Lesson 37   -   edHelper.com

Word List obtuse occult offhand ointment omen ominous omit omniscient opaque opiate opportunist optic opulent oration orbit ordain orthodox ostensible ostentatious overrate overstate overwrought painstaking palatable pallor

Definitions

1.

obtuse (b-ts) adjective    a. not quick or alert in perception, feeling, or intellect; not sensitive or observant; dull. b. not sharp, acute, or pointed; blunt in form. c. (of a leaf, petal, etc.) rounded at the extremity.

2.

occult (-klt) adjective    a. of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies. b. beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious. c. secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.

3.

offhand (ô) adverb    a. cavalierly, curtly, or brusquely b. without previous thought or preparation; extempore c. informal, casual, curt, or brusque

4.

ointment (ointmnt) noun    any of various usu. semisolid preparations made to be rubbed into the skin for medicinal, cosmetic, or moistening purposes.

5.

omen (mn) noun    a. anything perceived or happening that is believed to portend a good or evil event or circumstance in the future; portent. b. a prognostic. c. prophetic significance; presage

6.

ominous (m-ns) adjective    a. indicating or threatening future evil or unpleasantness. b. of or serving as an omen, esp. a bad omen.

7.

omit (-mt) verb    a. to neglect or refuse to include; leave out. b. to neglect to do or refrain from doing.

8.

omniscient (m-nshnt) adjective    a. having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things. b. an omniscient being. c. "the Omniscient,"God.

9.

opaque (-pk) adjective    a. not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to light; not allowing light to pass through. b. not transmitting radiation, sound, heat, etc. c. not shining or bright; dark; dull.

10.

opiate (p-t) noun    a. a drug containing opium or its derivatives, used in medicine for inducing sleep and relieving pain. b. any sedative, soporific, or narcotic. c. anything that causes dullness or inaction or that soothes the feelings.

11.

opportunist (pr-tnst) noun    an act or the habitual practice of taking advantage of situations for one's own ends without considering principles or the effects on others.

12.

optic (ptk) adjective    a. of or pertaining to the eye or sight. b. optical. c. the eye.

13.

opulent (py-lnt) adjective    a. characterized by or exhibiting opulence b. wealthy, rich, or affluent. c. richly supplied; abundant or plentiful

14.

oration (ô) noun    a. a formal, usu. long speech, esp. one given on an important occasion. b. an unnecessarily formal or pompous speech.

15.

orbit (ô) noun    a. the curved path, usually elliptical, described by a planet, satellite, spaceship, etc., around a celestial body, as the sun. b. the usual course of one's life or range of one's activities. c. the sphere of power or influence, as of a nation or person

16.

ordain (ô) verb    a. to invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions; confer holy orders upon. b. to enact or establish by law, edict, etc. c. to decree; give orders for

17.

orthodox (ô) adjective    a. of, pertaining to, or conforming to the approved form of any doctrine, philosophy, ideology, etc. b. of, pertaining to, or conforming to beliefs, attitudes, or modes of conduct that are generally approved. c. customary or conventional, as a means or method; established.

18.

ostensible (-stns-bl) adjective    a. outwardly appearing as such; professed; pretended b. apparent, evident, or conspicuous

19.

ostentatious (stn-tshs) adjective    a. characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others b. (of actions, manner, qualities exhibited, etc.) intended to attract notice

20.

overrate (vr-rt) verb    to esteem too highly; overvalue.

21.

overstate (vr-stt) verb    to inflate the importance of; exaggerate.

22.

overwrought (vr-rô) adjective    a. disturbed by excessive worry or agitation. b. excessively decorated.

23.

painstaking (pnztkng) adjective    a. taking or characterized by taking pains or trouble; expending or showing diligent care and effort; careful: a painstaking craftsman; painstaking research. b. careful and diligent effort.

24.

palatable (pl-t-bl) adjective    a. acceptable or pleasing to the sense of taste. b. acceptable or pleasing to the mind or emotions.

25.

pallor (plr) noun    unnatural paleness, esp. of the face.