counterpart n. duplicate copy; analogue; one that closely resembles another |
cram v. pack; force, press, or squeeze into an insufficient space |
critique n. critical review or commentary, especially one dealing with works of art or literature |
cursory a. casual; brief or broad; not cautious, nor detailed |
custody n. keeping or guarding; care, watch, inspection, for keeping, preservation, or security |
data n. collection of facts, observations, or other information related to a particular question or problem |
debacle n. sudden downfall; complete disaster |
debonair a. friendly; of good appearance and manners; graceful |
debris n. remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up |
decelerate v. slow down rate of advancement of; decrease speed of |
decree n. order from one having authority; decision, order, or sentence by court |
deflect v. turn aside; draw someone's attention away from something |
deluge n. great flood; heavy downpour; any overflowing of water |
demean v. degrade; debase, as in dignity or social standing |
deplore v. feel or express strong disapproval of; condemn; express sorrow or grief over; regret |
deploy v. position troops in readiness for combat, as along a front or line; put into use or action |
derive v. obtain or receive from a source; trace the origin or development of |
desecrate v. violate with violence, especially to sacred place |
desist v. cease to proceed or act; stop; forbear |
desolate a. unpopulated; providing no shelter or sustenance; devoid of inhabitants |
despicable a. fit or deserving to be despised; contemptible; mean; vile; worthless |
deter v. keep from; stop; prevent or discourage from acting |
detest v. dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards |
devour v. consume; eat greedily; destroy completely |
dichotomy n. being twofold; a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses |
diction n. choice and use of words in speech or writing |
disarray v. throw into disorder; break the array of. |
discern v. detect; perceive or recognize something |
disclose v. unclose; open; remove a cover or envelope from; lay open or expose to view |
discrepancy n. lack of consistency; lack of compatibility or similarity between two or more facts |
disgruntled a. unhappy; dissatisfied; frustrated |
dismal a. causing gloom or depression; dreary; somber; melancholy |
dismantle v. take apart; disassemble; tear down |
disparity n. difference; condition or fact of being unequal, as in age, rank, or degree |
disposition n. natural or acquired habit with tendency; act or means of getting rid of something |
disseminate v. distribute; spread; scatter like seeds |
dissertation n. formal essay; paper written by candidate for doctoral degree at university |
doctrine n. principles presented for belief, as by religious; principle of law; act of teaching; instruction |
dreadful a. very unpleasant; distasteful or shocking |
durable a. lasting; able to withstand wear, pressure, or damage; hard wearing; enduring |
echelon n. level or rank in an organization, profession, or society; formation of troops, ships |
eclipse v. darken; exceed in importance; outweigh |
edifice n. building, especially one of imposing appearance or size; a structure that has a roof and walls |
efface v. rub or wipe out; make indistinct as if by rubbing |
elite n. a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status |
elucidate v. make clear or plain, especially by explanation; clarify |
emblem n. symbol; sign; distinctive badge, design, or device |
encroach v. intrude; invade; take another's rights gradually; advance beyond proper or former limits |
endorse v. acknowledge by signing a bill, draft, or other instrument; approve; support |
enrich v. make rich; richen; improve |
epitaph n. inscription on tombstone in memory |
epoch n. particular period of history, especially one considered remarkable |
erupt v. explode; burst out; become violently active |
escapade n. wild and exciting undertaking; adventurous or unconventional act |
euphoria n. feeling of great happiness and well-being, sometimes exaggerated |
evaporate v. vaporize; disappear; change into a vapor |
evoke v. bring out; arouse; call forth |
exalt v. raise in rank or dignity; praise |
excerpt n. passage or segment taken from a longer work, such as literary or musical composition |
execute v. put into effect; carry out the legalities of |
exemplify v. serve as an example of; embody |
expedient a. suitable; appropriate to a purpose; serving to promote your interest |