ar´du|ous|ness — ar|du|ous «AHR ju uhs», adjective. 1. hard to do; requiring much effort; difficult: »an arduous lesson. SYNONYM(S): laborious. 2. using up much energy; strenuous: »He enjoys an arduous workout in the gymnasium. 3. hard to climb; … Useful english dictionary
con´gru|ous|ness — con|gru|ous «KONG gru uhs», adjective. 1. Geometry. exactly coinciding. 2. in harmony; agreeing. SYNONYM(S): harmonious, accordant, conformable. 3. fitting; appropriate. ╂[< Latin … Useful english dictionary
cu´ri|ous|ness — cu|ri|ous «KYUR ee uhs», adjective. 1. eager to know: »a curious student. Small children are very curious, and ask many questions. Girls have curious minds And fain would know the end of everything (Elizabeth Barrett Browning). 2. too eager to… … Useful english dictionary
de´vi|ous|ness — de|vi|ous «DEE vee uhs», adjective. 1. out of the direct way; winding; twisting; roundabout: »We took a devious route through side streets and alleys to avoid the crowded main streets. SYNONYM(S): circuitous, tortuous, rambling. 2. Figurative.… … Useful english dictionary
fat´u|ous|ness — fat|u|ous «FACH u uhs», adjective. 1. stupid but self satisfied; foolish; silly: »a fatuous smile, a fatuous empty headed conversation. These poor Might Have Beens, These fatuous, ineffectual Yesterdays! (William Ernest Henley). SYNONYM(S): See… … Useful english dictionary
imper´vi|ous|ness — im|per|vi|ous «ihm PUR vee uhs», adjective. 1. having no way through; not letting things pass through; allowing no passage: »A raincoat made of rubber is impervious to rain. SYNONYM(S): impermeable. 2. Figurative. not open to argument,… … Useful english dictionary
noc´u|ous|ness — noc|u|ous «NOK yu uhs», adjective. noxious; hurtful; poisonous: »a nocuous gas. ╂[< Latin nocuus (with English ous) < nocēre to harm] –noc´u|ous|ly, adverb. –noc´u|ous|ness, noun … Useful english dictionary
nu´mer|ous|ness — nu|mer|ous «NOO muhr uhs, NYOO », adjective. 1. very many; of great number: »The child asked numerous questions. SYNONYM(S): manifold, several, innumerable. 2. in great numbers; consisting of many; plentiful: »He has a numerous acquaintance among … Useful english dictionary
ob´vi|ous|ness — ob|vi|ous «OB vee uhs», adjective. 1. easily seen or understood; clear to the eye or mind; not to be doubted; plain: »It is obvious that two and two make four. It is obvious that a blind man ought not to drive an automobile. The frail child was… … Useful english dictionary
o´dor|ous|ness — o|dor|ous «OH duhr uhs», adjective. giving forth or having an odor, especially a pleasant odor; sweet smelling; fragrant: »Spices are odorous. ... the odorous breath of morn (Milton). SYNONYM(S): aromatic. ╂[< Latin odorus (with English ous)]… … Useful english dictionary
on´er|ous|ness — on|er|ous «ON uhr uhs», adjective. 1. hard to take or carry; burdensome; oppressive; troublesome: »Overtime work is well paid, but it is often onerous. SYNONYM(S): heavy, weighty, arduous. 2. Law. of the nature of a legal burden or obligation.… … Useful english dictionary
