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The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms INTRO ...

The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms INTRO ...

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hypnotized, engrossed, enthralled, bewitched, absorbed,<br />

transported, captivated, delighted: She gave her last<br />

performance <strong>of</strong> 'Giselle' before a rapt audience. 2 enraptured,<br />

rapturous, delighted, elated, happy, ecstatic, blissful,<br />

overjoyed, joyous, joyful, beatific: You should have seen the<br />

rapt expression on the child's face when Santa Claus appeared.<br />

rapture n. ecstasy, delight, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, pleasure,<br />

exaltation, elation, thrill, enchantment, euphoria, beatitude,<br />

transport, enchantment: Nothing could compare with the rapture<br />

he felt at seeing his daughter win the Nobel prize.<br />

rapturous adj. ecstatic, delighted, joyful, joyous, elated, thrilled,<br />

enchanted, euphoric, in seventh heaven, overjoyed, rhapsodic,<br />

Colloq on cloud nine, Brit over the moon: He was rapturous over<br />

qualifying for the Olympics.<br />

rare° adj. 1 uncommon, unfamiliar, unusual, exceptional, out <strong>of</strong> the<br />

ordinary, extraordinary, atypical; scarce, unparalleled, choice,<br />

recherch‚, phenomenal, infrequent, few and far between, sparse,<br />

scanty, limited, seldom encountered or met with or seen; unique,<br />

singular, one <strong>of</strong> a kind; Chiefly Brit thin on the ground: It<br />

was rare to see Liz in such good humour. Specimens in such<br />

perfect condition are rare. A copy <strong>of</strong> the first edition in this<br />

condition is rare. 2 fine, good, admirable, excellent, choice,<br />

select, special, first-rate, first-class, exquisite, superior,<br />

superlative, peerless, unequalled, matchless, incomparable, in a<br />

class by itself or herself or himself or themselves, sui<br />

generis, outstanding; collectible or collectable: O, rare Ben<br />

Jonson! On exhibit was a black pearl <strong>of</strong> rare beauty and<br />

remarkable size. Consideration for others seems a rare quality<br />

these days.<br />

rareý adj. underdone, undercooked, bleu(e), saignant(e): Do you want<br />

your steak rare, medium, or well-done?<br />

rarefied adj. 1 thin, lean, attenuated, diluted, sparse, scant, scanty:<br />

As we climbed higher, the rarefied atmosphere made breathing<br />

more difficult. 2 exalted, l<strong>of</strong>ty, elevated, high, sublime,<br />

noble, high: I feel out <strong>of</strong> place in the rarefied atmosphere <strong>of</strong><br />

academia. 3 cliquish, clannish, exclusive, private, select,<br />

esoteric: Clarence copes well in the rarefied atmosphere <strong>of</strong><br />

Whitehall's corridors <strong>of</strong> power.

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