F1 Student Visa Rejected Twice! What Next?

Many students with admits for Fall 2010 semester around the world are preparing for US F1 Visa interview. Looks like Leela already appeared twice for Student Visa interview and both times US visa was got rejected (potential immigrant, insufficient funds). Leela is asking how to improve his/her chances to get visa during next visa interview.

My visa application got rejected early this month and the VO indirectly said he thinks i may be a potential immigrant, which is probably because of some questions that i answered too vaguely.I know how to answer those questions now.

But on my second appointment another VO said that my financial statement states the exact amount of money that my college tuition is (including housing), which is not enough. this statement also contradicted the words of the first VO who said that my financial documents seem fine and i can obviously afford to go to University.

I asked the second VO how much more money she thinks i should have in the bank, or what if I stay at my relative’s house instead of living on campus, but she didn’t give me a straight answer.

will it help If I show the VO an e-mail from my University that states that i am permitted to live off campus?

Also, what is the best way of convincing them that i’m only going there for studying and will get back home as soon as i get my degree?

F1 Student Visa

You should first read the in-depth F1 Student Visa interview process. It has all the required information for a student appearing for US Visa interview.

I have never read any experience, where VO answered how more funds are required. I don’t think is VO’s job to answer your questions. You should be prepared for the interview. Also, read the post about Required Bank balance for US F1 Student Visa Interview.

Only first year total expense (fees, living expense) will be listed in I-20. You must show funds sufficient enough to cover the expense for entire course duration.

It doesn’t matter where you plan to stay or how many roommates you decide to share the apartment. Only the fees listed in the I-20 will be considered. You must be prepared to show the required funds and prove to them that you can complete the course in US. Good luck to you for your next visa interview (if you decide to attend again).

Your Visa Experience

I would appreciate if students who have attend visa interview can post their experience. Did you have any interesting encounters?

Read More

F1 Student Visa Interview Tips for MS

10 Magical Tips to Ace U.S. Student Visa Interview and Luck is Not the Only Factor

First things first, this is an overhyped interview. They issue you the visa if you are honest; look and sound confident. They want to know who you are, what you want to do and intentions while in U.S.A like HSB recently tweeted.

Prepare your own answers in 1 or 2 sentences for few common questions like –

1. Why U.S? why not India, Europe?
2. Why did you choose this univ among the other admits?
3. What do you want to do after M.S?
4. How do you plan to fund your education? (There is absolutely no need to show astronomical figures in bank. Liquid cash for 1st year and some plan like loan for second year. Sound confident. Do not be in a hurry and show your bank statements or CA statements unless asked for)
5. Will you return to India after Master’s?
6. A. YES. Just say yes I would. Cut it there. Do not go on telling him stories of how companies like XYZ are investing so much and it will help u etc etc…elaborate it only if asked. Don’t try too hard to convince him. Short confident answers will do the job. Remember they are like high level HRs taking the interviews. With their experience, they have the ability to read and assess you in a minute.
7.  etc//. Do your homework

Listen to the question properly and think for a second before answering. Don’t be in any sort of a hurry to start your answer the moment he ends the question.

If you take that little pause, you will know what exactly is being asked and will answer accordingly. Otherwise the answer may turn out to be vague or irrelevant.

F1 Visa Interview Tips

Consulates Doesn’t Matter

Don’t worry if you are attending interview at Mumbai consulate. It doesn’t matter which consulate.

All that matters is how well you answer. They have been rejecting quite a bit but don’t let that fear suck you in.

What happens at the most? They will reject you. Anything else? Apply again.

If it’s the second time already, still it’s okay.

There are plenty of opportunities in other countries and in India. When the fear of reject doesn’t come into the picture, there is no place for anxiety and you’d be calm and confident.

Luck is a factor but not the only factor.

99% of the factors are in our control and don’t mess it up there.

Keep Clam

Have a cool mind. I have seen people shivering literally.

How can one expect to answer properly in such a state of mind?

Remove the fear of a reject totally. When the univ gives us admission, when we want to study, when we have funds ready, there is no reason why we’d be rejected unless we mess it up ourselves by fumbling too much.

Will You Come Back

Will he believe when I say I want to come back? Answer is no.

He won’t. but sound confident about your plans if asked.

“There is absolutely nothing you can do to prove that you’d return”.

If a country is against immigrants, it will not believe people on word on the basis of a 1 minute interview.

This is all a trap and a good reason for them to reject applicants. If they want, they can kick us out soon after our graduation ceremony. They wouldn’t offer us OPT’s of 12 months (extended to 24 now) and give us options.

Basically what I want to convey is U.S needs us more than we need U.S. Let us look at it from a different perspective now. After providing world class infrastructure for research, will they willingly allow us to go back, work in home countries and become a competition to them inturn?

No. Surely not. They are looking to filter and take the best brains from all the countries.

This filtering is done from the visa stage as I see. Who is a potential immigrant and who is not? How can it be decided in a few seconds? Don’t try too hard to convince him here. If he has decided to give you that potential immigrant slip, no amount of explanation would convince him.

U.S. Visa Rejection Reasons

Now you may ask why and when he gives this slip. As per my understanding, he uses this tool to remove people who he thinks are false, people who lie, who can fabricate, who can cheat. Many good applicants fumble, confuse, shiver which should be avoided at all costs!

A little of that is expected and VOs understand it – they are humans too. But too much of it won’t help for sure.

I saw a guy today worrying about what he should say if the VO asks his name!

His worry was that his name on i20 is a little different than passport. 

Too much worry will lead to nothing.

Conclusion is – Avoiding 214b is almost entirely in our hands.

Don’t try to be brilliant in that 3 minutes.

Don’t try to be brilliant in that 3 minutes.

Can we change our gre score? GPA? Univ?

Nothing! Take a deep breath and Just be yourself. Look into his eyes deeply and answer but don’t try to interpret his expressions.

Don’t start thinking that he’d issue the visa or reject you. HE should analyze YOU and not the other way round! Forget about the result and talk freely.

Be crisp with the answers

Be crisp with the answers. When he asks why this univ? don’t go on explaining with too many technical terms. He may be an arts grad or a psychology or a political science grad. Explain in words that he can understand!

Which University

To those going to not so good univs; VOs don’t care where we are going.

They are just there to make sure that we atleast know why we chose that univ.

I have come across terms like ‘visa rating for so and so univ’.

Trust me, there’s nothing like that! If it’s not a ranked univ, expect some grilling and prepare accordingly. Search for USPs of the univ or course there.

Did Consultant Fill Your DS160

If he asks whether consultant filled up DS160, blindly say NO (even if you went to one).

Don’t try to convince him by giving proofs.

I read that a guy memorized his IP address and told the VO to crosscheck with his DS160 IP address.

Will anyone ever by heart the IP add’?

Is it a part of interview preparation?

Such things will obviously lead to further questions.

Don’t complicate things. Just stick to a confident NO.

If he keeps repeating the same question, you could probably tell him you have nothing to hide and can answer any question from the DS 160.

Visa Interview Counter Numbers

There is nothing to worry about specific counter no’s or specific VOs in any consulate.

As soon as you walk to the counter, by looking at you, no one will decide whether or not to issue the visa.

They are not so unfair.

The initial impression you make will be the most important.

Face the interview confidently. The way you walk to the counter and greet him itself will speak volumes.

Black Listed Universities?

Consulate is not against RIT or UTA or NEU or SJSU. Don’t let all these things take a toll on your performance!

There are exceptions as always. Few of them with perfect answers also get rejects. But such cases will be through in the second attempt without doubt. It’s for our own good that we forget such cases. Take as little pressure as possible. Don’t bother about luck, officer’s mood etc which are not in our control.

To sum it up –

• Fact #1 : You want to study, you got admission, you have funds. There is no reason to worry about anything.
• Fact #2 : U.S needs you more than you need U.S A. We have an upper hand! So don’t go with a fear whether he’d find you good enough or not. Don’t underestimate yourself. Go confidently. Go like a brave soldier not like a wounded one.

We deserve visa.

The only reason we fumble and get tensed is because we feel something is lacking in us and try to convince him on that.

Do not do that.

This is not a professional job interview where you’d be tested on the subject matter. These are questions even a 10th standard guy can answer casually. So don’t lose your sleep over it. Let us break this hype.

When we do that, automatically the anxiety, tension, euphoria surrounding will vanish. ATB!

P.S: These are entirely my personal views. I’d be happy to know what you think!

Read More

How to Select US Universities for MS : Part1

How to select US universities for graduate school admission? This will be 3 part article and by end of 3 parts, you will be able to select US universities with confidence and right way. This guide will list 12 different questions you have to ask for every university before making a final decision.

US University Selection Factors

1. Tuition fees
2. Cost of Living
3. Jobs after M.S.
4. Internship
5. Length of the program
6. Thesis/Non-Thesis
7. International Student Population
8. Quality of Education
9. Climate/Location
10. Current Student Satisfaction
11. Can you Afford
12. Crime Rate in the area

Next post will discuss above 12 factors in detail. You have to understand that university selection is time consuming process. If you decide to do it on your own, it can be overwhelming for most of you. With so many universities in USA that offers wide variety of courses and degree, it will be tough to decide on best 10 universities to apply for admission. Just the effort alone differentiates prospective students from rest of the group.

Don’t forget to read Part 2 and 3 of US University Selection process.

1. How to Select US Universities – Part 1 [Current Post]
2. How to Select US Universities – Part 2
3. How to Select US Universities – Part 3

Read More

How to Select US Universities for MS : Part2

This blog post is second part of 2 part series of  blog posts – How to Select US Universities.

1. How to Select US Universities – Part 1
2. How to Select US Universities – Part 2 (this article)
3. How to Select US Universities – Part 3

You may have more than one dream universities to apply, but you can attend only one school. You have to analyze each university methodically to short universities. Most of the students don’t ask the following questions while selecting US Universities. They end up in some school that doesn’t offer the program of their choice ( or aid).

1) Cost of US Education

First major factor is to select university that you can afford. In worst case scenario, you have to pay for 2 years expense.  You have to ask some tough question here with respect to affordability.

2) Tuition fees

In-state fees varied between University System. For example, in University of Texas System, if you get RA, TA, Scholarship, you are eligible to pay in-state fee. And In-state fee in University of Texas is 1/3rd of Out of state fee.

Example: Out of State Fee = $6000, then in-state will be $2,000

In some colleges, you don’t need to pay anything, maybe less than $1000 for health insurance and other small fees when you get In-State fees.

Example: University of Memphis, Out of state is $5000 then In-state will be less than $1000.

If In-state fee is minimal fee then HP = 10

If In-state fee is 1/3rd of the out-state or less then HP = 5

3) RA/TA/Scholarship

If you have admission with 100% RA/TA/scholarship then HP = 10

If you have you have partial scholarship/RA/TA then HP = 7

If you have like $1000 to $4000 in Aid then HP = 5

No RA/TA/Scholarship then HP = 0

4) Part Time Job

Find from the current students, about availability of the part time jobs.

If almost every students gets the job then HP = 10

If 50% of the students gets job the HP = 5

If No Part time jobs are available then HP = 0

5) Internship

As International student you are eligible to work for 1 year in CPT (Curriculum Practical Training). Students usually get internship in summer, but some schools allow students to work to 2 full semesters like UTA, UTD.

You have to find if the university you have the admission allows students to do internship and how long. Kansas State University will allow students only in Summer in CPT. Were as UTA will allow students to do internship for 2 semesters ( like Summer and Fall or Fall and Spring or Spring and Fall ).

Next you have to ask if the internship is under CPT or under OPT (Optional Practical Training). If the school allows internship under CPT then you are ok. If the school allows internship under your OPT, then it’s NOT ok to attend that school. For example Clemson University, internship is under OPT, which is not good. I will explain in later post on what is OPT and CPT.

So this is how HP has to be filled for this field

Schools also internship for more than 1 semester in CPT = 10

Schools allows internship in Summer ONLY in CPT = 5

If school allows internship in OPT = 0

If school doesn’t allow Internship = 0

6) Jobs after M.S.

But, majority of colleges, students have to look for jobs.

Majority of the colleges have Career Fair, where companies will visit campus and collect resumes. But the number of companies that usually come are very less. Some universities like NCSU have very high profile career fair.

If the college has campus recruitment program, then HP = 10

If you have to look for jobs then HP = 8

If majority of the students find jobs through consultants, then HP = 3

For example I have heard that in NJIT, majority of student don’t search for jobs, they graduate and join some consultancy firm. That’s not a good sign. It’s students responsibility to search for a job, if you are willing to put that efforts and expect the job offer to know on your door, without applying for jobs, then I’m sure student will have tough time. I know I was little harsh on the above statement, but I have seen so many people who after graduation, don’t apply for job proactively and end up joining some consultancy. (How consultancy works, that’s another topic to talk about in detail)

How to Select Universities  Part 3 continued.....

Read More

How to Select US Universities for MS : Part3

1. How to Select US Universities – Part 1
2. How to Select US Universities – Part 2
3. How to Select US Universities – Part 3 [this article]

7) Course Length

This is another important factor you have to consider while deciding the colleges. Some programs are very lengthy. Majority of the masters program in the graduate college will vary from 30 credits to 36 credits. Make sure, have have information about different courses offered in the college you are applying. If you want to major in Database, check if the college has courses offered in database field.

But, if you are transferring to different department, then you will be asked to take pre-requisites courses. For example, if you are moving from Mechanical Department to Computer Science to from Electrical to Computer Science, then for sure you will be asked to take undergraduate courses in Computer Science, before you can take masters course.

Sometimes you will be asked to take up to 7 pre-req courses (7 x 3 = 21 credits). That’s 3 semesters. So, you need 21 + 32 credits to finish Masters. That’s 3.5 years for M.S. If you don’t have aid, then students will have to pay for 3.5 years.

If no pre-requirements then HP = 10

No Pre-requirements and max of 36 credits then HP = 10

1 or 2 pre-requirements then HP = 7

3 or 4 pre-requirements, HP = 5

More than 5 pre-requirements, then HP = 3

8 ) Thesis/Non-Thesis

In Master’s program you will have 2-3 options to take course. In thesis, you will have to solve a problem and present a paper. Personally I don’t like to do research, when I’m not interested to do PhD, so I did Non-Thesis Option, which is just courses and graduate with Masters Degree.

If you are more interested to do thesis, then HP to 10

If you just want a degree to get good job and salary then HP = 10

To find this, read about the program in the department website and find what options you have and give HP to 10 if you are interested to do Thesis and the program has thesis option. If a particular school doesn’t have Non-thesis option and you are not interested to do Thesis, then put HP = 5

9) International Student Population

This has both advantages and disadvantages. You will fell at home with large number of Indian students around, but fewer chances to find part time jobs and scholarship. Some colleges have very less International Students, but I’m sure you will feel very lonely; you might have to stay with students from different county. So, weigh the advantages and dies-advantages and score HP.

I would prefer to stay in school with more International Students than college where there are very less number of students from your country. Anywhere from 100 to 200 students from your country is considered good.

10) Quality of Education

Let’s say you have admission from TAMUK, University of Alabama, Birmingham and NJIT. I would decide to go with UAB. Reason, it’s cheap, much better than TAMUK with more professors and more choice of courses and cheaper then NJIT with courses almost similar to NJIT.

So, weight HP of 10 for UAB, NJIT to 5 and TAMUK to 2

11) Climate/Location

Here, you have to weigh the options according to your preference. Good college vs. Cold Temperature. If you really good college admission in North, and ready to deal with the cold, then HP to 10, if not give less value for HP.

12) Current Student Satisfaction

To answer this, ask the current students to rate their college experience in the scale of 1 to 10 and make sure you ask at least some 5 students and take an average.

Now, you will have total value for all the university that has the maximum value gets the go ahead signal for Visa.

Hope above Happy Point Method helps to decide on the university. Also, I would like to highlight one more thing here. I know information about some schools and I can give that to you through Orkut Scrap or Comments or through email. But, majority of the colleges to which I don’t have information, I will follow the same method described above to get the information for you.

Read More

Manhattan GRE [PDF] Set of 8 Strategy Guides, 2nd Edition Download pdf

Manhattan GRE [PDF] Set of 8 Strategy Guides, 2nd Edition Download pdf

Manhattan Prep GRE Set of 8 Strategy Guides  is written by Manhattan Test Prep’s 99th percentile GRE instructors.

Manhattan GRE strategy guides contains

• Detailed GRE prep lessons
• Strategies for question formats that will appear on the revised GRE

There are total of 8 GRE books.

There is  book to cover major sections of GRE Test

Manhattan GRE Set of 8 Strategy Guides, 2nd Edition Download pdf

1.The Algebra GRE Strategy Guide

 Download: Manhattan Algebra GRE.pdf 

2.The Fractions, Decimals, & Percents GRE Strategy GuideDownload: Manhattan  Fractions, Decimals, & Percents GRE.pdf 

3.The Geometry GRE Strategy Guide

Download: Manhattan Geometry GRE.pdf 

1. 
   
2. 4.The Number Properties GRE Strategy Guide
3. Download: Manhattan Number Properties GRE.pdf 

5.The Word Problems GRE Strategy Guide

Download: Manhattan Word Problems GRE.pdf 

6.The Quantitative Comparisons & Data Interpretation GRE Strategy Guide

Download: Manhattan Quantitative Comparisons & Data Interpretation GRE.pdf

7.The Reading Comprehension & Essays GRE Strategy Guide

Download: Manhattan Reading Comprehension & Essays GRE.pdf 

8.The Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence GRE Strategy Guide

Download: Manhattan Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence GRE.pdf 

(we are not hosting this link & we are not responsible)

Algebra, Fractions, Decimals, & Percents; Geometry; Number Properties; and Word Problems.

The Quantitative Comparisons & Data Interpretation guide provides students the understanding necessary to attack each of these unique question types.

For the verbal section, the Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence guide provides a comprehensive approach to the GRE’s vocabulary questions, while the Reading Comprehension & Essays guide equips students with the critical tools and strategies needed to master these portions of the test.

Also, when you buy Manhattan Prep GRE Set of 8 Strategy Guides, you will get access to 6 of Manhattan GRE’s online practice exams.

This book is one of the  Top GRE Test prep books.

Unlike other GRE Test prep books, there is one book for dedicated for a section. Each book covers test prep concepts in detail.

Read More

Manhattan GRE Advanced Wordlist 500

Manhattan GRE Advanced GRE Wordlist 500

Terms	Definitions
abase	Degrade or humble; to lower in rank, status, or esteem
abeyance	Temporary suspension, inactivity
abreast	Side-by-side. The more common "abreast of" means keeping up with, staying aware of, or remaining equal in progress with.
abscission	Cutting off; sudden termination; the separation of leaves, petals, or other parts from a plant or animal
abscond	Depart suddenly and secretively
abyss	A deep and vast space or cavity; anything profound or infinite
accede	Agree, give consent; assume power (usually as "accede to")
accretion	Gradual increase; an added part or addition
acerbic	Sour; harsh or severe
acidulous	Slightly acid or sour; sharp or caustic
acumen	Keen, quick, accurate insight or judgment
adulterate	Make impure by adding inappropriate or inferior ingredients
adumbrate	Give a rough outline of; foreshadow; reveal only partially; obscure
aerie	Dwelling or fortress built on a high place; the nest of a bird of prey, such as an eagle or hawk, built on a mountain or cliff
albeit	Although, even though
aloof	Distant physically or emotionally; reserved; indifferent
amalgamate	Blend, merge, or unite
ameliorate	Improve; make better or more bearable
amortize	Gradually pay off a debt, or gradually write off an asset
anachronism	Something that is not in its correct historical time; a mistake in chronology, such as by assigning a person or event to the wrong time period
analgesia	Pain relief; inability to feel pain
annul	Make void or null, cancel, abolish (usually of laws or other established rules)
anodyne	Medicine that relieves pain (noun); soothing, relieving pain (adj)
antedate	Be older than, precede in time; assign to an earlier date
antithetical	Directly opposed, opposite; involving antithesis (the rhetorical act of placing two phrases opposite one another for contrast, as in love me or hate me)
apostate	Person who deserts a party, cause, religion, etc.
apostle	Pioneer of a reform movement (originally, an early follower of Jesus)
apposite	Highly appropriate, suitable, or relevant
apprise	Inform, give notice to
approbation	Praise or approval, especially formal approval
appropriate	Set aside or authorize (such as money) for a particular purpose; take for one's own use
arbiter	Judge, umpire, person empowered to decide matters at hand
ardent	Very passionate, devoted, or enthusiastic
arrogate	Claim or take presumptuously or without the right to do so
ascribe	Assign or credit to a certain cause or source
aseptic	Free from germs
asperity	Rigor, severity; harshness or sharpness of tone; roughness of surface
aspersions	Damaging remarks, defamation, slander
assail	Attack violently, assault
assiduous	Persevering, diligent, constant
attenuate	Weaken or thin out
attuned	In harmony; in sympathetic relationship
augury	Telling the future, such as through supernatural means
august	Venerable, majestic; inspiring admiration
avarice	Insatiable greed; a miserly desire to hoard wealth
axiom	Self-evident truth requiring no proof; universally or generally accepted principle
balloon	Swell or puff out; increase rapidly
banal	Lacking freshness and originality; cliché
bane	Something that ruins or spoils
baying	Howling in a deep way, like a dog or wolf
beneficent	Doing good
bent	Personal inclination or tendency
besiege	Attack, overwhelm, crowd in on or surround
bevy	Group of birds or other animals that stay close together; any large group
bifurcate	To fork into two branches or divide into two halves
bilk	Cheat or defraud
blight	Disease that kills plants rapidly, or any cause of decay or destruction (noun); ruin or cause to wither (verb)
blithe	Joyous, merry; excessively carefree (so as to ignore more important concerns)
bombastic	(Of speech or writing) far too showy or dramatic than is appropriate; pretentious
bonhomie	Friendliness, open and simple good heartedness
brandish	Shake, wave, or flourish, as a weapon
brook	Suffer or tolerate
bucolic	Pertaining to shepherds; suggesting a peaceful and pleasant view of rural life
burnish	Polish, make smooth and lustrous
calumny	Malicious lie intended to hurt someone's reputation; the act of telling such lies
canard	Rumor, a false or baseless story
cardinal	Chief, most important
catholic	Universal, broad-minded
chicanery	Trickery, deception by knowingly false arguments
circumscribe	Strictly limit a role, range of activity, or area; in math, to be constructed around so as to touch as many points as possible
circumspect	Cautious, prudent; careful to consider the circumstances and consequences
clamber	Climb awkwardly or with difficulty, scramble
cloying	Disgustingly or distastefully sweet
coagulate	Cause a liquid to become solid or semisolid
coda	Final part of a musical composition; an ending, esp. one that sums up what has come before
coffer	Chest for storing valuables; financial resources, a treasury
collude	Conspire; cooperate for illegal or fraudulent purposes
compendium	Concise but complete summary; a list or collection
complaisant	Eager to please; cheerfully complying
confound	Confuse, frustrate; mix up or make worse
connote	Suggest or imply in addition to the precise, literal meaning
contraries	Things that are opposing; either of two opposite things
contrite	Remorseful; feeling sorry for one's offenses or sins
contumacious	Rebellious; stubbornly disobedient
convoke	Call together, as to a meeting
cosset	Treat as a pet, pamper
coterie	Close or exclusive group, clique
cupidity	Greed, great or excessive desire
curmudgeon	Bad-tempered, difficult person; grouch
declaim	Speak in an impassioned, pompous, or oratorical manner; give a formal speech
declivity	Downward slope
delimit	Fix, mark, or define the boundaries of
demagogue	A leader who lies and gains power by arousing the passions and especially prejudices of the people
demur	Show reluctance or object, especially for moral reasons
desultory	Lacking consistency or order, disconnected, sporadic; going off topic
diaphanous	Very sheer, fine, translucent
dichotomy	Division into two parts or into two contradictory groups
dictum	Formal or authoritative pronouncement; saying or proverb
diffident	Lacking confidence, shy
diffuse	Spread widely, disseminate (verb); dispersed, widely spread out, or wordy and going off-topic (adj)
dilate	To become wider or make wider, cause to expand; to speak or write at length, elaborate upon
dilatory	Slow, late; procrastinating or stalling for time
dilettante	Person who takes up an art or activity for amusement only or in a superficial way
dirge	A funeral or mourning song or poem
discomfiting	Disconcerting, confusing, frustrating
discordant	Harsh or inharmonious in sound; disagreeing, incongruous
discrete	Separate, distinct, detached, existing as individual parts
disparage	Belittle, put down; bring shame upon, discredit
disparate	Distinct, different
dissemble	Mislead, conceal the truth, put on a false appearance of
dissolution	Dissolving, the state of having been dissolved; breaking bonds or breaking up of a group of people; death, disintegration; sinking into extreme hedonism, vice, and degradation
distaff	Female, esp. relating to the maternal side of the family; women or women's work; a staff that holds wool or flax for spinning
distend	Swell, expand, stretch, bloat
dither	Act indecisively (verb); a state of fear or trembling excitement
diurnal	Occurring every day; happening in the daytime (rather than at night)
doctrinaire	Person who applies doctrine in an impractical or rigid and close-minded way (noun); merely theoretical, impractical, or fanatical about other people accepting one's ideas (adj)
doff	Take off (such as clothes), put aside; remove one's hat as a gesture
dovetail	Join or fit together
droll	Funny in an odd way
dupe	Person who is easily fooled or used (noun); to fool or exploit (verb)
duplicity	Deceit, double-dealing, acting in two different ways for the purpose of deception
dyspeptic	Grumpy, pessimistic, irritable; suffering from dyspepsia (indigestion)
ebullient	Very enthusiastic, lively, excited; bubbling as though being boiled
echelon	A level, rank or grade; the people at that level
edify	Uplift, enlighten, instruct or improve in a spiritual or moral way
effigy	Representation or image of a person, esp. a crude facsimile used to mock a hated person
effrontery	Shameless boldness
egress	An exit or the action of exiting
elegy	Song or poem of sorrow, esp. for a deceased person
emaciate	Make abnormally thin, cause to physically waste away
encomium	Warm, glowing praise, esp. a formal expression of praise
endemic	Native, local; natural, specific to, or confined to a particular place
engender	Produce, give rise to, cause to exist; procreate
epicure	Person with cultivated, refined tastes, esp. in food and wine
equanimity	Composure, evenness of mind; mental or emotional stability, esp. under stress
equivocate	Use unclear language to deceive or avoid committing to a position
ersatz	Artificial, synthetic; being an inferior substitute
erstwhile	Former, previous (adj); in the past, formerly (adv)
ethos	The character, personality, or moral values specific to a person, group, time period, etc.
euphemism	Substitution of a mild, inoffensive, or indirect expression for one that is considered offensive or too direct
euphony	Pleasing or sweet sound, especially as formed by a harmonious use of words
exigent	Requiring immediate attention, action, or aid; excessively demanding
exonerate	Clear from blame or accusation; free from a responsibility
expedient	Suitable, proper; effective, often at the expense of ethics or other considerations
expurgate	Censor; remove objectionable or offensive parts
extemporaneous	Done without preparation (esp. of a speech), or with some preparation but no notes; improvised, done on the spur of the moment
faction	Group or clique within a larger organization; party strife and dissension
fallow	Left unplanted (of land); not in use
fastidious	Excessively particular, difficult to please; painstaking, meticulous, requiring excessive attention to detail
fatuous	Foolish, silly, esp. in a smug or complacent manner
fawn	Show affection or try to please in the manner of a dog; try to win favor through flattery and submissive behavior
fecund	Fruitful, fertile; capable of abundantly producing offspring, vegetation, or creative or intellectual work
felicitous	Admirably appropriate, very well-suited for the occasion; pleasant, fortunate, marked by happiness
fervid	Very hot; heated in passion or enthusiasm
fetid	Stinking; having an offensive smell
fledgling	A young bird that has just recently gotten its feathers, an inexperienced person (noun); new or inexperienced (adj)
florid	Reddish or rosy; flowery, showy, or excessively fancy
flout	Treat with disdain, contempt, or scorn (usually of rules)
fluke	Stroke of luck, something accidentally successful
forage	Wander in search of; rummage, hunt, make a raid
ford	Place where a river or similar body of water is shallow enough to walk or ride a vehicle across (noun); to cross at such a place (verb)
forestall	Delay, hinder, prevent by taking action beforehand
fortuitous	Happening by chance; lucky
fracas	Noisy disturbance or fight; brawl
fractious	Unruly, troublemaking; irritable
frenetic	Wildly excited, frantic, distracted
fulminate	Explode, detonate; attack verbally in a vehement, thunderous way
furtive	Done secretly; stealthy, sly, shifty
gambol	Frolic; skip or leap playfully
garner	Gather and store; amass, collect
gestation	Pregnancy; the period from conception until birth of an animal or (metaphorically) of an idea or plan
glacial	Pertaining to glaciers; cold, icy, slow, unsympathetic
glower	Stare in an angry, sullen way
goad	Urge on (as cattle) with a pointed or electrically charged stick; spur on, stimulate, encourage
gouge	Scooping or digging tool, like a chisel, or a hole made with such a tool (noun); cut or scoop out; force out a person's eye with one's thumb; swindle, extort money from (verb)
graft	Insert part of a plant into another plant, where it continues to grow; join living tissue (such as skin) to part of the body where it will continue to live and grow; attach as if by grafting (verb); the part so grafted (as in a graft of skin); the act of acquiring money or other benefits through illegal means, esp. by abusing one's power (noun)
grandiloquent	Relating to lofty speech, esp. to the point of being pompous, overblown, bombastic
grandstand	Perform showily in an attempt to impress onlookers
grating	Irritating; harsh or discordant (of a noise); scraping
grievous	Causing grief or suffering; very serious, grave; flagrant, outrageous
grouse	Complain or grumble (verb); a reason for complaint (noun)
grovel	Creep or crawl with one's face to the ground, prostrate oneself as a token of subservience, degrade or abase oneself
halcyon	Calm and peaceful, carefree; prosperous, successful, happy
hallmark	A mark indicating quality, purity, genuineness, etc.; any distinguishing characteristic
hand-wringing	Grasping, squeezing, etc. of the hands as an expression of nervousness, guilt, etc.; extend debate over what to do about an issue
hapless	Unlucky, unfortunate
harangue	Long, intense verbal attack, esp. when delivered publicly
harrow	Farming tool that breaks up soil (noun); painfully disturb or distress (verb)
hedge	Avoid commitment by leaving provisions for withdrawal or changing one's mind; protect a bet by also betting on the other side
hegemony	Domination, authority; influence by one country over others socially, culturally, economically, etc.
hermetic	Airtight, sealed, isolated; reclusive; pertaining to alchemy, occult
hew	Strike, chop, or hack (as with an axe, sword. etc.); make or shape something (such as a statue) with a cutting tool
hoary	Very old, gray or white as from old age
homage	Honor or respect demonstrated publicly
hoodwink	Trick, deceive
hotly	In an intense, fiery, or heated way
husband	Manage prudently, sparingly, or economically; conserve
iconoclast	Attacker of cherished beliefs or institutions
idolatry	Idol worship; excessive or unthinking devotion or adoration
idyllic	Presenting a positive, peaceful view of rural life (as poetry or prose); pleasant in a natural, simple way
ignoble	Not noble; having mean, base, low motives; low quality
imbue	Permeate or saturate, as dye in a fabric; influence throughout
immutable	Unchangeable
impasse	Position or road from which there is no escape; deadlock
impassive	Not having or not showing physical feeling or emotion
impecunious	Poor, without money
imperious	Commanding, domineering; acting like a high-ranking person; urgent
impermeable	Impassable, not allowing passage through (such as by a liquid)
imperturbable	Calm, not able to be upset or agitated
impervious	Impenetrable, not able to be harmed or emotionally disturbed
impetuous	Passionately impulsive, marked by sudden, hasty emotion; forceful, violent
impious	Not religious, lacking reverence, ungodly
implacable	Not able to be appeased, calmed, or satisfied
imprecation	Curse; prayer for harm to come to someone
impugn	Attack the truth or integrity of
impute	Credit, attribute; lay blame or responsibility for (sometimes falsely)
incarnadine	Blood red or flesh-colored
inconstancy	Fickleness, unreliability; the state of changing without good reason
inculcate	Teach persistently, implant (an idea) in a person
indefatigable	Untiring, not able to become fatigued
indigence	Extreme poverty
indolent	Lazy, slothful
inert	Inactive; having little or no power to move
inexorable	Relentless, unyielding; not moved by pleading
infallible	Incapable of error; certain
ingrate	Ungrateful person
ingratiate	Make an effort to gain favor with
inimical	Hostile, adverse, harmful
iniquity	Injustice, wickedness, sin
inordinate	Excessive, not within proper limits, unrestrained
inquest	Legal or judicial inquiry, especially before a jury and especially made by a coroner into the cause of someone's death; the results of such an inquiry
insensible	Incapable of feeling; unconscious, unaware
insinuate	Hint, suggest slyly; introduce (an idea) into someone's mind in a subtle, artful way
insipid	Dull, stale, lacking taste or interest
insular	Pertaining to an island; detached, standing alone; narrow-minded, provincial
insurrection	Rebellion or revolt against a government or similarly established authority
inter	Bury (a dead body) or place in a tomb
interplay	Interaction, reciprocal relationship or influence
interregnum	A time in between two reigns or regimes during which there is no ruler; a period during which government does not function; any period of freedom from authority or break or interruption in a series
intransigent	Refusing to compromise, inflexible, having extreme attitudes
inundate	Flood, cover with water, overwhelm
inure	Toughen up; accustom or habituate to pain, hardship, etc.
invective	Violent denunciation; accusations, insults, or verbal abuse
inveigle	Entice, lure; get something by flattery, cleverness, or offering incentives
investiture	Investing; formally giving someone a right or title
invidious	Hateful, offensive, injurious
irascible	Irritable, easily angered
irresolute	Wavering, not sure how to proceed, not firm in one's decision-making
itinerant	Traveling from place to place, esp. as part of a job
itinerary	Travel schedule; detailed plan for a journey
jettison	Discard, cast off; throw items overboard in order to lighten a ship in an emergency
jingoism	Excessive, loud patriotism and aggressive, warlike foreign policy
juxtapose	Place side by side (either physically or in a metaphorical way, such as to make a comparison)
kindle	Ignite, cause to begin burning; incite, arouse, inflame
kinetic	Pertaining to motion
knell	The sound made by a bell for a funeral, or any sad sound or signal of a failure, death, ending, etc. (noun); to make such a sound (verb)
lachrymose	Tearful, mournful
larceny	Theft
largess or largesse	Generosity, the giving of money or gifts (esp. with the implication that the giver is a bit superior to the recipient)
latent	Potential; existing but not visible or active
laudable	Worthy of praise
lax	Not strict; careless, loose, slack
leery	Suspicious or wary
legerdemain	Slight-of-hand (magic as performed by a magician); trickery or deception
lethargic	Lazy, drowsy, or sluggish
licentious	Sexually unrestrained; immoral; ignoring the rules
limpid	Clear, transparent; completely calm
lionize	Treat like a celebrity
lissome	Flexible, supple, agile
listless	Spiritless, lacking interest or energy
livid	Furiously angry, enraged
lugubrious	Mournful, gloomy (sometimes in an exaggerated way)
lumber	Walk in a heavy or clumsy way, sometimes due to being weighed down
luminous	Shining, radiant, well-lit; brilliant or enlightening
lurid	Gruesome or excessively vivid; sensational, shocking, unrestrained
machination or machinations	Crafty schemes or plots
maelstrom	Violent whirlpool; any chaotic, turbulent situation
magnanimous	High-minded, noble, lofty; generous in forgiving others, free of resentment
magnate	Very important or influential person, esp. in business
malediction	A curse
malinger	Pretend to be sick, esp. to get out of work, duties, etc.
manifest	Obvious, apparent, perceptible to the eye (adj); to show, make clear, or prove (verb)
mannered	Having a particular manner, esp. an artificial one
mar	Damage, spoil, ruin
martinet	Person who adheres to rules extremely closely; strict disciplinarian
maudlin	Excessively sentimental, showing sadness or some other emotion in a foolish or silly way
maxim	A general truth or fundamental principle, esp. expressed as a proverb or saying
mendicant	Beggar, or religious follower who lives by begging
meretricious	Attractive in a vulgar or flashy way, tawdry; deceptive
metaphysical	Concerned with abstract thought, related to metaphysics (branch of philosophy concerned with explaining the nature of being and of the world); very subtle or abstruse
milieu	Environment, atmosphere; the environmental setting in which something happens or develops
militate	Have a great effect, weigh heavily (often as militate against)
mired	Stuck, entangled (in something, like a swamp or muddy area), soiled
mirth	Jollity, merriment; amusement or laughter
misanthrope or misanthropist	Hater of humankind
missive	Letter, written message
modicum	A little bit or limited quantity
modish	Stylish, contemporary
molt	Shed or cast off, esp. to regularly shed skin, feathers, etc. (as a snake)
monastic	Relating to or resembling a monastery (where monks or nuns live), esp. by being quiet, secluded, contemplative, strict, and/or lacking luxuries
morose	Gloomy, sullen
multifarious	Diverse, having a lot of variety
munificent	Generous, giving liberally
myopic	Near-sighted; lacking long-term thinking, short-sighted
nadir	Lowest point
neologism	New word or phrase (or a new meaning applied to an existing word or phrase)
neophyte	Beginner, novice; person newly converted to a religion
nettle	Irritate, sting, or annoy
noisome	Offensive, disgusting; harmful
nominal	Trivial, so small as to be unimportant; in name only, so-called
nontrivial	Important or big enough to matter
normative	Implying or attempting to establish a norm; expressing value judgments or telling people what to do (rather than merely describing that which is happening)
obdurate	Stubborn, hardhearted, hardened in wrongdoing
oblique	Slanting or sloping; indirect, misleading, or evasive
occlude	Stop up, close, shut in or shut off
opine	Express an opinion
opprobrium	Disgrace and disapproval that result from outrageously shameful actions
orotund	Full, rich, and clear (of the voice or speaking); pompous, bombastic
ossify	Become bone or become hard like bone; become inflexible in attitudes, opinions, etc.
ostensible or ostensive	Professed, evident, or pretended; outwardly appearing in a certain way
ostentatious	Pretentious, boastful showiness
overwrought	Overly nervous, agitated, or excited; too ornate, elaborate, or fussy; overdone
palatial	Suitable for or resembling a palace, magnificent
palliate	Make less serious or severe; relieve symptoms of an illness
pallid	Abnormally pale (as skin); lacking color or vitality
panache	Flair, style, swagger; a flamboyant or grand way of acting
panegyric	Formal or lofty expression of praise
panoply	Splendid, wide-ranging, impressive display or array
paragon	Model of excellence, perfect example
pare	Peel or cut off the outer layer (such as peeling fruit with a knife), reduce or trim as if cutting off the outer parts
parley	Discussion, negotiation, esp. between enemies (noun); to have such a discussion (verb)
parry	Deflect or avoid (esp. a blow or attack); skillfully evade (a question)
pastiche	Mix of incongruous parts; artistic work imitating the work of other artists, often satirically
pathogenic	Capable of producing disease
pedant	Person who pays excessive attention to book learning and rules, or who uses his or her learning to show off
peddle	Travel around while selling; sell illegally; give out or disseminate
pejorative	Disparaging, derogatory, belittling (adj); a name or word that is disparaging (noun)
pellucid	Transparent, translucent; clear, easy to understand
penitent	Regretful, feeling remorse for one's sins or misdeeds (adj); a person who feels this way (noun)
penumbra	Outer part of a shadow from an eclipse; any surrounding region, fringe, periphery; any area where something "sort of" exists
penury	Extreme poverty or scarcity
per se	Intrinsically; by itself; in itself
peregrinate	Travel from place to place, esp. on foot
perennial	Lasting through the years or indefinitely, enduring; recurring
perfunctory	Done superficially, without much care, or merely as routine
peripatetic	Journeying from place to place; traveling on foot
pernicious	Very harmful or destructive, deadly
perspicacious	Having penetrating insight or good discernment
phalanx	Formation of soldiers carrying shields close together for defense; any very close group of people
philistine	Person deficient in or hostile to culture
phlegmatic	Apathetic, sluggish, not easily excited or made emotional
platitude	A shallow, overused statement; cliche
plebian	Of the common people
plethora	Excess; excessive amount
plucky	Brave, spirited
plutocracy	Rule by the wealthy
polemic	Controversial argument, esp. one attacking a specific idea
politic	Shrewd, pragmatic; tactful or diplomatic
polyglot	Speaking or composed of many languages (of a person, book, etc.); a person who knows several languages
posit	Presume, suggest, put forward (an idea)
prattle	Talk in an idle, simple-minded, meaningless, or foolish way; chatter, babble
precipitate	Cause to happen suddenly or prematurely; fling, plunge, or hurl down
predilection	Preference, tendency or favorability towards
prescient	Having foreknowledge or foresight, seeing the future
preternatural	Supernatural, exceptional
prevaricate	Stray from the truth, mislead, lie
primacy	The state of being first or most important
proclivity	Inclination, natural tendency
prolix	Excessively long and wordy (of a person, piece of writing, etc.)
propagate	Reproduce, spread, increase
propensity	Natural inclination or tendency
prophetic	Relating to prophesy, predicting, ominous
propitiate	Attempt to reconcile with, satisfy, or reduce the animosity of (a person who is angry, offended, etc.)
propitious	Favorable, giving good signs for the future, likely to work out; kind or forgiving
providential	Lucky, fortunate, or relating to divine care (the idea that a deity has helped or cared for a person)
proxy	Agent, substitute, person authorized to act on behalf of another
précis	Concise summary, abstract
puerile	Juvenile, immature
pugilism	boxing, fighting with the fists
puissance	Power, might
pulchritude	Physical beauty
pungent	Having a sharp taste or smell; biting, stimulating, sharp
pusillanimous	Cowardly, timid
querulous	Given to complaining, grumbling
quiescent	Quiet, still
quixotic	Extremely impractical but very romantic, chivalrous, or idealistic; impulsive
raconteur	Witty storyteller
rarefied	Lofty, very high up or elevated (in a metaphorical way); exclusive, select; thin, pure, or less dense (as air at the top of a mountain)
reactant	Something that reacts; a substance that undergoes a change in a chemical reaction
recalcitrant	Not obedient, resisting authority, hard to manage
recant	Withdraw, retract, or disavow something one has previously said, esp. formally
recapitulate	Summarize, repeat in a concise way
recondite	Not easily understood, hidden, dealing with an obscure topic
recrudescent	Revival, breaking out into renewed activity
redound	To have a good or bad effect, esp. as a result of a person's efforts or actions (usually used with to, on, or upon)
redress	Setting something right after a misdeed, compensation or relief for injury or wrongdoing (noun); correct, set right, remedy (verb)
refractory	Stubbornly disobedient, hard to manage
refulgent	Shining, radiant
rejoinder	Response or reply, esp. a witty comeback
rend	Tear violently, esp. to tear one's clothing or hair out of grief; pull apart, split, or tear away
repast	A meal (noun); to eat or feast (verb)
repertorial	Pertaining to a repertory or repertoire, a stock of available things or a number of theatrical performances presented regularly or in sequence
repose	The act or state of resting; peacefulness, tranquility; lying dead in a grave
reprobate	Disreputable, unprincipled, or damned person (noun); shameless, depraved (adj)
resurgent	Having a revival, renewing, rising or surging again
revamp	Renovate, redo, revise (verb); a restructuring, upgrade, etc. (noun)
ribald	Using or relating to obscene or vulgar humor
ridden	Dominated or burdened by
rift	A gap or fissure (such as in rock), a break in friendly relations
rococo	Very elaborate and ornate (in decorating or metaphorically, as in speech and writing); relating to a highly ornate style of art and architecture in 18th-century France
rue	Regret, remorse (noun); to feel regret or remorse (verb)
ruminate	Turn over in the mind, reflect on; chew cud (as a cow)
salient	Obvious, standing out; projecting, protruding, jutting out
sardonic	Scornfully or ironically mocking, cynically derisive
savant	Learned person, scholar, someone admitted to membership in a scholarly field; a person with amazing mental abilities despite having a cognitive difference or disability
scintilla	A tiny bit or trace
scurvy	Contemptible, mean
searchingly	In a searching or penetrating manner; while examining closely or probing for answers
secrete	Produce and release a substance from a cell or gland of the body for a functional purpose
sedition	Inciting rebellion against a government, esp. speech or writing that does this
semantic	Relating to the different meanings of words or other symbols
seraphic	Like an angel; serene, spiritually carried off or transported
shard	Fragment of some brittle substance, esp. a sharp fragment of pottery, glass, etc.
sinecure	A job or position that pays while requiring little or no work
skittish	Shy, fickle, uncertain, or prone to act suddenly due to nervousness; lively in a restless or excessive way
slake	Satisfy (esp. thirst), cool, or refresh; make less active
sobriquet	A nickname
solecism	Nonstandard use of grammar or words; mistake, esp. in etiquette
solidarity	Fellowship in interests, feelings, responsibilities, etc., such as among a group of people or among classes, nations, etc.
somatic	Of the body
squalid	Disgusting, filthy, foul, extremely neglected
squelch	Crush, squash; suppress or silence; walk through ooze or in wet shoes, making a smacking or sucking sound
stasis	Equilibrium, a state of balance or inactivity, esp. caused by equal but opposing forces
steeped	Immersed (in), saturated (with)
stentorian	Very loud and powerful (generally of a human voice)
stigma	Mark of disgrace, a figurative stain or mark on someone's reputation
stint	Period of time spent doing something, or a specific, limited amount of work (noun); to be frugal, to get by on little (verb)
stipulate	Specify; make an open demand, esp. as a condition of agreement
stratagem	Military maneuver to deceive or surprise; crafty scheme
stratum	One of many layers (such as in a rock formation or in the classes of a society)
strut	A structural support or brace
sublime	Lofty or elevated, inspiring reverence or awe; excellent, majestic; complete, utter
subpoena	A court order requiring a person to appear in court and give testimony
sully	Make dirty, stain, tarnish, defile
supplant	Take the place of, displace, especially through sneaky tactics
supposition	Assumption, hypothesis, something that has been supposed
surly	Bad-tempered, hostile, unfriendly, or rude
surrogate	Substitute, person who acts for another (noun); acting as a replacement (adj)
sybarite	Person devoted to pleasure and luxury
symbiosis	Mutually dependent relationship between two organisms, people, groups, etc.
synoptic	Relating to a synopsis or summary; giving a general view
syntax	The rules governing grammar and how words join to make sentences (or how words and symbols join in writing computer code), the study of these rules, or any system or orderly arrangement
tawdry	Gaudy, cheap or cheap-looking; indecent
tendentious	Marked by a strong point of view, biased
terrestrial	Relating to the Earth or to land; worldly
terse	Concise, brief and to the point (sometimes to the point of rudeness)
toady	Someone who flatters or acts in a servile manner for self-serving reasons
token	Sign, symbol, mark, badge; souvenir, memento; coin-like disk used as currency for subways, arcade games, etc.; sample, or person, thing, idea taken to represent an entire group (noun); of very little or merely symbolic value (adj)
tome	Large or scholarly book; one of the volumes in a set of several books
tortuous	Twisting, winding, complex; devious, not straightforward
transgression	Violation of a law, moral rule, order, etc.; sin
travesty	Exaggerated, debased, or grotesque imitation
treacherous	Betraying trust, not faithful or trustworthy; not dependable; dangerous or deceptive
trenchant	forceful or vigorous, effective, keen; caustic, sharp
truculent	Fierce, cruel, savage; belligerent
tumultuous	Riotous, violently agitated, marked by disturbance or uproar; noisy, chaotic
turgid	Swollen, inflated; or, metaphorically "inflated," such as in overblown, pompous speech
turpitude	Depravity, baseness of character, corrupt or depraved acts
tyro	Beginner
umbrage	Offense or annoyance (usually as take umbrage, meaning become offended or annoyed)
unconscionable	Not guided by conscience; morally wrong, unjust, unreasonable
unsparing	Generous, lavish (as in not sparing any help or gifts to others); unmerciful, harsh (as in not sparing any criticism)
untempered	Not toned down; not moderated, controlled, or counterbalanced
upbraid	Find fault with, criticize or scold severely
usury	Charging interest on a loan, esp. charging illegally high or excessive interest
vanguard	Leading units at the front of an army; leaders in a trend or movement, people on the "cutting edge"; the forefront of a trend or movement
variegated	Varied in color, having multicolored patches or spots; diverse
verdant	Green, such as with vegetation, plants, grass, etc.; young and inexperienced
verisimilar	Having the appearance of truth, probable
vernal	Relating to the spring; fresh, youthful
vestige	Trace or sign of something that once existed
vex	annoy or bother; puzzle or distress
via	Through, by means of, by way of (by a route that goes through or touches)
vicissitude	Changes or variations over time, esp. regular changes from one thing to another
vim	Pep, enthusiasm, vitality, lively spirit
virulent	Extremely infectious, poisonous, etc.; hateful, bitterly hostile
viscid or viscous	Thick, adhesive, or covered in something sticky
vitriol	Something highly caustic, such as criticism (literally, one of a number of chemicals including sulfuric acid)
vociferous	Noisily crying out, as in protest
voluble	Easily fluent in regards to speech
wan	Unnaturally pale, or showing some other indication of sickness, unhappiness, etc.; weak, lacking forcefulness
wanton	Reckless, vicious, without regard for what is right; unjustifiable, deliberately done for no reason at all; sexually unrestrained or excessively luxurious
welter	Confused mass or pile, jumble; confusion or turmoil (noun); roll around, wallow, toss about, writhe (verb)
whet	Stimulate, make keen or eager (esp. of an appetite)
whitewash	A substance used to whiten walls, wood, etc. (noun); deception, covering up of wrongs, errors, misdeeds, etc. (verb)
winnow	Sift, analyze critically, separate the useful part from the worthless part
winsome	Charming, engaging, esp. in a sweet and innocent way
wizened	Withered, shriveled
xenophobia	Fear or hatred of foreigners or that which is foreign
yoke	A burden or something that oppresses; a frame for attaching animals (such as oxen) to each other and to a plow or other equipment to be pulled, or a bar across a person's shoulders to help carry buckets of water, etc. (noun); to unite together or to burden (verb)

Read More