
Explanation of elucidate (verb) to make clear; to explain; to clarify
Sample of elucidate In the paper's conclusion, its purpose was elucidated in one sentence.
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Explanation of dogmatic (adjective) opinionated; rigid; authoritative; intolerant
Sample of dogmatic Their dogmatic declaration clarified their position. The dogmatic statement had not yet been proven by science. The student's dogmatic presentation annoyed his classmates as well as his instructor.
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Explanation of deplete (verb) to reduce; to empty; to exhaust; to consume; to use up
Sample of deplete Having to pay the entire bill will deplete the family's savings.
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Explanation of obsession (noun) compulsive thought; fixation; excessive preoccupation
Sample of obsession Her obsession has taken the form of compulsive exercising: huge amounts of daily exercise, without which she feels panic-stricken and lost.
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Explanation of inordinate (adjective) excessive; immoderate
Sample of inordinate Many people still felt that Diana spent an inordinate amount on clothes. The negotiations with the American company that will run the facility after the Games have taken an inordinate amount of time by British standards, though not by American, and the completion date is now May 10, 1991, barely two months before the opening ceremony.
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Explanation of diverse (adjective) different; varied
Sample of diverse The course offerings were so diverse I had a tough time choosing.
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Explanation of misanthropic (adjective) hating or distrusting mankind; cynical
Sample of misanthropic The pity is that the world we actually live in is so full of evidence for a misanthropic principle.
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Explanation of epicurean (noun) person devoted to luxurious living and pleasure
Sample of epicurean He was a sybarite or an epicurean, Adam thought; relishing words, but epicurean sounded better, less pejorative.
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Explanation of temporal (adjective) worldly; as opposed to spiritual; existing for a time only
Sample of temporal For a time the eastern empire was able to maintain itself in Italy, but thereafter the popes had to look to the new Frankish power in the north for their temporal defences.
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Explanation of writhe (verb) to twist about (usually with pain)
Sample of writhe Many animal killers like their prey to writhe and scream, not because they are sadistic but simply because that is the way they can ensure that they are about to eat fresh, healthy food.
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