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TOEFL Word List # TOEFL/M35

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Explanation of luminary (noun)
eminent person; celestial body; light source

Sample of luminary
Helen Gardner, for many years an Oxford luminary, did not believe that the purpose of English was to turn out critics, any more than it was to produce poets and novelists.


   
Explanation of spurn (noun)
strong rejection; denigrating attitude

Sample of spurn
Unlucky enough to be the ninth telemarketer to call Jane that evening, he caught her spurn.


   
Explanation of vicissitude (noun)
change from one condition to another, often unexpected

Sample of vicissitude
There's a 'truth' of pop music to be found in the wet seats at Beatles or Stones concerts - as much as in the pantheon of Lennon's songwriting, or the vicissitudes of the counter culture.


   
Explanation of gossamer (noun)
very thin gauzelike fabric or structure; cobweb

Sample of gossamer
Saliva glistened on her chin like brown gossamer.


   
Explanation of bibliophile (noun)
lover of books; book collector

Sample of bibliophile
In Washington, the trend-setting Crown bookstores, sited in numerous malls, all offer deep discounts, although for sheer pleasure Bridge Street Books in Georgetown is the ultimate spot for a bibliophile.


   
Explanation of deference (noun)
courteous respect for; honor; esteem; reverence

Sample of deference
To avoid a confrontation, the man showed deference to his friend.
The deference shown to the elderly woman's opinion was heartwarming.


   
Explanation of zenith (noun)
point directly overhead in the sky; highest point; climax

Sample of zenith
The astronomer pointed her telescope straight up toward the zenith.
The Broncos seemed to be at the zenith of their power just as their rivals on the turf were flagging.
The sun will reach its zenith at noon.
The zenith of her career occurred during her time as chairperson.


   
Explanation of anarchy (noun)
state of confusion or lawlessness

Sample of anarchy
Bad films emerge from creative anarchy which brings out the weaknesses of those involved.
Luther took fright at the anarchy he had loosed but could do little to prevent it, even when he threw his weight behind the German princes in their crushing of revolutionary movements.


   
Explanation of allure (noun)
entice; attraction; temptation; glamor

Sample of allure
Singapore's allure is its bustling economy.


   
Explanation of bulwark (noun)
embankment used as a fortification; an idea; object serving as a protection

Sample of bulwark
She wanted him to have contact with other Irish kids and families, as a sort of bulwark against the swamp of English culture.


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