
Description of syllogism (noun) reasoning in order from general to particular
Samples of syllogism The syllogism went from fish to guppies.
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Description of oaf (noun) clumsy or dumb person; simpleton
Samples of oaf The waiter has been called an oaf ever since he dropped the tray.
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Description of churlishness (noun) crude or surly behavior; behavior of a peasant; lack of education
Samples of churlishness The fraternity's churlishness ran afoul of the dean's office. The churlishness of the teenager caused his employer to lose faith in him.
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Description of altruism (noun) unselfish devotion to the welfare of others; philanthropy
Samples of altruism After the organization aided the catastrophe victims, it was given an award for altruism. She displayed such altruism by giving up all of her belongings and joining a peace corps in Africa.
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Description of transmutation (noun) changed form; alternation; change of condition
Samples of transmutation Somewhere in the network's entertainment division, the show underwent a transmutation from a half-hour sitcom into an hour-long drama.
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Description of alchemy (noun) any mysterious change of substance or nature
Samples of alchemy The magician used alchemy to change the powder into a liquid.
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Description of fluency (noun) ability to write easily and expressively; articulateness; eloquence
Samples of fluency The child's fluency in Spanish and English was remarkable. The immigrant acquired a fluency in English after studying for only two months.
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Description of breadth (noun) distance from one side to another; width
Samples of breadth The table cloth was too small to cover the breadth of the table.
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Description of atrophy (noun) failure to grow
Samples of atrophy The atrophy of the muscles was due to the injury.
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Description of elegy (noun) poem of lament and praise for the dead; dirge
Samples of elegy Upon conclusion of the elegy, the casket was closed.
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