Definition: eating and drinking to excess Example: The host accused her guest of GLUTTONY as he polished off an entire apple pie. 0 1 3

---

Definition: to clear from blame; prove innocent Example: The adversarial legal system is intended to convict those who are guilty and to EXCULPATE those who are innocent. 0 1 1

---

Definition: caustic, biting Example: The supervisor's MORDACIOUS comments ruffled the feathers of her employees. 0 1 2

---

Definition: to make thinner or sparser Synonyms: reduce, diminish Example: Since the atmosphere RAREFIES as altitudes increase, the air at the top of very tall mountains is too thin to breathe. 0 1 3

---

METICULOUS Definition: extremely careful about details Synonyms: precise, fastidious Example: To find all the clues at the crime scene, the investigators must be METICULOUS about every inch of the area. 0 1 4

---

Definition: drinkable Synonyms: beverage, drink Example: The water from the well was muddy and not POTABLE. 0 1 3

---

Definition: temporary, lasting a brief time Example: The reporter lived a TRANSITORY life, staying in one place only long enough to cover the current story. 0 1 6

---

Definition: strict disciplinarian; one who demands exact conformity to rules Synonyms: authoritarian, moralist Example: The former Marine was a MARTINET who ruled his household with an iron fist. 0 1 4

---

Definition: rude and bad-tempered Synonyms: morose, cantankerous Example: When asked to clean the windshield, the SURLY gas station attendant tossed a dirty rag at the customer and walked away. 0 1 4

---

Definition: hostile, unfriendly Example: Even though a cease-fire had been in place for months, the two sides were still INIMICAL to each other. 0 1 5

---

Definition: pursuit of pleasure as a goal Synonyms: sensuous, voluptuous Example: The Emperor's HEDONISM angered the many paupers in his kingdom. 0 1 6

---

Definition: disastrous Synonyms: destructive, calamitous Example: The collapse of the building, which resulted in over one thousand deaths, was truly a CATACLYSMIC event. 0 1 6

---

Definition: jumping from one thing to another; disconnected Synonyms: irregular, capricious Example: Diane had a DESULTORY academic record; she had changed majors 12 times in 3 years. 0 1 6

---

Definition: characterized by deception or falsehood or divergence from absolute truth Synonyms: untruthful, dishonest Example: The negotiator felt his opposite in the talks was MENDACIOUS, going so far in his representations of the preceding events as to give false impressions. 0 1 6

---

Definition: deserving praise or reward Example: The parents found their son's straight A report card MERITORIOUS, and rewarded him with a trip to his favorite restaurant. 0 1 6

---

Definition: a tactless or awkward act Synonyms: gaffe, solecism, faux pas Example: The mother was embarrassed by the GAUCHERIE of her child. 0 1 4

---

Hello everyone. I hope this Monday is treating each of you well. 0 1 4

---

Definition: to punish or criticize harshly Synonyms: chasten, discipline Example: Americans are amazed at how harshly the authorities in Singapore CASTIGATE perpetrators of what would be considered minor crimes in the United States. 0 1 4

---

AMBIGUOUS Definition:doubtful or uncertain; able to be interpreted several ways Example:The directions he gave were so AMBIGUOUS that we disagreed on which way to turn. 0 1 5

---

Definition: to sketch, outline in a shadowy way Synonyms: obscuration, representation Example: The architect, for lack of paper ADUMBRATED what he wanted the building to look like on a napkin. 0 1 3

---

Definition: done without using words Synonyms: inferred, unspoken Example: Although not a word had been said, everyone in the room knew that a TACIT agreement had been made about which course of action to take. 0 1 6

---

Definition: lowest point Example: The NADIR of the team's season came when it lost four games in a row. 0 1 3

---

DIATRIBE Definition: an abusive, condemnatory speech Synonyms: frown, scowl Example: The trucker bellowed a DIATRIBE at the driver who had cut him off. 0 1 7

---

Definition: family name; any name, especially a nickname Example: The teacher did not particularly appreciate her COGNOMEN "The Bore". 0 1 5

---

Definition: clumsy, tactless Synonyms: inept, gauche Example: The young girl was completely maladroit, unlike her gymnast sister. 0 1 4

---