V – Z
vacillate(VAS i LAYT) vt. 1. to waver; to sway back and forth; to fluctuate or
oscillate; 2. to waver in attitude; show indecision
- It is not unusual for one’s position on an issue to vacillateas more and
better information becomes available. - Homer and Marge often vacillateon where to go for their summer vacation.
[-d, vacillating, vacillation n.] [Syn. fluctuate]
vagrant(VAY grint) n.a person who wanders around without a regular job,
supporting him or herself by begging —adj. living the life of a vagabond; roaming;
nomadic - Vagrantsmay often be found sleeping on park benches in some of our larger
cities. - In some communities, being a vagrantis considered to be a misdemeanor.
- “Beachcomber” is a classy description for one living a vagrantexistence.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. tramp]
vehement(VEE him int) adj. 1. violent; impetuous; moving with considerable
force; 2. characterized by strong feeling or passion; impassioned; fervent - The vehementwinds brought about by Hurricane Charley laid waste to
parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast. - Bess was vehementin denying any knowledge of the incident in question.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. fervent]
venal(VEE nil) adj. 1. readily bribable or corruptible; 2. characterized by bribery
or corruption - The judge did not appear to be at all venal,and this was backed up when
Don’s under-the-table offer landed Don in jail. - The mayor and the council struck a venalbargain on the award of the
contract.
[-ly adv.]
veneer(ven EAR) vt. 1. to cover with a thin layer of more costly material; 2. to
cause to have a superficially attractive appearance —n.1. a thin layer of wood or
other material glued as the outer layer over a base material to give an attractive
appearance; 2. a superficial appearance of something positive - It is customary to veneera piece of wooden furniture with a thin layer of
finer wood. - Kitchen counters frequently are veneeredwith plastic for appearance and
washability. - Mahogany and oak veneersare both popular in furniture manufacturing.
- Francine has a veneerof culture, despite her lack of formal education.
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