1 |
licentious
adj. morally unrestrained
Like St. Augustine, many people desire to give up
a licentious life, but not just yet.
syn: immoral, lewd ant:
chaste, pure |
| 2 |
macabre
adj. horrible, grim
Dr. Jekyll's clean-cut features faded and were replaced
by the macabre face of the hideous Mr. Hyde.
syn: ghastly, sinister ant:
beautiful, lovely |
|
3 |
mandarin
noun influential person
There were nine classes of mandarins in the
Chinese Empire. |
|
4 |
martial
adj. warlike; military
After being defeated, the small country was ruled
by martial law for several months. |
|
5 |
melee
noun noisy, confused fight
By the time the police arrived, the melee
was over. |
|
6 |
mendicant
noun a beggar
Although he was a mendicant, he begged not
for himself but for the poor and hungry. |
|
7 |
mesmerize
verb to hypnotize
The exquisite music and spinning dancers mesmerized
the audience. |
8 |
minion
noun a fawning, servile follower
Although only a minion who usually ran errands,
on occasion he filled in for the "great one."
syn: lackey ant:
leader |
9 |
mitigate
verb to make less severe; to become milder
The death of the two recruits did not serve to mitigate
the rigors of our basic training.
syn: relieve ant:
exacerbate, aggravate |
10 |
modicum
noun a small amount
A modicum of relief from the heat came in
the form of a sudden shower.
syn: bit ant:
abundance |
11 |
nadir
noun lowest point
Because of the violence and inhumanity, many thought
that civilization had reached its nadir during
this period.
ant:
zenith |
12 |
narcissistic
adj. conceited; one having excessive
self-love and self-absorbtion
The child star's narcissistic attitude kept
her from having any friends.
syn: vain ant:
humble, modest |
13 |
nefarious
adj. very wicked
One of the most nefarious characters of the
Old West was Billy the Kid.
syn: villainous ant:
blessed, good, honest |
14 |
nemesis
noun someone or something a person cannot
conquer or achieve; a hated enemy
Do you know the name of Sherlock Holmes' nemesis?
syn: rival, feared opponent |
15 |
neophyte
noun a beginner
Although only a neophyte, she outshone the
more seasoned performers.
syn: novice, amateur ant:
expert, old hand |
