from obsolete leer ‘looking askance’, from leer1 + -y1.
---
crony
/ˈkrəʊni/
Learn to pronounce
nounINFORMAL•OFTEN DEROGATORY
plural noun: cronies
a close friend or companion.
"he went gambling with his cronies"
Similar:
friend
best friend
companion
boon companion
intimate
familiar
confidant(e)
alter ego
second self
comrade
associate
confederate
compatriot
colleague
workmate
co-worker
pal
chum
bosom chum
buddy
bosom buddy
spar
cully
oppo
main man
mate
china
mucker
butty
bezzie
marrow
marrer
marra
amigo
compadre
paisan
bro
homeboy
homegirl
gabba
offsider
compeer
fidus Achates
consociate
Origin
mid 17th century (originally Cambridge university slang): from Greek khronios ‘long-lasting’ (here used to mean ‘contemporary’), from khronos ‘time’. Compare with chum1.
---
boarder
/ˈbɔːdə/
Learn to pronounce
Filter definitions by topic
See definitions in:
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Snowboarding
noun
plural noun: boarders
1.
a person who receives regular meals when staying somewhere, in return for payment or services.
a pupil who lives in school during term time.
2.
a person who forces their way on to a ship in an attack.
3.
a person who takes part in a sport using a board, such as surfing or snowboarding.
"skiing purists say the boarders tear up the snow"
---
slough2
/slʌf/
See definitions in:
All
Biology
Geology
verb
past tense: sloughed; past participle: sloughed
1.
shed or remove (a layer of dead skin).
"a snake sloughs off its old skin"
Similar:
dispose of
discard
throw away
throw out
get rid of
toss out
shed
jettison
scrap
cast aside/off
repudiate
abandon
relinquish
drop
dispense with
have done with
reject
shrug off
throw on the scrapheap
chuck (away/out)
fling away
dump
ditch
axe
bin
junk
get shut of
get shot of
trash
forsake
Opposite:
keep
acquire
get rid of (something undesirable or no longer required).
"he is concerned to slough off the country's bad environmental image"
(of dead skin) drop off; be shed.
"it is a rare skin disease in which the skin sloughs off"
2.
(of soil or rock) collapse or slide into a hole or depression.
"an eternal rain of silt sloughs down from the edges of the continents"
Origin
Middle English (as a noun denoting a skin, especially the outer skin shed by a snake): perhaps related to Low German slu(we ) ‘husk, peel’. The verb dates from the early 18th century.
---
indelibly
/ɪnˈdɛlɪbli/
Learn to pronounce
adverb
adverb: indelibly
in a way that cannot be removed or forgotten.
"the community was indelibly marked by the incident"
---
messianic
/ˌmɛsɪˈanɪk/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: messianic
1.
relating to the Messiah.
"the messianic role of Jesus"
inspired by hope or belief in a messiah.
"the messianic expectations of that time"
2.
fervent or passionate.
"an admirable messianic zeal"
Origin
---
hem1
/hɛm/
noun
noun: hem; plural noun: hems
the edge of a piece of cloth or clothing which has been turned under and sewn.
"the hem of her dress"
Similar:
edge
edging
border
trim
trimming
fringe
frill
flounce
valance
verb
verb: hem; 3rd person present: hems; past tense: hemmed; past participle: hemmed; gerund or present participle: hemming
1.
turn under and sew the edge of (a piece of cloth).
"she began to hem a border"
Similar:
edge
put a hem on
border
trim
bind
fringe
2.
surround and restrict the space or movement of someone or something.
"he was hemmed in by the tables"
Similar:
surround
border
edge
encircle
circle
ring
enclose
skirt
flank
fringe
encompass
gird
girdle
engird
restrict
confine
trap
kettle
close in
shut in
hedge in
fence in
pen in
box in
keep within bounds
immure
constrain
restrain
limit
circumscribe
curb
check
corral
compass
Origin
Old English‘border of a piece of cloth’, of West Germanic origin. The verb senses date from the mid 16th century.
hem2
/həm,hɛm/
exclamation
exclamation: hem
used in writing to indicate a sound made when coughing or clearing the throat to attract attention or to express hesitation.
verbARCHAIC
verb: hem; 3rd person present: hems; past tense: hemmed; past participle: hemmed; gerund or present participle: hemming
make a sound in the throat when hesitating or as a signal.
"Jane, if any one is about, come to the foot of the stairs and hem"
Phrases
hem and haw — hesitate; be indecisive.
"I waste a lot of time hemming and hawing before going into action"
Origin
late 15th century: imitative.
haem-
/hiːm/
combining form
prefix: hem-
variant spelling of haemo- shortened before a vowel (as in haemangioma ).
---
rut1
/rʌt/
See definitions in:
all
zoology
sex · derogatory
noun
plural noun: ruts
1.
a long deep track made by the repeated passage of the wheels of vehicles.
"a stretch of road made impassable by ruts, holes, or waterlogging"
h
Similar:
wheel track
furrow
groove
track
trough
ditch
trench
gutter
gouge
crack
hollow
hole
pothole
cavity
crater
2.
a habit or pattern of behaviour that has become dull and unproductive but is hard to change.
"the EC was stuck in a rut and was losing its direction"
h
Similar:
boring routine
humdrum existence
routine job
same old round
groove
grind
daily grind
treadmill
dead end
assembly line
Origin
---
phoenix
/ˈfiːnɪks/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: phoenix; plural noun: phoenixes
(in classical mythology) a unique bird that lived for five or six centuries in the Arabian desert, after this time burning itself on a funeral pyre and rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle.
a person or thing regarded as uniquely remarkable in some respect.
"I'm that phoenix, the old-fashioned family doctor"
Phrases
rise like a phoenix from the ashes — emerge renewed after apparent disaster or destruction.
"the team began their brave attempt to rise like some phoenix from the ashes"
---
furtive
/ˈfəːtɪv/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: furtive
attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive.
"they spent a furtive day together"
h
Similar:
secretive
secret
surreptitious
sly
sneaky
wily
underhand
under the table
clandestine
hidden
covert
cloaked
conspiratorial
underground
cloak and dagger
hole and corner
hugger-mugger
stealthy
sneaking
skulking
slinking
sidelong
sideways
oblique
indirect
black
hush-hush
shifty
h
Opposite:
open
above board
suggestive of guilty nervousness.
"the look in his eyes became furtive"
Origin
---
egregious
/ɪˈɡriːdʒəs/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: egregious
1.
outstandingly bad; shocking.
"egregious abuses of copyright"
h
Similar:
shocking
appalling
horrific
horrifying
horrible
terrible
awful
dreadful
grievous
gross
ghastly
hideous
horrendous
frightful
atrocious
abominable
abhorrent
outrageous
monstrous
nightmarish
heinous
harrowing
dire
unspeakable
shameful
flagrant
glaring
blatant
scandalous
unforgivable
unpardonable
intolerable
h
Opposite:
marvellous
2.
archaic
remarkably good.
Origin
---
telltale
/ˈtɛlteɪl/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: telltale; adjective: tell-tale
revealing, indicating, or betraying something.
"the telltale bulge of a concealed weapon"
h
Similar:
revealing
revelatory
suggestive
meaningful
significant
meaning
indicative
unmistakable
giveaway
noun
noun: telltale; plural noun: telltales; noun: tell-tale; plural noun: tell-tales
1.
British
a person, especially a child, who reports others' wrongdoings or reveals their secrets.
h
Similar:
tattletale
blabbermouth
blabber
loud mouth
snitch
squealer
sneak
clype
pimp
talebearer
2.
a device or object that automatically gives a visual indication of the state or presence of something.
---
gourd
/ɡʊəd,ɡɔːd/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: gourd; plural noun: gourds; noun: ornamental gourd; plural noun: ornamental gourds
1.
a fleshy, typically large fruit with a hard skin, some varieties of which are edible.
a drinking or water container made from the hollowed and dried skin of a gourd.
2.
a climbing or trailing plant which bears gourds.
Phrases
out of one's gourd — out of one's mind; crazy.
---
indolent
/ˈɪnd(ə)l(ə)nt/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: indolent
1.
wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy.
"they were indolent and addicted to a life of pleasure"
h
Similar:
lazy
idle
slothful
loafing
work-shy
shiftless
apathetic
lackadaisical
inactive
inert
lifeless
sluggish
lethargic
listless
languid
torpid
slow
slow-moving
dull
plodding
slack
lax
remiss
negligent
good-for-nothing
bone idle
fainéant
otiose
h
Opposite:
industrious
energetic
2.
Medicine
(of a disease or condition) causing little or no pain.
(especially of an ulcer) slow to develop, progress, or heal; persistent.
Origin
---
nihilistic
/nʌɪ(h)ɪˈlɪstɪk/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: nihilistic
rejecting all religious and moral principles in the belief that life is meaningless.
"an embittered, nihilistic teenager"
---
beckon
/ˈbɛk(ə)n/
Learn to pronounce
verb
verb: beckon; 3rd person present: beckons; past tense: beckoned; past participle: beckoned; gerund or present participle: beckoning
make a gesture with the hand, arm, or head to encourage or instruct someone to approach or follow.
"Miranda beckoned to Adam"
h
Similar:
gesture
signal
wave
gesticulate
make a gesture
motion
nod
call
summon (someone) by beckoning to them.
"he beckoned Cameron over"
appear attractive or inviting.
"the going is tough and soft options beckon"
h
Similar:
entice
invite
tempt
coax
lure
charm
attract
draw
pull (in)
bring in
call
allure
interest
fascinate
engage
enchant
captivate
persuade
induce
catch the eye of
Origin
---
impetus
/ˈɪmpɪtəs/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: impetus
the force or energy with which a body moves.
"hit the booster coil before the flywheel loses all its impetus"
h
Similar:
momentum
propulsion
impulsion
impelling force
motive force
driving force
drive
thrust
continuing motion
energy
force
power
push
steam
strength
something that makes a process or activity happen or happen more quickly.
plural noun: impetuses
"the ending of the Cold War gave new impetus to idealism"
h
Similar:
motivation
stimulus
incitement
incentive
inducement
inspiration
encouragement
boost
urging
pressing
goading
spurring
prodding
a shot in the arm
Origin
---
spiteful
/ˈspʌɪtfʊl,ˈspʌɪtf(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: spiteful
showing or caused by malice.
"the teachers made spiteful little jokes about me"
h
Similar:
malicious
mean
nasty
cruel
unkind
unfriendly
snide
hurtful
---
sojourn
/ˈsɒdʒ(ə)n,ˈsɒdʒəːn/
Learn to pronounce
formal
noun
noun: sojourn; plural noun: sojourns
a temporary stay.
"her sojourn in Rome"
h
Similar:
stay
visit
stop
stopover
residence
holiday
vacation
verb
verb: sojourn; 3rd person present: sojourns; past tense: sojourned; past participle: sojourned; gerund or present participle: sojourning
stay somewhere temporarily.
"she had sojourned once in Egypt"
h
Similar:
stay
live
put up
stop
stop over
break one's journey
lodge
room
board
have rooms
be quartered
be housed
be billeted
holiday
vacation
vacay
bide
abide
tarry
Origin
---
gasp
/ɡɑːsp/
Learn to pronounce
verb
gerund or present participle: gasping
catch one's breath with an open mouth, owing to pain or astonishment.
"a woman gasped in horror at the sight of him"
h
Similar:
pant
puff
puff and pant
blow
heave
wheeze
breathe hard
breathe heavily
catch one's breath
draw in one's breath
gulp
choke
fight for breath
struggle for air
say (something) while catching one's breath.
"Jeremy gasped out an apology"
strain to obtain (air) by gasping.
"she surfaced and gasped for air"
---
shuddering
/ˈʃʌdərɪŋ/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: shuddering
characterized or accompanied by violent shaking or vibration.
"the train came to a shuddering halt"
(of a person's breathing) unsteady or convulsive, especially as a result of exertion or emotion.
"he drew a deep, shuddering breath"
noun
noun: shuddering; plural noun: shudderings
the action or fact of shaking or vibrating violently.
"the biggest earthquakes are set off by the shuddering of the plates that make up the earth's surface as they grind together underground"
shudder
/ˈʃʌdə/
Learn to pronounce
verb
gerund or present participle: shuddering
(of a person) tremble convulsively, typically as a result of fear or revulsion.
"she still shuddered at the thought of him"
h
Similar:
shake
shiver
tremble
quiver
quaver
vibrate
palpitate
flutter
quake
heave
convulse
(especially of a vehicle, machine, or building) shake or vibrate violently.
"the train shuddered and edged forward"
Origin
Middle English (as a verb): from Middle Dutch schūderen, from a Germanic base meaning ‘shake’.
---
vented
/ˈvɛntɪd/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: vented
having an opening or openings, especially to allow air to pass out.
"the room is vented for a tumble dryer"
vent1
/vɛnt/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: vented; past participle: vented
1.
give free expression to (a strong emotion).
"we vent our spleen on drug barons"
h
Similar:
let out
give vent to
give free rein to
release
pour out
emit
discharge
reveal
bring into the open
come out with
express
give expression to
air
communicate
utter
voice
give voice to
verbalize
articulate
broadcast
make public
proclaim
assert
ventilate
find an outlet for
2.
provide with an outlet for air, gas, or liquid.
"tumble-dryers must be vented to the outside"
discharge or expel (air, gas, or liquid) through an outlet.
"the plant was isolated and the gas vented"
permit air to enter (a beer cask).
"once the beer has been vented, the cask must be sold within three or four days"
Origin
---
spleen
/spliːn/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: spleen; plural noun: spleens
1.
Anatomy
an abdominal organ involved in the production and removal of blood cells in most vertebrates and forming part of the immune system.
2.
bad temper; spite.
"he could vent his spleen on the institutions which had duped him"
h
Similar:
bad temper
bad mood
ill temper
ill humour
annoyance
anger
---
muddled
/ˈmʌdld/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: muddled
not arranged in order; untidy.
"the muddled display of pictures has been taken down"
not clear or coherent; confused.
"such a view reflects muddled thinking"
muddle
/ˈmʌd(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
verb
past tense: muddled; past participle: muddled
1.
bring into a disordered or confusing state.
"I fear he may have muddled the message"
h
Similar:
confuse
mix up
jumble
jumble up
disarrange
disorganize
disorder
disturb
throw into disorder
get into a tangle
scramble
mess up
jumbled
in a jumble
in a muddle
in a mess
chaotic
in disorder
in disarray
topsy-turvy
disorganized
disordered
disorderly
out of place
out of order
mixed up
upside-down
at sixes and sevens
untidy
messy
scrambled
tangled
higgledy-piggledy
h
Opposite:
be in (good) order
orderly
confuse (a person or their thoughts).
"Paul was hopelessly muddled by the rates of exchange"
h
Similar:
bewilder
confuse
bemuse
perplex
puzzle
baffle
nonplus
mystify
confound
disorientate
disorient
befuddle
daze
addle
confused
in a state of confusion
bewildered
bemused
perplexed
disorientated
disoriented
at sea
in a muddle
befuddled
dazed
discombobulated
bushed
incoherent
muddle-headed
woolly
jumbled
disjointed
h
Opposite:
enlighten
clear
lucid
busy oneself in an aimless or ineffective way.
"he was muddling about in the kitchen"
2.
mix (a drink) or stir (an ingredient) into a drink.
"muddle the kiwi slices with the sugar"
Origin
late Middle English (in the sense ‘wallow in mud’): perhaps from Middle Dutch moddelen, frequentative of modden ‘dabble in mud’; compare with mud. The sense ‘confuse’ was initially associated with alcoholic drink (late 17th century), giving rise to ‘busy oneself in a confused way’ and ‘jumble up’ (mid 19th century).
---
cynicism
/ˈsɪnɪsɪz(ə)m/
Learn to pronounce
Filter definitions by topic
See definitions in:
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psychology
philosophy
greek history
noun
noun: cynicism; noun: Cynicism
1.
an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; scepticism.
h
Similar:
scepticism
doubt
distrust
mistrust
doubtfulness
suspicion
disbelief
incredulity
unbelief
scoffing
pessimism
negative thinking
negativity
world-weariness
disillusion
disenchantment
dubiety
sardonicism
h
Opposite:
optimism
an inclination to question whether something will happen or whether it is worthwhile; pessimism.
"cynicism about the future"
2.
a school of ancient Greek philosophers, the Cynics.
---
despair
/dɪˈspɛː/
Learn to pronounce
noun
plural noun: despairs
the complete loss or absence of hope.
"a voice full of self-hatred and despair"
h
Similar:
hopelessness
desperation
distress
anguish
pain
unhappiness
dejection
depression
despondency
disconsolateness
gloom
melancholy
melancholia
misery
wretchedness
disheartenment
discouragement
resignedness
forlornness
defeatism
pessimism
h
Opposite:
hope
joy
verb
3rd person present: despairs
lose or be without hope.
"we should not despair"
h
Similar:
lose hope
give up hope
abandon hope
give up
lose heart
be discouraged
be despondent
be demoralized
resign oneself
throw in the towel/sponge
quit
surrender
be pessimistic
look on the black side
despond
hopeless
desperate
anguished
distressed
broken-hearted
heartbroken
grief-stricken
inconsolable
sorrowing
suicidal
in despair
dejected
depressed
despondent
disconsolate
gloomy
melancholy
miserable
wretched
desolate
forlorn
disheartened
discouraged
demoralized
devastated
downcast
resigned
defeatist
pessimistic
dolorous
h
Opposite:
cheerful
optimistic
Origin
---
villainy
/ˈvɪləni/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: villainy; plural noun: villainies
wicked or criminal behaviour.
"the villainy of professional racketeers"
h
Similar:
wickedness
badness
evil
evil-doing
sin
sinfulness
iniquity
vileness
baseness
wrong
wrongdoing
dishonesty
double-dealing
unscrupulousness
roguery
rascality
delinquency
disgrace
viciousness
degeneracy
depravity
dissolution
dissipation
immorality
turpitude
devilry
devilishness
heinousness
crime
vice
criminality
lawlessness
lawbreaking
corruption
venality
offence
misdeed
misconduct
transgression
crookedness
shadiness
malfeasance
knavery
deviltry
Origin
---
archetypal
/ˌɑːkɪˈtʌɪp(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: archetypal
1.
very typical of a certain kind of person or thing.
"the archetypal country doctor"
h
Similar:
most typical
most characteristic
representative
standard
conventional
classic
model
exemplary
quintessential
prime
textbook
copybook
stock
stereotypical
prototypical
paradigmatic
illustrative
average
clichéd
trite
hackneyed
hacky
h
Opposite:
atypical
unique
relating to or denoting an original which has been imitated.
"archetypal myths"
2.
relating to or denoting Jungian archetypes.
3.
recurrent as a symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology.
"an archetypal journey representing the quest for identity"
---
nihilism
/ˈnʌɪ(h)ɪlɪz(ə)m/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: nihilism
the rejection of all religious and moral principles, in the belief that life is meaningless.
h
Similar:
negativity
cynicism
pessimism
rejection
repudiation
renunciation
denial
abnegation
disbelief
non-belief
unbelief
scepticism
lack of conviction
absence of moral values
agnosticism
atheism
non-theism
Philosophy
the belief that nothing in the world has a real existence.
historical
the doctrine of an extreme Russian revolutionary party c. 1900 which found nothing to approve of in the established social order.
Origin
---
promiscuity
/prɒmɪˈskjuːɪti/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: promiscuity
the fact or state of being promiscuous.
"some fear this will lead to greater sexual promiscuity amongst teens"
h
Similar:
licence
licentiousness
promiscuousness
wantonness
debauchery
---
inexplicable
/ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəb(ə)l,ˌɪnɛkˈsplɪkəb(ə)l,ɪnˈɛksplɪkəb(ə)l/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: inexplicable
unable to be explained or accounted for.
"for some inexplicable reason her mind went completely blank"
h
Similar:
unaccountable
unexplainable
incomprehensible
unfathomable
impenetrable
insoluble
unsolvable
baffling
puzzling
perplexing
mystifying
bewildering
mysterious
strange
weird
abstruse
enigmatic
beyond comprehension
beyond understanding
wildering
insolvable
h
Opposite:
understandable
Origin
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bide
/bʌɪd/
Learn to pronounce
verbarchaic•dialect
verb: bide; 3rd person present: bides; past tense: bided; past participle: bided; gerund or present participle: biding
remain or stay somewhere.
"how long must I bide here to wait for the answer?"
Phrases
bide one's time — wait quietly for a good opportunity to do something.
"she patiently bided her time before making an escape bid"
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travesty
/ˈtravɪsti/
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noun
noun: travesty; plural noun: travesties
a false, absurd, or distorted representation of something.
"the absurdly lenient sentence is a travesty of justice"
h
Similar:
misrepresentation
distortion
perversion
corruption
poor imitation
poor substitute
mockery
parody
caricature
farce
charade
pantomime
sham
apology for
excuse for
verb
verb: travesty; 3rd person present: travesties; past tense: travestied; past participle: travestied; gerund or present participle: travestying
represent in a false, absurd, or distorted way.
"Michael has betrayed the family by travestying them in his plays"
h
Similar:
misrepresent
parody
caricature
burlesque
mock
make a mockery of
ridicule
make fun of
distort
pervert
Origin
---
pristine
/ˈprɪstiːn,ˈprɪstʌɪn/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: pristine
in its original condition; unspoilt.
"pristine copies of an early magazine"
clean and fresh as if new; spotless.
"a pristine white shirt"
h
Similar:
immaculate
in perfect condition
perfect
in mint condition
as new
unspoiled
spotless
flawless
clean
fresh
new
virgin
pure
unused
unmarked
unblemished
untarnished
untouched
unsullied
undefiled
h
Opposite:
dirty
sullied
Origin
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dread
/drɛd/
Learn to pronounce
See definitions in:
all
zoology
religion · informal
hairdressing · informal
verb
3rd person present: dreads
1.
anticipate with great apprehension or fear.
"Jane was dreading the party"
h
Similar:
fear
be afraid of
worry about
be anxious about
have forebodings about
feel apprehensive about
be terrified by
cower at
tremble/shudder at
cringe from
shrink from
quail from
flinch from
have cold feet about
be in a blue funk about
h
Opposite:
look forward to
2.
archaic
regard with great awe or reverence.
"the man whom Henry dreaded as the future champion of English freedom"
noun
plural noun: dreads
1.
great fear or apprehension.
"the thought of returning to London filled her with dread"
h
Similar:
fear
fearfulness
apprehension
trepidation
anxiety
worry
concern
foreboding
disquiet
disquietude
unease
uneasiness
angst
fright
panic
alarm
terror
horror
trembling
shuddering
flinching
the jitters
a blue funk
the heebie-jeebies
h
Opposite:
confidence
2.
a sudden take-off and flight of a flock of gulls or other birds.
"flocks of wood sandpiper, often excitable, noisy, and given to dreads"
3.
informal
a person with dreadlocks.
"the band appeals to dreads and baldheads alike"
dreadlocks.
"Lyon combed his fingers through Curtis' dreads"
Origin
---
stave off
phrasal verb of stave
avert or delay something bad or dangerous.
"a reassuring presence can stave off a panic attack"
h
Similar:
avert
prevent
avoid
preclude
rule out
counter
forestall
---
nooks and crannies :
the smaller or less accessible parts of a place or object which are not normally noticed. In the weeks before Christmas, we would scour the house, searching all the nooks and crannies trying to find our presents.
---
fovea
/ˈfəʊvɪə/
nounAnatomy
noun: fovea; plural noun: foveae; noun: fovea centralis; plural noun: foveae centralis
a small depression in the retina of the eye where visual acuity is highest. The centre of the field of vision is focused in this region, where retinal cones are particularly concentrated.
Origin
---
triage
/ˈtriːɑːʒ/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: triage
(in medical use) the assignment of degrees of urgency to wounds or illnesses to decide the order of treatment of a large number of patients or casualties.
"a triage nurse"
the process of determining the most important people or things from amongst a large number that require attention.
"a system of educational triage that allows a few students to get help while the needs of others are neglected"
verb
verb: triage; 3rd person present: triages; past tense: triaged; past participle: triaged; gerund or present participle: triaging
decide the order of treatment of (patients or casualties).
"victims were triaged by paramedics before being transported to hospitals"
Origin
early 18th century (in the sense ‘the action of sorting items according to quality’): from French, from trier ‘separate out’. The current sense dates from the 1930s, from the military system of assessing the wounded on the battlefield.
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cliché
/ˈkliːʃeɪ/
noun
1.
a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.
"that old cliché ‘a woman's place is in the home’"
Similar:
platitude
hackneyed phrase
commonplace
banality
truism
trite phrase
banal phrase
overworked phrase
stock phrase
bromide
saw
maxim
adage
dictum
saying
tag
aphorism
expression
phrase
formula
old chestnut
apophthegm
2.
BRITISH•PRINTING
a stereotype or electrotype.
---
rictus
/ˈrɪktəs/
noun
a fixed grimace or grin.
"their faces were each frozen in a terrified rictus"
---
valedictorian
/ˌvalɪdɪkˈtɔːrɪən/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: valedictorian; plural noun: valedictorians
(in North America) a student who delivers the valedictory at a graduation ceremony.
---
valedictory
/ˌvalɪˈdɪkt(ə)ri/
Learn to pronounce
adjective
adjective: valedictory
serving as a farewell.
"a valedictory wave"
h
Similar:
farewell
goodbye
leaving
parting
departing
going away
last
final
h
Opposite:
welcome
salutatory
noun
noun: valedictory; plural noun: valedictories
a farewell address.
"this book of memoirs reads like his valedictory"
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