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A total number of subjects can be interpreted by seeing UPSC syllabus and exam pattern and form your own list of subjects , which you can organize and revise easily before the exam according to your understanding of the syllabus because GS subjects are intermixed with each other.According to the UPSC notification 2020Scheme and subjects for the Preliminary and Main Examination.A. PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION:The Examination shall comprise of two compulsory Papers of 200 marks each. Note : (i) Both the question papers will be of the objective type (multiple choice questions) and each will be of two hours duration.(ii) The General Studies Paper-II of the Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination will be a qualifying paper with minimum qualifying marks fixed at 33%.B. MAIN EXAMINATION: The written examination will consist of the following papers: Qualifying Papers :(One of the Indian Language to be selected by the candidate from the Languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution).Paper-A Indian language 300 MarksPaper-B English 300 MarksPapers to be counted for meritPaper-I Essay 250 MarksPaper-II General Studies-I 250 Marks (Indian Heritage and Culture, History and Geography of the World and Society)Paper-III General Studies -II 250 Marks (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations)Paper-IV General Studies -III 250 Marks (Technology, Economic Development, Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management)Paper-V General Studies -IV 250 Marks (Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude)Paper-VI Optional Subject - Paper 1 250 MarksPaper-VII Optional Subject - Paper 2 250Marks Sub Total (Written test) 1750 MarksPersonality Test 275 MarksGrand Total 2025 MarksCandidates may choose any one of the optional subjects from amongst the list of subjectsNote: Please refer to UPSC notification to understand the demand of UPSC.(i) The papers on Indian languages and English (Paper A and paper B) will be of Matriculation or equivalent standard and will be of qualifying nature. The marks obtained in these papers will not be counted for ranking.(ii) Marks obtained by the candidates for the Paper I-VII only will be counted for merit ranking. However, the Commission will have the discretion to fix qualifying marks in any or all of these papers.List of optional subjects for Main Examination : (i) Agriculture (ii) Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science (iii) Anthropology (iv) Botany (v) Chemistry (vi) Civil Engineering (vii) Commerce and Accountancy (viii) Economics (ix) Electrical Engineering (x) Geography (xi) Geology (xii) History (xiii) Law (xiv) Management (xv) Mathematics (xvi) Mechanical Engineering (xvii) Medical Science (xviii) Philosophy (xix) Physics (xx) Political Science and International Relations (xxi) Psychology (xxii) Public Administration (xxiii) Sociology (xxiv) Statistics (xxv) Zoology (xxvi) Literature of any one of the Indian language mentioned in UPSC notification.Part A -Prelims exam is objective-based(i) There are four alternatives for the answers to every question. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate, one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.(ii) If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happen to be correct and there will be same penalty as above for that question.(iii) If a question is left blank i.e. no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.Part B—The Main Examination will consist of written examination will consist of 9 papers of conventional essay typeThe main Examination is intended to assess the overall intellectual traits and depth of understanding of candidates rather than merely the range of their information and memory.The nature and standard of questions in the General Studies papers (Paper II to Paper V) will be such that a well-educated person will be able to answer them without any specialized study.The questions will be such as to test a candidate’s general awareness of a variety of subjects, which will have relevance for a career in Civil Services.The questions are likely to test the candidate’s basic understanding of all relevant issues, and ability to analyze, and take a view on conflicting socio-economic goals, objectives and demands. The candidates must give relevant, meaningful and succinct answers.The scope of the syllabus for optional subject papers (Paper VI and Paper VII) for the examination is broadly of the honours degree level i.e. a level higher than the bachelors’ degree and lower than the masters’ degree.C. Interview Test The candidate will be interviewed by a Board who will have before them a record of his career. He will be asked questions on matters of general interest. The object of the interview is to assess the personal suitability of the candidate for a career in public service by a Board of competent and unbiased observers. The test is intended to judge the mental caliber of a candidate. In broad terms this is really an assessment of not only his intellectual qualities but also social traits and his interest in current affairs. Some of the qualities to be judged are mental alertness, critical powers of assimilation, clear and logical exposition, balance of judgement, variety and depth of interest, ability for social cohesion and leadership, intellectual and moral integrity.2. The technique of the interview is not that of a strict cross-examination but of a natural, though directed and purposive conversation which is intended to reveal the mental qualities of the candidate. Government strives to have a workforce which reflects gender balance and women candidates are encouraged to apply.3. The interview test is not intended to be a test either of the specialised or general knowledge of the candidates which has been already tested through their written papers. Candidates are expected to have taken an intelligent interest not only in their special subjects of academic study but also in the events which are happening around them both within and outside their own State or Country as well as in modern currents of thought and in new discoveries which should rouse the curiosity of well educated youth.For syllabus and further information please refer to https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/Notification-CSPE_2020_N_Engl.pdf

Since you want info about Toefl, you shouldn't be a native English speaker so I think you'd better tell us your nationality so that we can help you more efficiently~Toefl Vocabulary Word List, Common 500+ Words, Easy to Print, Practice500+ Toefl Exam Word ListABANDON: To give up completely - abandoned the sinking ship.Synonyms: relinquish, forgo, forsakeABASH: To lose self-confidence; to confuse, put to shame – abashed before the assembled dignitaries.Synonyms: fluster, disconcert, discomfit, discomposeAntonym: (adj.) self-possessedABDICATE: To give up claim to - abdicated the throneSynonyms: renounce, abandon, relinquishABET: To encourage -or support - treacherously abetted the enemy.Synonyms: spur, inciteAntonym: deterABRIDGE: To shorten - abridged his lengthy speech.Synonyms: curtail, diminish, retrenchAnthonyms: protract, elongate, amplifyABROGATE: To abolish or render void - a treaty abrogated by mutual consent.Synonyms: annul, nullify, rescind, voidABSTEMIOUS: Moderate in the use of food or drink - abstemious in his habits.Synonym: temperateACADEMIC: Pertaining to school; theoretical academic interests; an academic discussion, with no practical implications.Synonym: scholasticACCEDE: To agree to -accede to a request.Synonym: assentAntonym: demurACCELERATE: - To quicken, speed tip - took an accelerated course in order to graduate early.Synonym: expedite (adj. expeditious)Antonym: retardACCOLADE: An award or salute - a tremendous accolade for a returning hero.Synonyms: tribute, ovationACCORD: Agreement or harmony - in full accord with his view.Synonyms: concord, concurrenceAntonyms:dissension, discordACRIMONIOUS: Sharp or harsh in language or temper - stung by the acrimonious remark.Synonyms:caustic, acerb, pungent, tart, mordant, acrid; (noun) asperityAntonyms:suave, affableACUMEN: Keenness of mind or insight - showing exceptional business acumen.Synonyms:perspicacity, discernment, perceptionAntonym:obtusenessADMONISH (noun: ADMONITION): To warn or find fault gently - admonishing the unruly child.Synonyms:chide, caution, reprimand, reprehend, reproachADVERSARY: (adj.: ADVERSE): An opponent - his adversary in a bitter debate.Synonym:antagonistAntonyms:cohort, confederate, ally, accompliceADVERSITY: Misfortune - calm in the face of adversity.Synonyms:affliction, mischance, reversesAESTHETIC: Pertaining to the beautiful - interested in aesthetic values rather than in purely practical affairs.AFFABLE: Sociable, courteous, and agreeable in manner a much admired, affable gentleman.Synonyms: civil, complaisant, benign, gracious, genial, urbane, cordialAntonyms:curt, brusque, rude, boorish, surlyAFFLUENT: Prosperous, flourishing; copious - a large bequest from an affluent grandfather.Synonyms:opulent, profuseAntonyms:destitute, impecuniousAGGRESSIVE (noun: AGGRESSION. an unprovoked attack): self-assertive; attacking, offensive - annoyed people by his aggressive attitude;Synonyms:bumptious, officious, obtrusiveAntonyms:meek, humble, retiring, diffidentALACRITY: Eagerness; cheerful promptness - responded to the flattering offer with alacrity.Synonyms:celerity, briskness, energy, animationAntonyms:apathy, nonchalance, sluggishness, lethargy, phlegmatismALIENATE: To estrange - altenated by his gruff manner.ALLAY: To calm; to lessen in severity - at ease now that his fears have been allayed.Synonyms:appease, alleviate, pacify, assuage, abate, mitigate, propitiate, mollify, placateAntonyms:intensify, aggravateALLUDE (noun: ALLUSION): To refer to indirectly - alluded quite subtly to his friend's misfortune.Synonyms:insinuate, intimate, implyAntonyms:refer, citeALLURE: To tempt by flattery or an attractive offer - allured by the prospect of a new job.Synonyms:lure, decoy, inveigle, entice, seduce, wheedle, beguile, cajoleAntonym:repelAMBIGUOUS: Uncertain, vague, capable of being inter- in more than one way - puzzled by the ambiguousstatement.Synonyms:hazy, obscure, equivocal, dubious, nebulousAntonyms:explicit, unquestionableAMENABLE: Obedient; willing to submit - amenable to the suggestion.Synonyms:tractable, docile, responsiveAntonyms:intractable, refractory, recalcitrantAMIABLE: Good-natured; friendly - attracted friends by his amiable disposition.Synonym:complaisantANACHRONISM: A thing placed or occurring out of its normal time - A machine gun at the Battle of Yorktown would be an anachronism.ANALOGY (adj.: ANALOGOUS): A relation between two things shown in the resemblance not of the things themselves but of their characteristics- He indicated points of analogy between the two situations.Synonyms:correspondence, affinityAntonym: anomaly (a deviation from the general rule)ANARCHY: State of confusion or lawlessness - a country brought to utter anarchy by civil war.Synonyms: chaos, pandemoniumANIMUS: A feeling of hatred-felt no animus, even against the enemy.Synonyms: enmity, rancor, malevolence, animosityAntonym: amityANNALS: Historical records - in the annals of literature.ANONYMOUS: Of unknown authorship-an anonymous publication.ANTHOLOGY: A collection of choice literary works – an anthology of modern poetry.ANTITHESIS (adj.: ANTITHETICAL): Contrast; the direct opposite - His selfish attitude seemed to me theantithesis o patriotism.APATHY (adj.: APATHETIC): Lack of feeling, emotion, or interest - attributed his failure to apathy, rather than lack of ability.Synonyms: torpor, lethargy, sluggishness, listlessness, languor, lassitude, dispassion; (verb) languishAntonyms:zeal, animationAPPREHENSIVE (verb: APPREHEND): Fearful - Being unprepared, John is apprehensive of the examination.APPRISE: To inform -apprisedhis lieutenants of the new situation.APPROBATION: Approval; praise -a plan that met with hearty approbation.Synonyms:sanction, commendationSynonyms:sanction, commendationAntonym:disapprobationAPT (noun: APTITUDE, APTNESS):(1) Likely; inclined or disposed - apt to succeed. Synonym: prone(2) Fit, suitable - an apt remark.Synonyms: appropriate, felicitous(3) Skillful, expert - apt at woodcarving.Synonyms: deft, dextrous, adept. Antonym: ineptARBITER: A person who has authority to decide matters in dispute - a fair decision rendered by the arbiter.Synonyms: mediator, arbitratorARCHETYPE: An original pattern - copies reproduced from the archetype.Synonym: prototypeAntonyms: Stereotype, facsimile, replicaARID: Dry; barren - the arid desert land.Synonyms. jejune, parchedAntonyms: arable, fertileARISTOCRACY: Government by the best people; a privileged class -special privileges enjoyed by the aristocracy.Synonym: oligarchyAntonym: democracyARMISTICE: A temporary suspension of hostilities. The armistice halted the war.Synonym: truceARTFUL: Sly; crafty - attained his mean objective by artful measures.Synonyms: cunning, wily, adroit, ingenious, guilefulAntonyms: guileless, ingenuous, artlessARTICULATE (verb): To speak clearly or distinctly - articulated slowly so that he could not be misunderstood.(adj.): Capable of speech; distinct, clear – an articulate man, always ready to give his views.ASCETIC: Rigorously self-denying - pursued the ascetic life of a monk.Synonyms: austere, abstinentAntonyms: wanton, self-indulgentASKANCE: With distrust - looked askance at the forged signature.ASSEVERATE: To declare positively; to confirm - asseverated his views with conviction.Synonyms:assert, avouch, aver, avow, allegeAntonyms:gainsay, controvert, recant, rescind, abjure, disavowASSIDUOUS: Industrious - an assiduous worker, toiling long hours.Synonyms:sedulous, attentive, diligent, indefatigableAntonyms:indolent, slothfulASYLUM: A place offering shelter and retreat -found asylum from persecution.Synonyms:sanctuary, refugeATHEIST: One who denies that God exists - The atheist declared, "There is no God."Synonyms:infidel, agnostic, skepticATTRIBUTE (verb): Assign -attributed his success to bard work.Synonym: ascribe(noun): An inherent quality -Generosity was his outstanding attribute.AUGMENT: To increase or enlarge - an army augmented by numerous enlistments.Synonyms: enhance, amplify - Antonyms: abate, curtailAUSPICIOUS: Indicating a happy outcome - The prospect for this project appears auspicious.Synonyms:propitious, fortunateAntonyms:ominous, forebodingAUTHENTIC: Genuine -proved to be an authentic document.Synonyms:veritable, bona fideAntonyms;apocryphal, counterfeit, spurious, bogusAUTOCRATIC: Despotic - feared by the masses as an autocratic ruler.Synonym:tyrannicalAntonym:benevolentAVARICE: Excessive greed - a fortune accumulated by avarice and miserliness.Synonyms:covetousness, cupidity, avidityAntonym:magnanimityAWRY: Unsymmetrical; not straight - the picture, hanging awry on the wall.Synonym:askewBANAL: Lacking in freshness, originality, or vigor-bored by his banal remarks.Synonyms:commonplace, hackneyed, prosaic, trite, stereotyped, vapidAntonyms:racy, original, vividBANEFUL (noun: BANE: poison; source of harm): Destructive, poisonous - a baneful effect, causing serious injury.Synonyms: deleterious, pernicious, virulent, noxious, toxicAntonym:beneficentBANTER: Good-natured teasing or ridicule-The two wits I exchanged banter, to the amusement of the audience.Synonyms:raillery, chaffBATON: A stick or staff - The conductor wielded his baton gracefully.BELIE: To give a false idea of - His gracious manner belled his. evil purpose.Synonym:misrepresentBELLICOSE; Inclined to quarrel; warlike - His bellicose attitude often got John into fights.Synonyms: pugnacious, contentious, disputatiousAntonyms: pacific, conciliatoryBELLIGERENT: Engaged in war - two belligerent nations warring fiercely.BENEVOLENT: Kindly; charitable - like a benevolent monarch, bestowing many favors.Synonyms: benign, benignant, gracious, magnanimousAntonyms: malevolent, malignantBEREAVE: To deprive or leave desolate by loss - a widow just bereaved of her husband.BESMIRCH: To soil or dirty - besmirched his opponent's good name with vile epithets.Synonyms: stilly, defile, smirch, bespatterBIASED: Prejudiced - misled by a biased point of view.Synonyms:bigoted, arbitrary, partial, partisanAntonyms:disinterested, equitableBIBLIOPHILE: A lover of books - The bibliophile fingered the old book fondly.Antonym: bibliophobeBIZARRE: Queer; unusual in appearance- bizarre clothes, outlandish in the extreme.Synonyms:odd, fantastic, grotesque, eccentricBLAND: Gentle; polite; agreeable - a bland diet, without irritating foods.Synonyms: mild, suave (affable or persuasive in manner), soothing, non-irritatingAntonyms: piquant, tart, racy, caustic, acrid, pungentBLANDISHMENT: A flattering speech or act - attracted people by his blandishments.BLEMISH (verb): To scar or spoil - Bad associates blemished his character(noun): A disfigurement, defect - a character without a blemish.BLIGHT: To ruin or decay - the rotting wheat-, blighted by incessant rain.Synonyms:wither, blastBLITHE: Gay and light-hearted in spirit or mood - spread cheer with her blithe spirit.Synonyms: jocund, merry, joyousAntonyms: dejected, forlorn, abjectBOG: A swamp - sank into the spongy bog.Synonyms: morass, fen, quagmire, mireBOMBASTIC (noun: BOMBAST): High-sounding; pretentious in language - a bombastic speech, inflated with meaningless high-flown words.Synonyms: ranting, pompous, fustianBOORISH: Unrefined in speech or manners - exhibited the boorish manners of a backwoodsman.Synonyms:churlish, uncouth. uncultured, crassAntonym: suaveBUCOLIC: Pertaining to the country - a bucolic poem de- the joys of the shepherd.Synonyms:pastoral, rustic, ruralBUFFOON: A clown - acting like a buffoon, full of ludicrous tricks.Synonym: harlequinBULWARK:An embankment used as a fortification - a lofty bulwark for defense.Synonym: rampartA person, idea, or object serving as a protection - acted as a bulwark in the fight against crime.BUMPTIOUS: Obnoxiously conceited or self-assertive - a bumptious monitor, puffed up with his own importance,Synonyms: aggressive, arrogant, contumelious, overbearingCABAL: A small group of persons engaged in plotting - a cabal of prominent persons united to overthrow the government.Synonyms: junto, factionCACOPHONOUS: Unharmonious sounding - a cacophonous blare of trumpets, noisy and discordant.Synonyms: dissonant, discordant, blatant, strident, raucous Antonyms: mellifluous, euphonious, dulcetCADAVEROUS: Corpselike; hence, haggard, pale -His face appeared cadaverous from long imprisonment.Synonyms: ghastly, gaunt, pallid (noun: pallor), wan, ashenAntonyms: rubicund, floridCALLOUS: Unfeeling or insensitive - made callous by long suffering.Synonyms: insensible, obdurateCALUMNIATE: To accuse falsely or maliciously in order to injure another's reputation; slander - calumniated his political opponent by spreading false rumors.Synonyms: asperse, vilify, defame, scandalizeCANDID (noun: CANDOR): Frank, outspoken; impartial a candid reply that could hardly be more forthright.Synonyms: artless, ingenuous, unbiasedAntonyms: guileful, evasiveCANTANKEROUS: Ill-natured; quarrelsome – showed a cantankerous and sullen disposition.Synonyms:petulant, peevish, contentious, pugnacious, testy, choleric, fretfulAntonyms:amiable, affable, equableCAPRICIOUS: Inclined, through some whim or fancy change the mind, purpose, or actions suddenly - a capriciousperson, undependable in mood or temper.Synonyms:fickle, fitful, changeable, erratic, inconstant, crotchety, whimsical, mercurialAntonyms:steadfast, constant, even-temperedCAPTIOUS: Quick to find fault about trifles- a captious critic pouncing on slight laws.Synonyms:hypercritical, carping, carviling, censoriousCARICATURE: A picture or other description of a person which exaggerates ludicrously one or more of his distinctive features - not a realistic portrait but a malicious caricature.CASTIGATE: To punish or criticize severely - castigated for using improper language.Synonyms:reprove, upbraid, reprehend, censure, reprimand, chastenAntonyms:commend, eulogize, laudCELESTIAL: Pertaining to the sky; heavenly-a celestial pageant of bright stars.Synonyms:ethereal; (noun) firmamentCHAUVINIST. An extreme patriot-a chauvinist with most pride in his country.Synonym:jingoistCHICANERY: Trickery, deception,- practised chicanery all his shady dealings.Synonyms:duplicity, craft, stratagem, wile, subterfugeCHRONIC: Continuing a long time; habitual-a. chronic complaint, persisting for years.Synonyms:persistent, unremitting, inveterate, incessant, constantAntonyms:intermittent, sporadic, infrequentCIRCUMSPECT: Cautious - looked about him circumspectly.Synonyms:prudent, vigilant, discreet, waryAntonyms:rash, indiscreet, reckless, precipitate, foothardy, temerarious, headstrongCIRCUMVENT: To gain an advantage by the use of trick to evade by the use of deception; to go around -circumvented the law by evasive practices.Synonyms:thwart, balk, outwit, deludeCIVIL:Of or having to do with citizens or the state - We I civil duties as well as civil liberties.Polite, courteous - answered in a civil fashion.Synonyms: respectful, graciousCLAMOROUS: Loud and noisy - a clamorous outburst the crowd outside.Synonyms: vociferous, obstreperous, blatant, raucous, stridentAntonyms: muted, quietCLANDESTINE: Secret; stealthy - a clandestine meeting known only to a few.Synonyms: furtive, covert, surreptitiousAntonyms: overt, manifest, above-boardCLEMENT: Merciful; gentle - a clement judge who tempered justice with leniency.Synonyms: compassionate, forbearingAntonyms: relentless, ruthlessCOALITION (verb: COALESCE): Alliance; merging of various units into one unit - three parties forming acoalition to rule the country.Synonyms: amalgamation, consolidation, fusionCOERCION: Compelling a person by physical force or other means to do something against his will - rendered his services without the slightest coercion.Synonyms: constraint, restraint, impellingCOGENT: Having the force to compel, usually by appealing to reason - persuaded by cogent arguments.Synonym: persuasiveCOLLUSION: Working together secretly for an evil purpose - acted in collusion to overthrow the government.Synonyms: collaboration, conspiracy, conniving, machinationCOMMODIOUS: Roomy - a commodious apartment.Synonyms: spacious, capacious, ampleCOMPATIBLE: Harmonious; able, to get along together parted company because they were not compatible.Synonyms: congruous, consistentAntonyms: incongruous, discordant, incompatibleCOMPENDIUM (adj.: COMPENDIOUS): A brief summary of the main ideas of a larger work - a compendium of chemistry in a slim volume.Synonyms: synopsis, digest, precis, abstract, epitomeCOMPENSATION: Payment for services - just compensation for his labor.Synonyms: stipend, remuneration, recompense, emolumentCOMPLACENT: Self-satisfied - looked on his own performance with a complacent smile.Synonym: smugCOMPUNCTION: Regret for wrongdoing - displayed slight compunction for his misdeed.Synonyms: contrition, penitence, atonement, remorse, qualmCONCEDE: To yield; to admit as true; to grant - conceded victory to a superior force.Synonyms: acquiesce, capitulateCONDIGN: Well-deserved (applied chiefly to punishment) - received condign punishment for his crime.CONDOLE (noun: CONDOLENCE): To express sympathy with another in sorrow, pain, or misfortune - condoledwith each other in their grief.Synonyms: commiserate, show compassion, solaceCONDONE: To forgive or overlook (an offense) - condoned the deed, in view of the offender's age.Synonyms: extenuate, palliate, mitigate, glossCONFEDERATE (noun): A person allied with others for a special purpose (frequently a bad one) - joined hisconfederate in secret enterprise.Synonyms: collaborator, accomplice(adj.): United or allied in a conspiracy - two confederate groups hurrying to their rendezvous.CONGENIAL:(1) Possessing similar interests and tastes; able to get on well with others - congenial people with similar backgrounds.Synonym: compatible(2) Agreeable - congenial to his taste.CONJECTURE: To guess - Without facts, we can only conjecture about his guilt.Synonyms: surmise, presumeCONSECRATE:(1) To set apart as sacred - consecrate the battlefield with a monument to the dead heroes. Synonyms: hallow, sanctify Antonym: desecrate(2) To devote or dedicate to some aim - consecrated his life to teaching.CONSENSUS. General agreement - The consensus of the committee was that no action should be taken.Synonym: accordCONSTERNATION: Amazement; lack of courage caused by fearful prospect - The threat struck deepconsternation into John.Synonyms: dismay, bewildermentCONSTRUE (noun: CONSTRUCTION): To interpret, explain the sense of, or analyze - construed the statement to his own advantage.CONSUMMATE (adj.): Perfect or highly accomplished - achieved with consummate skill.Antonyms: botched. bungled, inept(verb): To complete, bring to perfection - consummated the deal without delay.CONTEMPTUOUS: Expressive of contempt (an emotion involving anger and disgust) - cast a contemptuous look at his subordinate.Synonyms: supercilious, scornful, disdainful, contumeliousCONVIVIAL: Festive; gay - a convivial party.Synonyms: jovial, jocund, mirthfulAntonyms: lugubrious, dolorous, mirthlessCOPIOUS: Plentiful - shed copious tears at the bad news.Synonyms. profuse, bountiful, abundantAntonyms: meager, scantCORPULENT: Fat - corpulent due to excessive eating.Synonyms: obese, portlyAntonyms: gaunt, lank, emaciated, peakedCOSMOPOLITAN (noun): One who is at home in all countries - A cosmopolitan can feel at ease anywhere in the world.(adj.): Free from local prejudices - a world-wide traveler, cosmopolitan in tastes and attitudes.Synonyms: CatholicAntonyms: parochial, provincialCOTERIE: A group of people joined by common interests a coterie of select friend.Synonym: cliqueCOUNTENANCE (noun): A face - His countenance expressed his complete disgust.Synonym: visage(verb): To approve - refused to countenance disrespectful conduct.Synonym: sanctionCRASS: Coarse and stupid - displayed crass ignorance.Synonym: grossCRAVEN (noun): Coward - the deed of a craven, motivated by fear.Synonym. Poltroon(adj.): Cowardly - a craven act which shocked the world.Synonyms: pusillanimous, dastardly.Antonyms: stalwart, intrepid, valiant, stout-heartedCREDENCE: Trust or belief - gave little credence to the rumor.Synonym: convictionAntonym: skepticismCREDIBLE: Worthy of belief - a credible story, true to life.Antonym: incredibleCREDITABLE: Deserving or reflecting Credit or honor - applauded for his creditable performance.Synonyms: praiseworthy, meritorious, commendableAntonyms: discreditable, infamous, opprobrious, ignominiousCREDULOUS: Inclined to believe anything; easily imposed upon - a credulous fool whom anyone can dupe.Synonym: gullibleAntonyms: incredulous, skepticalCRINGE: To shrink in fear - cringing before superior force.Synonyms, cower, flinch, fawn, truckle, winceCRUCIAL: Decisive or critical; difficult - the crucial event that decided the outcome.CRYPTIC: Containing hidden meaning - a cryptic message, difficult to decipher.Synonyms: occult, enigmaticAntonyms: palpable, manifestCULPABLE: Deserving blame or censure - removed from office for culpable negligence.Synonyms: censurable, reprehensibleCUMBROUS: Burdensome and clumsy - a cumbrous knapsack, impeding his march.Synonyms: cumbersome, unwieldy, bulkCURB: To control, check, or restrain - forcibly curbed the people's protest.Synonyms: repress, subdueCURSORY: Hurried; hence, superficial - Time permitted only a cursory examination.Antonyms: painstaking, meticulousCURT: Rudely abrupt -offended by the curt response.Synonyms: blunt, brusque, bluffAntonyms: affable, civilCYNICAL: Sneeringly distrustful of the good motives or conduct of others - belittled the hero with a cynicalremark.Synonyms: sarcastic, surlyDEARTH: Scarcity - a dearth of news, brought about by censorship.Antonyms: plethora, abundanceDEFERENCE: Submitting to the wishes or judgment of another - yielded out of deference to the old man.Synonyms: respect, complaisance, venerationAntonym: recalcitranceDEITY: A god -The sun was a deity to ancient peoples.Synonym: divinityDELECTABLE: Very pleasing - a delectable meal, tastefully prepared.DELETE: To erase or cancel, take out or remove - deletedan offensive phrase.Synonyms: expunge, censor, efface, eradicateDELINEATE: To sketch or portray - striking features, delineated by a master artist.DELINQUENT (noun): An offender - found to be a delinquent by the court.(adj.): Failing to fulfill an obligation - too many people who are delinquent in meeting their civic duties.Synonym: derelictDELUGE: A great flood; downpour - a spring deluge which caused the river to overflow.DEMAGOGUE: A leader who tries to stir the passions of people for his own purposes - the mob roused by an unprincipled demagogue.DEMEANOR: Behavior; bearing - carrying himself with a proud demeanor.Synonyms: deportment, mienDEMURE: Affectedly or falsely modest or prim; serious demure as a Victorian maiden.Synonyms: sedate, staid, decorous, prudish, coyAntonyms: immodest, frivolousDENOUNCE (noun: DENUNCIATION): To speak against - denounced by the press as a traitor.Synonyms: stigmatize, censure, reprehend, castigateAntonyms: laud, eulogizeDEPLETE: To empty or to use up - depleted the public treasury by vast building programs.Synonyms: exhaust, drainAntonyms: replenish; (adj.) repleteDEPLORE: To express sorrow or grief over - a lamentable situation deplored by all parties.Synonyms: lament, decry, grieveDEPRAVED: Of low morals; corrupt - a depraved mind, devising evil.Synonyms: debased, wicked, vicious, pervertedDEPRECATE: To plead or argue against a certain course of action - deprecated the proposal severely.Synonyms: remonstrate, protest, decry, expostulateAntonym: sanctionDEPRECIATE: To belittle or speak slightingly of - depreciated John's acting ability.Synonyms: disparage, derogate (adj. derogatory)Antonyms: enhance, magnify, extol, laud, eulogizeDEVASTATION: Widespread ruin - the city left in utter devastation by war.Synonyms: destruction, desolationDEVIOUS:(1) Winding; indirect - took a devious, rather than the direct way home.Synonym: circuitous(2) Straying from the right course - used devious means to attain his wicked ends.Synonyms: crooked, erringDEVOID: Lacking in; not possessing - a speech devoid of even a trace of ill-will.Synonym: destituteAntonyms: abounding, prevalentDEVOUT: Devoted to religious observances - devout in his regularity of attendance at worship.Synonyms: pious, religiousAntonym: impiousDICTUM: Art authoritative statement; a saying-an imperial dictum demanding instant compliance.DIDACTIC: Designed to teach, imparting a lesson - a poem with a didactic purpose.Synonym: pedagogicalDIFFIDENT: Lacking in self-confidence- too diffident to lead a group.Synonyms: shy, timid, reserved, reticent, retiringAntonyms: forward, aggressiveDILEMMA: A situation calling for a choice between two equally difficult alternatives; hence, a difficult or perplexing situation - faced with a dilemma defying solution.Synonyms:predicament, quandary, plightDILETTANTE: One who dabbles in the fine arts for amusement only and without concentrated study - a doctor by profession, a dilettante in art.Synonyms:amateur, connoisseurDISCONCERT: To confuse; to embarrass - disconcerted by his suspicious stare.Synonyms:perturb, discomfit, discompose, abash, disquiet, flusterDISCONSOLATE: Depressed; without hope or possibility of consolation - made disconsolate by abject poverty.Synonyms:inconsolable, dejectedAntonyms:blithesome, carefreeDISCOURSE: To converse or talk; to discuss - discoursed at length on the rise of political parties.DISCRETE: Separate - two discrete issues, totally unrelated.DISCURSIVE: Rambling from one subject to another - a discursive letter, covering many topics.Synonyms:desultory, digressiveDISPARITY (adj.: DISPARATE): Inequality; difference in image, quantity, character, or rank - great disparitybetween promise and performance.DISPASSIONATE: Free from feeling or partiality - coldly dispassionate as the chairman of the meetingSynonyms:palm, impartialAntonym:partialDISPATCH (verb): To do speedily; to send off - dispatched with remarkable promptness.Synonym: expedite(noun): A speedy performance; the sending off of something - done with all possible dispatch.Synonyms: celerity, alacrityDISPEL: To drive away; to scatter - dispelled a doubt that had lingered.Synonyms:dissipate, disperse, diffuseDISSENT (noun: DISSENSION): To disagree; to differ in opinion - He dissented violently, rejecting compromise.DISSOLUTE: Living loosely; unrestrained in conduct or morals - his life wasted by dissolute conduct.Synonyms:debauched, dissipated, profligateDISTRAUGHT: Mentally distressed; distracted - distraught by trials and tribulations.Synonym: harassedDIVERSE: (verb: DIVERSIFY; noun: DIVISIBILITY): Varied; different - two diverse characters; one candid, the other insincere.Synonym: multifariousDIVERTING: Entertaining - a diverting one of the most amusing I've ever seen.DIVULGE: To make public or reveal - refused to divulge his source of information.Synonyms: disclose, impartDOGMATIC: Positive in expressing an opinion; asserting an opinion as though it were an undisputed fact - spokendogmatically, as if the speaker considered himself infallible.Synonyms: overbearing, opinionated, peremptory, dictatorialDOLOROUS: Sorrowful; mournful - a dolorous song full of sorrow for past joys.Synonyms: doleful, lugubrious, grievousAntonyms: jocund, blithe, mirthfulDYNAMIC: Forceful - possessed dynamic energy, tireless and powerful.Synonym: energeticAntonyms: static, inert, dormant, torpid, sluggish, quiescentECCLESIASTIC (adj.): Pertaining to the clergy or the church - recognized as an authority in ecclesiastic matters. Antonyms: secular, lay(noun): A clergyman - an ecclesiastic of liberal views.EDICT: A public command or proclamation issued by an authority - proclaimed by royal edict.Synonym: decreeEDIFY: To instruct or uplift, particularly in morals or religion - a story that edifiesthe reader, as well as entertains himEFFETE: No longer productive; hence, lacking in or, worn out - powerful in ancient days, now an effetecivilization.EGOTISTIC: Conceited - an egotisticperson, flourishing on praise.Synonyms: egocentric, vainAntonym: altruisticEGREGIOUS: Outstandingly bad an egregiousmistake with serious implications.EJACULATE: To exclaim or utter suddenly - ejaculateda cry of horror.ELICIT: To draw out - elicitedno response from the audience.Synonyms: evoke, extract, extortELUCIDATE: To make clear; to explain - elucidatedhis theory so that even a schoolboy could understand it.Synonym: clarifyEMISSARY: A person sent on an errand or mission - delegated his emissary to conclude a pact.ENGENDER: To cause, produce, or stir up-an act that engenderedgood will.ENNUI: Boredom; weariness of mind-fell asleep at the meeting from sheer ennui.ENSUE: To follow or result-Silence ensuedwhen the leader arose to speak.ENTREAT: To beg earnestly - entreatedthe judge to show mercy.Synonyms: solicit, supplicate, beseech, implore, importune;(adj.) importunate, mendicant, suppliantEPHEMERAL: Very short-lived - an ephemeraljoy, lasting but a day.Synonyms: fleeting, transitory, transient, evanescentAntonym: eternalEPICUREAN (noun): A person devoted to luxurious living and pleasure - an epicurean, seeking to enjoy every meal.(adj.): Pleasure-loving - His entire existence demonstrated his epicureantastes.EPIGRAM: A brief pointed saying - a speech full of original epigrams.Synonyms: maxim proverb, adageEPITAPH: A tombstone inscription - an epitaphengraved on marble.EPITHET: A phrase that describes a quality (good or bad) in a person or thing - "Glaring" error is a commonly usedepithet.Synonyms: characterization , appellationEQUANIMITY (adj.: EQUABLE): Evenness of temper or mind - suffered his cruel fate with equanimity.Synonyms: serenity, composure, imperturbability, aplombERR (noun: ERRATUM): To be mistaken or go astray - To err is human, to forgive divine.Synonyms: stray, blunderERRATIC: Irresponsible, eccentric; lacking a fixed purpose erratic behavior, reflecting his queer ideas.ERUDITE: Learned - an erudite person, an editor of many books.Synonyms: scholarly , knowingESOTERIC: Understood by only a select few - an esoteric subject, discussed only by scholars.Synonyms: abstruse, reconditeEXCEPTIONABLE: Objectionable - exceptionable behavior, universally criticized.Synonyms: questionable, reprehensible, censurableAntonym: laudableEXCULPATE: To free from blame - exculpated by a jury.Synonyms: vindicate, exonerate, absolve, acquitAntonyms: arraign, indict, inculpateEXEMPLARY (noun: EXEMPLAR): Serving as a model; commendable - exemplary conduct approved by all.Synonyms: illustrative, typical; praiseworthy, laudableEXODUS: Departure, emigration - the pathetic exodus of refugees from their homeland.EXOTIC: Strange and foreign - an exotic costume imported from Asia.EXPATIATE: To speak or write at great length - He expatiated on the subject for two hours.Synonym: dilateEXPATRIATE (verb): To banish or exile; to withdraw from one's country - expatriated for treachery to his country.(noun): An expatriated person - expatriates who left the United States to live in Paris.EXPEDIENT (adj.): Convenient in helping to attain some purpose - found it expedient to maintain silence at that moment.Synonyms: opportune, seasonable(noun): A means to accomplish something - tried all expedients to achieve a quick result.EXPLOIT (verb): To use for one's selfish purpose – refugees exploited by unscrupulous employers.(noun): A brilliant deed - lauded for his exploits in science.Synonym: featEXPOUND (noun: EXPOSITION): To set forth in detail; to explain - expounded his theory in a learned article.EXPURGATE: To purify (usually a piece of writing) of offensive material - expurgate all obscenities before the book could be sold.Synonyms: purge, deleteEXTEMPORANEOUS: Done or spoken on the spur of the moment or without preparation - an extemporaneousspeech.Synonyms: impromptu, offhandEXTINCT: No longer existing or active - the extinct dinosaur, alive only in history.Synonym: defunctAntonym: extantEXTIRPATE: To root out, destroy totally - extirpated the cause of trouble.Synonyms: eradicate, exterminate, efface, obliterateEXTRANEOUS. Not essential; foreign; irrelevant - excluded material extraneous to the subject.Synonyms: extrinsic, adventitiousAntonyms: germane, intrinsic, inherent, relevant, pertinentEXULTATION: Great rejoicing - received the good news with exultation.Synonym: jubilationFACADE: Front or face, especially of a building - a facade of marble.FACETIOUS: Given to joking or inappropriate gaiety; said in fun - brightened the evening with his facetiousremarks.Synonyms: jocose, droll, flippant, frivolousAntonyms: solemn, grave, saturnineFALLACIOUS (noun: FALLACY): Unsound; misleading; deceptive - led astray by fallacious reasoning and plans.FALLIBLE: Liable to make mistakes or be deceived - Being human, Tom was naturally fallible.Antonyms: infallible, unerringFATHOM: To penetrate and understand - difficult to fathom his mysterious actions.FATUOUS: Foolish; silly - a fatuous suggestion that struck us as stupid.Synonyms: inane, vacuous, puerileAntonyms: judicious, sagacious, sageFEALTY: Faithfulness - The soldiers were pledged to fealty to their ruler.Synonyms: allegiance, constancy, fidelityAntonyms: disloyalty; infidelity, treacheryFEASIBLE: Workable - a feasible plan, proved practical by - previous experience.Antonym: impracticable245 FEIGN (noun: FEINT): To pretend - He feigned to be angry, but we saw through his pretense.Synonyms: dissemble, sham, dissimulate, affectFELICITY (adj.: FELICITOUS):(1) A state of happiness - promoted felicity in the nation.Synonym: bliss(2) A high ability - lie has a felicity of language, mastery of the well-chosen phrase.FERVID: Spirited; ardent - a fervid debater, full of emotion.Synonyms: perfervid, impassioned, zealous, fervent, vehementFESTOON (noun): A garland of flowers, leaves, etc. hung between two points - the room bright with festoons of Thanksgiving decorations.(verb): To hang with festoons - a room festooned with spring flowers.FETISH.(1) Something that is believed to have magical powers - savages worshipping the fetish in a ceremonial dance.Synonym: charm, talisman, amulet(2) An object of unreasoning devotion and worship – Photography, begun as a hobby, became a fetish.FIASCO: A ludicrous and complete failure - all his glorious plans ending in a fiasco.Synonym: debacleFICTITIOUS: Unreal; made-up - used a fictitious name to avoid being recognized.Synonym: fabricatedFLACCID: Lacking firmness - muscles grown flaccid after the illness.Synonyms: flabby, limpFLAGRANT: Outstandingly bad - condemned for his flagrant abuse of power.Synonyms: glaring, scandalous, notorious, conspicuous, grossFLAMBOYANT: Elaborately showy - written in a flamboyant, style, full of highly decorative imagery.Synonyms: florid, ornate, resplendent, embellished, garish, gaudy, gorgeous, rococoAntonym: somberFLAUNT: Display or wave boastfully - flaunted the excellent report before his delighted parents.FLEETING: Passing swiftly -the fleeting hours of happinessSynonyms: transitory, fugitiveFLUCTUATE: To waver from one course to another; to vary irregularly - his mood fluctuating with every hour.Synonyms: oscillate, vacillate, undulate, swayFORBEAR (noun: FORBEARANCE): To exercise self control; to keep from - forbearing to shoot the animal despite temptation.Synonyms: restrain, abstainFORENSIC: Pertaining to public discussion or law courts - a lawyer gifted in forensic debate.Synonyms: rhetorical, oratoricalFORTUITOUS: Accidental - a fortuitous meeting with a friend in need.Synonyms: casual, incidental, adventitious, randomFRACAS: A disorderly quarrel - A fracas broke up the meeting.Synonyms: brawl, altercation, fray, wrangle, imbroglioFRUSTRATE: To prevent (the attainment of an object); to defeat or render ineffectual - His scholastic progress wasfrustrated by a serious illness.Synonyms: balk, thwart, foil, baffle, obstruct, discomfitAntonym: abetFULSOME: Disgustingly excessive - nauseated by fulsome praise.GARNISH: To trim or decorate - dishes garnished attractively with greens.Synonyms: adorn, deckGENEALOGY: A record of a person's or a family's ancestors or relatives - an interesting genealogy, including saints and sinners.Synonym: lineageGENESIS: Origin - chemistry, which had its genesis in alchemy.Synonym: inceptionGESTICULATE: To make gestures, or indicate feelings by. motions - gesticulated wildly to show his distress.GHASTLY: Horrible, deathlike - a ghastly disaster which shocked the world.Synonyms: gruesome, grisly, pallid, macabre, grim, luridGIBE (variant spelling: JIBE): To laugh at; to utter with scorn - gibed at his enemy mercilessly.Synonyms: mock, sneer, jeer, scoff, flout, deride (adj.: derisive), rail, tauntGLIB: Smooth-spoken, fluent - a glib liar, distorting the truth effortlessly.GLUTTONOUS (noun. GLUTTON; verb: GLUT): Inclined to cat to excess - gulped down his food in gluttonousfashion.Synonyms:voracious, intemperateGOSSAMER (noun): A very thin gauzelike fabric or structure - a poem so delicate that it seemed an unrealgossamer.(adj.): Thin and light - the gossamer wings of a dragon fly.Synonyms: diaphanous, flimsy, gauzelike Antonyms: substantial, ponderousGREGARIOUS: Habitually fond of associating in a company or herd - gregarious sheep; that gregarious animal, man.Antonyms:lone, aloofGRIMACE: A distortion of the face to express an attitude or feeling - a grimace that was more expressive than words.HAIL: To greet - The crowd hailed the returning hero.Synonyms: accost, saluteHARANGUE (verb): To deliver a long. noisy speech- harangued the multitude.Synonyms: rant, declaim(noun): A loud, tiresome speech - an empty harangue which bored his audience.Synonym: tiradeHARBINGER, A forerunner; ail announcer - the robin, harbinger of spring.Synonyms:precursor, heraldHAUGHTY: Proud; looking down with contempt on others - dismissed the messenger in a haughty manner.HEEDLESS: Thoughtless; taking little care - rushed into battle, heedless of the danger.Synonyms: inadvertent, rash, incautiousAntonyms: prudent, circumspect, mindful, waryHEINOUS: Wicked; hateful - committed a heinous crime.Synonyms: atrocious, outrageous, monstrous, odious, nefarious, abominableHERESY: An opinion held in opposition to the traditional view - a view condemned as heresy.Synonym: heterodoxyAntonym: orthodoxyHIATUS: A gap or vacancy; break -left a hiatus on the page where he erased a sentence.Synonym:breachHISTRIONIC: Pertaining to the theater; designed for show - broke into histrionic laughter, hollow and insincere.Synonyms: dramatic, theatricalHOAX (noun): A trick or deception; a practical joke - played a hoax upon the credulous public.Synonym: canard(verb): To play a trick on; to deceive - He hoaxed the crowd completely with his disguise.HOMONYM: Two words having the same sound but different meanings - confusing such homonyms as mail add male.HOVEL: A dirty or wretched dwelling - born in a hovel, died in a mansion.HYPERBOLE: Extravagant exaggeration for effect - An example of hyperbole: "There are a million objections to the project."Synonym: overstatementAntonym: understatementHYPOTHESIS: An assumption made for the sake of argument - worked from a fantastic hypothesis.Synonym: suppositionIDIOSYNCRASY: A. personal peculiarity - Wearing white was one of Whistler's idiosyncrasies.Synonyms: eccentricity, foible, mannerism, crotchet, aberration, quirk, singularityIGNOMINIOUS (noun: IGNOMINY): Incurring public disgrace - suffered an ignominious descent from political power.Synonyms: infamous, degrading, opprobrious, odiousAntonyms: illustrious, renowned, preeminentIMMACULATE: Spotless; pure - an immaculate reputation.Synonyms: undefiled, unsullied, unblemished, untarnishedAntonyms: defiled, sullied, blemishedIMMINENT: Likely to occur soon - stood in imminent peril.Synonym: impendingIMMUNE (verb: IMMUNIZE): Exempt from; protected from - immune from taxation.Synonym : unsusceptibleIMPALE: To pierce through with a pointed instrument - impaled a spider to the wall.IMPEACH:(1) To accuse (a public official) of wrongdoing - impeached the judge for accepting a bribe.Synonym: arraign(2) To cast discredit upon - impeached his motives.Synonyms: call in question, discreditIMPECCABLE: Faultless - performed with impeccable skill.Synonyms: consummate, irreproachable, unerring, infallibleAntonyms: culpable, fallibleIMPERVIOUS: Incapable of being penetrated - a mind impervious to new ideas.Synonyms: impermeable, impenetrableAntonyms: permeable, pervasiveIMPLACABLE: Incapable of being soothed, made peaceful, or forgiving - implacable resentment.Synonyms: unrelenting, inexorable, unappeasableAntonyms: placable, forbearingIMPLICIT:(1) Implied but not clearly expressed - an implicit agreement.(2) Unquestioning - implicit confidence.Synonyms: tacit, impliedAntonym: explicitIMPORT (noun): Meaning; significance or importance - a matter of great import.Synonyms: purport, moment, consequenceIMPOSTOR (noun: IMPOSTURE): One who pretends to be what he is notunmasked as an impostor.Synonyms: quack, mountebank, charlatan, bogus, fraudIMPRECATION: A curse - hurled imprecations at those who would not listen to him.Synonyms: execration, malediction, anathemaAntonyms: benediction, benisonIMPREGNABLE: Unconquerable - an impregnable fortress.Synonym: invincibleAntonym: vulnerableIMPROPRIETY: Improper act, manners, or expression - guilty of impropriety in public office.Synonyms: indecency, indecorumAntonym: amenityIMPROVIDENT: Lacking in thrift; not providing for future needs - an improvident spender.Synonyms: prodigal, shiftlessIMPUGN: To attack or criticize as false; to call in question - impugned his honesty.INCARCERATE: To imprison - crushed his opponents by incarcerating them.Synonyms: intern, immureAntonyms: emancipate, enfranchiseINCISIVE: Cutting, penetrating - incisive criticism.Synonyms: sarcastic, mordant, trenchant, acuteINCOGNITO. With one's identity concealed - traveled incognito.INCONTROVERTIBLE: Indisputable - incontrovertible evidence.Synonyms: irrefutable, -indubitableINCREMENT: An increase - a salary increment.Synonym: accrualINCUMBENT (noun): An officeholder - the incumbent in an election.(adj.): Obligatory - felt it incumbent to reply.Synonyms: - mandatory, imperativeINDEFATIGABLE: Untiring - an indefatigable worker.Synonyms:unflagging, unremitting, perseveringINDIGENOUS: Native - Rice is indigenous to China.Synonyms:innate, inbornINDOOMITABLE: Stubborn in determination not to be subdued - indomitable courage.Synonyms:insuperable, irrepressible, invincible, unyieldingAntonyms:tractable, amenable, docile, submissiveINFERENCE: A conclusion reached by reasoning from data or premises - an inference drawn from his remarks.Synonyms:deduction, implicationINGENIOUS: Demonstrating originality, skill, or resourcefulness - an ingenious device.Synonyms:dextrous, inventive, adroitAntonyms:maladroit, gaucheINGENUOUS: Simple and straightforward; concealing nothing - an ingenuous plan that anyone could see through.Synonyms: unsophisticated, naive, candidAntonym: sophisticatedINGRATIATE: To win another's favor or good opinion tried to ingratiate himself with the politician.INHIBIT: To check or hinder - inhibited his friend from a foolhardy course.Synonyms:restrain, curbAntonym: promoteINNOCUOUS: Harmless; inoffensive - an innocuous remark, but it enraged him.INNUENDO: An indirect reference or suggestion (frequently derogatory) - conveyed his idea by innuendo.Synonyms: (verb) intimate, insinuateINORDINATE: Excessive - spoiled by inordinate praise.Synonyms: immoderate, intemperate, extravagantINSATIABLE: Unable to be satisfied - insatiable greedSynonyms. unappeasable, unquenchable, insatiateINSCRUTABLE: Incapable of interpretation or understanding - the inscrutable smile of the Mona Lisa.Synonyms: unfathomable, cryptic, enigmaticINSIDIOUS: Working secretly or slyly - that insidious disease, cancer.Synonyms: wily, crafty, furtive, treacherous, artful, guileful perfidiousINSTIGATE: To stir tip - instigated discontent among the soldiers.Synonyms: foment, inciteINTEGRITY: Honesty, moral soundness - a man of proved integrity.Synonyms: probity, uprightness, incorruptibilityINVEIGH (noun-. INVECTIVE): To speak angrily or bitterly-inveighed against economic discrimination.Synonyms: rail, denounce, fulminate, vituperateIRASCIBLE: Easily angered - Even petty things made Peter irascible.Synonyms: choleric, petulant, testy, peevish, splenetic, touchyAntonyms: placid, equableIRE: Anger -aroused his ire.Synonyms: resentment; (adj.) irate, incensedIRKSOME: Tedious, monotonous - an irksome chore that no one liked.ITINERANT: Traveling about; wandering - an itinerant salesman.Synonym: nomadicJARGON: Confused, unintelligible, meaningless talk; special vocabulary used only by members of a group or trade - Variety, a newspaper written in theatrical jargon.Synonyms: gibberish, argot, cantJAUNTY: Having an air of easy carelessness or liveliness - walked with a jaunty step.Synonyms: sprightly, airy, gay, nonchalant, debonairAntonyms: somber, staidJEOPARDY: Danger - His life was in jeopardy.Synonyms: hazard, perilJETTISON: To throw overboard (as cargo); to throw off (as a burden or something in the way )- jettisoned their old candidate as a political liability.JUDICIOUS: Wise; using or exhibiting good judgment - a well-chosen plan, termed judicious by all.Synonyms:discreet, politic, discerningKALEIDOSCOPIC: Constantly changing or varying in pattern or scenes - kaleidoscopic views of New York.KEN: Range of sight or understanding - something beyond our ken.Synonym: insightLABYRINTH (adj.: LABYRINTHINE): A structure or intricate passage out of which it is difficult to find one's way (also applied to spiritual and intellectual complexities) - confused by a labyrinth of intellectual discussions.Synonym:mazeLACHRYMOSE: Causing or given to shedding tears - a lachrymose tragedy.LACONIC: Saying much in few words - a laconic reply that spoke volumes.Synonyms:concise, pithy, terse, succinct, taciturn, reticentAntonyms:verbose, prolix, redundant, diffuse, tautological, turgid, garrulous, volubleLARCENY: Theft - indicted for grand larceny.LATENT: Hidden; present but not fully developed - latent talent that time will reveal.Synonyms:dormant, quiescent, covert, potentialAntonyms:apparent, patentLAVISH:(1) Profuse or generous - lavish in praise.Synonyms: ample, superabundant(2) Given to extravagance - a lavish spender.Synonyms: prodigal, munificent, magnanimous.Antonyms: parsimonious, niggardly, frugal, penuriousLETHAL: Deadly - a lethal weapon.Synonyms: mortal, fatalLONGEVITY: Prolonged duration of life - a country remarkable for the longevity of its inhabitants.LOW: To bellow softly like cattle - the lowing herd in the meadow.Synonym: mooLUCID: Clear; transparent; easily understood - a lucid explanation of a difficult text.Synonyms: pellucid, perspicuous, intelligible, limpid, luminous, translucentAntonyms: abstruse, obscureLUDICROUS: Ridiculous; producing laughter - a ludicrous remark that set them all to roaring.Synonyms: mirthful, droll, comical, absurdAntonyms: doleful, lugubrious, dismalLUMINARY: An eminent person; a celestial body - the platform graced by a number of luminaries.MACHIAVELLIAN: Sacrificing moral principles in order to attain power; politically cunning; crafty - amachiavellian design, wickedly contrived.Synonym: unscrupulousMALICIOUS (noun: MALICE): Bearing, or acting with, deliberate ill-will or spite - hurting with malicious intent.Synonyms:rancorous, malignant, malevolent, virulent, vindictiveAntonym: benignMASQUERADE (verb): To assume a deceptive appearance or character - a thief masquerading as an honest man.Synonyms: dissemble, feign(noun): A disguise; a group of people in disguise or fancy costumes - a masquerade so perfect no one could guess his identity.MAUDLIN: Sentimental to the point of tears - turned maudlin at the mention of his lost dog.Synonym : mawkish, lachrymoseMEANDER: To walk about (or talk) aimlessly; to wind about (as a stream) - meandered through the town, looking into shop windows.Synonym: rambleMEDIOCRE: Average in quality - a mediocre performance, unworthy of his talents.MERCENARY: Acting solely from a consideration of reward or profit - actuated by a mercenary motive.Synonym: venalMERETRICIOUS: Attracting in a false, cheap, or showy manner- a meretricious beauty that is too flashy to be real.Synonyms:tawdry, speciousMETICULOUS: Fussy about minute details - took meticulous pains with his composition.Synonyms:fastidious, punctilious, overscrupulous, finical, methodicalAntonyms:desultory, perfunctory, slovenlyMETTLE (adj.: METTLESOME: high-spirited ): Disposition; spirit; courage - His mettle was tried in battle.Idiom: to be on one's mettle (meaning, “ready to do one's best”)Synonyms:temperament, ardorMICROCOSM: A little world, or a universe in miniature this village, a microcosm of the great outside world.Antonym:macrocosm (world on a large scale)MIMIC: To make fun of or copy by imitating - mimicked the comedian's gestures.MISANTHROPIC (noun: MISANTHROPE): Hating or distrusting mankind - condemned for his misanthropicviews.Antonyms: philanthropic, altruisticMISNOMER: A name or term that describes wrongly - To call him a brave man is really a misnomer.MONOLOGUE: A speech by one person - The actor gave his views in a dramatic monologue.Synonym:soliloquyAntonyms:colloquy (adj. colloquial): conversation between two or more persons; dialogue: conversation between two personsMOROSE: Gloomy; ill-humored - shunned because of his morose temper.Synonyms: sulky, crabbed, sullen, splenetic, saturnineAntonyms: blithe, genialMOTLEY: Of various colors; of mixed ingredients - a motley costume; a motley crowd.Synonyms: checkered (referring to a varied career), piebald, variegated, diverse, heterogeneousAntonym: homogeneousMOTTLED: Spotted or streaked with varied colors - a mottled pony.Synonyms:blotched, dappledMUNDANE: Of, or pertaining to, the world, as contrasted with the spirit - mundane affairs.Synonyms:earthly, terrestrial, secular, temporalMURKY: Dark; cloudy - a murky cavern.Synonyms:dismal, tenebrous, fuliginousAntonyms:resplendent, glowing, lustrous, luminous, fulgent, coruscatingMUTABLE: Given to frequent change in nature, mood, or form - mutable in mood as a spring wind.Synonyms:vacillating, fickle, inconstant, fitful, mercurial, wavering, capriciousAntonyms:constant, steadyMYRIAD: Innumerable - the myriad stars in the heavens.NAUTICAL: Pertaining to ships or navigation - a nautical career.Synonyms: marine, naval, maritimeNETTLE: To irritate or provoke - nettled by his critics.Synonyms: vex, pique, goadNOCTURNAL: Pertaining to, or occurring in, the night - awakened by the sounds of a nocturnal prowler.Antonym: diurnalNOISOME: Foul-smelling; harmful-the swamp gave off a noisome odor.Synonyms: malodorous, fetid, disgusting; noxious, deleteriousAntonym: salubriousNONCHALANT: Unmoved or indifferent; casual - reacted to the news in a nonchalant manner.Synonym: apatheticAntonyms: enthusiastic, zealousNOSTALGIA: Homesickness - felt nostalgia for the old homestead.NOTORIOUS: Widely known (in a bad sense) - a notorious gambler.NOVICE: A beginner - conducted himself in politics like a novice.Synonyms:tyro, neophyteAntonym:virtuosoOBDURATE: Hard-hearted; stubborn - an obdurate, unrepentant criminal.Synonyms:adamant, unyielding, inflexibleAntonyms:submissive, docile, compliantOBLIVIOUS (noun: OBLIVION): Forgetful; absent-minded - walking oblivious of his surroundings.Synonyms:unmindful, heedless, abstractedOBSESSION: A persistent feeling, idea, activity, etc., which dominates a person; the state of being exclusively preoccupied by a fixed idea - Now that he has learned bowling, it has become his obsession.Synonyms:mania, infatuation (a foolish passion), monomaniaOBSOLETE: No longer in use - an obsolete word, not even included by most dictionaries.Synonyms:archaic, antiquatedOBTRUSIVE (verb: OBTRUDE): Thrusting oneself or itself into undue prominence - made himself obnoxiouslyobtrusive.Synonyms:intrusive, aggressiveOBVIATE: To prevent, dispose of, or make unnecessary by appropriate actions - an act which obviated all objections.Synonyms:preclude, forestallOMNIPOTENT: All-powerful - an omnipotent despot.ONUS: Burden; duty; obligation - bore the onus of his difficult office creditably.OSTENSIBLE: Apparent; pretended - his ostensible, though not actual, purpose.Synonyms:professed, plausible (that is, appearing true, reasonable, or fair), speciousOSTRACIZE: To banish; to exclude from public favor or privileges - a former premier ostracized by popular vote.Synonym: outlawPANACEA: A remedy for all ills - seeking a panacea to cure our social troubles.Synonym: nostrumPANEGYRIC: A speech or writing of extravagant praise - delivered a panegyric at his friend's testimonial dinner.Synonyms:eulogy, adulation, tribute, laudation (adj. laudatory), encomiumAntonyms:censure, disparagement, derogation, castigation, depreciationPARADOX: A self -contradictory statement; something 'that appears to be absurd and yet may be true -"Life is too important a matter to he taken seriously." - a paradox by Oscar Wilde.Synonym: anomalyPARAPHRASE: To restate the meaning of a passage in other words - paraphrased the poem in a few lines of prose.PARODY (noun): A humorous imitation of an author's style and mannerisms - wrote a parody on Kipling's "GungaDin."Synonym: burlesque(verb): To write a parody - parodied the popular authors of the (lay to his audience's amusement.Synonym: MimicPECCADILLO: A petty fault-possesses one peccadillo among his many virtues.Synonyms: frailty, foible, flaw, blemishPECUNIARY: Pertaining to money - involved in pecuniary difficulties.Synonyms; financial, fiscal, monetaryPEDANT (adj.: PEDANTIC): One who proudly shows off his learning or who overrates his knowledge - like apedant glorying in his scholarly trifles.PENSIVE: Sadly thoughtful - softly sang his pensive song.Synonyms: reflective, meditative, contemplative, musingPEREMPTORY: Positive in expressing an opinion - gave a peremptory judgment.Synonyms:decisive, resolute, imperious, positive, dogmaticAntonyms:indecisive, tentativePERTINACIOUS: Clinging doggedly to an opinion or purpose - pertinacious in his efforts.Synonyms:obdurate, tenacious, persistent, persevering, intractable, inflexiblePERUSE: To read carefully - perused the important letter.PERVERSE: Willfully bent on doing the wrong thing - a perverse lad, always disobeying his parents.Synonyms:headstrong, froward, refractory, wayward, fractiousPETRIFY: To paralyze with horror, fear, or surprise - petrified by the enemy bombardment.Synonyms:stupefy, stun, bewilder, amazePLAGIARISM. Adopting and reproducing, without acknowledgment, the writings or ideas of another and passing them off as one's own - denied the charge of deliberate plagiarism.PLATITUDE: A dull and commonplace remark - bored people by his pompous phrases and platitudes.Synonyms:bromide, truism, axiomPLEBEIAN: Pertaining to the common people; hence, common or vulgar - plebeian in his tastes and outlook.Antonyms:patrician, aristocraticPLEBISCITE. A direct vote by the people - The decision to confederate was ratified by plebiscite.POIGNANT:(1) Gripping and moving the feelings powerfully - a poignant grief.(2) Piercing, biting, pointed - a poignant cry; poignant wit.PONDEROUS: Very heavy; clumsy; dull - a ponderous speech, extremely boring.PRECARIOUS: Uncertain or risky - earning a precarious livelihood, providing no luxuries.PRECIPITOUS:(1) Very steep - a precipitous cliff.(2) Descending rapidly - a precipitous decline in popularity.PRECOCIOUS: Remarkable for early mental development a precocious genius.PREDATORY:(1) Inclined to plunder or rob; - predatory bands roaming the countryside.(2) Preying on, others - predatory animals prowling about.Synonyms: predacious, looting, pillagingPREDILECTION: Partiality or preference for; a favorable opinion arrived at beforehand - a predilection for theatricals.Synonyms: prepossession, proclivity, predisposition, penchantAntonyms: aversion, antipathy, repugnancePRELUDE: An introduction, forerunner, or preliminary step - a short prelude to the play.Synonyms: preface, prologue, preamble.Antonym: epiloguePREROGATIVE: A privilege or power attaching to a position - It is a woman's prerogative to refuse to tell her age.Synonym: licensePRESTIGE: Esteem or influence accorded for recognized achievements or reputation - As Senator he enjoyed greatprestige.Synonym: distinction415, PRECOCIOUS: Remarkable for early mental development a precocious genius.PREDATORY:(1) Inclined to plunder or rob; - predatory bands roaming the countryside.(2) Preying on, others - predatory animals prowling about.Synonyms: predacious, looting, pillagingPREDILECTION: Partiality or pr eference for; a favorable opinion arrived at beforehand - a predilection for theatricals.Synonyms: prepossession, proclivity, predisposition, penchantAntonyms: aversion, antipathy, repugnancePRELUDE: An introduction, forerunner, or preliminary step - a short prelude to the play.Synonyms: Preface, prologue. PreambleAntonym: epiloguePREROGATIVE: A privilege or power attaching to a position - It is a woman's prerogative to refuse to tell her age.Synonym: licensePRESTIGE: Esteem or influence accorded for recognized achievements or reputation - As Senator he enjoyed greatprestige.Synonym: distinctionPRESUMPTION:(1) Something taken for granted - acted on a reasonable presumption.(2) Going beyond proper bounds; impudent boldness - His question was downright presumption.Synonyms: effrontery, forwardness, arrogancePREVARICATE: To disguise or conceal the truth to lie - prevaricated in order to avoid detection.Synonyms: quibble, equivocate; (adj.) mendaciousAntonyms: (noun) veracity, verity; (adj.) forthrightPROCRASTINATE: To postpone or put off to another time - missed his opportunity by procrastinating too long.Synonyms: defer, delayPROGNOSTICATE (noun: PROGNOSIS): To forecast - The Weather Bureau prognosticates daily.Synonyms:presage, portend, augur, forebodePROLETARIAT: The wage-earning class - a truckman, humble member of the proletariat.PROMONTORY: A cliff - an imposing promontory along the coast.Synonyms:headland, precipicePROMULGATE: To publish or proclaim; to spread abroad The President promulgated a decree.Synonym:disseminatePROTUBERANT: Bulging or swelling out - a protuberant jaw.Antonyms:receding, recessivePROVISIONAL: Temporary; for the time being - a provisional plan until a permanent decision is reached.Synonym:tentativePROXIMITY: Nearness-worked in close proximity to his home.Synonyms :propinquity, vicinityAntonym:remotenessPSEUDONYM: A false name assumed by a writer - concealed his identity by a pseudonym.Synonyms:alias, pen name, nom de plumePUNITIVE: Inflicting, or concerned with, punishment - took punitive measures against deserters.QUASH: To crush; to render void - quashed a rebellion; quashed an indictment.Synonyms:suppress, extinguish, quell; annulQUERULOUS: Given to fault-finding and complaining - Her querulous nature estranged many people.Synonyms:fretful, whining, captious, carping, peevish, petulantAntonym: affableQUIXOTIC: Extravagantly romantic or idealistic; highly impractical - a quixotic scheme that can never materialize.Synonyms:utopian, visionary, fantasticRACONTEUR: A skilled storyteller - held spellbound by a superb raconteur.RADICAL (noun): One who advocates extreme basic changes - The reform movement was led by a radical.(adj.): Thorough, extreme - radical measures adopted to meet the emergency.Antonym:(noun and adj.) conservativeRAMIFICATION: A branching; sub-division - studied the subject in all its ramifications.RAZE: To tear down completely- razed the old building.Synonyms:levelAntonym:rearRECAPITULATE: To restate in a brief, concise form; to sum up - recapitulated the main ideas.RECIPROCAL: Mutual; done in return for something received - held each other in reciprocal esteem.RECUMBENT: Lying down; leaning back or down - resting in a recumbent position.REDOLENT:(1) Fragrant - a room redolent of roses.Synonym: aromatic(2) Reminiscent of - redolent of olden times.REDOUBTABLE: Commanding fear or respect - cringing before a redoubtable enemy.Synonym:formidableREFUTE: To prove incorrect or false-refuted his opponent's argument.Synonyms:rebut, confuteAntonyms: substantiate, confirm, corroborateREITERATE: Repeat (several times) - reiterated his story once more.REMUNERATIVE: Profitable - a remunerative job.Synonyms: lucrative, gainfulRENEGADE: One who forsakes political or party principles or his religious faith - a renegade from his formerallegiance.Synonyms: turncoat, apostate, recreant, traitorREPRISAL: Injury inflicted in turn for one received - took action in reprisal against his neighbor.Synonym: retaliationRESENTMENT: Feeling of displeasure or indignation resulting from mistreatment or abuse - showed resentment at what he considered an unwarranted insult.Synonyms: umbrage, dudgeon, animosityRESILIENT: Elastic; light-hearted; possessing power of recovery - a resilient Spirit, refusing to admit defeat.Synonyms: flexible, pliable, supple, limberRESPITE:(1) Temporary deferment or cessation of work or pain - a brief respite from labor.Synonym: surcease(2) A temporary delay in the execution of -a sentence - granted the doom man a temporary respite.Synonym: reprieveRETRIBUTION: The reward or punishment exacted for an injury, wickedness, or other action - suffered justretribution for his folly.Synonyms: requital, nemesisRETRIEVE:(1) To make good -retrieved a mistake.(2) To recover -retrieved the suitcase left at the station.(3) To restore - retrieved his lost fortunes.REVERBERATE: To echo - a shot reverberating through the valley.Synonym: resoundRUDIMENTARY: In an early stage of development - possessing only a rudimentary, knowledge of physics.Synonym: incipientRUE (adj.: RUEFUL): To be sorry for-He will rue the day he left home.Synonyms: regret, repentSACROSANCT: Very holy - a shrine. regarded as sacrosanct.Synonyms: consecrated, inviolable, hallowedSAGACIOUS (noun: SAGACITY): Wise; shrewd - proved to be sagacious in his judgment.Synonyms: perspicacious, astute, sapient, discerning, sageSALLOW: Sick - a sallow complexion.Synonym: pallidAntonyms: rubicund, ruddy, floridSALLY: (verb): To rush forth suddenly - sallied out to meet the enemy.(noun): A Witty remark - amused the audience with his sallies against his opponent.Synonyms: quip, banterSANCTIMONIOUS: Pretending to be religious - showed his hypocrisy in a sanctimonious display of piety.SANGUINARY: Bloody - a sanguinary battle.Synonym: gorySANGUINE: Of a hopeful disposition; blood-red in color - a perennial optimist, sanguine in temperament.Synonyms: buoyant, ardentSARTORIAL: Pertaining to a tailor or clothes - a picture of sartorial perfection.SATELLITE:(1) An attentive or flattering follower - a prince surrounded by many satellites.Synonyms: lackey, toady, disciple, adherent; adj., fawning, obsequious, partisan(2) A country influenced or controlled by another - Freedom is conspicuously absent ,in the Soviet satellites.(3) A body (natural or artificial) which revolves around a larger body, generally a planet - The moon is the only natural satellite of the earth, but in recent years it has been joined by many artificial satellites.SCINTILLA: A trace; a particle - not a scintilla of convincing evidence.Synonyms: iota; vestigeSCOURGE (verb): To punish severely; to afflict; to whip - a disease that scourged the country.Synonyms: excoriate, flay(noun). A whip or other means of punishment; a cause of affliction - The Black Plague was a dreadful scourge of theMiddle Ages.Synonym: tribulationSCRUTINIZE: To examine carefully -scrutinized the contents of the letter.SHIBBOLETH: A party slogan - a shibboleth designed to attract votes.SIMPER (verb): To smile in a silly or affected way simpered as he greeted each guest.(noun): An affected or silly smile - stood nervously, a simper on his face.Synonym: (verb and noun) smirkSINECURE: Employment entailing little or no responsibility or labor - His job was a sinecure.SINISTER: Threatening or showing evil; dishonest - the sinisterlook of a gangster.SLEAZY: Flimsy and cheap - sleazy cloth which is used only in cheap garments.Synonym: unsubstantialSLOVENLY: Untidy-severely criticized the student's slovenly appearance.Synonyms: slipshod, slatternly, frowzySOPORIFIC: Tending to induce sleep - a poorly written novel, soporific in effect.SORDID: Mean and base; filthy - Sordid motives breed selfish actions.Synonyms: degraded, vile, ignobleSOVEREIGN: Supreme m power and authority; independent of the control of any other government - possessing sovereign powers; a sovereign state.Synonyms: autonomous, imperial, majestic, paramountSPORADIC: Occurring singly, at irregular intervals; scattered - sporadic cases of illness.SPURN: To refuse or reject with contempt - an offer that was spurned instantly.Synonyms: repel, snubSTOIC: Indifferent, calm in bearing pain or pleasure; practising remarkable self-control over emotions - maintained a stoic attitude despite all his trials.Synonyms: stolid, impassiveSTRINGENT: Strict; compelling, constraining stringent regulations; stringent requirements.Synonyms: exacting, rigidAntonym: laxSTUPENDOUS: Amazing by, virtue of its immense size, force, or any quality in exceptional degree - The circus is a stupendous spectacle.Synonyms: astounding, prodigious, monstrous, marvelous, colossal, awfulSUCCULENT: juicy - a succulent steak.Antonyms; desiccated, vapidSULTRY: Close, hot, and moist - sultry tropical weather.SUPINE:(1) Lying flat on the back - resting in a supine position.Antonym: erect(2) Inert, inactive, averse to taking action - a supine, ineffective administrator.Synonyms: listless, torpidTANGIBLE: Real; actual - tangible gains which may be seen. and counted.Synonyms: material, veritable, perceptible, substantialTANTAMOUNT: Equivalent - an act that is tantamount to treason.TAUNT (verb). To reproach with contempt - taunted him with the charge of failure to act promptly.Synonyms: mock, twit, gibe, sneer, deride(noun): An insulting, jeering, or bitter remark - hurled taunts at his foes.TEEMING: In abundance, fertile, highly productive - the teeming tropics, rank with vegetation.Synonyms: swarming, fruitful, fecund, aboundingTEMERITY: Unwise or reckless boldness - leaped into battle with thoughtless temerity.Synonyms: audacity, presumptuousness, effrontery, rashness;(adj.) temerarious, foolhardy, venturesomeAntonyms: prudence, circumspection, warinessTEMPORAL: Worldly, as opposed to spiritual; existing for a time only - a man preoccupied with temporal matters.Synonyms: mundane, secular, civilTEMPORIZE: To delay or refuse to commit oneself in order to gain time - temporized while his friends hurried to his aid.Synonym: equivocateTENET: A principle of belief held as true - a tenet of religion which be maintained loyally.Synonyms: creed, doctrine, dogmaTENUOUS: Slender; not substantial; of slight importance - clung desperately to his tenuous hope.TRANQUIL: Calm; peaceful - a tranquil summer night.Synonyms: placid, sereneAntonyms: perturbed, ruffled, turbulentTRANSGRESS: To break a law or command; to violate a moral principle; to overstep a moral bound or limit -transgressed the bounds of decency; transgressed the law.TREMULOUS: Trembling - tremulous with fright.Synonym: quiveringTRIVIAL: Of little - importance - a trivial offense.Synonym: paltryAntonyms: gross, momentousTRUCULENT (noun: TRUCULENCE): Cruel, fierce; harsh; threatening or intimidating savagely - a dispute marked by a truculent attitude on both sides.TURGID:(1) Swollen, inflated - turgid rivers overflowing their banks.Synonyms: bloated, distended(2) Using big or high-sounding words - a turgid prose style.Synonyms: pompous, bombastic, prolixUBIQUITOUS: Existing everywhere - The common cold is a ubiquitous complaint.Synonyms: omnipresent, universalUNTENABLE: Incapable of being defended or held - withdrew the argument as untenable.UTILITARIAN (adj.): Materially or practically useful - beautiful, but not utilitarian.VANQUISH: To subdue or conquer -an army vanquished with heavy losses.VAUNT: To boast - proudly vaunted his strength.Synonyms: brag (noun: braggadocio, braggart), proclaimVENEER: A superficial appearance or show designed to impress one with superiority - pierced beneath his thinveneer of elegance.Synonym: glossVENERABLE: Deserving respect or reverence because of age - a venerable leader.VERNAL: Pertaining to spring-an array of vernal flowers.Antonym: hibernal (wintry)VERSATILE: Able to do many things skillfully - versatile in all the arts.VICARIOUS: Taking the place of another; felt, received, or done in place of another - took vicarious pleasure in his brother's victory.VICISSITUDE: A change from one condition to another, often unexpected - suffered many vicissitudes of fortune.VIRAGO: A scolding or ill-tempered woman - My neighbor's wife is a virago.Synonyms: shrew, termagant, vixenVITUPERATE (noun: VITUPERATION; adj.: VITUPERATIVE): To scold or blame loudly, find fault with in abusive language - an angry man, vituperating the world.Synonyms: berate, revileWAIVE: To give up (privileges, etc.); to do without - waived his rights to the property.Synonyms: relinquish, forgo, forsakeWHIM (adj.: WHIMSICAL): A sudden notion or passing fancy -frequently acted on the whim of the moment.Synonyms: caprice, vagary, crotchetWRITHE: To twist about (usually with pain) - writhed in agony on the floor.Synonyms: contort, squirmZEALOUS (noun: ZEALOT: fanatic): Full of enthusiasm or eagerness -a zealous student, first in his class.Antonym: perfunctoryZENITH: The highest point - the zenith of his career.Synonyms: acme, apex, culmination, summitAntonym: nadir1999-2006 ToeflVocabulary.comBonus: a wallpaper made by me:

Fahrenheit 451 is the exact temperature at which paper or books will burn.Allow me to explain how I mean….I used to buy and build kits when a lad during the 1970s. They were expensive then, but today, the prices are frankly excessive to ridiculous.And although arguably of much “higher quality”, today's far higher prices are no longer attractive or affordable for many to buy.Prices were seriously affected after the First Gulf war because plastics contain “Black Gold” in other words oil.Also, kit manufacturers are fighting to not go bust; Do you remember Aurora? Matchbox(Lesney)? Esci from Italy? Atlantic from Italy? All long gone broke in the 1980s.And British make AIRFIX who sold Moulds to Mexico, then went bust and had to be re launched a few years ago? They only found the diorama base Moulds for their strongpoint a few years ago….Farenheit 451? When I was a young man, we had a saying . When the school bully or trouble maker would try to say “you've got sawdust for brains”, we would all say in response Ah BUT, !! ”Sawdust makes paper, paper makes books and books make knowledge”.Books? Yes,Books. Not “Kindle” or PC or PS4 or I Phone. Books; Remember them? people do not READ very much anymore, young people are caught up in a fast changing, disasociative and un focused world of computer screens, tablettes and Smartphones which are in effect “not very smart at all”Behind the Hobby of Kit construction, lies the skill of ATTENTION to DETAIL, OBSERVATION, READING and FOLLOWING DIAGRAMS or Blueprints.Research into the subject, the HISTORY, the BACKGROUND, finding out the STORY. All food for the brain and nourishment for an enquiring mind. (or am I the only real man left in this hobby???!!!! I think not….but these days we are too few in number.The hobby is not about a big box of plastic or stinky glue. it is about CREATION and RESULTS from GOOD WORK well done. And a fair and proper degree of PRIDE and RESPECT for the finished articles.Farenheit 451, Modern childhood (can it be really even called that?) has burnt traditional values and life and replaced it with nasty computer screens, glass screen books and a temporary gliding mindset in our children, which flits from “screen to screen” endlessly (and grows up to flit from relationship to relationship endlessly too!!!).Model building is a STABLE ROOTED Hobby, requiring a work space and tools. And DISCIPLINE and FOCUS of Mind and body to get results. PLANNING and INITIATIVE.you know, all the things your boss demands and still “expects” today, though having NO IDEA how they arrive….People not building Model kits any more is also a serious and sad warning about the type and kind of “Society” we are building for ourselves and worse still for our children’s future. Any outer symptom of a far more serious INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY ROTTING from a shallow, fast pleasure seeking society. With a insecure and unreliable family life.Reasearching paper based Documents, books, maps, plans and diagrams and learning ways to build things is a good life skills toolbox. it nourishes young minds and creates the capacity to ask sensible questions, leading to wisdom and knowledge far beyond any worthless Internet screen. (which by the way often contains third party and in accurate un reliable information) unlike so many books .Social changes, History no longer being taught properly to the young people at school, the arrival of Computer and Playstation type video games, have taken the hearts and minds (and diets ) of the younger generation, who no longer see any worthwhile or wholesome value spending time together in a model club building and displaying and having competitions with Kits or toy figure soldiers etc.The very high price of kits is also a major factor, along with greedy hobby shops failing to explain what you get or do not get in the box, and refusing to allow anyone to open a box to see what they are paying for.Kits can also teach the young an appreciation of History.(continued from above) ….(many shops stuffed full of plastic kits give a far better than factual impression as to the real state of affairs inside the plastic kit and hobby shop industry. Most of these kits are in fact “sale or return” (to get try to resell them somewhere else!!!).It is shockingly common in fact for the SAME plastic kits to appear and then reappear several times across the country in several different hobby kit shops before finaly any customer crosses their palm with Silver finally actually buying it.Oversized rip off boxes, containing generous fucking spaces full of fresh air and equally annoying cardboard packaging, is another price marketing trick and money screw on Jo and Diana public every Christmas or birthday. I personally remember when companies started reboxing their kits into bigger fancy artwork glossy boxes, but stuffing out the empty interior space around the edges with fresh air or cardboard strips.Ann Boleyn figure kit in a large scale of 1/12Plus, “Cement and paint not included”, the high prices of Model paint and glue, craft X Acto type knives etc, is sky high.Certain High street games figure producers charge around 20 pounds for just three tiny “metal” or these days “plastic fantastic(yeah right rip off!!!) figures.When I was young, Military Modeller and other Quality magazines used to regularly feature dozens of articles on Uniforms etc, Horses, and figure and diorama building. now, it's nearly all (mostly bloody nazi!!) plastic armour tank kits that cost a mortgage to buy.The Hobby and by the way, its literature and its Exposition holders in (some*) places should AVOID giving a Right Wing image and appearance to the hobby by only selling certain types of kits….Ever since the Seventies, more and more and more favouritism has increasingly been given to certain types of kit subject, which gives a one-sided view and false information about History. There have been complaints to certain kit manufacturers accordingly.Certain Hobby magazines that used to regularly include fascinating features about how to build Kits of Figurines or how to convert figurines, have largely now swung focus onto the plethora of plastic tank and armour kits and super detailing these, with few and often none, of the previous focus on figures. young modellers simply can't afford to buy overpriced big box low content kits.These are killing off the Hobby altogether with their greed and short-sighted “grab as many bucks today” approach, leaving no “future” for the Hobby to breath.Copyright © Maxime Jouhan Chevallier 2009. All Rights reserved.Copyright © Maxime Jouhan Chevallier 2009. All Rights reserved.Selling Toy Soldiers or other Model kits either in Plastic or metal “ain't what it used to be Gunga Din”.Copyright © Maxime Jouhan Chevallier 2009. All Rights reserved.There once used to be many more High street Kit and Hobby shops. But Recessions in trade and industry by successive (and incompetent) Tory Governments forced everybody to take the business to China and overseas for production. They all made a quick “financial killing” but then the prices greedily “shot up” all over again in a few “short” years, creating a useless “bubble” type market. that “bubble” has now burst, and there are more and more people trying to grab a piece of a rapidly retracting marketplace.Bad Faith and Sharp rogue practice amongst certain rivals have also come to the fore in recent years, with stolen recast, Pirated, Illegally copied, counterfeit products being sold by certain “electronic online selling” services, which fail to pursue correctly these issues. It has also created a rip off Internet market for items which normally you would not pay more than five pounds for in a carrier bag at a Toy show, or more often, in fact, a car boot sale, being flogged for hundreds of pounds (and not worth it mate).In one case, someone stole a design, and THREE different kit producers all mysteriously “launched” “their” new product at the same time, only to have to lose money and ask questions afterwards. One Figurine producer actually got violently attacked, his apartment and toy shop was cleared out and all his sales stock stolen. Another piece of “muck and scum” stole a dealers cash box from the final days weekend takings, at an English toy show a while back, over three thousand pounds GONE just like that….(so he sold his precious stocks for zilch, for nothing!!!). It is getting so that you don't want to bother in the hobby anymore.Also on a recent visit to a show in Holland, I was equally sick and disgusted to catch a group of neo-nazis hanging around our Hotel bedroom area, I got the idea they were getting inside other dealers and visiting peoples Hotel bedrooms. And I object to drinking in the same Hotel bar with men dressed proudly in Nazi Waffen SS uniform. I noticed that there were virtually NO CHILDREn at that show, and a number of Right-wing neo-nazis were also present there.I am afraid to say, the charm, beauty, appreciation and joy in this Hobby industry, has “changed”. There is a “bad smell” coming from somewhere….Just pick up the seventies or even early eighties copy of certain Magazines from the Hobby, compare the content and see what I mean.Parents no longer have the aptitude or skill or time required (what happened to spend a time of quality with your kids???) to even read a Blueprint or Model assembly sequence technical Diagram (this is a worthwhile skill to learn!).Nasty violent video games are now the children's baby sitters and feed “shit” into the minds of our children and young persons. And by the way, these cost even more than the overpriced kits!!!My old friend Patrick would say to these young ones stuck all weekend in front of violent video games “Another spoonful of shit?! Soon you will look like it, soon you will think like it”. (he then pulled out the plug to stop the problem) !! Patrick was right, and unless things change, they can only worsen.Young people have trouble to sit still or to focus upon one task for long because of the attention affecting nature of these video games.Younger people do not behave in terms of gross or small Moto development, to focus their attention upon only one talks with patience to see it through. they learn and play using fast-moving smartphones (not too bloody smart actually) and computers that constantly alter, change, and we have all finished up with our young people brains being the same as the equipment they learn from; oh my God WHAT HAVE WE ALL DONE,,????,,,!!!!!A few years ago, I took a friends lad along to a large model show, and we spent time in the Airfix Kit area, where we were given a Model Spitfire to assemble and to paint together as a shared activity. It was in fact highly successfull and enjoyable, so, proof again this hobby CAN have merit IF properly managed.A model company tested a sample of younger people a few years back, giving them kits to assemble and to make, and after the initial reactions, were suitably pleased that many had actually stated how much they actually ENJOYED it, even though first saying they would not….If that young ladies and gentlemen enjoyed the hobby, then there is hope yet.But it is a social thing, it begins at home, and also, I will add, reading History books and seeing films also can help encourage the young to build kits of characters or items from history.Recently, I found a lovely vintage copy of Military Modeller, with a feature on working with Das pronto to build figures. Many of the books about how to build proper conversions of figures and horses etc, or dioramas, (of quality) are fast vanishing off bookshelves never to return.Beware using solely the “internet” to carry out accurate factual research for Modelling too, there are a large number of errors and wrongly completed articles giving miss direction. Computer coloured “images” is not accurate, (the older Airbrushed artwork is still the best) and “beautiful books” (used advisedly*) that turn out to be only full of glossy product placement pictures and NO helpful historical or modelling skills information, abound in some shops. Books that teach skills (other than spending as much cash as possible on totally unnecessary scenic products, for example, you can make at “home”) are one example. it is KILLING OFF all interest future wise in the hobby.Hey? What the hell happened to book shops????!!!!I went out of my way to collect a great many some years ago. You can definitely call me a member of “the old school” in the hobby. In recent years I have been engaged in historical research and writing, but still, keep my interest in the hobby. It feels as if books have become “forbidden knowledge” and one expects the Daladier Firehouse Firemen to arrive with Montag to burn and destroy all the books, as in that weird film “Fahrenheit 451).I also bought the former “Studio Sarum” Figurine range and former “Chota Sahib” figurine range along with all copyrights and intellectual property, in 54 and 90 MM scale. Produced by legends such as Sid Horton and Charles Stadden and Mike French, I own over 450 different figures which I seek for a worthwhile marketplace to sell and make a retirement income profit.But the sad fact is this, Modern society has forgotten History. And unless this change, the Toy soldier Hobby will die out within a few short years from now.The once very popular History figures that used to be produced from Airfix. When EVER are we going to see any of these again????What I decide to do about the range of figures, regarding starting to sell or not again, remains to be seen. I want to enjoy this again, but…..There is NO market.Above. Top. Admiral Laperouse of France.Above.Lord Cornwallis of Englands American Colonial Forces.54 MM Toy figures like these once used to be very popular among Hobbyists, but modernist neglect of History and widespread social changes, are killing the Hobby.The painted Toy Soldier Photos. Copyright © Maxime Jouhan Chevallier 2009. All Rights reserved.We own the entire former Chota Sahib and Sarum studio Figurine range purchased by us.Our photo images at all times remain our exclusive property and may not be sold, copied, reproduced, or stored on a data retrieval system without the express permission of the copyright owners Appointed legal representatives;FOOTNOTE SPECIAL FEATUREBuilding a 1/72 Scale Model kit.ITALERISherman M4 in 1/72 scale.Below. ITALERI also make 1/72 Sherman tank kits which are of a much simpler design of the kit parts, allowing for easier assembly. I intend to show these in this article in the near future.What you get inside your box when you open it at home:NOTEDue to manufacturing adjustments, you may find your kit now comes with rubber tank caterpillar tracks, and NOT the much finer but hard to assemble “Separate track links” also shown on the right in this Internet photo of the kit parts.This kit is in reality one of the Esci Italian made Kits, dating from before 1984.The original Esci kit included separate Track links, which italeri have sadly not always kept.Italeri supply their version of this Kit with Rubber tank tracks, which is a retrograde step.TOO BUILD your model you will need:Patience and the Ability to sit down, still, at the table for a few hours; and the interest and desire to learn something “new” of a practical skill. A caring friendly helpful responsible adult to keep an eye on things until you learn how to use little tools safely and properly.*TOOLS AND KITS ARE AGE LIMIT ITEMS PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL HOBBY STORE FOR AGE GUIDANCE OR SUITABILITY. THEY ARE NOT REPEAT NOT !! FOR VERY YOUNG CHILDREN AND ARE NOT TO BE LEFT LYING AROUND WHERE YOUNG ONES MAY PICK THEM UP !!!Use your common sense. Put them away when you finish work.A small Hobby SHARP craft knife. Like shown below.Tweezers.Tweezers are small tools used for picking up objects too small to be easily handled with the human fingers. The word is most likely derived from tongs, pincers, or scissors-like pliers used to grab or hold small plastic or other kit parts.Plastic cement Glue.OptionalSmall hand held twist drill.(sometimes called a Pin vice).Small thin pointed scissors or a Hobby “cutter” to cut or remove parts from runners (Sprues).Hobby cutters come in different shapes or sizes.Paint and brushes to finish the model.Below. Hobby paint sold in good hobby shops.SAFETYNot Recommended for very young children. Read kit packaging or box to see manufacturers guidance.THERE ARE AGE LIMITS RESTRICTIONS for assembling kits. Please read the guidance printed on the Box and consult staff at your Hobby shop if in doubt.Todays older children are not very “hands on” experienced, and therefore, adult supervision is required when working with Glue, Sharp craft knives or paint etc.However, these safety skills can be taught and learnt from a responsible Adult.The original ESCi Sherman tank kit with engine and open engine deck rear hatch in 1/72 scale.That to one side, Esci first produced this kit, now sold by Italeri, with a detailed interior radial tank engine, drive shaft and gearbox assembly.One of the very fine features offered first by Esci, and thankfully, here repeated by italeri, is the inclusion of the radial tank interior engine, and the possibility to skilled modellers to build the kit with the rear engine decking in the open position by cutting open the hatch panels on the one piece engine rear deck.Parts come crisply moulded my sample had no flash at all.One criticism however, the plastic moulded part sprue numbers are not very well “defined” and can be hard to see. I am not sure if this is a fault in the tooling or not.There are many separate parts included in the kit, and it comes moulded in a realistic Olive drab colour army green colour plastic.SpruesRemove parts using sharp hobby cutter or craft knife. Use a fine sanding block to rub off any tiny bumps of plastic still adhering to parts, gently, to ensure a good overall fit.Test fit all parts FIRST before applying hobby plastic cement.Warning!Do not use too much cement, cement melts plastic together. Place a small tailors type “pin” inside the nozzle of your cement tube, this regulates the flow of glue to acceptable and safe amounts. it ALSO helps prevent the glue tube going hard inside!There is also a Decal sheet.A mixture of Tamiya Acrylic, and Italian “rainbow” paints are used to paint the finished Sherman tank kit.The two Italeri American half track kits were both painted at the same time for use in a Wargame. (for the wargame please see my other Modelling “content” article QUORA features).Instructions commence to assemble the road wheels and lower hull, then the Interior engine and the turret and upper decking spare tracks and stowage items.My sample instruction sheet however, appears to refer to plastic components not “exactly” correctly numbered or labelled on the sprues; it refers to “C and b assemblies, but this in fact is confusing, and gives rise to the real risk of mistakenly assembling a “right hand” idler set to a “left hand” idler set other half.Idler Wheels must be carefully selected to avoid accidental cementing together of the WRONG parts. Ensure wheels fit onto the very small “pins” properly and are straight. DO NOT rush this stage, it is fiddly and affects the whole appearance of your tank model.Also, some re engineering has been apparently done, because the lower tank hull chassis contains pre drilled pin holes, as well as the oblong idler wheel “slots” to mount the sub assemblies into on the hull, apparently dating from earlier days.The Radial interior engine parts.Certain rather “over priced” other producers hobby tank kits in the same scale do NOT include a fine radial tank engine or transmission. How do they “justify it”? There are a few “after market” add on items for tank kits in this scale.Use a thin sharp knife blade, (wear eye protection!) and gently cut until the pieces slowly come apart from one another; DON’T rush this part!Sherman gearbox.Above Sherman transmission. below Right the drive shaft and transmission box on the Italeri (Esci) Sherman kit.Part 96 b can be carefully re modelled to make it open, this tank kit is therefore potentially “ideal” for detailed 1/72 scale Dioramas, for field engineer workshops or combat repairs scenes .Super detailers even in this tiny scale could make the hull interior details in reduced detail, such as including the two drivers seats etc.Above. A much bigger resin Sherman kit, showing some possible extra details, that even in this smaller scale might be simply added for greater realism or for a diorama.Quietly this little kit is a lost and forgotten little Italian gem, and if you can find one, I recommend you try the older Esci version with the separate track links. I sold my last one to a keen young chap in England in 2001, for five pounds (it was worth twenty and rare as hens teeth at that time!!).I do like to encourage the young in this hobby.While the wheel drive units are drying, I began to assemble the tank turret, and cupola, shield for the gun.(The two model halftracks also shown in the photo were built at the same time while the Sherman glue was drying !!).Careful work is required to allow the gun assembly to be a “moving kit feature” this is possible only with patience. Use cement very sparingly here !(The two model haltracks also shown in the photo were built at the same time while the Sherman glue was drying !!).Careful work is required to allow the gun assembly to be a “moving kit feature” this is possible only with patience. Use cement very sparingly here !I used some wired holding clips, to keep my hand free to line and fit the parts using tweezers.Holding the tiny parts steady is as important as being careful with the assembly sequences, set each sub assembly aside to allow the cement to dry, and do other assembly work (or perhaps do work on another kit)* until glue has thoroughly dry’d.Turret hatches parts 9A and 12 A are moulded as separate parts, so also can be modelled in an open position. A tank commander figure is included, or you can modify some 1/72 figures and add alternative figures of your own.Down inside an old Sherman tank interior of the turret. Some small extra details can always be added to a model like this.The Interior of the Sherman kit turret can still even in this scale be super detailed.Interior parts made at “home” are to be added inside, so I painted the inside “interior” or flat white from Tamiya Acrylic Model paint colour.(insert interior detailing items photos here shortly)The hull interior is painted white ready to take new detailed interior parts I am next building “at home” to super detail this little kit.Painting instructions are included; personally I recommend using Tamiya Acrylic Hobby paint colours to paint your Model Sherman.Engine Gearbox or transmission is in two parts glued together. Position inside the front hull onto the locating points moulded into the hull bottom on the bulkhead.Sherman tank engine.Resources for super detailing tank interiors can be found online too.The radial aircraft type tank engine for the Sherman is initially given a coat of Tamiya Gun metal Interior white and flat black. Later, pick out the raised detail on the engine cowlings with silver. And use rust or “exhaust” paint colour for the engine round exhaust pipe.When making very small plastic Model kits, always try to paint the parts when they are still attached to the “sprue” or runners before assembling with cement.A Comparison between a 1/72 resin tank kit and the italeri Plastic Sherman model kit.Right A RESIN MATILDA British tank Kit in 1/72 scale. High definition resin outer surfaces look promising…and do paint up really well in this scale with sharp lines.the resin Infantry matilda tank kit does come with a “separate” turret moulding. And has small evacuated hatch areas where figures for crew could be placed. But there is no real scope realistically to feature ANY detailed interior or engine parts.However, underneath all the fine sharp surface lines, we discover this lamentable poor quality “over price “mess of sub standard heavy warped moulding lines, and lack of detail. Very “rough” work indeed and NOT deserving of the high price tag for “resin” products.THIS IS VERY POOR WORK. No hope at all to do any interior detail here, there’s just too much thick material to remove (Resin dust by the way is poisonous too and safety measures are needed) So I personally do NOT recommend many resin kits for this and other related reasons, apart from their high price tag.No HOPE of having a “Moving” or hollow or detailed turret either, the Infantry Matilda tank kit resin turret part its just a glue it on solid mass of resin….Verdict. SOME (and I say SOME) resin 1/72 scale kits are quite good, but my advise is stick to the plastic ones.Italeris little Sherman tank kit (the ex ESCi version kit) with the interior engine, is a little rare “gem” of a kit, even though now sold with rubber tracks rather than the better but rather more fiddly separate track link parts.Photo Top Left. The Sherman tank engine sprue of parts ready painted before assembling. Note the extendable flexible work table lighting.The Sherman Tank Engine has been assembled and the engine mountings cemented to the hull compartment floor, and set aside to dry.While the glue hardens, I next cemented the Hull accessories, spades, the tank Browning turret Machine gun, Tools and hatch doors into position, and left these in the “open” position, as I intend to modify some plastic 1/72 scale soldier figures to make them tank crew. These will be glued in to the hatch “holes” to create a more realistic Model.Below. The tank drive shaft and hatch parts painted ready to cut from the runner and glue in place.Below.The spare tank tracks are very small parts, which I will treat separately, because they require a special long, thin glue tip, and a fair degree of difficulty to assemble successfully. Originally, “ESCI,” used to provide this kit with entirely separately moulded individual track “links”. These look excellent ONLY if assembled with very great care.Above. Engine ready to be placed into the tank hull. Note green engine Mounts must be glued into the hull rear decking and left for a long time to dry, as these small parts have to take the weight of the plastic engine.Above.The rear engine hatch is moulded closed, it is possible to carefully either remove the moulded plastic “hatch” shape and replace it with a new hatch made from plastic card, or re build the entire rear engine wall with a open hatch from plastic card, depending on our aptitude and experience, and “how far” you want to go super detailing your tank kit in a small scale.Above. The internal engine crew decking is moulded with thin plastic “gaps” so you can carefully cut these into smaller separate “hatches” as they were in real life in the real tank. This is necessary IF you intend to display or show your Sherman in a engine “open” servicing or repair Diorama.(Please note, there is “little” point or value assembling such an elaborate engine IF you model or leave the inspection floor deck “closed” (!!).Below. Note turret Commanders hatches glued open, and the spare track “tiny” parts can be seen ready to assemble to the centre right of photo. The turret browning machine gun was provided with a separate ammunition box magazine, which is also a tiny part to glue on with some care, you can see it just below left of the ready painted tank hull.TAMIYA Acrylic Water based Hobby colour is used to paint the initial Army green colour of the tanks. Late weathering shall be mixed and applied.Same for the two Halftrack vehicles, also destined for the same Diorama this winter.Above. Each halftrack has enough interior space to make a “Mini Diorama” of crew figures, and to “add” spent shell cartridge cases and discarded items of equipment etc. I will be “converting” several 1/72 Polythene Plastic figures and making them into Halftrack crew figures in another article, I intend to write later this Winter.Below. RAINBOW Paint, made in Italy, was used for the initial track rusty brown colour, later weathering of mixed paints shall be applied and “Dry brushed on”.This is a separate article I shall write up later this Autumn/Winter.Below. Good lighting for Model making is essential, to see the tiny parts and to verify their fit and the colours of the paints. My own personal taste is for a few “adjustable” flexible type extending lights, which I can move, ben, vary and adjust, alter depending on the size of the “work” I am then doing in the atelier.This lighting is my “own personal preference” and comes from when I studied in College and found I could learn more if the IMMEDIATE work or study area was well lighte, not “automatically” the rest of the room, I find it helps me to focus better. I bought thie flexible lamp f(photo top centre) rom Le Roy merlin in France for around sixteen Euros. It “clips” onto your desk or “over” your work surface, nearby.(Whilst the first Sherman is drying, I took the opportunity to assemble two Italeri Sherman simplified Kits, which use very crisp detailed parts, but large pins and pre assembled, pre moulded tracks and idler wheels that just glue and pin into position. These went together quickly and still offer the wargamer or Diorama modeller god value for Money and save time.Italeri supply their easier kits with pre moulded tank wheels and solid realistic tracks. Easier for younger modellers to assemble and Pre paint the parts on the runners.For best results, always paint as many parts as possible when they are still on the sprues or “runners”, though do try to avoid painting any surface or joins you are about to glue, or else the cement will adhere not to your Model parts, but to the excess paint, causing a weak joint.I am making these Sherman tans for a “DOMPAIRE” “Division LECLERC” Alsace Lorrainne battlefield Diorama I am building this Winter.I also have a detailed photo study of specific tanks coming soon, to be used in conjunction with this article.The (ESCI)*Italeri Sherman tank build continues now, with the fitting of the engine down into the tank hull, and the attachment to it of the transmission shaft and fitting of the hull bulkheads or engine “firewall”.Above. The engine fitted onto the supports we previously glued in place onto the hull floor.However, some minor adjustment was necessary to the outermost support, to fully line up with the engine.Next we fit the Driveshaft to the engine and the gearbox transmission.Initially, we had some trouble to get the spacing and fit of the radial engine and cowling, down “exactly” in the right position, as you see from the photo, the shaft is long, and perfect spacing essential for success.NOTE Due to the recommended assembly sequence, some adjustment is almost inevitable at this stage.Verify the “Angle” and “Horizon” of the rear engine section, this will ensure you achieve a good all round engine and transmission “fit”.Below. Here you can see the engine is in true “Horizontal” and properly “down” onto its hull supports.Now its time to trial fit the tank top hull and turret, to verify everything still continues to fit properly. (if engine is badly placed, the top hull rear engine hatches will bulge upwards slightly).Above. So far so good…Below. Now next fit the two separate rear engine decking hull hatches, and test to see if they fit properly.If there is a slight triangular bulge or miss fitting, adjust the engine slightly on the supports carefully. Re test fit those rear hatches.Below. Once you’ve done the above successfully, please now test fit the Tank Gun Turret onto the lower hull.Care has to be taken when cementing the two front tank driver and machine gunner’s hatches onto the front of the tank lower hull. There is “minimal” clearance for the turret to traverse on the finished model.I left the hatches all “opened” for a Diorama I am building, which I shall place the Sherman tank into in another article.Apart from the fitting of the tracks, this article is pretty much finished. Small parts like the turret browning MG and the driving lights are fitted onto the hull last.Our featured “Esci” ITALERI Sherman tank is on the Right in the photo. The ITALERI “easy” to assemble version of the Sherman’s are on the Left. What you choose for your Dioramas or kit Modelling is personal taste and “budget”. It’s a case of “horses” for courses, the “easy” version kits are great for background in a wargame or diorama scene. The detailed Sherman more appropriate to place as a “centre piece” in a Display or “Show” Diorama in this scale class.I hope you enjoyed reading the article as much as I enjoyed writing it , and that you will try a kit build in this scale of your own. The kit featured is quite an “old” tooling, but remains a very good one even many years later today in 2019 (originaly it was produced and sold by ESCI up to 1984!!). There are a great many tank and AFV and Aeroplane kits in 1/72 scale, so I am sure you will find something that interests you.Happy Kit Modelling.Below. Next project, the German “enemy” forces, at ‘Dompaire’, starting with the King or “Royal” Tiger heavy tank, again, this is an Italian “ITALERI” Kit.Above.The King tiger Kit is not sold or supplied with any interior details, though “open “ hatches are supplied along with some tank crew figure. A “full” commander figure, and two “half” figure little torsos for the drive and gunner in the front hull hatches.Making the Royal tiger German tank promises to be a good build.