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motif
(n.) theme
Although the college students lived in Alaska, they decided on a tropical
motif for their dorm room.
The decorations include a rose motif.
motility
(n.) spontaneous motion
The motility of the car caused the driver to lunge for the brake.
mundane
(adj.) ordinary; commonplace
The small town was very mundane.
Going food shopping soon became mundane, losing all of its excitement.
munificent
(adj.) giving generously
The civic group made a munificent donation to the homeless shelter.
muse
(v.) to think or speak meditatively
I expect I'll have to muse on that question for a while.
myriad
(n.) a large number
Buying an old house often necessitates fixing a myriad of problems.
Gazing up on the clear, dark midnight sky, the astronomer saw a myriad
of stars.
narcissistic
(adj.) egotistical; self-centered; self-love, excessive interest in ones
appearance, comfort, abilities, etc.
The narcissistic actor was difficult to get along with.
nascent
(adj.) starting to grow or develop
The nascent rage of in-line skating began on the West Coast.
nautical
(adj.) of the sea; having to do with sailors, ships, or navigation
The coastal New England town had a charming nautical influence.
nebulous
(adj.) unclear or vague
The ten page directions were a collection of nebulous words and figures.
nefarious
(adj.) morally bad; wicked
The nefarious criminal was the scourge of the local police force.
nefariousness
(adj.) being villainous or wicked
The nefariousness of the ruler was apparent when he hoarded all of the
food.
negligence
(n.) carelessness
Negligence contributed to the accident: She was traveling too fast for
the icy conditions.
nemesis
(n.) a person who inflicts just punishment; retribution; a rival
The criminal was killed by his nemesis, the brother of the man he murdered.
The football team plays its nemesis on Saturday.
neologism
(n.) giving a new meaning to an old word
Bad is a neologism for good.
neophyte
(n.) beginner; newcomer
Critics applauded the neophyte's success and speculated how much better
he would get with age and experience.
The neophyte dancer was overcome by the fast tempo and exotic rhythms.
nettle
(v.) annoy; irritate
The younger brother nettled his older sister until she slapped him.
The boy will nettle the father into agreeing.
neutral
(adj.) impartial; unbiased
The mother remained neutral regarding the argument between her two children.
nexus
(n.) a connection
The nexus between the shuttle and the space station was successful.
noisome
(adj.) harmful to health; having a foul odor
The noisome food was the cause of their illness.
The family was forced from the home by a noisome odor.
nostalgic
(adj.) longing for the past; filled with bittersweet memories
She loved her new life, but became nostalgic when she met with her old
friends.
nostrum
(n.) a questionable remedy for difficulties
The doctor's prescription was so unusual that it could be seen as a nostrum.
The nostrum of pine leaves and water did not seem to cure the illness.
notorious
(adj.) infamous; renowned; having an unfavorable connotation
Discovering that her new neighbor was notorious for thievery, she decided
to purchase an alarm system for her home.
The criminal had a notorious reputation.
novel
(adj.) new
It was a novel idea for the rock group to play classical music.
noxious
(adj.) harmful to one's health
The noxious fumes caused the person to become ill.
nugatory
(adj.) trifling; futile; insignificant
Because the problem was nugatory it was not addressed immediately.
nullify
(v.) cancel; invalidate
Drinking alcohol excessively will nullify the positive benefits of eating
well and exercising daily.
oaf
(n.) a clumsy, dumb person
The waiter has been called an oaf ever since he dropped the tray.
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