ABATTOIR : A place where animals are slaughtered. ACCOMPLICE : A partner in crime. AESTHETE : A person with a highly developed sense of beauty. AFFLUENT : Wealthy; having abundance of money. AGORAPHOBIA : Unreasonable fear of open spaces. ALLEVIATE : To lessen , make less severe. ALTRUIST : One who does good work for others without thought of personal gain. AMBIDEXTROUS : Able to use the left hand as well as the right. AMBIGUOUS : A word or statement which can be interpreted in two ways. ANACHRONISM : That which appears to be in the wrong period. ANGLOPHILE : An admirer of the English people, language, manners or way of life. ANGLOPHOBE : One who dislikes the English and England. ARMISTICE : An agreement to stop fighting in a war. ARISTOCRACY : A government run by the rich and the elite people; a class of well-born people. ARTISTE : Professional singer, dancer etc. ATHEIST : A person who does not believe in the existence of God. AUTOCRACY : A government where the power is concentrated in the hands of one person. AUTOPSY : Medical examination of a dead body. BANKRUPT : A person who cannot pay his debts. BARBARIAN : An uncivilised person. BARRICADE : Hastily erected barrier across a street. BELLIGERENT : One who is engaged in fighting a battle or war. BIBLIOGRAPHY : A list of writings on a subject. BIBLIOPHILE : One who loves books. BIOGRAPHY : The story of a persons life. BLASPHEMOUS : One who is irreverent towards God. BREVITY : Briefness; shortness of time. BREWERY : A place where beer is made. BUREAUCRACY : A government run by civil servants. CALLIGRAPHY : The art of beautiful hand writing. CARDIOLOGIST : A doctor specialising in matters relating to the heart. CATHOLICITY : Broad outlook, free from prejudice. CELIBACY : The state of being unmarried. CHARLATAN : One who deceives others by claiming to be an expert. CIRCUMLOCUTION : A roundabout way of expression. CLAUSTROPHOBIA : A morbid fear of confined spaces. COAGULATE : Change from liquid into solid by chemical reaction. COLLOQUIAL : Suitable for ordinary informal conversation. RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES COMBUSTIBLE : That which can catch fire and burn easily. COMEDIAN : One who plays funny parts in plays or films. COMMODITY : An article of trade or commerce. COMPATRIOT : A person belonging to ones own country. COMPLEXION : The natural colour and appearance of skin. COMPULSORY : That which must be done. CONDUCTOR : That which acts as a path for electricity, heat etc. CONNOISSEUR : A person who is competent to pass critical judgement upon anything. CONSCRIPT : A person who is compelled by law to serve in the armed forces. CONSORTIUM : A combination of several businesses for a common purpose. CONTAGIOUS : That which spreads easily, especially a disease. CONTRETEMPS : An unlucky event, an unexpected set-back. CONTROVERSIAL : That which causes debate or argument. CONVENTION (2 ) : A formal assembly or conference of people of the same business to discuss practices. CORRIGENDUM : Something to be corrected in a printed book. COUNTERFEIT : Copy something exactly in order to deceive. COUP DTAT : Sudden overthrow of a government, especially by force. CRUISE : A sea voyage for pleasure. CYGNET : A young swan. CYNIC : One who has little faith in human sincerity or honesty. DEBACLE : A sudden complete failure. DENOUEMENT : The last part of a play, book etc. where all the complications of the plot are solved. DETERGENT : A cleaning agent, especially a synthetic substance. DETERRENT : Something to discourage people from doing wrong. DILETTANTE : An admirer of the fine arts. DISARMAMENT : Reduction of weapons by governments. DISINFORMATION : False information spread intentionally to spread propaganda. DOMICILE : A place where one lives permanently. DRAGNET : A system of connected actions and methods for catching criminals. DRUDGERY : Hard, uninteresting work. DUET : Song sung by two people together. EBULLIENT : High-spirited, exuberant. EFFEMINATE : A man who has the qualities of a woman. ENCYCLOPAEDIA : A book giving information on all branches of knowledge. ENTOMOLOGY : The scientific study of insects. EPIC : A long narrative poem. EPILOGUE : Concluding part of a literary work. ERGONOMICS : The study of the efficiency of people in their working environment. ERR : Make a mistake, do wrong. ESTUARY : The wide mouth of a river. EVOLUTION : Gradual development from simple life forms to complex ones. EXCISE : Tax on goods produced and used in a country. RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES EXERTION : Making an effort; trying very hard to do something. EXTEMPORE : A speech made without any previous thought or preparation. EXTERMINAT E : To put an end to something by killing. EXTROVERT : A person who is active, lively and enjoys the company of others. EXUBERANT : Lively, high-spirited. FALLACY : A false idea or belief. FARCE : A light-hearted humorous play with silly action. FASTIDIOUS : One who cannot be easily pleased. FAVOURITISM : The practice of giving favoured treatment to certain people. FEBRILE : Of or caused by fever. FEMINIST : A supporter of the cause of women. FIANCE : A girl to whom a man is engaged to be married. FISSION : Splitting of the nucleus of an atom. FLOGGING : Severe beating with a whip. FLUVIAL : Of, found in, or produced by rivers. FOOLSCAP : A size of paper, also called legal format. FOREMAN : A skilled worker in charge of other workmen. FOURTH ESTATE : Influential newspapers and journalists. FRANCOPHILE : An admirer of the French people, language, manners or way of life. FRANCOPHOBE : One who dislikes the French and France. FRATRICIDE : The murder of ones brother. FREIGHT : Goods carried by train, ship etc. FUDDY-DUDDY : An elderly person who does not understand or approve of modern ideas. FUMIGATE : To clear of disease, bacteria etc., by means of chemical smoke. GARAGE : A building in which motorcars are parked. GARRULOUS : One who talks too much about uninteresting things. GASTRONOMY : The art and science of cooking and eating good food. GENOCIDE : Elimination or killing of a whole race. GERMANOPHILE : An admirer of the German people, language, manners or way of life. GERMANOPHOBE : One who dislikes the Germans and Germany. GERMICIDE : A medicine that kills germs. GLACIER : A mass of ice moving very slowly down a mountain valley. GLUT : A larger supply than necessary. GRAFFITI : Rough drawing or writing on public walls. GRAMINIVORE : An animal that eats grain. GRATIS : Without payment, free of cost. GUBERNATORIAL : Of a governor. HALLUCINATION : Seeing something which is not actually present. HAVEN : A place of calm and safety. HEDONIST : One who lives for pleasure. HERBIVORE : A plant-eating animal. HISTRIONICS : Overreacting in a theatrical manner. RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES HOLOCAUST : Great destruction and the loss of many lives; the mass killing of Jews in World War II. HOLSTER : A leather holder for a pistol. HOMICIDE : The killing of one man by another man. HOMONYM : A word which agrees with another in pronunciation and perhaps also in spelling but is different in meaning. HONORARY : An office for which no salary is paid. HOOLIGAN : A noisy rough person who causes trouble. HORTICULTURE : The art of garden cultivation. HUB : The central part of a wheel. HYPERCRITICAL : Excessively critical. HYPOCHONDRIAC : One who has exaggerated anxiety about his health. HYPOCRITICAL : Pretence of virtue or goodness; saying one thing while thinking another. HYPOTHESIS : Supposition made as basis for reasoning. IDEALISM : Practice of forming and following ideals. IDEOLOGY : Set of ideas at the basis of certain economic or political systems. IDOLATRY : Worship of idols. IGNORAMUS : A thoroughly ignorant person. ILLEGAL : That which is contrary to law. ILLEGIBLE : Handwriting which cannot be read.
ILLITERATE : One who is unable to read or write. IMMEMORIAL : Too old to be remembered, ancient beyond memory. IMMINENT : About to happen. IMMORTAL : That which never dies. IMPASSABLE : That which cannot be passed through. IMPLACABLE : Impossible to satisfy, change or make less angry. IMPREGNABLE : That which cannot be attacked or taken by force. INACCESSIBLE : That cannot be approached or reached. INAUSPICIOUS : Not of good omen. INCORPOREAL : Without a body. INCREDIBLE : That cannot be believed. INDEFATIGABLE : One who is incapable of being tired. INDELIBLE : Incapable of being effaced or cancelled or obliterated. INDIGENOUS : Belonging naturally to a place. INDOPHILE : An admirer of the Indian people, its culture, manners or way of life. INDOPHOBE : One who dislikes the Indians and India. INEDIBLE : Something which cannot be eaten. INEVITABLE : That which is bound to happen. INEXPLICABLE : That which cannot be explained. INFLAMMABLE : Capable of catching fire. INFLATE : To fill with air or gas. INGENIOUS : Very clever. INIMITABLE : That which cannot be imitated. INNATE : That which one is born with. RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES INNOCUOUS : That which is quite harmless. INTANGIBLE : That cannot be mentally grasped. INTELLIGENTSIA : The class of people who think independently. INTOLERABLE : That which cannot be endured. INTROSPECTION : Examination of ones own mental processes. INTUITION : Immediate apprehension by mind reasoning. INVINCIBLE : That cannot be conquered or defeated. INVULNERABLE : That which cannot be wounded. IRREPARABLE : That which cannot be repaired. IRREPROACHABLE : So good that no criticism can be made. JAYWALK : To cross streets on foot in a careless and dangerous way. JOEY : A young kangaroo. JUDICIOUS : Wise, sound in judgement . KIMONO : A loose gown of silk as worn in Japan. KNIGHTHOOD : The right to put Sir in front of ones name. LACKEY : One who behaves like a servant by always obeying. LAMINATE : To cover with thin sheets of metal or plastic. LEGIBLE : Capable of being read clearly. LEONINE : Of or like a lion. LEXICOGRAPHER : One who compiles dictionaries. LIBERTARIAN : One who believes that one should have freedom of expression. LIMERICK : A humorous short poem with five lines. LITERATI : People with knowledge of literature. LOQUACIOUS : One who talks a lot. LOWBROW : One who has no interest in literature, art etc. LULLABY : A pleasant song sung to send children to sleep. MACHETE : A knife with a broad heavy blade. MAGNUM OPUS : A great work of art, particularly literary. MALEDICTION : Evil, vicious speech. MANUAL : A book giving information about how to work something. MANUSCRIPT : Handwritten script of a book. MARTINET : A strict disciplinarian. MASCOT : Something chosen as a symbol to bring good luck. MASOCHIST : One who enjoys pain or humiliation. MEDIOCRE : One who is neither intelligent nor dull. MEGALOMANIA : The belief that one is extremely important. MELODIOUS : Sweet sounding. MERCANTILE : Of trade and business. METEOROLOGY : The scientific study of weather conditions. METICULOUS : A person who is very careful about details. MILITIA : Those trained as soldiers but not belonging to a regular army. MISANTHROPE : One who hates mankind. RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES MISOGAMIST : One who hates marriage. MISOGYNIST : One who hates women. MONOMANIAC : One who keeps thinking of one particular thing only. MONOTHEISM : The practice of worshipping only one god. MULTINATIONAL : A company having branches in many countries. MYCOLOGY : The scientific study of fungi. NAUSEA : Strong feeling of wanting to vomit. NAUTICAL : Of sailors, ships or sailing. NEMESIS : Downfall that satisfies natural justice. NEOLOGISM : A new word. NEPOTISM : Undue favour shown by a person in power to his relatives. NOTARY : A public official who makes written statements official. NUMISMATIC : One who collects coins. OBITUARY : Notice of a persons death in a newspaper. OBLIGATORY : That which is required to be done by law. OBSOLETE : That which is out of use, or replaced by a newer model. OMNIPOTENT : One who is all powerful. OMNISCIENT : One who knows everything. OMNIVOROUS : One who eats anything. ONTOLOGY : Philosophy concerned with the nature of existence. OPTHALMOLOGIST : An eye-doctor. OPTOMETRIST : A technician who measures your eyesight. PACHYDERM : A thick-skinned animal, especially an elephant or rhinoceros. PACIFIST : One who believes in the abolition of war. PALAEOGRAPHY : The study of ancient writing. PALAEONTOLOGY : The study of fossils. PANACEA : A remedy which can cure all diseases. PARADOX : Contradictory statement. PARASITE : One that lives on another. PARIAH : One who is not accepted by society. PATENT : Sole right to make and sell ones own invention. PAUNCH : A mans fat stomach. PEDANT : One who exhibits his book learning. PENULTIMATE : Last but one. PERQUISITE : Gain over and above ones salary. PETROLOGY : The scientific study of rocks. PHILISTINE : Person of material outlook who is indifferent to culture. PHILOLOGIST : One who is well versed in the science of languages. PIGMENT : The natural colouring matter of plants and animals. PLAINTIFF : One who bring a charge against someone in court. PLATONIC : A very close, non-sexual friendship between two people. PLEBEIAN : Of the lower social classes. POLYANDRY : The practice of having more than one husband at the same time. RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES POLYGAMY : The practice of having more than one husband or wife at the same time. POLYGLOT : One who speaks many languages. POLYGRAPH : A lie-detector. POSTHUMOUS : A child born after the death of its father. POSTSCRIPT : A note added at the end of a letter, after the signature. PRAGMATIST : One who uses common sense. PRESCIENT : Able to foretell what will happen in the future. PROFILE (1) : A side view of someones head. PROPELLANT : An explosive for firing a bullet or a rocket. PSEUDONYM : A pen-name assumed by a writer. PULMONARY : Of or having an effect on the lungs. QUIXOTIC : Trying to do the impossible, usually to help others, while putting oneself into danger. RACONTEUR : One who is good at telling stories in an interesting way. RAPPORT : A good relationship between two people. RECEPTIVE : Capable of receiving new ideas. RED TAPISM : Excessive use of official formalities which causes unnecessary delay. REFLATION : A government policy of increasing the amount of money in circulation. REINFORCE : Strengthen by additional men or material. RENAISSANCE : A renewal of interest in art , literature etc. REQUISITION : An official demand or request. RETRIBUTION : A severe deserved punishment. RINGLEADER : One who leads others to do wrong or make trouble. RODENT : A small herbivore usually considered a pest.. RUSSOPHILE : An admirer of the Russian people, language, manners or way of life. RUSSOPHOBE : One who dislikes the Russians and Russia. SABOTAGE : Wanton destruction especially of a factory, etc. by dissatisfied workers. SACRILEGE : The violation or profaning of sacred things. SANATORIUM : A place for invalids and convalescents. SANCTIMONIOUS : Making a show of piety. SCAFFOLD : A structure on which criminals used to be hanged. SCEPTIC : Person who doubts the truth of what he is told. SCUBA : An instrument used for breathing when swimming under water. SEDENTARY : Done while sitting down. SEER : One who can see into the future. SENSATIONALISM : The intentional producing of excitement or shock. SEPTUAGENARIAN : One in his seventies. SILHOUETTE : Black shadow-like picture on white background. SIMULTANEOUSLY : Taking place or happening at the same time. SINECURE : Any office with good salary but no work. SINOPHILE : An admirer of the Chinese people, language, manners or way of life. SINOPHOBE : One who dislikes the Chinese and China. SMALL FRY : Unimportant people. RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES SNIPPET : A small piece from something spoken or written. SOJOURN : A short stay at a place. SPINSTER : An unmarried woman. STALE : Something which is not fresh. STAMPEDE : A sudden rush of a large number of frightened people or animals. STELLAR : Of the stars. STOCKBROKER : One who buys and sell shares for others. STOIC : One who is indifferent to pain and pleasure. STRATAGEM : A trick to deceive an enemy. STRINGENT : Very strict. SUBCUTANEOUS : Beneath the skin. SUB JUDICE : A subject which cannot be publicly discussed because it is being considered by a court of law. SUBSIDY : Money paid by a government to make prices lower. SUBVERSIVE : Attempting to weaken or overthrow authority. SUPERANNUATED : Too old for work. SURREAL : Having a strange, dreamlike unreal quality. TABLEAU : A lifelike representation of a famous scene by a group of people who do not move or speak. TAXIDERMY : The art of stuffing animals and setting them in life-like poses. TECHNOCRAT : A specialist in technology. TEETOTALLER : One who abstains from all kinds of alcoholic drinks. TERMINATE : Come or bring to an end. THEIST : One who believes in the existence of God. THEOCRACY : Government by priests. TIMBER : Wood cut down for building etc. TOPIARY : The art of trimming trees and bushes to decorative shapes. TRAITOR : One who is disloyal to his country. TYRANT : A ruler with complete power who rules cruelly. UNISEX : Of one type, used by both males and females. UNANIMOUS : A decision taken by the votes of all. UPSTART : A person who has suddenly risen from low rank to wealth and importance. UXORICIDE : The killing of ones wife. UXORIOUS : Greatly or excessively fond of ones wife. CREDULOUS : Ready to believe without sufficient evidence ARISTOCRACY : Government by the nobility PLUTOCRACY : Government by the wealthy people DEMAGOGUE : A person who can sway his followers by his oratory DESPERADO : One ready to do any reckless or criminal act EDIBLE : Fit for food EPICURIAN : One who devoted to the pleasures of eating and drinking ELECTROCUTE : Killing by means of an electric current ENDEMIC : A disease confined to a particular district or place EXTROVERT : One whose interest are directed outward RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES EPHEMERAL : Existing only for a day. EMBALM : To preserve a dead body from decaying EPITOME : A brief summary of a book ENIGMA : A person, thing or circumstance that is puzzling EMBARGO : An order prohibiting ships to leave the port ENTOMOLOGY : The study of insects FIANCEE : One engaged to be married FARRIES : One who shoes horses FUGITIVE : One who runs away from justice or the law FANATIC : a person filled with excessive enthusiasm , especially in religion GEOLOGIST : One who studies about rocks and soils GARRISON : Military force stationed in a fortress HOMICIDE : The act of killing a human being HAWKER : One who travels from place to place selling miscellaneous articles HEDONIST : One who believes that pleasure is the highest tool. HORTICULTURE : The art of cultivating and managing gardens HYPERBOLE : Exaggerated statement made for the sake of effect HOSTAGE : Person given to an enemy as a pledge INVALID : A person who is sick INCENDIARY : One who maliciously sets fire to building INSOLVENT : One who cannot pay ones debts IGNORAMUS : An ignorant person IMMIGRANT : One who comes into a foreign country to settle there INVINCIBLE : That which cannot be conqured INCOMBUSTIBLE : Incapable of being burnt INVISIBLE : That which cannot be seen IMMORTAL : Living for ever INIMITABLE : That which cannot be imitated INDEFATIGABLE : Persons that cannot be wearied INTERNECINE : Causing destruction to both sides INTERPOLATE : make(spurious& misleading) additions to a book JUXTAPOSE : To place side by side LETHAL : causing death LACONIC : Expressing in a few words LAUNDRY : A place where clothes are washed and ironed LIMNOLOGY : The study of lakes and other fresh water bodies MANIFESTO : A declaration of plans and promises put forward by a political party MIGRATE : To move from one country to another METEOROLOGIST : One who studies the elements of weather. MISANTHROPE : One who hates mankind METALLURGY : The science dealing with the production of metals MONOLOGUE : A long speech by one person RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES MOBILIZE : To collect tog ether for service in war MAUSOLEUM : A magnificent tomb MACHIAVELLIAN : Unscrupulous in gaining what is wanted MEMENTO : Something kept or given as a reminder MIVIPAROUS : Producing young that are fully developed . MEGALOMANIAC : person with a false impression that he is great and powerful. NUMISMATICS : The study of coins NICHE : A hollow place in wall NEOLOGISM : A new word coined by an author NEPOTISM : Special favour shown by a person in high position to his relatives. ORCHARD : A place where fruit trees are grown OPTIMIST : One who looks on the bright side of things. OMNISCIENT : One who knows everything OMNIPRESENT : One who is present everywhere OCULIST : One who attends to the diseases of the eye ORNITHOLOGY : The study of birds OBITUARY : An account, in the newspaper, of the funeral of one deceased OSTLER : One who attends to horses at an inn OPTICIAN : One who makes or sells eye-glasses OOLOGY : The study of eggs OCCIDENTAL : Belonging to the west OSTRACIZE : Expel from society POSTHUMOUS : Occurring after death PLAGIARISM : Literary theft, or passing off an authors original work as ones own. PYROTECHNICS : The art of making fireworks PARASITE : A plant or animal growing on another PANACEA : A cure for all diseases PHILATELIST : One who collects postage stamps PHILANTHROPIST : One who devotes his service or wealth for the love of mankind. PEDANT : One who makes a display of his learning PEDLAR : One who goes from house to house selling small articles. PAEDIATRICIAN : Doctors who treat childrens diseases PALAEOGRAPHY : The study of ancient modes of writing PHONETICS : The science of speech, sounds and their production PYROTECHNICS : The art of making fireworks PROTAGONIST : Chief person in a drama, story etc. PSEUDONYM : A fictitious name used by an author QUACK : One who dishonestly claims to have knowledge and skill, esp. in medicine. QUARANTINE : Confinement to one place to prevent spread of infection. RUMINANT : A cud-chewing animal REFUGEE : One who takes refuge in a foreign country. REINSTATE : Put back in a former station or condition. RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RAHUL POONIA ENGLISH NOTES RACONTEUR : One who tells anecdotes or stories SOMNAMBULIST : One who walk in his sleep SPENDTHRIFT : One who spends too much SCULPTOR : One who carves in stone, metal, wood, etc. SURGEON : One who treats diseases by operations SANATORIUM : A hospital esp , for tuberculosis patients and convalescents. SYMPOSIUM : Collection of views of several persons on a topic SYNONYM : word with the same meaning as another SABOTAGE : Wanton destruction of a plant by workmen SIMULTANEOUS : happening or done at the same time SUPERFLUOUS : More than is needed TEETOTALLER : One w ho doesnt consume alchoholic drinks TRAITOR : One who betrays his friends, ruler, country, etc. TAXIDERMY : The art of preparing, stuffing and mounting the skins of animals, birds and fish. TOPOGRAPHY : The art of representing the physical features of a place on a map. THESAURUS : Lexicon, esp, a collection of words TABOO : An act which religion or custom regards as forbidden. TRANSMIGRATION: Belief that the soul passes at death into another body. UTOPIAN : Ideally perfect but impracticable UNDERTAKER : A tradesman who manages funerals UPHOLSTERER : One who makes or deals in carpets, curtains, beds, cushioned seats, etc. USURER : One who lends money at an excessive rate of interest UPSTART : One who has suddenly risen to wealth and importance ULTIMATUM : final proposal of terms given by one party to another UNANIMOUS : Of the same opinion VETERINARIAN : One skilled in the treatment of diseases of animals VAGABOND : One who wanders without settled home VALETUDINARIAN : One who is overanxious about ones health VOLUNTEER : One who takes part in an enterprise of his own free will VERBATIM : Word for word VERSATILE : Of many sided ability VICARIOUS : Done for another WARREN : A place for breeding or preserving rabbits WINNOW : To separate the husks from the grain WANTON : Recklessly inconsiderate WIDOWER : A man whose wife is dead XENOMANIAC : A person having an excessive attachment to foreign living ZOO : A place where many kinds of animals are kept for show ZOOLOGY : The science of animal life
History of India A Captivating Guide To Ancient India, Medieval Indian History, and Modern India Including Stories of The Maurya Empire, The British Raj, Mahatma Gandhi, and More by Captivating Histor