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Definition
adjective
1.
open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations; equivocal: an ambiguous answer.
2.
Linguistics. (of an expression) exhibiting constructional homonymity; having two or more structural descriptions, as the sequence Flying planes can be dangerous.
3.
of doubtful or uncertain nature; difficult to comprehend, distinguish, or classify: a rock of ambiguous character.
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Term
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Definition
noun,plural-gies.
1.
a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based: the analogy between the heart and a pump.
2.
similarity or comparability: I see no analogy between your problem and mine.
3.
Biology. an analogous relationship.
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Term
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Definition
verb (used with object),-lyzed, -lyz·ing.
to separate (a material or abstract entity) into constituent parts or elements; determine the elements or essential features of (opposed to synthesize): to analyze an argument.
2.
to examine critically, so as to bring out the essential elements or give the essence of: to analyze a poem.
3.
to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, possible results, etc.
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Definition
adjective
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about sanskrit grammar and other arcane matters. |
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Definition
adjective
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of an uncle: avuncular affection. |
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Term
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Definition
verb (used with object)
to transmit (programs) from a radio or television station.
to speak, perform, sponsor, or present on a radio or television program: The President will broadcast his message on all stations tonight.
to cast or scatter abroad over an area, as seed in sowing.
to spread widely; disseminate: She broadcast the good news all over town.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
constituting an actual thing or instance; real: a concrete proof of his sincerity.
pertaining to or concerned with realities or actual instances rather than abstractions; particular (opposed to general): concrete ideas.
noun
an artificial, stonelike material used for various structural purposes, made by mixing cement and various aggregates, as sand, pebbles, gravel, or shale, with water and allowing the mixture to harden
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions, etc., or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change.
2.
cautiously moderate or purposefully low: a conservative estimate.
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Term
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Definition
verb (used with object)
1.
to dry thoroughly; dry up.
2.
to preserve (food) by removing moisture; dehydrate.
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Term
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Definition
noun,plural-ties
outrageous or heinous character; atrociousness: the enormity of war crimes.
something outrageous or heinous, as an offense: The bombing of the defenseless population was an enormity beyond belief.
greatness of size, scope, extent, or influence; immensity: The enormity of such an act of generosity is staggering.
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Term
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Definition
noun
1.
any word or phrase applied to a person or thing to describe an actual or attributed quality: “Richard the Lion-Hearted” is an epithet of Richard I.
a characterizing word or phrase firmly associated with a person or thing and often used in place of an actual name, title, or the like, as “man's best friend” for “dog.”
nickname
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Term
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Definition
noun
1.
the substitution of a mild, indirect, or vague expression for one thought to be offensive, harsh, or blunt.
2.
the expression so substituted: “To pass away” is a euphemism for “to die.”
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Term
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Definition
noun
Architecture.
the front of a building, esp. an imposing or decorative one.
any side of a building facing a public way or space and finished accordingly.
a superficial appearance or illusion of something: They managed somehow to maintain a facade of wealth.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
producing or capable of producing offspring, fruit, vegetation, etc., in abundance; prolific; fruitful: fecund parents; fecund farmland.
2.
very productive or creative intellectually: the fecund years of the Italian Renaissance.
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Term
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Definition
noun
1.
a minor weakness or failing of character; slight flaw or defect: an all-too-human foible.
2.
the weaker part of a sword blade, between the middle and the point (opposed to forte).
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Term
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Definition
noun
1.
a strong point, as of a person; that in which one excels: I don't know what her forte is, but it's not music.
2.
the stronger part of a sword blade, between the middle and the hilt (opposed to foible).
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Term
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Definition
noun
a great or complete devastation or destruction, esp. by fire.
a sacrifice completely consumed by fire; burnt offering.
(usually initial capital letter[image]) the systematic mass slaughter of European Jews in Nazi concentration camps during World War II (usually prec. by the).
any mass slaughter or reckless destruction of life.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to hypnosis or hypnotism.
2.
inducing or like something that induces hypnosis.
3.
susceptible to hypnotism, as a person.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid: an insipid personality.
2.
without sufficient taste to be pleasing, as food or drink; bland: a rather insipid soup.
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Term
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Definition
noun
a surface regarded as the common boundary of two bodies, spaces, or phases.
the facts, problems, considerations, theories, practices, etc., shared by two or more disciplines, procedures, or fields of study: the interface between chemistry and physics.
a common boundary or interconnection between systems, equipment, concepts, or human beings.
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Term
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Definition
noun
1.
members of a liberal or radical political party, or those favoring extensive political reform.
2.
such a party or a group of such parties.
3.
the part of a political or social organization advocating a liberal or radical position.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.
(often initial capital letter[image]) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.
free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
easily understood; completely intelligible or comprehensible: a lucid explanation.
2.
characterized by clear perception or understanding; rational or sane: a lucid moment in his madness.
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Term
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Definition
verb (used with object),-ized, -iz·ing.
1.
to make a magnet of or impart the properties of a magnet to.
2.
to exert an attracting or compelling influence upon: The evangelist's oratory magnetized his listeners.
3.
Archaic. to mesmerize.
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Term
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Definition
noun
1.
a city in and the capital of Hejaz, in W Saudi Arabia: birthplace of Muhammad; spiritual center of Islam. 366,801.
2.
(often lowercase[image]) any place that many people visit or hope to visit: The president's birthplace is a mecca for his admirers.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
working or acting merely for money or other reward; venal.
2.
hired to serve in a foreign army, guerrilla organization, etc.
–noun
3.
a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army.
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Term
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Definition
noun
1.
inordinate fascination with oneself; excessive self-love; vanity.
2.
Psychoanalysis. erotic gratification derived from admiration of one's own physical or mental attributes, being a normal condition at the infantile level of personality development.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
harmful or injurious to health or physical well-being: noxious fumes.
2.
morally harmful; corrupting; pernicious: a noxious plan to spread dissension.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn; unyielding.
2.
stubbornly resistant to moral influence; persistently impenitent: an obdurate sinner.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or conforming to the approved form of any doctrine, philosophy, ideology, etc.
2.
of, pertaining to, or conforming to beliefs, attitudes, or modes of conduct that are generally approved.
3.
customary or conventional, as a means or method; established.
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Term
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Definition
noun
the tendency of a fluid, usually water, to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane.
the diffusion of fluids through membranes or porous partitions.
a subtle or gradual absorption or mingling: He never studies but seems to learn by osmosis.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended: an ostensible cheerfulness concealing sadness.
2.
apparent, evident, or conspicuous: the ostensible truth of their theories.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to money: pecuniary difficulties.
2.
consisting of or given or exacted in money or monetary payments: pecuniary tributes.
3.
(of a crime, violation, etc.) involving a money penalty or fine.
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Term
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Definition
noun
1.
a technique of depicting volumes and spatial relationships on a flat surface.
a picture employing this technique, esp. one in which it is prominent: an architect's perspective of a house.
3.
a visible scene, esp. one extending to a distance; vista: a perspective on the main axis of an estate.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
of great weight; heavy; massive.
2.
awkward or unwieldy: He carried a ponderous burden on his back.
3.
dull and labored: a ponderous dissertation.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
favoring or advocating progress, change, improvement, or reform, as opposed to wishing to maintain things as they are, esp. in political matters: a progressive mayor.
making progress toward better conditions; employing or advocating more enlightened or liberal ideas, new or experimental methods, etc.: a progressive community.
characterized by such progress, or by continuous improvement.
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Term
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Definition
verb (used with object)
1.
to draw out or lengthen, esp. in time; extend the duration of; prolong.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
of or going to the root or origin; fundamental: a radical difference.
2.
thoroughgoing or extreme, esp. as regards change from accepted or traditional forms: a radical change in the policy of a company.
3.
favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms: radical ideas; radical and anarchistic ideologues.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, marked by, or favoring reaction, esp. extreme conservatism or rightism in politics; opposing political or social change.
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Term
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Definition
noun
the activity, spirit, or time of the great revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe beginning in the 14th century and extending to the 17th century, marking the transition from the medieval to the modern world.
the forms and treatments in art used during this period.
(sometimes lowercase[image]) any similar revival in the world of art and learning.
(lowercase[image]) a renewal of life, vigor, interest, etc.; rebirth; revival: a moral renaissance.
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Term
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Definition
noun
1.
members of a conservative or reactionary political party, or those opposing extensive political reform.
2.
such a political party or a group of such parties.
3.
that part of a political or social organization advocating a conservative or reactionary position: The union's right wing favored a moderate course of action.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
threatening or portending evil, harm, or trouble; ominous: a sinister remark.
2.
bad, evil, base, or wicked; fell: his sinister purposes.
3.
unfortunate; disastrous; unfavorable: a sinister accident
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to the school of philosophy founded by Zeno, who taught that people should be free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submit without complaint to unavoidable necessity.
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Term
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Definition
noun
1.
the combining of the constituent elements of separate material or abstract entities into a single or unified entity (opposed to analysis).
2.
a complex whole formed by combining.
3.
Chemistry. the forming or building of a more complex substance or compound from elements or simpler compounds.
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Term
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Definition
verb (used with object),-lized, -liz·ing.
to torment with, or as if with, the sight of something desired but out of reach; tease by arousing expectations that are repeatedly disappointed. |
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Term
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Definition
adjective
thin or slender in form, as a thread.
lacking a sound basis, as reasoning; unsubstantiated; weak: a tenuous argument.
thin in consistency; rare or rarefied.
of slight importance or significance; unsubstantial: He holds a rather tenuous position in history.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, esp. in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug.
2.
of the nature of or characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy.
3.
having an oily or soapy feel, as certain minerals.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or resembling Utopia.
2.
(usually lowercase[image]) founded upon or involving idealized perfection.
3.
(usually lowercase[image]) given to impractical or unrealistic schemes of such perfection.
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Term
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Definition
adjective
1.
without contents; empty: the vacuous air.
2.
lacking in ideas or intelligence: a vacuous mind.
3.
expressing or characterized by a lack of ideas or intelligence; inane; stupid: a vacuous book.
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Term
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Definition
verb (used with object)
1.
to free (grain) from the lighter particles of chaff, dirt, etc., esp. by throwing it into the air and allowing the wind or a forced current of air to blow away impurities.
2.
to drive or blow (chaff, dirt, etc.) away by fanning.
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