Inflected Form(s): toad·ied; toady·ing
: to behave as a toady : engage in sycophancy synonym see FAWN
- toady·ism
/-E-"i-z&m/
nounWordMasters 7th grade Gold List 3
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s): toad·ied; toady·ing
: to behave as a toady : engage in sycophancy synonym see
FAWN
- toady·ism
/-E-"i-z&m/
noun
Date: 14th century 1 : an expression of scorn, derision, or contempt : gibe 2 : an object of scorn, mockery, or derision
Function: verb Date: 14th century intransitive verb
: to show contempt by derisive acts or language <scoffed at the idea> transitive verb : to treat or address with derision : mock — scoff·er noun
synonyms scoff, jeer, gibe, fleer, sneer, flout mean to show one's contempt in derision or mockery. scoff stresses insolence, disrespect, or incredulity as motivating the derision <scoffed at their concerns>. jeer suggests a coarser more undiscriminating derision <the crowd jeered at the prisoners>. gibe implies taunting either good-naturedly or in sarcastic derision <hooted and gibed at the umpire>. fleer suggests grinning or grimacing derisively <the saucy jackanapes fleered at my credulity>. sneer stresses insulting by contemptuous facial expression, phrasing, or tone of voice <sneered at anything romantic>. flout stresses contempt shown by refusal to heed <flouted the conventions of polite society>.
Function: verb Etymology: alteration of dialect scaff to eat greedily Date: 1846
transitive verb 1 : to eat greedily <scoffed dinner> 2 : seize — often used with up <scoffed up the free gifts> intransitive verb : to eat something greedily
3. ob·se·qui·ous Pronunciation: \əb-ˈsē-kwē-əs, äb-\ Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, compliant, from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to comply, from ob- toward + sequi to follow — more at ob-, sue Date: 15th century : marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness
synonyms see subservient
— ob·se·qui·ous·ly adverb
— ob·se·qui·ous·ness noun
3. rake Pronunciation: \ˈrāk\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old
English racu; akin to Old High German rehho rake
Date: before 12th century
1 a: an implement equipped with projecting prongs to gather material (as leaves) or for loosening or smoothing the surface of the ground b: a machine for gathering hay2: an implement like a rake
Function: transitive verb Inflected Form(s): raked; rak·ing
Date: 13th century 1: to gather, loosen, or smooth with or as if with a rake <rake leaves into a pile>2: to gain rapidly or in abundance — usually used with in <rake in a fortune>3 a: to touch in passing over lightly b: scratch, scrape4: to censure severely5: to search through : ransack6: to sweep the length of especially with gunfire : enfilade7: to glance over rapidly — rak·er noun
Function: noun Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1626 1: inclination from the perpendicular; especially : the overhang of a ship's bow or stern2: inclination from the horizontal : slope3: the angle between the top cutting surface of a tool and a plane perpendicular to the surface of the work
Function: intransitive verb Inflected Form(s): raked; rak·ing Date: 1691 : to incline from the perpendicular
Function: noun Etymology: short for rakehell Date: 1653 : a dissolute person : libertine
5. preen Pronunciation: \ˈprēn\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English prene, from Old English prēon; akin to Middle High German pfrieme awl
Date: before 12th century 1dialect chiefly British : pin2dialect chiefly British : brooch
Function: transitive verb
Date: 1572 chiefly Scottish : pin
Function: verb Etymology: Middle English prenen, alteration of proynen, prunen, from Anglo-French puroindre, proindre, from pur- thoroughly + uindre, oindre to anoint, rub, from Latin unguere — more at purchase, ointment
Date: 14th century transitive verb1of a bird : to groom with the bill especially by rearranging the barbs and barbules of the feathers and by distributing oil from the uropygial gland2: to dress or smooth (oneself) up : primp3: to pride or congratulate (oneself) for achievementintransitive verb1: to make oneself sleek2: gloat, swell — preen·er noun
6. dis·so·lute Pronunciation: \ˈdi-sə-ˌlüt, -lət\ Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin dissolutus, from past participle of dissolvere to loosen, dissolve
Date: 14th century : lacking restraint; especially : marked by indulgence in things (as drink or promiscuous sex) deemed vices <the dissolute and degrading aspects of human nature — Wallace Fowlie>
— dis·so·lute·ly adverb
— dis·so·lute·ness noun
7. blight Pronunciation: \ˈblīt\ Function: noun Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1578 1 a: a disease or injury of plants marked by the formation of lesions, withering, and death of parts (as leaves and tubers) b: an organism (as an insect or a fungus) that causes blight2: something that frustrates plans or hopes3: something that impairs or destroys4: a deteriorated condition <urban blight>
Function: verb Date: 1664 transitive verb 1 : to affect (as a plant) with blight 2 : to impair the quality or effect of <the condition that has blighted his son's life — Patricia Guthrie> intransitive verb : to suffer from or become affected with blight
8. ven·er·ate Pronunciation: \ˈve-nə-ˌrāt\ Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -at·ed; -at·ing Etymology: Latin veneratus, past participle of venerari, from vener-, venus love, charm — more at win
Date: circa 1623 1 : to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference 2 : to honor (as an icon or a relic) with a ritual act of devotion
synonyms
see
revere —
ven·er·a·tor
\-ˌrā-tər\
noun
9. rep·u·ta·ble Pronunciation: \ˈre-pyə-tə-bəl\ Function: adjective
Date: 1662
1
: enjoying good
repute : held
in esteem
2 : employed
widely or sanctioned by good writers —
rep·u·ta·bil·i·ty
\ˌre-pyə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\
noun — rep·u·ta·bly
\ˈre-pyə-tə-blē\ adverb
10. me·lee
Variant(s): also mê·lée
\ˈmā-ˌlā,
mā-ˈ\
Function: noun
Etymology: French mêlée, from Old French meslee, from mesler to mix — more at meddle Date: circa 1648 : a confused struggle; especially : a hand-to-hand fight among several people
11. re·gale Pronunciation: \ri-ˈgāl\ Function: verb Inflected Form(s): re·galed; re·gal·ing
Etymology: French régaler, from Middle French, from regale, noun
Date: circa 1656 transitive verb 1 : to entertain sumptuously : feast with delicacies 2 : to give pleasure or amusement to <regaled us with tall tales> intransitive verb : to feast oneself : feed
Function: noun Etymology: French régal, from Middle French regale, from re- + galer to have a good time — more at gallant
Date: 1670 1 : a sumptuous feast 2 : a choice piece especially of food
12. ca·gey Variant(s):
also ca·gy
\ˈkā-jē\ Function: adjective Inflected Form(s):ca·gi·er;
-est Etymology: origin unknown
Date: circa 1893 1: hesitant about committing oneself <officials are cagey about giving out details>2 a: wary of being trapped or deceived : shrewd <a cagey consumer> b: marked by cleverness <a cagey reply>
—
ca·gi·ly
\-jə-lē\
adverb
—
ca·gi·ness also
ca·gey·ness
\-jē-nəs\
noun
13. pan·a·cea Pronunciation: \ˌpa-nə-ˈsē-ə\ Function: noun
Etymology: Latin, from Greek panakeia, from panakēs all-healing, from pan- + akos remedy
Date: 1548 : a
remedy for all ills or difficulties : cure-all
— pan·a·ce·an
\-ˈsē-ən\
adjective
14. de·base Pronunciation: \di-ˈbās, dē-\ Function: transitive verb
Date: 1565 1: to lower in status, esteem, quality, or character2 a: to reduce the intrinsic value of (a coin) by increasing the base-metal content b: to reduce the exchange value of (a monetary unit)
—
de·base·ment
\-ˈbās-mənt\
noun — de·bas·er
\-ˈbā-sər\
noun
synonyms debase, vitiate, deprave, corrupt, debauch, pervert mean to cause deterioration or lowering in quality or character. debase implies a loss of position, worth, value, or dignity <commercialism has debased the holiday>. vitiate implies a destruction of purity, validity, or effectiveness by allowing entrance of a fault or defect <a foreign policy vitiated by partisanship>. deprave implies moral deterioration by evil thoughts or influences <the claim that society is depraved by pornography>. corrupt implies loss of soundness, purity, or integrity <the belief that bureaucratese corrupts the language>. debauch implies a debasing through sensual indulgence <the long stay on a tropical isle had debauched the ship's crew>. pervert implies a twisting or distorting from what is natural or normal <perverted the original goals of the institute>.
15. ris·i·ble Pronunciation: \ˈri-zə-bəl\ Function: adjective
Etymology: Late Latin risibilis, from Latin risus, past participle of ridēre to laugh
Date: 1557
1 a: capable
of laughing
b: disposed
to laugh2: arousing
or provoking laughter; especially
: laughable3: associated
with, relating to, or used in laughter
<risible muscles>
—
ris·i·bly
\-blē\
adverb
16. min·ion Pronunciation: \ˈmin-yən\ Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French mignon darling
Date: circa 1500 1 : a servile dependent, follower, or underling 2 : one highly favored : idol 3 : a subordinate or petty official
17. fawn Pronunciation: \ˈfȯn, ˈfän\ Function: intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle English faunen, from Old English fagnian to rejoice, from fægen, fagan glad — more at fain
Date: 13th century 1 : to show affection — used especially of a dog 2 : to court favor by a cringing or flattering manner
— fawn·er noun
—
fawn·ing·ly
\ˈfȯ-niŋ-lē,
ˈfä-\
adverb
synonyms fawn, toady, truckle, cringe, cower mean to behave abjectly before a superior. fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention <waiters fawning over a celebrity>. toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude <toadying to his boss>. truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior <truckling to a powerful lobbyist>. cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility <a cringing sycophant>. cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people <cowering before a bully>.
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English foun, from Anglo-French
feun, foon young of an animal, from Vulgar Latin *feton-, feto, from
Latin fetus offspring — more at
fetus
Date: 14th century 1: a
young deer; especially : one
still unweaned or retaining a distinctive baby coat2: kid
13: a
light grayish brown — fawny
\ˈfȯ-nē,
ˈfä-\
adjective
18. in·ge·nious Pronunciation: \in-ˈjēn-yəs\ Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English ingenyous, from Middle French ingenieus, from Latin ingeniosus, from ingenium natural capacity — more at engine
Date: 15th century 1obsolete : showing or calling for intelligence, aptitude, or discernment2: marked by especial aptitude at discovering, inventing, or contriving3: marked by originality, resourcefulness, and cleverness in conception or execution <an ingenious contraption>
synonyms see clever — in·ge·nious·ly adverb — in·ge·nious·ness noun
19. par·a·gon Pronunciation: \ˈper-ə-ˌgän, -gən, ˈpa-rə-\ Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Old Italian paragone, literally, touchstone, from paragonare to test on a touchstone, from Greek parakonan to sharpen, from para- + akonē whetstone, from akē point; akin to Greek akmē point — more at edge
Date: circa 1548 : a model of excellence or perfection
Function: transitive verb Date: circa 1586 1: to compare with : parallel2: to put in rivalry : match3obsolete : surpass
20. scourge Pronunciation: \ˈskərj also ˈskōrj, ˈskȯrj, ˈsku̇rj\ Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French escorge, from escorger to whip, from Vulgar Latin *excorrigiare, from Latin ex- + corrigia thong, whip
Date: 13th century 1: whip; especially : one used to inflict pain or punishment2: an instrument of punishment or criticism3: a cause of wide or great affliction
Function: transitive verb Inflected Form(s): scourged; scourg·ing
Date: 14th century 1: flog, whip2 a: to punish severely b: afflict c: to drive as if by blows of a whip d: chastise
— scourg·er noun
21. ex·em·pla·ry Pronunciation: \ig-ˈzem-plə-rē\ Function: adjective
Date: circa 1507 1 a: serving as a pattern b: deserving imitation : commendable <his courage was exemplary>; also : deserving imitation because of excellence <they serve exemplary pastries — G. V. Higgins>2: serving as a warning : monitory <given an exemplary punishment>3: serving as an example, instance, or illustration <this story is exemplary of her style>
— ex·em·plar·i·ly
\ˌeg-ˌzem-ˈpler-ə-lē\
adverb
— ex·em·pla·ri·ness
\ig-ˈzem-plə-rē-nəs\
noun
— ex·em·plar·i·ty
\ˌeg-ˌzem-ˈpla-rə-tē\
noun
22. pa·ri·ah Pronunciation: \pə-ˈrī-ə\ Function: noun
Etymology: Tamil paṟaiyan, literally, drummer
Date: 1613 1 : a member of a low caste of southern India 2 : one that is despised or rejected : outcast
23. lash Pronunciation: \ˈlash\ Function: verb Etymology: Middle English
Date: 14th century intransitive verb 1: to move violently or suddenly : dash2: to thrash or beat violently <rain lashed at the windowpanes>3: to make a verbal attack or retort — usually used with outtransitive verb1 a: to whip or fling about violently <the big cat lashed its tail about threateningly> b: to strike or beat with or as if with a whip <waves lashed the shore>2 a: to assail with stinging words b: drive, whip <lashed them into a fury with his fiery speech>
— lash·er noun
Function: noun Date: 14th century 1 a (1): a stroke with or as if with a whip (2): the flexible part of a whip; also : whip b: punishment by whipping2: a beating, whipping, or driving force3: a stinging rebuke4: eyelash5: the clearance or play between adjacent movable mechanical parts
Function: transitive verb Etymology: Middle English lasschyn to lace, from Anglo-French lacer, lasser — more at lace Date: 1624 : to bind with or as if with a line — lash·er noun
24. res·tive Pronunciation: \ˈres-tiv\ Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English restyf, from Anglo-French restif, from rester to stop, resist, remain
Date: 15th century 1 : stubbornly resisting control : balky 2 : marked by impatience or uneasiness : fidgety synonyms see contrary— res·tive·ly adverb — res·tive·ness noun
25. pros·tra·tion Pronunciation: \prä-ˈstrā-shən\ Function: noun
Date: 14th century 1 a: the act of assuming a prostrate position b: the state of being in a prostrate position : abasement2 a: complete physical or mental exhaustion : collapse b: the process of being made powerless or the condition of powerlessness <the country suffered economic prostration after the war>