adjective rigorous or exacting; strict.Day care centers must maintain the stringent standards of cleanliness set by the state.The school has stringent requirements for graduation. See the full entry

noun a false name adopted by someone, esp. an author, to conceal his or her identity; pen name.She writes under a pseudonym. See the full entry

adjective covering an extended period of time.He was hoping for a long-term relationship with her, but they broke up after two months.Don’t you have any long-term plans for your future? See the…

transitive verb to take and hold (a right, position, office, or the like) illegally, wrongfully, or by force.While the king was away from the capital, his scheming brother usurped the throne.She felt…