5000 常青藤大学联盟词汇列表 L-O

laborious adj. Toilsome.
labyrinth n. A maze.
lacerate v. To tear rudely or raggedly.
lackadaisical adj. Listless.
lactation n. The secretion of milk.
lacteal adj. Milky.
lactic adj. Pertaining to milk.
laddie n. A lad.
ladle n. A cup-shaped vessel with a long handle, intended for dipping up and pouring liquids.
laggard adj. Falling behind.
landholder n. Landowner.
landlord n. A man who owns and lets a tenement or tenements.
landmark n. A familiar object in the landscape serving as a guide to an area otherwise easily lost track
of.
landscape n. A rural view, especially one of picturesque effect, as seen from a distance or an elevation.
languid adj. Relaxed.
languor n. Lassitude of body or depression.
lapse n. A slight deviation from what is right, proper, or just.
lascivious adj. Lustful.
lassie n. A little lass.
latent adj. Dormant.
latency n. The state of being dormant.
later adv. At a subsequent time.
lateral adj. Directed toward the side.
latish adj. Rather late.
lattice n. Openwork of metal or wood, formed by crossing or interlacing strips or bars.
laud v. To praise in words or song.
laudable adj. Praiseworthy.
laudation n. High praise.
laudatory adj. Pertaining to, expressing, or containing praise.
laundress n. Washerwoman.
laureate adj. Crowned with laurel, as a mark of distinction.
lave v. To wash or bathe.
lawgiver n. A legislator.
lawmaker n. A legislator.
lax adj. Not stringent or energetic.
laxative adj. Having power to open or loosen the bowels.
lea n. A field.
leaflet n. A little leaf or a booklet.
leaven v. To make light by fermentation, as dough.
leeward n. That side or direction toward which the wind blows.
left-handed adj. Using the left hand or arm more dexterously than the right.
legacy n. A bequest.
legalize v. To give the authority of law to.
legging n. A covering for the leg.
legible adj. That may be read with ease.
legionary n. A member of an ancient Roman legion or of the modern French Legion of Honor.
legislate v. To make or enact a law or laws.
legislative adj. That makes or enacts laws.
legislator n. A lawgiver.
legitimacy n. Accordance with law.
legitimate adj. Having the sanction of law or established custom.
leisure n. Spare time.
leniency n. Forbearance.
lenient adj. Not harsh.
leonine adj. Like a lion.
lethargy n. Prolonged sluggishness of body or mind.
levee n. An embankment beside a river or stream or an arm of the sea, to prevent overflow.
lever n. That which exerts, or through which one may exert great power.
leviathan n. Any large animal, as a whale.
levity n. Frivolity.
levy v. To impose and collect by force or threat of force.
lewd adj. Characterized by lust or lasciviousness.
lexicographer n. One who makes dictionaries.
lexicography n. The making of dictionaries.
lexicon n. A dictionary.
liable adj. Justly or legally responsible.
libel n. Defamation.
liberalism n. Opposition to conservatism.
liberate v. To set free or release from bondage.
licentious adj. Wanton.
licit adj. Lawful.
liege adj. Sovereign.
lien n. A legal claim or hold on property, as security for a debt or charge.
lieu n. Stead.
lifelike adj. Realistic.
lifelong adj. Lasting or continuous through life.
lifetime n. The time that life continues.
ligament n. That which binds objects together.
ligature n. Anything that constricts, or serves for binding or tying.
light-hearted adj. Free from care.
ligneous adj. Having the texture of appearance of wood.
likelihood n. A probability.
likely adj. Plausible.
liking n. Fondness.
limitation n. A restriction.
linear adj. Of the nature of a line.
liner n. A vessel belonging to a steamship-line.
lingo n. Language.
lingua n. The tongue.
lingual adj. Pertaining to the use of the tongue in utterance.
linguist n. One who is acquainted with several languages.
linguistics n. The science of languages, or of the origin, history, and significance of words.
liniment n. A liquid preparation for rubbing on the skin in cases of bruises, inflammation, etc.
liquefacient adj. Possessing a liquefying nature or power.
liquefy v. To convert into a liquid or into liquid form.
liqueur n. An alcoholic cordial sweetened and flavored with aromatic substances.
liquidate v. To deliver the amount or value of.
liquor n. Any alcoholic or intoxicating liquid.
listless adj. Inattentive.
literacy n. The state or condition of knowing how to read and write.
literal adj. Following the exact words.
literature n. The written or printed productions of the human mind collectively.
lithe adj. Supple.
lithesome adj. Nimble.
lithograph n. A print made by printing from stone.
lithotype n. In engraving, an etched stone surface for printing.
litigant n. A party to a lawsuit.
litigate v. To cause to become the subject-matter of a suit at law.
litigious adj. Quarrelsome.
littoral adj. Of, pertaining to, or living on a shore.
liturgy n. A ritual.
livelihood n. Means of subsistence.
livid adj. Black-and-blue, as contused flesh.
loam n. A non-coherent mixture of sand and clay.
loath adj. Averse.
loathe v. To abominate.
locative adj. Indicating place, or the place where or wherein an action occurs.
loch n. A lake.
locomotion n. The act or power of moving from one place to another.
lode n. A somewhat continuous unstratified metal- bearing vein.
lodgment n. The act of furnishing with temporary quarters.
logic n. The science of correct thinking.
logical adj. Capable of or characterized by clear reasoning.
logician n. An expert reasoner.
loiterer n. One who consumes time idly.
loneliness n. Solitude.
longevity n. Unusually prolonged life.
loot v. To plunder.
loquacious adj. Talkative.
lordling n. A little lord.
lough n. A lake or loch.
louse n. A small insect parasitic on and sucking the blood of mammals.
lovable adj. Amiable.
low-spirited adj. Despondent.
lowly adv. Rudely.
lucid adj. Mentally sound.
lucrative adj. Highly profitable.
ludicrous adj. Laughable.
luminary n. One of the heavenly bodies as a source of light.
luminescent adj. Showing increase of light.
luminescence n. Showing increase.
luminosity n. The quality of giving or radiating light.
luminous adj. Giving or radiating light.
lunacy n. Mental unsoundness.
lunar adj. Pertaining to the moon.
lunatic n. An insane person.
lune n. The moon.
lurid adj. Ghastly and sensational.
luscious adj. Rich, sweet, and delicious.
lustrous adj. Shining.
luxuriance n. Excessive or superfluous growth or quantity.
luxuriant adj. Abundant or superabundant in growth.
luxuriate v. To live sumptuously.
lying n. Untruthfulness.
lyre n. One of the most ancient of stringed instruments of the harp class.
lyric adj. Fitted for expression in song.
macadamize v. To cover or pave, as a path or roadway, with small broken stone.
machinery n. The parts of a machine or engine, taken collectively.
machinist n. One who makes or repairs machines, or uses metal-working tools.
macrocosm n. The whole of any sphere or department of nature or knowledge to which man is related.
madden v. To inflame with passion.
Madonna n. A painted or sculptured representation of the Virgin, usually with the infant Jesus.
magician n. A sorcerer.
magisterial adj. Having an air of authority.
magistracy n. The office or dignity of a magistrate.
magnanimous adj. Generous in treating or judging others.
magnate n. A person of rank or importance.
magnet n. A body possessing that peculiar form of polarity found in nature in the lodestone.
magnetize v. To make a magnet of, permanently, or temporarily.
magnificence n. The exhibition of greatness of action, character, intellect, wealth, or power.
magnificent adj. Grand or majestic in appearance, quality, or action.
magnitude n. Importance.
maharaja n. A great Hindu prince.
maidenhood n. Virginity.
maintain v. To hold or preserve in any particular state or condition.
maintenance n. That which supports or sustains.
maize n. Indian corn: usually in the United States called simply corn.
makeup n. The arrangements or combination of the parts of which anything is composed.
malady n. Any physical disease or disorder, especially a chronic or deep-seated one.
malaria n. A fever characterized by alternating chills, fever, and sweating.
malcontent n. One who is dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs.
malediction n. The calling down of a curse or curses.
malefactor n. One who injures another.
maleficent adj. Mischievous.
malevolence n. Ill will.
malevolent adj. Wishing evil to others.
malign v. To speak evil of, especially to do so falsely and severely.
malignant adj. Evil in nature or tending to do great harm or mischief.
malleable adj. Pliant.
mallet n. A wooden hammer.
maltreat v. To treat ill, unkindly, roughly, or abusively.
man-trap n. A place or structure dangerous to human life.
mandate n. A command.
mandatory adj. Expressive of positive command, as distinguished from merely directory.
mane n. The long hair growing upon and about the neck of certain animals, as the horse and the lion.
man-eater n. An animal that devours human beings.
maneuver v. To make adroit or artful moves: manage affairs by strategy.
mania n. Insanity.
maniac n. a person raving with madness.
manifesto n. A public declaration, making announcement, explanation or defense of intentions, or
motives.
manlike adj. Like a man.
manliness n. The qualities characteristic of a true man, as bravery, resolution, etc.
mannerism n. Constant or excessive adherence to one manner, style, or peculiarity, as of action or
conduct.
manor n. The landed estate of a lord or nobleman.
mantel n. The facing, sometimes richly ornamented, about a fireplace, including the usual shelf above it.
mantle n. A cloak.
manufacturer n. A person engaged in manufacturing as a business.
manumission n. Emancipation.
manumit v. To set free from bondage.
marine adj. Of or pertaining to the sea or matters connected with the sea.
maritime adj. Situated on or near the sea.
maroon v. To put ashore and abandon (a person) on a desolate coast or island.
martial adj. Pertaining to war or military operations.
Martian adj. Pertaining to Mars, either the Roman god of war or the planet.
martyrdom n. Submission to death or persecution for the sake of faith or principle.
marvel v. To be astonished and perplexed because of (something).
masonry n. The art or work of constructing, as buildings, walls, etc., with regularly arranged stones.
masquerade n. A social party composed of persons masked and costumed so as to be disguised.
massacre n. The unnecessary and indiscriminate killing of human beings.
massive adj. Of considerable bulk and weight.
masterpiece n. A superior production.
mastery n. The attainment of superior skill.
material n. That of which anything is composed or may be constructed.
materialize v. To take perceptible or substantial form.
maternal adj. Pertaining or peculiar to a mother or to motherhood.
matinee n. An entertainment (especially theatrical) held in the daytime.
matricide n. The killing, especially the murdering, of one's mother.
matrimony n. The union of a man and a woman in marriage.
matrix n. That which contains and gives shape or form to anything.
matter of fact n. Something that has actual and undeniable existence or reality.
maudlin adj. Foolishly and tearfully affectionate.
mausoleum n. A tomb of more than ordinary size or architectural pretensions.
mawkish adj. Sickening or insipid.
maxim n. A principle accepted as true and acted on as a rule or guide.
maze n. A labyrinth.
mead n. A meadow.
meager adj. scanty.
mealy-mouthed adj. Afraid to express facts or opinions plainly.
meander v. To wind and turn while proceeding in a course.
mechanics n. The branch of physics that treats the phenomena caused by the action of forces.
medallion n. A large medal.
meddlesome adj. Interfering.
medial adj. Of or pertaining to the middle.
mediate v. To effect by negotiating as an agent between parties.
medicine n. A substance possessing or reputed to possess curative or remedial properties.
medieval adj. Belonging or relating to or descriptive of the middle ages.
mediocre adj. Ordinary.
meditation n. The turning or revolving of a subject in the mind.
medley n. A composition of different songs or parts of songs arranged to run as a continuous whole.
meliorate v. To make better or improve, as in quality or social or physical condition.
mellifluous adj. Sweetly or smoothly flowing.
melodious adj. Characterized by a sweet succession of sounds.
melodrama n. A drama with a romantic story or plot and sensational situation and incidents.
memento n. A souvenir.
memorable adj. Noteworthy.
menace n. A threat.
menagerie n. A collection of wild animals, especially when kept for exhibition.
mendacious adj. Untrue.
mendicant n. A beggar.
mentality n. Intellectuality.
mentor n. A wise and faithful teacher, guide, and friend.
mercantile adj. Conducted or acting on business principles; commercial.
mercenary adj. Greedy
merciful adj. Disposed to pity and forgive.
merciless adj. Cruel.
meretricious adj. Alluring by false or gaudy show.
mesmerize v. To hypnotize.
messieurs n. pl. Gentlemen.
metal n. An element that forms a base by combining with oxygen, is usually hard, heavy, and lustrous.
metallurgy n. The art or science of extracting a metal from ores, as by smelting.
metamorphosis n. A passing from one form or shape into another.
metaphor n. A figure of speech in which one object is likened to another, by speaking as if the other.
metaphysical adj. Philosophical.
metaphysician n. One skilled in metaphysics.
metaphysics n. The principles of philosophy as applied to explain the methods of any particular science.
mete v. To apportion.
metempsychosis n. Transition of the soul of a human being at death into another body, whether human or beast.
meticulous adj. Over-cautious.
metonymy n. A figure of speech that consists in the naming of a thing by one of its attributes.
metric adj. Relating to measurement.
metronome n. An instrument for indicating and marking exact time in music.
metropolis n. A chief city, either the capital or the largest or most important city of a state.
metropolitan adj. Pertaining to a chief city.
mettle n. Courage.
mettlesome adj. Having courage or spirit.
microcosm n. The world or universe on a small scale.
micrometer n. An instrument for measuring very small angles or dimensions.
microphone n. An apparatus for magnifying faint sounds.
microscope n. An instrument for assisting the eye in the vision of minute objects or features of objects.
microscopic adj. Adapted to or characterized by minute observation.
microscopy n. The art of examing objects with the microscope.
midsummer n. The middle of the summer.
midwife n. A woman who makes a business of assisting at childbirth.
mien n. The external appearance or manner of a person.
migrant adj. Wandering.
migrate v. To remove or pass from one country, region, or habitat to another.
migratory adj. Wandering.
mileage n. A distance in miles.
militant adj. Of a warlike or combative disposition or tendency.
militarism n. A policy of maintaining great standing armies.
militate v. To have weight or influence (in determining a question).
militia n. Those citizens, collectively, who are enrolled and drilled in temporary military organizations.
Milky Way n. The galaxy.
millet n. A grass cultivated for forage and cereal.
mimic v. To imitate the speech or actions of.
miniature adj. Much smaller than reality or that the normal size.
minimize v. To reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree.
minion n. A servile favorite.
ministration n. Any religious ceremonial.
ministry n. A service.
minority n. The smaller in number of two portions into which a number or a group is divided.
minute adj. Exceedingly small in extent or quantity.
minutia n. A small or unimportant particular or detail.
mirage n. An optical effect looking like a sheet of water in the desert.
misadventure n. An unlucky accident.
misanthropic adj. Hating mankind.
misanthropy n. Hatred of mankind.
misapprehend v. To misunderstand.
misbehave v. To behave ill.
misbehavior n. Ill or improper behavior.
mischievous adj. Fond of tricks.
miscount v. To make a mistake in counting.
miscreant n. A villain.
misdeed n. A wrong or improper act.
misdemeanor n. Evil conduct, small crime.
miser n. A person given to saving and hoarding unduly.
mishap n. Misfortune.
misinterpret v. To misunderstand.
mislay v. To misplace.
mismanage v. To manage badly, improperly, or unskillfully.
misnomer n. A name wrongly or mistakenly applied.
misogamy n. Hatred of marriage.
misogyny n. Hatred of women.
misplace v. To put into a wrong place.
misrepresent v. To give a wrong impression.
misrule v. To misgovern.
missal n. The book containing the service for the celebration of mass.
missile n. Any object, especially a weapon, thrown or intended to be thrown.
missive n. A message in writing.
mistrust v. To regard with suspicion or jealousy.
misty adj. Lacking clearness
misunderstand v. To Take in a wrong sense.
misuse v. To maltreat.
mite n. A very small amount, portion, or particle.
miter n. The junction of two bodies at an equally divided angle.
mitigate v. To make milder or more endurable.
mnemonics n. A system of principles and formulas designed to assist the recollection in certain instances.
moat n. A ditch on the outside of a fortress wall.
mobocracy n. Lawless control of public affairs by the mob or populace.
moccasin n. A foot-covering made of soft leather or buckskin.
mockery n. Ridicule.
moderation n. Temperance.
moderator n. The presiding officer of a meeting.
modernity n. The state or character of being modern.
modernize v. To make characteristic of the present or of recent times.
modification n. A change.
modify v. To make somewhat different.
modish adj. Fashionable.
modulate v. To vary in tone, inflection, pitch or other quality of sound.
mollify v. To soothe.
molt v. To cast off, as hair, feathers, etc.
momentary adj. Lasting but a short time.
momentous adj. Very significant.
momentum n. An impetus.
monarchy n. Government by a single, sovereign ruler.
monastery n. A dwelling-place occupied in common by persons under religious vows of seclusion.
monetary adj. Financial.
mongrel n. The progeny resulting from the crossing of different breeds or varieties.
monition n. Friendly counsel given by way of warning and implying caution or reproof.
monitory n. Admonition or warning.
monocracy n. Government by a single person.
monogamy n. The habit of pairing, or having but one mate.
monogram n. A character consisting of two or more letters interwoven into one, usually initials of a
name.
monograph n. A treatise discussing a single subject or branch of a subject.
monolith n. Any structure or sculpture in stone formed of a single piece.
monologue n. A story or drama told or performed by one person.
monomania n. The unreasonable pursuit of one idea.
monopoly n. The control of a thing, as a commodity, to enable a person to raise its price.
monosyllable n. A word of one syllable.
monotone n. The sameness or monotony of utterance.
monotonous adj. Unchanging and tedious.
monotony n. A lack of variety.
monsieur n. A French title of respect, equivalent to Mr. and sir.
monstrosity n. Anything unnaturally huge or distorted.
moonbeam n. A ray of moonlight.
morale n. A state of mind with reference to confidence, courage, zeal, and the like.
moralist n. A writer on ethics.
morality n. Virtue.
moralize v. To render virtuous.
moratorium n. An emergency legislation authorizing a government suspend some action temporarily.
morbid adj. Caused by or denoting a diseased or unsound condition of body or mind.
mordacious adj. Biting or giving to biting.
mordant adj. Biting.
moribund adj. On the point of dying.
morose adj. Gloomy.
morphology n. the science of organic forms.
motley adj. Composed of heterogeneous or inharmonious elements.
motto n. An expressive word or pithy sentence enunciating some guiding rule of life, or faith.
mountaineer n. One who travels among or climbs mountains for pleasure or exercise.
mountainous adj. Full of or abounding in mountains.
mouthful n. As much as can be or is usually put into the or exercise.
muddle v. To confuse or becloud, especially with or as with drink.
muffle v. To deaden the sound of, as by wraps.
mulatto n. The offspring of a white person and a black person.
muleteer n. A mule-driver.
multiform adj. Having many shapes, or appearances.
multiplicity n. the condition of being manifold or very various.
mundane adj. Worldly, as opposed to spiritual or celestial.
municipal adj. Of or pertaining to a town or city, or to its corporate or local government.
municipality n. A district enjoying municipal government.
munificence n. A giving characterized by generous motives and extraordinary liberality.
munificent adj. Extraordinarily generous.
muster n. An assemblage or review of troops for parade or inspection, or for numbering off.
mutation n. The act or process of change.
mutilate v. To disfigure.
mutiny n. Rebellion against lawful or constituted authority.
myriad n. A vast indefinite number.
mystic n. One who professes direct divine illumination, or relies upon meditation to acquire truth.
mystification n. The act of artfully perplexing.
myth n. A fictitious narrative presented as historical, but without any basis of fact.
mythology n. The whole body of legends cherished by a race concerning gods and heroes.
nameless adj. Having no fame or reputation.
naphtha n. A light, colorless, volatile, inflammable oil used as a solvent, as in manufacture of paints.
Narcissus n. The son of the Athenian river-god Cephisus, fabled to have fallen in love with his reflection.
narrate v. To tell a story.
narration n. The act of recounting the particulars of an event in the order of time or occurrence.
narrative n. An orderly continuous account of the successive particulars of an event.
narrator n. One who narrates anything.
narrow-minded adj. Characterized by illiberal views or sentiments.
nasal adj. Pertaining to the nose.
natal adj. Pertaining to one's birth.
nationality n. A connection with a particular nation.
naturally adv. According to the usual order of things.
nausea n. An affection of the stomach producing dizziness and usually an impulse to vomit
nauseate v. To cause to loathe.
nauseous adj. Loathsome.
nautical adj. Pertaining to ships, seamen, or navigation.
naval adj. Pertaining to ships.
navel n. The depression on the abdomen where the umbilical cord of the fetus was attached.
navigable adj. Capable of commercial navigation.
navigate v. To traverse by ship.
nebula n. A gaseous body of unorganized stellar substance.
necessary adj. Indispensably requisite or absolutely needed to accomplish a desired result.
necessitate v. To render indispensable.
necessity n. That which is indispensably requisite to an end desired.
necrology n. A list of persons who have died in a certain place or time.
necromancer n. One who practices the art of foretelling the future by means of communication with the dead.
necropolis n. A city of the dead.
necrosis n. the death of part of the body.
nectar n. Any especially sweet and delicious drink.
nectarine n. A variety of the peach.
needlework n. Embroidery.
needy adj. Being in need, want, or poverty.
nefarious adj. Wicked in the extreme.
negate v. To deny.
negation n. The act of denying or of asserting the falsity of a proposition.
neglectful adj. Exhibiting or indicating omission.
negligee n. A loose gown worn by women.
negligence n. Omission of that which ought to be done.
negligent adj. Apt to omit what ought to be done.
negligible adj. Transferable by assignment, endorsement, or delivery.
negotiable v. To bargain with others for an agreement, as for a treaty or transfer of property.
Nemesis n. A goddess; divinity of chastisement and vengeance.
neocracy n. Government administered by new or untried persons.
neo-Darwinsim n. Darwinism as modified and extended by more recent students.
neo-Latin n. Modernized Latin.
neopaganism n. A new or revived paganism.
Neolithic adj. Pertaining to the later stone age.
neology n. The coining or using of new words or new meanings of words.
neophyte adj. Having the character of a beginner.
nestle v. To adjust cozily in snug quarters.
nestling adj. Recently hatched.
nettle v. To excite sensations of uneasiness or displeasure in.
network n. Anything that presents a system of cross- lines.
neural adj. Pertaining to the nerves or nervous system.
neurology n. The science of the nervous system.
neuter adj. Neither masculine nor feminine.
neutral adj. Belonging to or under control of neither of two contestants.
nevertheless conj. Notwithstanding.
Newtonian adj. Of or pertaining to Sir Isaac Newton, the English philosopher.
niggardly adj. Stingy. (no longer acceptable to use)
nihilist n. An advocate of the doctrine that nothing either exists or can be known.
nil n. Nothing
nimble adj. Light and quick in motion or action.
nit n. The egg of a louse or some other insect.
nocturnal adj. Of or pertaining to the night.
noiseless adj. Silent.
noisome adj. Very offensive, particularly to the sense of smell.
noisy adj. Clamorous.
nomad adj. Having no fixed abode.
nomic adj. Usual or customary.
nominal adj. Trivial.
nominate v. To designate as a candidate for any office.
nomination n. The act or ceremony of naming a man or woman for office.
nominee n. One who receives a nomination.
non-existent n. That which does not exist.
non-resident adj. Not residing within a given jurisdiction.
nonchalance n. A state of mind indicating lack of interest.
non-combatant n. One attached to the army or navy, but having duties other than that of fighting.
nondescript adj. Indescribable.
nonentity n. A person or thing of little or no account.
nonpareil n. One who or that which is of unequaled excellence.
norm n. A model.
normalcy n. The state of being normal.
Norman adj. Of or peculiar to Normandy, in northern France.
nostrum n. Any scheme or recipe of a charlatan character.
noticeable adj. Perceptible.
notorious adj. Unfavorably known to the general public.
novellette n. A short novel.
novice n. A beginner in any business or occupation.
nowadays adv. In the present time or age.
nowhere adv. In no place or state.
noxious adj. Hurtful.
nuance n. A slight degree of difference in anything perceptible to the sense of the mind.
nucleus n. A central point or part about which matter is aggregated.
nude adj. Naked.
nugatory adj. Having no power or force.
nuisance n. That which annoys, vexes, or irritates.
numeration n. The act or art of reading or naming numbers.
numerical adj. Of or pertaining to number.
nunnery n. A convent for nuns.
nuptial adj. Of or pertaining to marriage, especially to the marriage ceremony.
nurture n. The process of fostering or promoting growth.
nutriment n. That which nourishes.
nutritive adj. Having nutritious properties.
oaken adj. Made of or from oak.
oakum n. Hemp-fiber obtained by untwisting and picking out loosely the yarns of old hemp rope.
obdurate adj. Impassive to feelings of humanity or pity.
obelisk n. A square shaft with pyramidal top, usually monumental or commemorative.
obese adj. Exceedingly fat.
obesity n. Excessive fatness.
obituary adj. A published notice of a death.
objective adj. Grasping and representing facts as they are.
objector n. One who objects, as to a proposition, measure, or ruling.
obligate v. To hold to the fulfillment of duty.
obligatory adj. Binding in law or conscience.
oblique adj. Slanting; said of lines.
obliterate v. To cause to disappear.
oblivion n. The state of having passed out of the memory or of being utterly forgotten.
oblong adj. Longer than broad: applied most commonly to rectangular objects considerably elongated
obnoxious adj. Detestable.
obsequies n. Funeral rites.
obsequious adj. Showing a servile readiness to fall in with the wishes or will of another.
observance n. A traditional form or customary act.
observant adj. Quick to notice.
observatory n. A building designed for systematic astronomical observations.
obsolescence n. The condition or process of gradually falling into disuse.
obsolescent adj. Passing out of use, as a word.
obsolete adj. No longer practiced or accepted.
obstetrician n. A practitioner of midwifery.
obstetrics n. The branch of medical science concerned with the treatment and care of women during
pregnancy.
obstinacy n. Stubborn adherence to opinion, arising from conceit or the desire to have one's own way.
obstreperous adj. Boisterous.
obstruct v. To fill with impediments so as to prevent passage, either wholly or in part.
obstruction n. Hindrance.
obtrude v. To be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence.
obtrusive adj. Tending to be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence.
obvert v. To turn the front or principal side of (a thing) toward any person or object.
obviate v. To clear away or provide for, as an objection or difficulty.
occasion n. An important event or celebration.
Occident n. The countries lying west of Asia and the Turkish dominions.
occlude v. To absorb, as a gas by a metal.
occult adj. Existing but not immediately perceptible.
occupant n. A tenant in possession of property, as distinguished from the actual owner.
occurrence n. A happening.
octagon n. A figure with eight sides and eight angles.
octave n. A note at this interval above or below any other, considered in relation to that other.
octavo n. A book, or collection of paper in which the sheets are so folded as to make eight leaves.
octogenarian adj. A person of between eighty and ninety years.
ocular adj. Of or pertaining to the eye.
oculist n. One versed or skilled in treating diseases of the eye.
oddity n. An eccentricity.
ode n. The form of lyric poetry anciently intended to be sung.
odious adj. Hateful.
odium n. A feeling of extreme repugnance, or of dislike and disgust.
odoriferous adj. Having or diffusing an odor or scent, especially an agreeable one.
odorous adj. Having an odor, especially a fragrant one.
off adj. Farther or more distant.
offhand adv. Without preparation.
officiate v. To act as an officer or leader.
officious adj. Intermeddling with what is not one's concern.
offshoot n. Something that branches off from the parent stock.
ogre n. A demon or monster that was supposed to devour human beings.
ointment n. A fatty preparation with a butter-like consistency in which a medicinal substance exists.
olfactory adj. of or pertaining to the sense of smell.
olive-branch n. A branch of the olive-tree, as an emblem of peace.
ominous adj. Portentous.
omission n. Exclusion.
omnipotence n. Unlimited and universal power.
Omnipotent adj. Possessed of unlimited and universal power.
omniscience n. Unlimited or infinite knowledge.
omniscient adj. Characterized by unlimited or infinite knowledge.
omnivorous adj. Eating or living upon food of all kinds indiscriminately.
onerous adj. Burdensome or oppressive.
onrush n. Onset.
onset n. An assault, especially of troops, upon an enemy or fortification.
onslaught n. A violent onset.
onus n. A burden or responsibility.
opalescence n. The property of combined refraction and reflection of light, resulting in smoky tints.
opaque adj. Impervious to light.
operate v. To put in action and supervise the working of.
operative adj. Active.
operator n. One who works with or controls some machine or scientific apparatus.
operetta n. A humorous play in dialogue and music, of more than one act.
opinion n. A conclusion or judgment held with confidence, but falling short of positive knowledge.
opponent n. One who supports the opposite side in a debate, discussion, struggle, or sport.
opportune adj. Especially fit as occurring, said, or done at the right moment.
opportunist n. One who takes advantage of circumstances to gain his ends.
opportunity n. Favorable or advantageous chance or opening.
opposite adj. Radically different or contrary in action or movement.
opprobrium n. The state of being scornfully reproached or accused of evil.
optic n. Pertaining to the eye or vision.
optician n. One who makes or deals in optical instruments or eye-glasses.
optics n. The science that treats of light and vision, and all that is connected with sight.
optimism n. The view that everything in nature and the history of mankind is ordered for the best.
option n. The right, power, or liberty of choosing.
optometry n. Measurement of the powers of vision.
opulence n. Affluence.
opulent adj. Wealthy.
oral adj. Uttered through the mouth.
orate v. To deliver an elaborate or formal public speech.
oration n. An elaborate or formal public speech.
orator n. One who delivers an elaborate or formal speech.
oratorio n. A composition for solo voices, chorus, and orchestra, generally taken from the Scriptures.
oratory n. The art of public speaking.
ordeal n. Anything that severely tests courage, strength, patience, conscience, etc.
ordinal n. That form of the numeral that shows the order of anything in a series, as first, second, third.
ordination n. A consecration to the ministry.
ordnance n. A general name for all kinds of weapons and their appliances used in war.
orgies n. Wild or wanton revelry.
origin n. The beginning of that which becomes or is made to be.
original adj. Not copied nor produced by imitation.
originate v. To cause or constitute the beginning or first stage of the existence of.
ornate adj. Ornamented to a marked degree.
orthodox adj. Holding the commonly accepted faith.
orthodoxy n. Acceptance of the common faith.
orthogonal adj. Having or determined by right angles.
orthopedic adj. Relating to the correcting or preventing of deformity
orthopedist n. One who practices the correcting or preventing of deformity
oscillate v. To swing back and forth.
osculate v. To kiss.
ossify v. to convert into bone.
ostentation n. A display dictated by vanity and intended to invite applause or flattery.
ostracism n. Exclusion from intercourse or favor, as in society or politics.
ostracize v. To exclude from public or private favor.
ought v. To be under moral obligation to be or do.
oust v. To eject.
out-and-out adv. Genuinely.
outbreak n. A sudden and violent breaking forth, as of something that has been pent up or restrained.
outburst n. A violent issue, especially of passion in an individual.
outcast n. One rejected and despised, especially socially.
outcry n. A vehement or loud cry or clamor.
outdo v. To surpass.
outlandish adj. Of barbarous, uncouth, and unfamiliar aspect or action.
outlast v. To last longer than.
outlaw n. A habitual lawbreaker.
outlive v. To continue to exist after.
out-of-the-way adj. Remotely situated.
outpost n. A detachment of troops stationed at a distance from the main body to guard against surprise.
outrage n. A gross infringement of morality or decency.
outrageous adj. Shocking in conduct.
outreach v. To reach or go beyond.
outride v. To ride faster than.
outrigger n. A part built or arranged to project beyond a natural outline for support.
outright adv. Entirely.
outskirt n. A border region.
outstretch v. To extend.
outstrip v. To go beyond.
outweigh v. To surpass in importance or excellence.
overdo v. To overtax the strength of.
overdose n. An excessive dose, usually so large a dose of a medicine that its effect is toxic.
overeat v. To eat to excess.
overhang n. A portion of a structure which projects or hangs over.
overleap v. To leap beyond.
overlord n. One who holds supremacy over another.
overpass v. To pass across or over, as a river.
overpay v. To pay or reward in excess.
overpower v. To gain supremacy or victory over by superior power.
overproduction n. Excessive production.
overreach v. To stretch out too far.
overrun v. To infest or ravage.
oversee v. To superintend.
overseer n. A supervisor.
overshadow v. To cast into the shade or render insignificant by comparison.
overstride v. To step beyond.
overthrow v. To vanquish an established ruler or government.
overtone n. A harmonic.
overture n. An instrumental prelude to an opera, oratorio, or ballet.
overweight n. Preponderance.