ragamuffin :: person wearing tattered clothes
ramification :: branching out; subdivision
ramp :: slope; inclined plane
rampart :: defensive mound of earth
rancor :: bitterness; hatred
rapprochement :: reconciliation
ratiocination :: reasoning; act of drawing conclusions from premises
rationalization :: bringing into conformity with reason
realm :: kingdom; sphere
rebate :: discount
recession :: withdrawal; retreat
recidivism :: habitual return to crime
recipient :: receiver
recluse :: hermit
reconnaissance :: survey of enemy by soldiers; reconnoitering
recourse :: resorting to help when in trouble
recreant :: coward; betrayer of faith
recrimination :: countercharges
recrudescence :: reopening of a wound or sore
rectitude :: uprightness
recusant :: person who refuses to comply
redress :: remedy; compensation
refection :: slight refreshment
refectory :: dinning hall
refraction :: bending of a ray of light
refutation :: disproof of opponents' arguments
regatta :: boat or yacht race
regeneration :: spiritual rebirth
regime :: method or system of government
regimen :: prescribed diet and habits
relevancy :: pertinence; reference to the case in hand
reminiscence :: recollection
remnant :: remainder
rendezvous :: meeting place
rendition :: translation; artistic interpretation of a song, etc.
renegade :: deserter; apostate
renunciation :: giving up; renouncing
reparation :: amends; compensation
repartee :: clever reply
repercussion :: rebound; reverberation; reaction
repertoire :: list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to presen
replica :: copy
repository :: storehouse
reprieve :: temporary stay
reprisal :: retaliation
reprobate :: person hardened in sin, devoid of a sense of decency
reprobation :: severe disapproval
repugnance :: loathing
requiem :: mass for the dead; dirge
requisite :: necessary requirement
rescission :: abrogation; annulment
residue :: remainder; balance
respite :: delay in punishment; interval of relief; rest
restitution :: reparation; indemnification
reticence :: reserve; uncommunicativeness; inclination to be silent
retinue :: following; attendants
retraction :: withdrawal
retribution :: vengeance; compensation; punishment for offenses
revelry :: boisterous merrymaking
reverie :: daydream; musing
revulsion :: sudden violent change of feeling; reaction
rhetoric :: art of effective communication; insincere language
rift :: opening; break
rigor :: severity
rime :: white frost
rood :: crucifix
rostrum :: platform for speech-making; pulpit
rote :: repetition
rotunda :: circular building or hall covered with a dome
rotundity :: roundness; sonorousness of speech
rubble :: fragments
ruse :: trick; stratagem
saga :: Scandinavian myth; any legend
salver :: tray
sangfroid :: coolness in a trying situation
sarcophagus :: stone coffin, often highly decorated
satellite :: small body revolving around a larger one
satiety :: condition of being crammed full; glutted state; repletion
satire :: use of ridicule, irony, or sarcasm to expose folly, vice, etc.
satrap :: petty ruler working for a superior despot
satyr :: half-human, half-bestial being in the court of Dionysos
savant :: scholar
savoir faire :: tact; poise; sophistication
scavenger :: collector and disposer of refuse; animal that devours carrion
schism :: division; split
scintilla :: shred; least bit
sciolism :: quackery; superficial information
scion :: offspring
scourge :: lash; whip; severe punishment
screed :: long, tiresome harangue
scullion :: menial kitchen worker
secession :: withdrawal
seine :: net for catching fish
semblance :: outward appearance; guise
senescence :: state of growing old
senility :: old age; feeblemindedness of old age
sepulcher :: tomb
seraph :: high-ranking, six-winged angel
serendipity :: gift for finding valuable things not searched for
serenity :: calmness; placidity
severance :: division; partition; separation
shambles :: slaughterhouse; scene of carnage
sheaf :: bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied together
sherbet :: flavored dessert ice
shibboleth :: watchword; slogan
shoal :: shallow place
silt :: sediment deposited by running water
simile :: comparison of one thing with another, using the word like or as
similitude :: similitude; using comparisons such as similes, etc.
sinecure :: well-paid position with little responsibility
sirocco :: warm, sultry wind blown Africa to southern Europe
skeptic :: doubter
slander :: defamation; utterance o false and malicious statements
slattern :: untidy or slovenly person
sleight :: dexterity
sloth :: laziness
sluggard :: lazy person
sluice :: artificial channel for directing or controlling the flow of water
smattering :: slight knowledge
sobriety :: soberness
sobriquet :: nickname
sojourn :: temporary stay
solace :: comfort in trouble
solecism :: construction that is flagrantly incorrect grammatically
soliloquy :: talking to oneself
solstice :: point at which the sun is farthest from the equator
somnambulist :: sleepwalker
sophist :: teacher of philosophy; quibbler; employer of fallacious reasoning
sophistication :: artificiality; unnaturalness; act of employing sophistry in reasoning
soporific :: sleep producer
soupcon :: suggestion; hint; taste
spangle :: small metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
spate :: sudden flood
spatula :: broad-bladed instrument used for spreading or mixing
spectrum :: colored band produced when beam of light passes through a prism
spoliation :: pillaging; depredation
spoonerism :: accidental transposition of sounds in successive words
spume :: froth; foam
stalemate :: deadlock
stamina :: strength; staying power
statute :: law
stein :: beer mug
stigma :: token of disgrace; brand
stint :: supply; allotted amount; assigned portion of work
stipend :: pay for services
stoic :: person who is indifferent to pleasure or pain
stratagem :: deceptive scheme
stratum :: layer of earth's surface; layer of society
stricture :: critical comments; severe and adverse criticism
stupor :: state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness
suavity :: urbanity; polish
subaltern :: subordinate
subsidy :: direct financial aid by government, etc.
subsistence :: existence; means of support; livelihood
subterfuge :: pretense; evasion
subtlety :: nicety; cunning; guile; delicacy
succor :: aid; assistance; relief
summation :: act of finding the total; summary
superfluity :: excess; overabundance
supernumerary :: person or thing in excess of what is necessary; extra
surcease :: cessation
surveillance :: watching; guarding
sustenance :: means of support, food, nourishment
suture :: stitches sewn to hold the cut edges of a wound or incision
syllogism :: logical formula utilizing a major premise, a minor premise and a conclusion
symmetry :: arrangement of parts so that balance is obtained; congruity
synthesis :: combining parts into a whole
talisman :: charm
talon :: claw of bird
tantrum :: fit of petulance; caprice
tarantula :: venomous spider
tarn :: small mountain lake
tatterdemalion :: ragged fellow
tautology :: unnecessary repetition; pleonasm
tedium :: boredom; weariness
teleology :: doctrine of final causes
temerity :: boldness; rashness
tempo :: speed of music
tenacity :: firmness; persistency; adhesiveness
tenet :: doctrine; dogma
tenure :: holding of an office; time during which such an office is held
tergiversation :: evasion; fickleness
termagant :: shrew; scolding, brawling woman
terminology :: terms used in a science or art
terminus :: last stop of railroad
terrapin :: American marsh tortoise
testator :: maker of a will
thaumaturgist :: miracle worker; magician
theocracy :: government of a community by religious leaders
theosophy :: wisdom in divine things
thrall :: slave; bondage
threnody :: song of lamentation; dirge
throes :: violent anguish
thyme :: aromatic plant used for seasoning
timbre :: quality of a musical tone produced by a musical instrument
timidity :: lack of self-confidence or courage
tirade :: extended scolding; denunciation
tithe :: tax of one-tenth
tocsin :: alarm bell
toga :: Roman outer robe
tome :: large volume
tonsure :: shaving of the head, especially by person entering religious orders
topography :: physical features of a region
torso :: trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human trunk
tortilla :: flat cake made of cornmeal, etc.
touchstone :: stone used to test the fineness of gold alloys; criterion
tract :: pamphlet; a region of indefinite size
trajectory :: path taken by a projectile
tranquillity :: calmness; peace
transgression :: violation of a law; sin
transition :: going from one state of action to another
travail :: painful labor
travesty :: comical parody; treatment aimed at making something appear ridiculous
treacle :: syrup obtained in refining sugar
treatise :: article treating a subject systematically and thoroughly
tremor :: trembling; slight quiver
trencherman :: good eater
trepidation :: fear; trembling agitation
tribulation :: distress; suffering
tribunal :: court of justice
tribute :: tax levied by a ruler; mark of respect
trident :: three-pronged spear
trilogy :: group of three works
triolet :: eight-line stanza
troglodyte :: cave dweller
trope :: figure of speech
troth :: pledge of good faith especially in betrothal
truism :: self-evident truth
trumpery :: objects that are showy, valueless, deceptive
tryst :: meeting
tumbrel :: a farm tipcart
tundra :: rolling, treeless plain in Siberia and arctic North America
turbulence :: state of violent agitation
tureen :: deep table dish for holding soup
turnkey :: jailer
turpitude :: depravity
tutelage :: guardianship; training
tyro :: beginner; novice
ukase :: official decree, usually Russian
ultimatum :: last demand; warning
umbrage :: resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult
unanimity :: complete agreement
unction :: the act of anointing with oil
unguent :: ointment
unison :: unity of pitch; complete accord
usufruct :: right of enjoying things belonging to another
usurpation :: act of seizing power and rank of another
usury :: lending money at illegal rates of interest
utopia :: imaginary land with perfect social and political system
vacillation :: fluctuation; wavering
vagary :: caprice; whim
valance :: short drapery hanging above window frame
valetudinarian :: invalid
vampire :: ghostly being that sucks the blood of the living
vanguard :: forerunners; advance forces
vantage :: position giving an advantage
vassal :: in feudalism, one who held land of a superior lord
vellum :: parchment
vendetta :: feud; private warfare
veneer :: thin layer; cover
vent :: a small opening; outlet
verbiage :: pompous array of words
verdigris :: a green coating on copper which has been exposed to the weather
verity :: truth; reality
vertex :: summit
vertigo :: dizziness
vestige :: trace; remains
viand :: food
vicissitude :: change of fortune
victuals :: food
vigilance :: watchfulness
viper :: poisonous snake
virago :: shrew
virtuoso :: highly skilled artist
virus :: disease communicator
visage :: face; appearance
vivisection :: act of dissecting living animals
vogue :: popular fashion
volition :: act of making a conscious choice
votary :: follower of a cult
warranty :: guarantee; assurance by seller
wastrel :: profligate
welkin :: sky
whit :: smallest speck
whorl :: ring of leaves around stem; ring
witticism :: witty saying; facetious remark
wizardry :: sorcery; magic
wont :: custom; habitual procedure
wraith :: ghost; phantom of a living person
yeoman :: man owning small estate; middle-class farmer
yokel :: country bu