vocabulary

Definition: (noun) Abandonment of one’s religious faith, a political party, one’s principles, or a cause. Synonyms: defection, renunciation. Usage: He had been very devoted to his cause, so when he declared his apostasy to the crowd, there was an audible gasp. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A visible trace, evidence, or sign of something that once existed but exists or appears no more. Synonyms: tincture, trace, shadow. Usage: He was so deadly pale—which had not been the case when they went in together—that no vestige of color was to be seen in his face. Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Demanding great effort or labor; difficult. Synonyms: backbreaking, grueling, laborious, toilsome, punishing, hard, heavy. Usage: The roofer's work was so arduous that he was forced to take numerous medications to relieve the pain in his back. Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Being independent in thought and action or exhibiting such independence. Synonyms: unorthodox, irregular. Usage: He was a maverick politician and refused to align himself with any of the established parties. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A pleasant and affable disposition. Synonyms: affability, affableness, amiableness, geniality, amiability. Usage: The good humor and bonhomie called up by this last evening amongst his old friends had disappeared. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A nest of ants. Synonyms: anthill. Usage: Hours after accidentally stepping on a formicary, she was still picking stray ants off of her jeans. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A writing table; a desk. Synonyms: secretaire, writing table, secretary. Usage: In the large shining mahogany escritoire Mr. Osborne had a drawer especially devoted to his son's affairs and papers. Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Of or relating to winter. Synonyms: brumal, hiemal. Usage: Our teacher described the first activities of bears as they emerge from hibernal sleep. Discuss

Definition: (noun) A small hammer with a rubber head used in percussive examinations of the chest and in testing reflexes. Synonyms: percussor, plessor. Usage: When the doctor tapped my knee with the plexor, my reflex was so strong that I almost kicked him in the head! Discuss

Definition: (adjective) Extremely desirous. Synonyms: hungry, thirsty. Usage: The young, enthusiastic student was athirst for knowledge. Discuss