oligarchy
a system in which a small group holds political power
Vocabulary directory
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omnipotent
having unlimited power
predictability
the quality of being possible to anticipate
revolutionize
to change something completely and fundamentally
sewerage
a system of pipes and facilities that removes waste water
sprain
to injure a joint by twisting it sharply
surly
bad-tempered and unfriendly
touchstone
a standard used to judge the quality or value of something
verve
enthusiasm and lively energy
zephyr
a soft, gentle breeze
apathetic
showing little interest or concern
backwater
a place regarded as remote and little affected by progress
bewildering
extremely confusing
demography
the study of populations and how they change
dissociation
the separation of connected things or mental processes
eccentricity
unusual behavior or a strange personal habit
emissary
a person sent to deliver a message or conduct negotiations
formalized
made official or arranged according to a clear system
implore
to beg someone urgently and sincerely
indigestion
pain or discomfort caused by difficulty digesting food
justly
in a fair or deserved way
kaleidoscope
a changing mixture of colors, patterns, or scenes
malaise
a general feeling of discomfort or unease
opacity
the quality of being difficult to see through or understand
protectionist
favoring restrictions on imports to protect domestic industries
reminisce
to talk or think fondly about past experiences
snip
to cut something with short quick movements
spurt
a sudden short burst of activity or movement
subliminal
affecting the mind without conscious awareness
upstart
a newcomer who has suddenly become successful
villainous
wicked or morally bad
commensurate
corresponding in size or degree to something
crescendo
a gradual increase in loudness or intensity
dusky
somewhat dark, especially at twilight
epitaph
words written on a tombstone in memory of someone
excrement
waste matter discharged from the body
gobble
to eat quickly and greedily
indecisive
unable to make decisions quickly or firmly
ineffectual
not producing the intended effect
inextricably
in a way that cannot be separated
ingest
to take food or another substance into the body
innermost
closest to the center or deepest within
insoluble
impossible to solve or unable to dissolve
musty
smelling stale and damp
neurotransmitter
a chemical messenger that carries signals between nerve cells
overestimate
to judge something to be greater than it is
portraiture
the art of making portraits
potable
safe to drink
pout
to push out one's lips to show displeasure
stubbornness
a refusal to change one's mind or behavior
summarily
immediately and without the usual formal process
tattered
old and torn in many places
unprovoked
done without being caused by another person's actions
volition
the power to choose or decide for oneself
accolade
an award or expression of praise
cognizant
aware of something and understanding its significance
covet
to strongly desire something that belongs to someone else
drowsy
feeling sleepy
fissure
a long narrow crack
forcible
using physical force
hawker
a person who sells goods in a public place, often while moving around
infantile
childish or typical of a very young child
irreverent
showing a playful lack of respect for authority or tradition
isthmus
a narrow strip of land joining two larger land areas
mercurial
changing moods or opinions quickly and unpredictably
mores
the customs and accepted behavior of a society
personification
the representation of an idea as a person
racy
slightly improper or risqué in an entertaining way
shunt
to move something to a less important place or position
unassuming
modest and not seeking attention
acuity
sharpness of vision, hearing, or thought
beholden
owing gratitude or loyalty to someone for help received
beholder
a person who sees or observes something
canto
a major division of a long poem
canvass
to ask people for votes, opinions, or support
comatose
in a coma or almost completely inactive
conclave
a private meeting of a group of leaders
cynic
a person who doubts other people's sincerity
diehard
a person who strongly resists change
disinfectant
a substance used to kill harmful microorganisms
flyover
a bridge carrying one road over another
gripe
a complaint, especially about a minor matter
hatchery
a place where eggs are hatched under controlled conditions
lengthen
to make or become longer
lyrically
in a way that is expressive like poetry or song
outlast
to last longer than something or someone else
salve
a substance put on the skin to soothe or heal it
sanatorium
a medical facility for long-term recovery, historically from tuberculosis
smudge
a blurred or dirty mark
synthesizer
an electronic instrument that produces a range of sounds
wingspan
the distance from one wingtip to the other when the wings are spread
bereft
deprived of something important, especially through loss
buffoon
a person who behaves foolishly to amuse others
candor
honest and direct speech
compatriot
a person from the same country as another
convergent
coming together toward one point or result
herbicide
a chemical used to kill unwanted plants
impostor
a person who pretends to be someone else to deceive others
inclement
unpleasantly cold, wet, or stormy, especially of weather
iridescent
showing colors that seem to change with the angle of light