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GRE Flash Cards
Words and terms come from Barron's
581
Other
Graduate
05/02/2011

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Cards

Term
abate
Definition
v. to decrease, reduce
Term
abdicate
Definition
v. to give up a position, right, or power
Term
aberrant
Definition
adj. deviating from what is normal
Term
abeyance
Definition
n. temporary suppression or suspension.
Term
abject
Definition
miserable; pitiful
Term
abjure
Definition
to reject; abandon formally
Term
abscission
Definition
n. the at of cutting; the natural separation of a leaf or other part of a plant
Term
adaptive
Definition
an alteration in structure of habits by which a species improves its condition in relation to its environment
Term
abscond
Definition
v. to depart secretly
Term
abstemious
Definition
adj. moderate in appetite
Term
abstinence
Definition
n. the giving up of certain pleasures
Term
abysmal
Definition
adj. very bad
Term
accretion
Definition
n. growth in size or incrase in amount
Term
accrue
Definition
v. to accumulate; grow by additions
Term
adamant
Definition
adj. uncompromising; unyielding
Term
adjunct
Definition
n. something added, attached, or joined
Term
admonish
Definition
n. to caution or reprimand
Term
adulterate
Definition
v. to corrupt or make impure
Term
aesthetic
Definition
adj. relating to beauty or art
Term
affected
Definition
adj. pretentious, phony
Term
affinity
Definition
n. fondness; liking; similarity
Term
aggrandize
Definition
v. to make larger or greater
Term
aggregate
Definition
adj. amounting to a whole; total
Term
alacrity
Definition
n. cheerful willingness; eagerness; speed
Term
alchemy
Definition
n. medieval chemical philosophy based on changing metal into gold; a seemingly magical power or process of transmutation
Term
allay
Definition
v. to lessen; ease; soothe
Term
alleviate
Definition
v. to relieve; improve partially
Term
alloy
Definition
n. a combination; a mixture of two or more metals
Term
allure
Definition
n. the power to entice by charm
Term
amalgamate
Definition
v. to combine into a unified whole
Term
ambiguous
Definition
adj. unclear or doubtful in meaning
Term
ambivalence
Definition
n. the state of having conflicting emotional attitudes
Term
ambrosia
Definition
n. something delicious; the food of the gods
Term
ameliorate
Definition
v. to improve
Term
amenable
Definition
adj. agreeable; cooperative; suited
Term
amenity
Definition
n. something that increases comfort
Term
amulet
Definition
n. ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
Term
anachronism
Definition
n. something out of the proper time
Term
analgesic
Definition
n. medication that reduces or eliminates pain
Term
analogous
Definition
adj. comparable
Term
anarchy
Definition
n. absence of government; state of disorder
Term
anodyne
Definition
n. something that calms or soothes pain
Term
anomalous
Definition
adj. irregular; deviating from the norm
Term
antecedent
Definition
n. something that comes before
Term
antediluvian
Definition
adj. prehistoric
Term
antipathy
Definition
n.dislike; hostility
Term
apathy
Definition
n. indifference
Term
apex
Definition
n. the highest point
Term
apogee
Definition
n. the point in an orbit most distant from the body being orbited; the highest point
Term
apothegm
Definition
n. a terse, witty saying
Term
appease
Definition
v. to calm; pacify; placate
Term
appellation
Definition
n. name
Term
apposite
Definition
adj. strikingly appropriate and relevant
Term
apprise
Definition
v. to inform
Term
approbation
Definition
n. praise; approval
Term
appropriate (v)
Definition
v. to take possession for one's own use; confiscate
Term
apropos
Definition
adj. relevant
Term
arabesque
Definition
n. ornate design featuring intertwined curves; a ballet position in which one leg is extended in back while the other supports the weight of the body
Term
archeology
Definition
n. the study of material evidence of past human life
Term
ardor
Definition
n. great emotion or passion
Term
arduous
Definition
adj. extremely difficult; laborious
Term
argot
Definition
n. a specialized vocabulary used by a group
Term
arrest
Definition
v. to stop; to seize
Term
artifact
Definition
n. item made by human craft
Term
artless
Definition
adj. guileless; natural
Term
ascetic
Definition
n. one who practices self-denial
Term
asperity
Definition
n. severity; harshness; irritability
Term
aspersion
Definition
n. slander; false rumor
Term
assiduous
Definition
adj. diligent; hard working
Term
assuage
Definition
v. to make less severe
Term
astringent
Definition
adj. harsh; severe
Term
asylum
Definition
n. place of refuge or shelter
Term
atavism
Definition
n. in biology, the reappearence of a characteristic in an organism after several generations of absence
Term
attenuate
Definition
v. to weaken
Term
audacious
Definition
adj. bold; daring
Term
austere
Definition
adj. stern; unadorned
Term
autonomous
Definition
adj. self governing; independent
Term
avarice
Definition
n. greed
Term
aver
Definition
v. to affirm; declare to be true
Term
avocation
Definition
n. secondary occupation
Term
avuncular
Definition
adj. like an uncle, benevolent and tolerant
Term
bacchanalian
Definition
adj. pertaining to riotous or drunken festivity; pertaining to revelry
Term
banal
Definition
adj. commonplace; trite
Term
banter
Definition
n. playful conversation
Term
bard
Definition
n. poet
Term
bawdy
Definition
adj. obscene
Term
beatify
Definition
v. to sanctify; to bless; to ascribe a virtue to
Term
bedizen
Definition
v. to dress in a vulgar, showy manner
Term
behemoth
Definition
n. huge creature; anything very large and powerful
Term
belie
Definition
v. to contradict; misrepresent; give a false impression
Term
beneficient
Definition
adj. kindly; doing good
Term
bifurcate
Definition
v. to divide into two parts
Term
blandishment
Definition
n. flattery
Term
blase
Definition
adj. bored because of frequent indulgence; unconcerned
Term
bolster
Definition
v. to give a boost to; prop up; support
Term
bombastic
Definition
adj. pompous; using inflated language
Term
boorish
Definition
adj. rude; insensitive
Term
bovine
Definition
adj. cowlike
Term
brazen
Definition
adj. bold; shameless
Term
broach
Definition
v. to mention for the first time
Term
bucolic
Definition
adj. characteristic of the countryside; rustic; pastoral
Term
burgeon
Definition
v. to flourish
Term
burnish
Definition
v. to polish
Term
buttress
Definition
v. to reinforce; support
Term
cacophonous
Definition
adj. unpleasant or harsh-sounding
Term
cadge
Definition
v. to beg; sponge
Term
callous
Definition
adj. thick-skinned; insensitive
Term
calumny
Definition
n. false and malicious accusation; slander
Term
canard
Definition
n. false, deliberately misleading story
Term
canon
Definition
n. an established principle; a basis or standard for judgment; a group of literary works
Term
cant
Definition
n. insincere talk; language of a particular group
Term
cantankerous
Definition
adj. irritable; ill-humored
Term
capricious
Definition
adj. fickle
Term
captious
Definition
adj. faultfinding; intending to entrap, as in an argument
Term
cardinal
Definition
adj. of foremost importance
Term
carnal
Definition
adj. of the flesh or body; related to physical appetites
Term
carping
Definition
v. to find fault; complain
Term
cartography
Definition
n. science of making maps
Term
caste
Definition
n. any of the hereditary classes of Hindu society; social stratification
Term
castigation
Definition
n. punishment; chastisement; criticism
Term
cataclysm
Definition
n. a violent upheaval that causes great destruction and change.
Term
catalyst
Definition
n. something causing change.
Term
categorical
Definition
adj. absolute; without exception
Term
caucus
Definition
n. smaller group within an organization
Term
causal
Definition
adj. involving a cause
Term
caustic
Definition
adj. sarcastically biting; burning
Term
celestial
Definition
adj. concerning the sky or heavens; sublime
Term
centrifugal
Definition
adj. moving away from a center
Term
centripetal
Definition
adj. moving or directed toward a center
Term
champion
Definition
v. to defend or support
Term
chasten
Definition
v. to correct by punishment or reproof; to restrain or subdue
Term
chicanery
Definition
n. trickery; fraud
Term
chivalry
Definition
n. the qualities idealized by knighthood such as bravery and gallantry toward women
Term
churlish
Definition
adj. rude; boorish
Term
circuitous
Definition
adj. roundabout
Term
clairvoyant
Definition
n. one who can predict the future; psychic
Term
clamor
Definition
n. noisy outcry
Term
clique
Definition
n. a small, exclusive group
Term
cloister
Definition
v. to confine; seclude
Term
coagulate
Definition
v. thicken; congeal
Term
coalesce
Definition
v. to cause to become one
Term
coda
Definition
n. concluding part of a literary or musical composition; something that summarizes or concludes
Term
codify
Definition
v. to systematize
Term
cognizant
Definition
adj. informed; conscious; aware
Term
collage
Definition
nn. artistic composition of materials pasted over a surface; an assemblage of diverse elements
Term
commensurate
Definition
adj. proportional
Term
compendium
Definition
n. brief, comprehensive summary
Term
complacent
Definition
adj. self-satisfied
Term
complaisant
Definition
adj. overly polite; willing to please; obliging
Term
complement
Definition
n. something that completes or makes up a whole
Term
compliant
Definition
adj. yielding
Term
compunction
Definition
n. uneasiness caused by guilt
Term
concave
Definition
adj. curving inward
Term
conciliatory
Definition
adj. overcoming distrust or hostility
Term
concoct
Definition
v. to invent
Term
concomitant
Definition
n. existing concurrently
Term
condone
Definition
v. to overlook voluntarily; forgive
Term
confound
Definition
v. to baffle; perplex; mix up
Term
congenial
Definition
adj. similar in tastes and habits; friendly; suited to
Term
conjugal
Definition
adj. pertaining to marriage agreement
Term
connoisseur
Definition
n. a person possessing expert knowledge or training; a person of informed and discriminating taste
Term
conscript
Definition
n. person compulsorily enrolled for military service
Term
consecrate
Definition
v. to declare sacred
Term
contend
Definition
v. to assert
Term
contentious
Definition
adj. quarrelsome; causing quarrels
Term
contiguous
Definition
adj. touching; neighboring; connecting without a break
Term
continence
Definition
n. self-control; abstention from sexual activity
Term
contrite
Definition
adj. very sorrowful for a wrong
Term
contumacious
Definition
adj. disobedient; rebellious
Term
conundrum
Definition
n. riddle; puzzle with no solution
Term
convention
Definition
n. practice widely observed in a group; custom; accepted technique or device
Term
converge
Definition
v. to approach; come together; tend to meet
Term
convex
Definition
adj. curved outward
Term
convivial
Definition
adj. sociable
Term
convoluted
Definition
adj. twisted; complicated
Term
copious
Definition
adj. abundant; plentiful
Term
coquette
Definition
n. woman who flirts
Term
cornucopia
Definition
n. horn overflowing with fruit and grain; state of abundance
Term
cosmology
Definition
n. study of the universe as a totality; theory of the origin and structure of the universe
Term
covert
Definition
adj. hidden; secret
Term
covetous
Definition
adj. desiring something owned by another
Term
cozen
Definition
v. to mislead by trick or fraud; deceive
Term
craven
Definition
adj. cowardly
Term
credence
Definition
n. acceptance of something as true
Term
credo
Definition
n. statement of belief or principle; creed
Term
daunt
Definition
v. to discourage; intimidate; dishearten
Term
dearth
Definition
n. scarcity
Term
debauchery
Definition
n. corruption
Term
decorum
Definition
n. proper behavior
Term
defame
Definition
v. to malign, harm someone's reputation
Term
default
Definition
v. to fail to act
Term
deference
Definition
n. respect; regard for another's wish
Term
defunct
Definition
adj. no longer existing
Term
delineate
Definition
v. to represent or depict
Term
demographic
Definition
adj. related to population balance
Term
demotic
Definition
adj. pertaining to people
Term
demur
Definition
to express doubt
Term
denigrate
Definition
to slur someone's reputation
Term
denizen
Definition
n. an inhabitant; a regular visitor
Term
denoument
Definition
n. outcome; unraveling of the plot of a play or work of literature
Term
deride
Definition
v. to mock
Term
derivative
Definition
n. something derived; unoriginal
Term
desiccate
Definition
v. to dry completely
Term
desuetude
Definition
n. state of disuse
Term
desultory
Definition
adj. random; disconnected; rambling
Term
deterrent
Definition
something that discourages or hinders
Term
detraction
Definition
n. the act of taking away; derogatory comment on a person's character
Term
diaphanous
Definition
adj. transparent; fine-textured; insubstantial; vague
Term
diatribe
Definition
n. bitter verbal attack
Term
dichotomy
Definition
n. division into two usually contradictory parts
Term
diffidence
Definition
n. shyness; lack of confidence
Term
diffuse
Definition
v. to spread out
Term
digression
Definition
n. act of straying from the main point
Term
dirge
Definition
n. funeral hymn
Term
disabuse
Definition
v. to free from a misconception
Term
discerning
Definition
adj. perceptive; exhibiting keen insight and good judgment
Term
discomfit
Definition
v. to make uneasy; disconcert
Term
discordant
Definition
adj. not in tune
Term
discredit
Definition
v. to dishonor; disgrace; cause to be doubted
Term
discrepancy
Definition
n. difference between
Term
discrete
Definition
adj. constituting a separate thing; distinct
Term
discretion
Definition
n. quality of showing self-restraint in speech or actions; circumspection; freedom to act on one's own
Term
disingenuous
Definition
adj. not candid; crafty
Term
disinterested
Definition
adj. unprejudiced; objective
Term
disjointed
Definition
adj. lacking order or coherence; dislocated
Term
dismiss
Definition
v. put away from consideration; reject
Term
disparage
Definition
v. to belittle
Term
disparate
Definition
adj. dissimilar
Term
dissemble
Definition
v. to pretend; disguise one's motives
Term
disseminate
Definition
v. to spread; scatter; disperse
Term
dissident
Definition
n. person who disagrees about beliefs, etc.
Term
dissolution
Definition
n. disintegration; debauchery
Term
dissonance
Definition
n. discord; lack of harmony
Term
distend
Definition
v. to expand; swell out
Term
distill
Definition
v. extract the essential elements
Term
distrait
Definition
adj. inattentive; preoccupied
Term
diverge
Definition
v. to vary; go in different directions from the same point
Term
divest
Definition
v. to strip; deprive; rid
Term
divulge
Definition
v. to make known something that is secret
Term
doctrinaire
Definition
adj. relating to a person who cannot compromise about points of a theory or doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding
Term
document
Definition
v. to provide with written evidence to support
Term
doggerel
Definition
n. poor verse
Term
dogmatic
Definition
adj. stating opinions without proof
Term
dormant
Definition
adj. inactive
Term
dross
Definition
n. waste; worthless matter; trivial matter
Term
dupe
Definition
v. to deceive; trick
Term
ebullient
Definition
adj. exhilarated; enthusiastic
Term
eclectic
Definition
adj. selecting from various sources
Term
effervescence
Definition
n. state of high spirits or liveliness; the process of bubbling as gas escapes
Term
effete
Definition
adj. depleted of vitality; overrefined; decadent
Term
efficacy
Definition
n. efficiency; effectiveness
Term
effrontery
Definition
n. shameless boldness; presumptuousness
Term
egoism
Definition
n. the tendency to see things in relation to oneself; self-centeredness
Term
egotistical
Definition
adj. excessively self-centered; conceited
Term
elegy
Definition
n. a poem or song expressing lamentation
Term
elicit
Definition
v. to provoke; draw out
Term
elixir
Definition
n. a substance believed to have the power to cure ills
Term
Elysian
Definition
adj. blissful; delightful
Term
ematicated
Definition
adj. thin and wasted
Term
embellish
Definition
v. to adorn; decorate; enhance; make more attractive by adding details
Term
emollient
Definition
adj. soothing; mollifying
Term
empirical
Definition
adj. derived from observation or experiment
Term
emulate
Definition
v. to imitate; copy
Term
encomium
Definition
n. a formal expression of praise
Term
endemic
Definition
adj. inherent; belonging to an area
Term
enervate
Definition
v. to weaken
Term
engender
Definition
v. to cause; produce
Term
enhance
Definition
v. to increase; improve
Term
entomology
Definition
n. the scientific study of insects
Term
enunciate
Definition
v. to pronounce clearly
Term
ephemeral
Definition
adj. short-lived; fleeting
Term
epistemology
Definition
n. branch of philosophy that examines the nature of knowledge
Term
equable
Definition
adj. steady; unvarying; serene
Term
equanimity
Definition
n. composure; calmness
Term
equivocate
Definition
v. to intentionally use vague language
Term
errant
Definition
adj. mistaken; straying from the proper course
Term
erudite
Definition
adj. learned; scholarly
Term
esoteric
Definition
adj. hard to understand; known only to a few
Term
essay (v)
Definition
v. to make an attempt; subject to a test
Term
estimable
Definition
adj. admirable; possible to estimate
Term
ethnocentric
Definition
adj. based on the attitude that one's group is superior
Term
etiology
Definition
n. causes or origins
Term
etymology
Definition
n. origin and history of a word
Term
eugenics
Definition
n. study of factors that influence the hereditary qualities of the human race and ways to improve those qualities
Term
eulogy
Definition
n. high praise, especially of a person who has recently died
Term
euphemism
Definition
n. use of agreeable or inoffensive language in place of unpleasant or offensive language
Term
euphoria
Definition
n. a feeling of extreme happiness
Term
euthanasia
Definition
n. mercy killing
Term
evince
Definition
v. to show plainly; be an indication of
Term
evocative
Definition
adj. tending to call to mind or produce a reaction
Term
exacerbate
Definition
v. to aggravate; make worse
Term
exact
Definition
v. to force the payment of; demand and obtain by authority
Term
excuplate
Definition
v. to clear of blame; vindicate
Term
execrable
Definition
adj. detestable; abhorrent
Term
exhort
Definition
v. to urge by strong appeals
Term
exigency
Definition
n. crisis; urgent requirements
Term
existential
Definition
adj. having to do with existence; based on experience; having to do with the philosophy of existentialism
Term
exorcise
Definition
v. to expel evil spirits; free from bad influences
Term
expiate
Definition
v. to atone for
Term
explicate
Definition
v. to explain; interpret; clarify
Term
expository
Definition
adj. explanatory
Term
extant
Definition
adj. in existence; not lost
Term
extemporaneous
Definition
adj. unrehearsed
Term
extirpate
Definition
v. to root up; to destroy
Term
extraneous
Definition
adj. not essential
Term
extrapolation
Definition
n. the act of estimation by projecting known information
Term
extrinsic
Definition
adj. no inherent or essential
Term
facetious
Definition
adj. humorous
Term
facilitate
Definition
v. to make less difficult
Term
factotum
Definition
n. a person who does all sorts of work; a handyman
Term
fallacious
Definition
adj. based on a false idea or fact; misleading
Term
fallow
Definition
adj. plowed but not sowed; uncultivated
Term
fatuous
Definition
adj. foolishly self-satisfied
Term
fauna
Definition
n.animals of a period or region
Term
fawning
Definition
adj. seeking favor by flattering
Term
felicitous
Definition
adj. suitably expressed; appropriate; well-chosen
Term
feral
Definition
adj. existing in a wild or untamed state
Term
fervor
Definition
n. warmth and intensity of emotion
Term
fetid
Definition
adj. having a bad smell
Term
fetter
Definition
v. to bind; confine
Term
fiat
Definition
n. arbitrary order; authorization
Term
fidelity
Definition
n. loyalty; exact correspondence
Term
filibuster
Definition
n. use of obstructive tactics in a legislature to block passage of a law
Term
finesse
Definition
v. to handle with a deceptive or evasive strategy; to use finesse, that is, refinement in performance
Term
fissure
Definition
n. crevice
Term
flag
Definition
v. to droop; grow weak
Term
fledgling
Definition
n. beginner; novice
Term
flora
Definition
n. plants of a region or era
Term
florid
Definition
adj. ruddy; reddish; flowery
Term
flourish
Definition
n. an embellishment or ornamentation
Term
flout
Definition
v. to treat scornfully
Term
flux
Definition
n. flowing; a continuous moving
Term
foment
Definition
v. to incite; arouse
Term
forbearance
Definition
n. patience
Term
forestall
Definition
v. to prevent; delay
Term
formidable
Definition
adj. menacing; threatening
Term
forswear
Definition
v. renounce; repudiate
Term
founder
Definition
v. to sink; fail; collapse
Term
fracas
Definition
n. a loud quarrel; brawl
Term
fractious
Definition
adj. quarrelsome; unruly; rebellious
Term
fresco
Definition
n. a painting done on plaster
Term
frieze
Definition
n. ornamental band on a wall
Term
froward
Definition
adj. stubbornly contrary; obstinately disobedient
Term
frugality
Definition
n. thrift
Term
fulminate
Definition
v. to attack loudly; denounce
Term
fulsome
Definition
adj. so excessive as to be disgusting
Term
fusion
Definition
adj. union; synthesis
Term
futile
Definition
adj ineffective; useless; fruitless
Term
gainsay
Definition
v. to deny; dispute; oppose
Term
gambol
Definition
v. to frolic; leap playfully
Term
garrulous
Definition
adj. very talkative; wordy
Term
gauche
Definition
adj. coarse and uncouth; clumsy
Term
geniality
Definition
n. cheerfulness; kindliness; sociability
Term
gerrymander
Definition
v. to divide an area into voting districts in a way that favors a political party
Term
glib
Definition
adj. fluent in an insincere way; offhand
Term
goad
Definition
v. to prod; urge on
Term
gossamer
Definition
adj. sheer; light and delicate, like cobwebs
Term
gouge
Definition
v. to tear out; scoop out; overcharge
Term
grandiloquent
Definition
adj. pompous; bombastic
Term
gregarious
Definition
adj. sociable
Term
grouse
Definition
v. to complain
Term
guileless
Definition
adj. free of cunning or deceit; artless
Term
guise
Definition
n. outward appearance; false appearance; pretense
Term
gullible
Definition
adj. easily deceived
Term
gustatory
Definition
adj. affecting the sense of taste
Term
halcyon
Definition
adj. calm and peaceful; happy; golden; prosperous
Term
hallowed
Definition
adj. holy; scared
Term
harangue
Definition
n. long, pompous speech; tirade
Term
harrowing
Definition
adj. extremely distressing; terrifying
Term
herbivorous
Definition
adj. relating to a herbivore, an animal that feeds on plants
Term
hermetic
Definition
adj. tightly sealed; magical
Term
heterodox
Definition
adj. unorthodox; not widely accepted
Term
hieroglyphics
Definition
n. a system of writing in which pictorial symbols represent meaning or sounds; writing or symbols that are difficult to decipher; the symbols used in advanced mathematics
Term
hirsute
Definition
adj. covered with hair
Term
histrionic
Definition
adj. relating to exaggerated emotional behavior calculated for effect; theatrical arts or performances
Term
homeostasis
Definition
n. automatic maintenance by an organism of normal temperature, chemical balance, etc. within itself
Term
homily
Definition
n. sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; platitude
Term
homogenous
Definition
adj. composed of identical parts; uniform in composition
Term
hyperbole
Definition
n. purposeful exaggeration for effect
Term
iconoclastic
Definition
adj. attacking cherished traditions
Term
idolatry
Definition
n. idol worship; blind or excessive devotion
Term
igneous
Definition
adj. produce by fire; volcanic
Term
imbroglio
Definition
n. complicated situation; an entanglement
Term
immutable
Definition
adj. unchangeable
Term
impair
Definition
v. to damage; injure
Term
impassive
Definition
adj. showing no emotion
Term
impecunious
Definition
adj. poor; having no money
Term
impede
Definition
v. to hinder; block
Term
impermeable
Definition
adj. impossible to penetrate
Term
imperturbable
Definition
adj. not easily disturbed
Term
impervious
Definition
adj. impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected
Term
impinge
Definition
v. to strike; encroach
Term
implacable
Definition
adj. inflexible; incapable of being pleased
Term
implausible
Definition
adj. unlikely; unbelievable
Term
implicit
Definition
adj. implied; understood but not stated
Term
implode
Definition
v. collapse inward violently
Term
imprecation
Definition
n. curse
Term
inconsequential
Definition
adj. insignificant; unimportant
Term
incorporate
Definition
v. introduce something into another thing already in existence; combine
Term
incursion
Definition
n. sudden invasion
Term
indeterminate
Definition
adj. uncertain; indefinite
Term
indigence
Definition
n. poverty
Term
indolent
Definition
adj. habitually lazy; idle
Term
ineluctable
Definition
adj. not to be avoided or escaped; inevitable
Term
inert
Definition
adj. unable to move; sluggish
Term
ingenuous
Definition
adj. naive and trusting; lacking sophistication
Term
inherent
Definition
adj. firmly established by nature or habit
Term
innocuous
Definition
adj. harmless
Term
insensible
Definition
adj. unconscious; unresponsive
Term
insinuate
Definition
v. to suggest; say indirectly; imply
Term
insipid
Definition
adj. lacking in flavor; dull
Term
insouciant
Definition
adj. indifferent; lacking concern or care
Term
insularity
Definition
n. narrow-mindedness; isolation
Term
insuperable
Definition
adj. insurmountable; unconquerable
Term
intangible
Definition
adj. not material
Term
interdict
Definition
v. to forbid; prhoibit; to confront and halt the activities, advance, or entry of
Term
internecine
Definition
adj. deadly to both sides
Term
interpolate
Definition
v. to insert; change by adding new words or material
Term
interregnum
Definition
n. interval between reigns; gap in continuity
Term
intimate
Definition
adj. marked by close acquaintance
Term
intractable
Definition
adj. not easily managed
Term
intransigence
Definition
n. stubbornness; refusal to compromise
Term
introspective
Definition
adj. contemplating one's own thoughts and feelings
Term
inundate
Definition
v. to cover with water; overwhelm
Term
inured
Definition
v. hardened; accustomed; used to
Term
invective
Definition
n. verbal abuse
Term
inveigh
Definition
v. to disapprove; protest vehemently
Term
inveigle
Definition
v. to win over by flattery or coaxing
Term
inveterate
Definition
adj. confirmed; long-standing; deeply rooted
Term
invidious
Definition
adj. likely to provoke ill will; offensive
Term
irascible
Definition
adj. easily angered
Term
irresolute
Definition
adj. unsure of how to act; weak
Term
itinerant
Definition
adj. wanderinf from place to place; unsettled
Term
itinerary
Definition
n. route of a traveler's journey
Term
jaundiced
Definition
adj. having a yellowish discoloration of the skin; affected by envy, resentment, or hostility
Term
jibe
Definition
v. to be in agreement
Term
jocose
Definition
adj. fond of joking; jocular; playful
Term
juggernaut
Definition
n. huge force destroying everything in its path
Term
junta
Definition
n. group of people united in political intrigue
Term
juxtapose
Definition
v. place side by side
Term
kudos
Definition
n. fame; glory; honor
Term
labile
Definition
adj. likely to change
Term
laconic
Definition
adj. using few words
Term
lambaste
Definition
v. to thrash verbally or physically
Term
lascivious
Definition
adj. lustful
Term
latent
Definition
adj. present but hidden; potential
Term
laud
Definition
v. to praise
Term
lethargic
Definition
adj. inactive
Term
levee
Definition
n. an embankment that prevents a river from overflowing
Term
levity
Definition
n. light manner or attitude
Term
liberal
Definition
adj. tolerant; broad-minded; generous; lavish
Term
libertine
Definition
n. one without moral restraint
Term
libido
Definition
n. sexual desire
Term
Lilliputian
Definition
adj. extremely small
Term
limn
Definition
v. to draw; describe
Term
limpid
Definition
adj. clear; transparent
Term
linguistic
Definition
adj. pertaining to language
Term
litany
Definition
n. lengthy recitation; repetitive chant
Term
literati
Definition
n. scholarly or learned persons
Term
litigation
Definition
n. legal procedings
Term
log
Definition
n. record of a voyage; record of daily activities
Term
loquacious
Definition
adj. talkative
Term
lucid
Definition
adj. bright; clear; intelligible
Term
lucre
Definition
n. money or profits
Term
luminous
Definition
adj. bright; brilliant; glowing
Term
lustrous
Definition
adj. shining
Term
Machiavellian
Definition
adj. crafty; double-dealing
Term
machinations
Definition
n. plots or schemes
Term
maelstrom
Definition
whirlpool; turmoil
Term
magnanimity
Definition
n. generosity; nobility
Term
malign
Definition
v. to speak evil of
Term
malinger
Definition
v. to feign illness to escape duty
Term
meteorological
Definition
adj. concerned with the weather
Term
meticulous
Definition
adj. very careful; fastidious
Term
mettle
Definition
n. courage; endurance
Term
mettlesome
Definition
adj. full of courage and fortitude; spirited
Term
microcosm
Definition
n. a small system having analogies to a larger system; small world
Term
militate
Definition
v. to work against
Term
minatory
Definition
adj. threatening; menacing
Term
miniscule
Definition
adj. very small
Term
minutia
Definition
n. petty details
Term
misanthrope
Definition
n. one who hates humanity
Term
miscellany
Definition
n. mixture of writings on various subjects
Term
miscreant
Definition
n. villain; criminal
Term
misogynist
Definition
n. one who hates women
Term
mitigate
Definition
v. to cause to become less harsh, severe, or painful; alleviate
Term
mnemonic
Definition
adj. related to memory; assisting memory
Term
modicum
Definition
n. limited quantity
Term
mollify
Definition
to soothe
Term
monolithic
Definition
adj. solid and uniform; constituting a single, unified whole
Term
morose
Definition
adj. ill-humored; sullen
Term
motley
Definition
adj. many colored, made up of many parts
Term
multifarious
Definition
adj. diverse
Term
mundane
Definition
adj. worldly as opposed to spiritual; concerned with the ordinary
Term
necromancy
Definition
n. black magic
Term
negate
Definition
v. to cancel out; nullify
Term
neologism
Definition
n. new word or expression
Term
neophyte
Definition
n. novice; beginner
Term
nexus
Definition
n. a means of connection; a connected group or series; a center
Term
nonplussed
Definition
adj. bewildered
Term
nostalgia
Definition
n. sentimental longing for a past time
Term
nostrum
Definition
n. medicine or remedy of doubtful effectiveness; supposed cure
Term
nugatory
Definition
adj. trifling; invalid
Term
obdurate
Definition
adj. stubborn
Term
obsequious
Definition
adj. overly submissive
Term
obsequy
Definition
n. funeral ceremony
Term
obviate
Definition
v. to make unnecessary; to anticipate and prevent
Term
occlude
Definition
v. to shut; block
Term
occult
Definition
adj. relating to practices connected with supernatural phenomena
Term
odyssey
Definition
n. a long, adventurous voyage; a quest
Term
officious
Definition
adj. to helpful; meddlesome
Term
olfactory
Definition
adj. concerning the sense of smell
Term
oligarchy
Definition
n. form of government in which power belongs to only a few leaders
Term
onerous
Definition
adj. burdensome
Term
onomatopoeia
Definition
n. formation of or use of words that imitate sounds of the actions they refer to
Term
opprobrium
Definition
n. disgrace; contempt
Term
ornithologist
Definition
n. scientist who studies birds
Term
oscillate
Definition
v. to move back and forth
Term
ostentatious
Definition
adj. showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious
Term
overweening
Definition
adj. presumptuous; arrogant; overbearing
Term
paean
Definition
n. song of joy or triumph; a fervent expression of joy
Term
paleontology
Definition
n. study of past geological eras through fossil remains
Term
pallid
Definition
adj. lacking color or liveliness
Term
panegyric
Definition
n. elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
Term
paragon
Definition
n. model of excellence or perfection
Term
partisan
Definition
adj. one-sided; committed to a party, group, or cause; prejudiced
Term
pathological
Definition
adj departing from normal condition
Term
patois
Definition
n. a regional dialect; nonstandards peech; jargon
Term
paucity
Definition
n. scarcity
Term
pedantic
Definition
adj. showing off learning
Term
pellucid
Definition
adj. transparent; translucent; easily understood
Term
penchant
Definition
n. inclination
Term
penury
Definition
n. extreme poverty
Term
peregrination
Definition
n. a wandering from place to place
Term
peremptory
Definition
adj. imperative; leaving no choice
Term
perennial
Definition
adj. present throughout the years; persistent
Term
perfidious
Definition
adj. faithless; disloyal; untrustworthy
Term
perfunctory
Definition
adj. superficial; not thorough; performed really as a duty
Term
perigee
Definition
n. point in an orbit that is closest to the Earth
Term
permeable
Definition
adj. penetrable
Term
perturb
Definition
v. do disturb greatly; make uneasy or anxious; cause a body to deviate from its regular orbit
Term
pervasive
Definition
adj. spread throughout every part
Term
petulant
Definition
adj. rude; peevish
Term
phlegmatic
Definition
adj. calm in temperament; sluggish
Term
phoenix
Definition
n. mythical, immortal bird that lives for 500 years, burns itself to death, and rises from its ashes; anything that is restored after suffering great destruction
Term
physiognomy
Definition
n. facial features
Term
piety
Definition
n. devoutness
Term
piquant
Definition
adj. appealingly stimulating; pleasantly pungent; attractive
Term
pique
Definition
n. fleeting feeling of hurt pride
Term
placate
Definition
v. to lessen another's anger; to pacify
Term
placid
Definition
adj. calm
Term
plaintive
Definition
adj. melancholy; mournful
Term
plasticity
Definition
n. condition of being able able to be shaped or formed; pliability
Term
platitude
Definition
n. stale, overused expression
Term
platonic
Definition
adj. spiritual; without sensual desire; theoretical
Term
plethora
Definition
n. excess; overabundance
Term
plumb
Definition
v. to determine the depth; to examine deeply
Term
plummet
Definition
v. to fall; plunge
Term
plutocracy
Definition
n. society ruled by the wealthy
Term
porous
Definition
adj. full of holes; permeable to liquids
Term
poseur
Definition
n. person who affects an attitude or identity to impress others
Term
pragmatic
Definition
adj. practical
Term
prate
Definition
v. to talk idly; chatter
Term
prattle
Definition
n. meaningless, foolish talk
Term
peramble
Definition
n. preliminary statement
Term
precarious
Definition
adj. uncertain
Term
precept
Definition
n. principle; law
Term
precipitate (v)
Definition
v. to cause to happen; throw down from a height
Term
precipitate (adj)
Definition
adj. rash; hasty; sudden
Term
precursor
Definition
n. forerunner; predecessor
Term
preempt
Definition
v. to supersede; appropriate for oneself
Term
prehensile
Definition
adj. capable of grasping
Term
premonition
Definition
n. forewarning; presentiment
Term
presage
Definition
v. to foretell; indicate in advance
Term
presumptuous
Definition
adj. rude; improperly bold
Term
preternatural
Definition
adj. beyond the normal course of nature; supernatural
Term
prevaricate
Definition
v. to quibble; evade the truth
Term
primordial
Definition
adj. original; existing from the beginning
Term
pristine
Definition
adj. untouched; uncorrupted
Term
probiy
Definition
n. honesty; high-mindedness
Term
problematic
Definition
adj. posing a problem; doubtful; unsettled
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