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Here is an exercise for improving your vocabulary. Below, you will see a vocabulary word list. Work on a few of these words every day for six months. Proceed as follows.

Follow These Steps

1. Write down the meaning of the word, as you understand it. If you know more than one meaning, then write all the meanings down.

2. Immediately look-up the word in a dictionary, to find out how right you are. Don't wait. The value of this verification exercise depends a lot on your catching yourself redhanded in a mistake (Pitkin, 62).

3. Mark each word whose meaning you have incorrectly grasped. Come back to the word on several following days and write down the correct meaning. This must be done in order to break your old, erroneous word habit.

Use This Vocabulary Word List

Here is the vocabulary word list, designed specifically for improving your vocabulary. The vocabulary word list comes from a list of 1700 words, reproduced in Pitkin's Art of Rapid Reading (64-73), extracted from a larger list of 10,000 words. When you have learned all the important meanings of these words, you will have the basis of a non-technical working vocabulary. To perfect your business reading, you must next build your own special business vocabulary. As you learn new words, write down the word and its meaning(s).

A

abash; abbot; abject; abridge; absolve; abstinence; abstract; abyss; acceptance; accessory; accommodation; accompaniment; accordance; accost; accumulate; achievement; acid; acquit; acute; adapt; adequate; adhere; adieu; adjacent; adjourn; adjudge; adjust; administer; admonish; adoration; adultery; advancement; advantageous; adverse; adze; affront; afore; afresh; aggravate; aggressive; aghast; agitate; akin; alabaster; alacrity; albeit; alcove; alder; allay; allege; alliance; alligator; allowance; ally; aloes; aloof; alteration; alternate; aluminum; alumni; amain; amateur; ambiguous; ambush; amiss; amity; anarchy; anecdote; anew; animate; animosity; annal; annihilate; antagonist; antic; aperture; apostle; apothecary; appall; apparatus; apparition; appease; appertain; appliance; apprehend; approbation; approximate; arbitrary; arbor; archbishop; archer; archway; arrant; arrogant; arsenal; artisan; ascertain; ascribe; asphalt; aspire; assay; assemblage; assess; assignment; assortment; aster; astray; athwart; atom; atone; attainment; attest; audacious; auger; aught; augment; aurora; austere; authentic; automatic; auxiliary; avalanche; avarice; avenger; axis; aye; azure

B

babbler; badger; baffle; bail; bale; balk; balmy; ban; bannock; barge; barrette; barrow; barter; baseness; bask; bass; bastard; baste; batiste; battalion; batter; battlement; bauble; bawl; bayonet; beacon; beanstock; bearing (noun); beck; bedlam; beech; beget; begone; begot; behead; belated; belch; belfry; belie; belle; bemoan; benediction; benefactor; benevolence; benign; benzine; bequeath; beseem; beset; besought; bespeak; bestride; betake; betroth; betwixt; bevel; bewitch; bias; bide; bier; bin; binder; bladder; blanch; bland; blaspheme; blazon; bleak; blemish; blight; blithe; bluster; boar; bode; bolster; bondman; bonus; bout; bracket; brandish; brawl; brawn; bray; brazen; breach; breaker; brigade; brimstone; brine; bristle; brittle; broach; broider; broil; broth; browse; bruin; buccaneer; buck; buckle; budge; buff; bullock; bulwark; bumble; bunting; burgess; burnish; bushing; butt

C

cackle; calomel; cambric; candid; candidacy; candor; canker; canon; canopy; canton; capacious; caper; caprice; caravan; carbon; carbuncle; carcass; carnal; carouse; carrion; carter; casement; cask; casque; castile; castor; caustic; cavalier; cavern; celluloid; censer; certify; chafe; challenge; challis; chamberlain; chambray; chamois; champaign; chancellor; chandelier; chanticleer; chaos; chargeable; charger; chasm; chemise; cheque; chequer; cheviot; chide; chink; chisel; chivalry; choleric; chopper; chuck; churl; cite; clamber; clamorous; clamp; clan; cleaver; clemency; clench; clink; clod; clog; cloy; cob; cockle; coconut; cocoon; coffer; cog; coincidence; cologne; colonel; combatant; comer; comet; commendation; comment; commodious; commodity; commune; compete; compile; complement; completion; compliance; complicate; composure; compress; comprise; compulsion; concealment; concede; concession; concord; concur; condemnation; condense; condescend; conditional; conduit; confessor; confide; confiner; confirmation; conflagration; confront; conjugation; conjunction; conjure; consecration; conserve; consistent; consolation; consonant; consort; conspire; constable; constraint; consul; contemporary; contention; continental; continuance; continuation; contractor; contrive; controversy; convene; convict; cope; copperas; copse; corduroy; core; corps; corpse; corruption; corse; counsellor; counterfeit; coupling; cove; covetous; cowl; coy; cozy; craftsman; crag; cram; cramp; crane; crank; crate; cravat; craven; creak; creditor; credulous; creed; crevice; crisis; crochet; crock; crucify; cruise; cruller; crusade; crystalline; cubit; cudgel; cue; cull; curd; custody; cycle; cymbal

D

damnation; dangle; dastard; data; daub; dauntless; dayspring; daze; dearth; debase; decimal; declension; decorate; decoy; dedication; deface; default; defective; defendant; defer; deficiency; define; deform; defraud; degenerate; degrade; deity; deliverer; dell; delta; delude; deluge; demeanor; demolish; demon; denote; denounce; dependant; dependent; depute; deride; descry; desist; despatch; destitute; destructive; determinate; devout; diadem; diagonal; dial; dialogue; diameter; dice; digger; dilapidated; dilate; diligence; dilute; diplomat; discern; disclaim; discomfit; discord; discount; discreet; disk; dismount; dispatch; dispel; displace; dissembler; dissension; dissipate; dissolution; dissuade; distaff; divers; diverse; divert; divination; divisor; divulge; dodge; dogma; doleful; domain; don; dotage; dote; doublet; dower; downy; dowry; dram; dreg; dross; drought; dung; dupe; durable; durst; dwindle

E

edging; edify; edition; efface; effective; eke; elapse; ell; embark; embassy; embattled; ember; embody; emboss; emery; eminence; emit; enact; encamp; encompass; endue; engender; engross; enhance; enjoin; enmity; ensign; ensnare; entangle; enthrone; enthusiast; entrails; entrust; envelop; environ; epic; epitaph; epoch; equator; equipage; equity; equivalent; era; eschew; espouse; espy; essay; estrange; ethereal; eunuch; evade; evince; executor; exempt; exert; exhalation; exhort; expand; expedient; expend; expressive; extol; extremity; exult

F

fabric; faction; factor; fain; falcon; fallow; famish; farthing; fathom; fealty; felon; fen; fervent'; festal; feud; fie; filer; fillet; flange; flank; flannel; flaw; flay; flecked; fleecy; flexible; flicker; flinty; floss; flounce; flounder; floweret; flue; foliage; forbade; forbearance; forcible; forearm; forecast; forerunner; forfeiture; formation; formidable; fornication; forsworn; fortitude; fount; fowler; frailty; franc; fraught; fray; frenzy; froth; froward; froze; frustrate; frugal; fumble

G

gabble; gaberdine; gad; gaiter; galvanize; gamble; gambol; gape; garb; garner; garret; garrison; gaudy; gauge; gaunt; gauze; gender; gentile; georgette; gesture; geyser; girt; girth; glossy; glutton; gnash; gnat; goad; goblet; gong; goodman; gourd; gradation; grail; granary; grandeur; grange; granulate; graphite; grapple; graven; gravity; greenwood; grimace; grinder; gripe; grit; grope; grot; grotesque; grovel; gruel; guilder; guile; guise; gully; gust

H

hack; hackney; haddock; hag; hale; halter; halve; hanger; hap; harbinger; hardihood; harmonious; harrow; harshness; haunch; havoc; haycock; hazard; haze; heather; hedgehog; hedgerow; heinous; hemlock; henceforward; herdsman; hereditary; heresy; heritage; herring; hewer; hexagon; hickory; hie; hillock; hilt; hitch; hoar; hock; hod; hoist; homage; hominy; hone; hoot; hopper; hornet; hostage; hostess; hostility; howbeit; howsoever; hub; huddle; huff; hulk; hull; husbandman; husk; hustle; hydrometer; hypocrisy; hysterical

I

idolatry; ignoble; imbibe; immeasurable; imminent; immovable; immunity; immutable; impair; impartial; impediment; impel; impend; impenetrable; imperil; imperious; impetuous; impious; imply; imposition; impotent; impressive; impute; inanimate; incessant; inclination; incomparable; incomplete; incubator; incurable; indent; indescribable; indication; indictment; indigo; indispensable; indolence; inducement; indulge; inestimable; inexhaustible; infallible; infamous; infect; infest; infidel; infuse; ingenious; inglorious; ingredient; iniquity; injunction; inlaid; innovation; inoffensive; inscribe; insertion; insight; insinuate; insole; insolence; inspect; installment; insulate; insure; insurgent; integrity; inter; intercept; interfere; interpose; intervene; intolerable; intricate; intrude; intrust; invader; invariable; invert; inveterate; invigorate; invincible; invoice; involuntary; iodine; ire; isinglass

J

javelin; jay; jeopardy; jerk; jerkin; jig; jingle; jockey; jocund; jog; jollity; jot; jubilant; judicious; jug; jumble; junction; juniper; junk; jurisdiction; jut

K

keel; ken; kilo; kine; kit; knead; knickerbocker; knoll; knuckle

L

labyrinth; lading; ladle; languid; lank; lapse; lascivious; lathe; lattice; laud; lea; leak; lease; leathern; leaven; leer; legacy; legible; legislate; lender; lens; leper; lever; levy; lewd; liable; libel; lief; liege; linden; lineal; lineament; lint; lisle; loam; loan; loathsome; locust; loft; lop; lore; lotus; lubricant; lucid; luminous; lunatic; lute; luxurious

M

macaroon; machinist; madras; magnanimity; magnet; maim; maintenance; malicious; mallet; malt; mangle; manifestation; manna; mantel; manual; marge; marker; marrow; marshy; mart; martial; massacre; matin; mattock; maul; maxim; maximum; maze; meager; mediator; meditation; medley; meed; menace; mercenary; mercerize; meridian; messaline; mete; metropolis; mettle; mica; mien; milch; mince; minion; ministration; minnow; minor; minster; minstrel; miraculous; mite; miter; mitigate; moat; mocker; mold; molten; monotonous; monumental; moorland; mop; mope; morris; mortar; mortify; mossy; motley; mottle; moulder; mouldy; mow; muck; muddy; muff; muffin; muffle; mug; mull; mum; munch; mush; musk; musket; muskrat; muslin; mustard; muster; mutinous; mutiny; myriad; myrrh; myrtle; mystic

N

nag; nasal; nationality; nave; nectar; negate; negligence; negotiate; nestle; nether; nettle; nick; nipple; nomad; nominate; noose; notch; notorious; novice; noxious; nozzle; nutmeg; nutting

O

oakum; oblique; oblivion; obnoxious; obscene; obscurity; obsequious; observance; obstruction; obtainable; occidental; ode; officious; olfactory; omnipotent; onyx; ooze; opportune; oppressive; optic; oral; orbit; ordeal; originate; outcast; outrage; oval; overbear; overcast; overlaid; owlet

P

packet; pagan; pageant; palate; palfrey; pall; palpable; palsy; pamper; panel; parable; paramour; parchment; pare; parley; parsley; particle; partition; pastoral; patter; patty; pawn; pedal; pedant; peek; peerless; pelt; pence; pendant; pendent; penetrate; penitent; pension; pent; pentagon; penury; peradventure; percale; percolate; perdition; perennial; perjure; pernicious; perpetuate; perplexity; persecution; perseverance; persist; personage; perspective; persuasion; pert; pertain; peruse; pervade; perverse; pest; pestilence; petrify; pew; phantom; phase; pheasant; phoenix; phosphate; phosphorus; piazza; picker; picket; pier; pillage; pincers; pinion; pinnace; pinnacle; piper; pique; piston; plaid; plaint; plait; pliers; plod; plug; plumb; plummet; pluperfect; plush; pod; poke; pollen; pollute; pomegranate; pompous; ponder; pongee; poplar; poplin; populace; popularity; porcelain; pore; porridge; portable; portal; portentous; portiere; posture; potash; potion; potter; pouch; pounce; prance; prate; precaution; precede; precinct; precipice; precise; precocious; predecessor; predominant; preeminence; prejudice; prelate; premier; preparatory; preposition; prerogative; presage; presbyterian; prescription; presidency; presumption; pretext; princely; principality; printer; prior; privacy; privy; proclamation; prodigal; prodigy; proffer; proficient; profile; profuse; progeny; prologue; promenade; promontory; prone; prop; propagate; propensity; prophetic; propitious; prostrate; provocation; prow; prowess; prowl; publican; puddle; pug; puller; pulley; pumice; puppet; putty

Q

quail; quell; quill; quince; quinine; quire; quotient

R

radius; raft; raid; raiment; raiser; rally; ramble; rampant; rampart; rape; rapine; rapt; rashness; ratify; rational; ravage; ravenous; ravine; ravish; raze; reaper; reappear; rebellious; rebound; recede; receiver; receptacle; recessive; reck; reclaim; recline; recoil; reconciliation; recorder; recount; recruit; rectangular; rector; redeemer; redouble; redoubt; redress; reef; reek; reflexive; reformation; regent; regime; reiterate; relapse; relax; relay; reliance; relinquish; rely; repast; repeal; repel; repentance; repine; replenish; repress; reprobate; repulse; repute; requite; resemblance; reservation; residue; respite; resplendent; restitution; restorer; restrict; retinue; retort; retrace; reverberate; revere; revert; revery; revile; revolver; ridden; rife; rift; rigid; rigor; rind; ringer; ringlet; rinse; riotous; risen; rivet; rivulet; roaster; robust; rocker; rocket; roe; role; romp; rood; rook; rosette; rosin; rout; royalty; rubbish; rudder; ruddy; rue; rumble; ruminate; rump; rung; russet

S

saber; sachet; salutary; salve; sanction; sateen; satiate; satyr; saunter; savor; scab; scabbard; scaffold; scaly; scamper; scandal; scoop; scope; scorner; scorpion; scrim; scroll; scruple; scullion; scum; scurry; scythe; sect; sedate; sediment; sedition; seduce; seer; seethe; seller; semblance; sentinel; separator; sepulcher; sequel; sequester; seraph; serge; sergeant; serial; server; settee; sewer; sexton; sham; shamble; shark; sharpener; shawl; sheaf; sheen; sheer; shekel; shellac; sheller; shelve; shew; shoal; shod; shorn; shortage; shred; shrivel; shrug; shutter; shuttle; sickle; sieve; sill; simmer; simultaneous; sinewy; singe; sixpence; skein; skirmish; skulk; slab; slacken; slam; sleek; sleet; slid; slim; slime; sloth; slug; slunk; smelt; smitten; smock; smother; sniff; snip; socket; sodden; solder; solidify; solvent; somber; sonnet; sooth; sorcerer; sordid; sounder; species; specious; speck; specter; spick; spicy; spike; spilt; spiral; spleen; spoiler; sportive; spout; sprawl; spreader; spree; sprig; sprightly; sprite; squall; staple; stark; stationary; stationery; statute; stave; stealth; stench; sterile; sterling; stew; steward; stifle; stile; stirrup; strainer; straiten; strangle; stratagem; stress; stretcher; strewn; stripling; strode; stronghold; strop; structure; strung; stubble; stucco; stud; sty; subvert; successor; succor; suckle; sue; sufferance; suite; sully; sultry; summary; sumptuous; sunder; sundry; sup; superfluity; superiority; supplant; supple; suppliant; supplicate; supremacy; surety; surfeit; surmise; surmount; surrey; sustenance; sware; swarthy; sweeper; swerve; swung; sycamore; sylph; sylvan; symmetrical; symphony; symptom; synagogue; syndicate

T

tabernacle; tabor; taint; tallow; tanner; tare; taunt; tawny; teat; teem; teller; temperament; tempestuous; temporal; tempter; tenor; tension; terminal; terrestrial; testament; tester; tether; texture; thatch; thrall; throb; throttle; thunderbolt; thwart; tilt; timbrel; timorous; tincture; tinder; tinge; tingle; tinker; tinsel; tint; tire; tit; tithe; tock; toll; toot; topple; torpid; torrid; trance; transact; transcendent; transfigure; transformer; transgress; transient; transit; transmission; travail; treble; tremulous; trend; trespass; tribulation; tribunal; trickle; triple; trivet; trivial; trodden; troth; trowel; troy; truant; truce; trudge; trump; trundle; tuft; tumbler; tumultuous; turban; turbulent; turnpike; turret; tweed; twill

U

udder; ulster; uncouth; undaunted; undefiled; unerring; unfeigned; unfurl; unscrupulous; untrod; upholster; upland; usage; usurp; usury; utility; uttermost

V

vacillate; vail; valve; vane; vantage; variable; variegated; vassal; vat; vaunt; vehement; veneer; venison; venom; vent; venturous; verdant; verdure; vermin; vernal; vertical; vesper; vestal; vesture; via; vial; vicar; victual; viewless; vigilance; vigorous; villa; vintage; virtual; visage; vise; visitation; voile; volley; volt; voluptuous; vouch; vulture

W

waft; wallet; wallow; wampum; wane; wantonness; watt; weal; wean; weasel; weaver; weld; welt; wench; wend; whelp; whim; whisk; whisker; whit; whiz; whoop; whore; wick; widen; wield; wight; wile; wist; woeful; woodbine; woof; worsted; wot; wrangle; wrathful; wrest; wringer; writhe; wroth

Y

yew; yond; yore

Z

zephyr; zest; zoological

REFERENCES

Walter B Pitkin, The Art of Rapid Reading (1930)