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TOEFL Word List # TOEFL/M25

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Explanation of nostalgia (noun)
homesickness; sentimentality

Sample of nostalgia
By the time the studio came to make The Titfield Thunderbolt (1953), about a village's attempt to preserve their branch line against nasty entrepreneurs who have set up a bus service, gentle anarchy has given way to nostalgia for Olde England.



   
Explanation of epitaph (noun)
inscription on a monument; in honor or memory of a dead person; commemoration

Sample of epitaph
The epitaph described the actions of a brave man.



   
Explanation of condone (verb)
to overlook; to forgive; to pardon

Sample of condone
The loving and forgiving mother condoned her son's life of crime.
I will condone your actions of negligence.



   
Explanation of heinous (adjective)
villainous; wicked; hateful

Sample of heinous
It is even difficult to say that a very rich person could be compensated in money terms; thus, however heinous the libel, such a person should get not more than a nominal sum and his costs.



   
Explanation of diversify (verb)
to variegate; to make different; to increase the product range of a company; to offer new products

Sample of diversify
Seen commercially, the advantages of operating through a subsidiary include the ability to diversify activities whilst not exposing the other parts of the business to financial risk.



   
Explanation of construction (noun)
act of erecting (a building); meaning

Sample of construction
The village will be a huddle of 100 American-style houses designed by Wigfall Group Practice, a firm already well known for its addiction to timber-frame construction.
The construction of villages where beds could be had by tourists for more than just the two months of July and August was advocated in suitably selected places.



   
Explanation of retribution (noun)
reward or punishment exacted for an injury, wickedness or other action; requital; revenge; vengeance

Sample of retribution
Britain itself had escaped retribution; Africa would assume its full role in the spread of Christian truth and the British example, awakening American emulation, would result in the two countries jointly shaming the rest of the world into ending bondage.



   
Explanation of erudite (adjective)
having a wide knowledge acquired through reading; learned; knowledgeable; educated

Sample of erudite
The woman was so erudite, she could recite points on almost any subject.



   
Explanation of allure (verb)
to attract; to tempt; to charm

Sample of allure
The romantic young man allured the beautiful woman by preparing a wonderful dinner.



   
Explanation of arbiter (noun)
person who is authorized to judge or decide

Sample of arbiter
The decision of who would represent the people was made by the arbiter.



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