Descriptionary

lobby vb. (LOB ee) to try and persuade those in leg­islative power to vote in a certain way. Lawnmower manufacturers will lobby Congress to prevent passage of a bill that would require small engines to run with fifty percent fewer emissions.

logistics n. (luh JIS tiks) management, including procurement of supplies, distribution, transport, and maintenance, of any large-scale operation. The logistics involved in sending troops overseas is night­marish.

loose cannon n. one who is out of control or unpre­dictable, either verbally or physically. The ace pitcher was characterized as something of a loose cannon; he often shot his mouth off with the press and threatened management whenever they benched him.

loquacious adj. (loh KWAY shus) talkative. Radio talk-show hosts must be loquacious and quick- thinking.

lucid adj. (LOO sid) clear; clear-headed. I'm not quite as lucid when I've had a couple of drinks as when I'm sober.

lucrative adj. (LOO kruh tiv) profitable. The personal computer business continues to be highly lucrative.

ludicrous adj. (LOO di krus) laughable. The orga­nization's continued attempts to prove the earth is flat are ludicrous.

lukewarm adj. (LUHK WARM) unenthusiastic; tepid. A few people in the audience applauded, but the overall response to the play was lukewarm at best.

lurid adj. (LUR id) horrifying and gruesome; sen­sational or shocking. The tabloid television program featured lurid accidents involving automobiles, air­planes, and trains.

macabre adj. (muh KAHB ruh) ghastly, as scenes of death. The horror writer was a master at depicting the macabre.

Machiavellian adj. (mak ee uh VEL ee un) deceitful and crafty, so-named after Niccolo Machiavelli of the 16th century, who believed that in politics, morality should take a back seat to wiliness. The senator's backdoor, Machiavellian politics may have accom­plished what he wanted, but his reputation is now permanently tarnished.

machination n. (mak uh NAY shun) a scheme or design, especially of a sneaky nature. His covert machinations won him several converts as well as a formal nomination.

magnanimous adj. (mag NAN uh mus) noble, unselfish, and quick to forgive. My boss is unusually magnanimous and rarely says anything when I'm late for work.

magnate n. (MAG nayt) a very successful and pow­erful businessperson. The oil magnate arrived in town this morning to discuss the drilling of a new well in the Atlantic Ocean.

magnum opus n. (MAG num OH pus) a master­piece. Every weekend I work on my magnum opus in progress, but it won't be ready for at least ten years.