Shared Flashcard Set

Details

GRE Vocab Study
GRE Verbal section prep
209
Language - English
Graduate
07/30/2011

Additional Language - English Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Abate
(v)
Definition
to lessen in intensity or degree
Term
Aberrant
(adj)
Definition
deviating from the norm
Term
Abscond
(v)
Definition
to depart clandestinely; to steal away and hide
Term

Accolade

(n)

Definition
an expression of praise
Term

Acerbic

(adj)

Definition
having a sour or bitter taste or character
Term

Acumen

(n)

Definition
quick, keen, or accurate knowledge or insight
Term

Adulterate

(v)

Definition
to reduce purity by combining with inferior ingredients
Term

Aggrandize

(v)

Definition
to increase in intensity, power, or prestige
Term

Alchemy

(n)

Definition
a medieval science aimed at the transmutation of metals, especially base metals into gold
Term

Amalgamate

(v)

Definition
to combine several elements into a whole
Term

Ameliorate

(v)

Definition
to make better or more tolerable
Term

Amenable

(adj)

Definition
agreeable; responsive to suggestion
Term

Anomaly

(n)

Definition
deviation from the normal order, form, or rule; abnormality
Term

Approbation

(n)

Definition
an expression of approval or praise
Term

Archaic

(adj)

Definition
outdated; associated with an earlier, perhaps more primitive, time
Term

Arduous

(adj)

Definition
strenuous, taxing, requiring significant effort
Term

Ascetic

(n)

Definition
one who practices rigid self-denial, especially as an act of religious devotion
Term

Astringent

(adj)

Definition
having a tightening effect on living tissue; harsh; severe
Term

Audacious

(adj)

Definition
daring and fearless; recklessly bold
Term

Avarice

(n)

Definition
greed, especially for wealth
Term

Aver

(v)

Definition
to state as a fact; to confirm or support
Term

Axiom/Axiomatic

(n)/(adj)

Definition
a universally recognized principle; taken as a given; possessing self-evident truth
Term

Bombast/Bombastic

(n)/(adj)

Definition
self-evident or pompous writing or speech; pompous; grandiloquent
Term

Bucolic

(adj)

Definition
rustic and pastoral; characteristic of rural areas and their inhabitants
Term

Canon

(n)

Definition
an established set of principles or code of laws, often religious in nature
Term

Canonical

(adj)

Definition
following or in agreement with orthodox requirements
Term

Castigation

(n)

Definition
severe criticism or punishment
Term

Censure

(v)

Definition
to criticize severely; to officially rebuke
Term

Chary

(adj)

Definition
wary; cautious
Term

Chicanery

(n)

Definition
trickery or subterfuge
Term

Cogent

(adj)

Definition
appealing forcibly to the mind or reason; convincing
Term

Complaisance

(n)

Definition
the willingness to comply with the wishes of others
Term

Convention

(n)

Definition
a generally agreed-upon practice or attitude
Term

Cynicism

(n)

Definition
an attitude or quality of belief that all people are motivated by selfishness
Term

Decorum

(n)

Definition
polite or appropriate conduct or behavior
Term

Demur

(v)

Definition
to question or oppose; to take exception
Term

Derision

(n)

Definition
scorn, ridicule, contemptuous treatment
Term

Desiccate

(v)

Definition
to dry out or dehydrate; to make dry or dull
Term

Dilettante

(n)

Definition
one with an amateurish or superficial interest in the arts or a branch of knowledge
Term

Disabuse

(v)

Definition
to undeceive; to set right
Term

Discordant

(adj)

Definition
conflicting; dissonant or harsh in sound
Term

Disinterested

(adj)

Definition
indifferent; free from self-interest
Term

Disparate

(adj)

Definition
fundamentally distinct or dissimilar
Term

Dissemble

(v)

Definition
to disguise or conceal; to mislead
Term

Divulge

(v)

Definition
to disclose something secret
Term

Ebullience

(adj)

Definition
the quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts and feelings
Term

Effrontery

(n)

Definition
extreme boldness; presumptuousness
Term

Elegy

(n)

Definition
a mournful poem, especially one lamenting the dead
Term

Eloquent

(adj)

Definition
well-spoken; expressive; articulate
Term

Emollient

(adj)

Definition
soothing, especially to the skin; making less harsh; mollifying
Term

Endemic

(adj)

Definition
characteristic of or often found in a particular locality, region, or people
Term

Enervate

(v)

Definition
to weaken; to reduce in vitality
Term

Ennui

(n)

Definition
dissatisfaction and restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy
Term

Equivocate

(v)

Definition
to use ambiguous language with a deceptive intent
Term

Esoteric

(adj)

Definition
intended for or understood by a small, specific group
Term

Eulogy

(n)

Definition
a speech honoring the dead
Term

Evanescent

(adj)

Definition
tending to disappear like vapor; vanishing
Term

Exculpate

(v)

Definition
exonerate; to clear of blame
Term

Exigent

(adj)

Definition
urgent; pressing; requiring immediate action or attention
Term

Fawn

(v)

Definition
to flatter or praise excessively
Term

Filibuster

(n)

Definition
intentional obstruction, especially using prolonged speechmaking to delay legislative action
Term

Flout

(v)

Definition
to demonstrate contempt for, as in a rule or convention
Term

Fortuitous

(adj)

Definition
happening by fortunate accident or chance
Term

Fulminate

(v)

Definition
to loudly attack or denounce
Term

Furtive

(adj)

Definition
marked by stealth; covert; surreptitious
Term

Garrulous

(adj)

Definition
pointlessly talkative, talking too much
Term

Germane

(adj)

Definition
relevant to the subject at hand; appropriate in subject matter
Term

Glib

(adj)

Definition
marked by ease or informality; nonchalant; lacking in depth; superficial
Term

Grandiloquence

(n)

Definition
pompous speech or expression
Term

Hackneyed

(adj)

Definition
rendered trite or commonplace by frequent usage
Term

Halcyon

(adj)

Definition
calm and peaceful
Term

Harangue

(v)

Definition
to deliver a pompous speech or tirade
Term

Hedonism

(n)

Definition
devotion to pleasurable pursuits, especially to the pleasures of the senses
Term

Hegemony

(n)

Definition
the consistent dominance of one state or ideology over others
Term

Heretical

(adj)

Definition
violating accepted dogma or convention
Term

Hubris

(n)

Definition
arrogant presumption or pride
Term

Hyperbole

(n)

Definition
an exaggerated statement, often used as a figure of speech
Term

Iconoclast

(n)

Definition
one who attacks or undermines traditional conventions or institutions
Term

Idolatrous

(adj)

Definition
given to intense or excessive devotion to something
Term

Imminent

(adj)

Definition
about to happen; impending
Term

Immutable

(adj)

Definition
not capable of change
Term

Impassive

(adj)

Definition
revealing no emotion
Term

Impunity

(n)

Definition
immunity from punishment or penalty
Term

Inchoate

(adj)

Definition
in an initial stage; not fully formed
Term

Incipient

(adj)

Definition
beginning to come into being or to become apparent
Term

Indifferent

(adj)

Definition
having no interest or concern; showing no bias or prejudice
Term

Inert

(adj)

Definition
unmoving; lethargic; sluggish
Term

Infelicitous

(adj)

Definition
unfortunate; inappropriate
Term

Inimical

(adj)

Definition
damaging; harmful; malevolent
Term

Insipid

(adj)

Definition
without taste or flavor; lacking in spirit; bland
Term

Intractable

(adj)

Definition
not easily managed or directed; stubborn, obstinate
Term

Inveigle

(v)

Definition
to obtain by deception or flattery
Term

Irascible

(adj)

Definition
easily angered; prone to temperamental outbursts
Term

Laconic

(adj)

Definition
using few words; terse
Term

Lucid

(adj)

Definition
clear; easily understood
Term

Luminous

(adj)

Definition
characterized by brightness and the emission of light
Term

Magnanimity

(n)

Definition
the quality of being generously noble in mind and heart, especially in forgiving
Term

Malleable

(adj)

Definition
capable of being shaped or formed; tractable; pliable
Term

Martial

(adj)

Definition
associated with war and the armed forces
Term

Maverick

(n)

Definition
an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party
Term

Mendacity

(n)

Definition
the condition of being untruthful; dishonesty
Term

Mercurial

(adj)

Definition
characterized by rapid and unpredictable change in mood
Term

Morose

(adj)

Definition
sad; sullen; melancholy
Term

Nascent

(adj)

Definition
coming into being; in early developmental stages
Term

Neologism

(n)

Definition
a new word, expression, or usage; the creation or use of new words or senses
Term

Neophyte

(n)

Definition
a recent convert; a beginner; novice
Term

Noxious

(adj)

Definition
harmful; injurious
Term

Obdurate

(adj)

Definition
unyielding; hardhearted; intractable
Term

Obsequious

(adj)

Definition
exhibiting a fawning attentiveness
Term

Obtuse

(adj)

Definition
lacking sharpness of intellect; not clear or precise in thought or expression
Term

Obviate

(v)

Definition
to anticipate and make unnecessary
Term

Occlude

(v)

Definition
to obstruct or block
Term

Odious

(adj)

Definition
evoking intense aversion or dislike
Term

Opaque

(adj)

Definition
impenetrable by light; not reflecting light
Term

Opprobrium

(n)

Definition
disgrace; contempt; scorn
Term

Oscillation

(n)

Definition
the act or state of swinging back and forth with a steady, uninterrupted rhythm
Term

Paean

(n)

Definition
a song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving
Term

Pedagogy

(n)

Definition
the art or profession of training, teaching, or instructing
Term

Penurious

(adj)

Definition
penny-pinching; excessively thrifty; ungenerous
Term

Penury

(n)

Definition
poverty; destitution
Term

Perennial

(adj)

Definition
recurrent through the year or many years; happening repeatedly
Term

Perspicacious

(adj)

Definition
acutely perceptive; having keen discernment
Term

Peruse

(v)

Definition
to examine with great care
Term

Pervade

(v)

Definition
to permeate throughout
Term

Pervasive

(adj)

Definition
having the tendency to permeate or spread throughout
Term

Phlegmatic

(adj)

Definition
calm; sluggish; unemotional
Term

Pine

(v)

Definition
to yearn intensely; to languish; to lose vigor
Term

Pious

(adj)

Definition
extremely reverent or devout; showing strong religious devotion
Term

Pirate

(v)

Definition
to illegally use or reproduce
Term

Pith/Pithy

(n/adj)

Definition
the essential or central part; precise and brief
Term

Placate

(v)

Definition
to appease; to calm by making concessions
Term

Platitude

(n)

Definition
a superficial remark, especially one offered as meaningful
Term

Plethora

(n)

Definition
an overabundance; a surplus
Term

Plummet

(v)

Definition
to plunge or drop straight down
Term

Prattle

(v)

Definition
to babble meaninglessly; to talk in an empty and idle manner
Term

Precipitate

(v/adj)

Definition
to cause or to happen before anticipated or required; acting with excessive haste or impulse
Term

Predilection

(n)

Definition
a disposition in favor of something; preference
Term

Preen

(v)

Definition
to dress up; to primp; to groom oneself with elaborate care
Term

Prescience

(n)

Definition
foreknowledge of events; knowing of events prior to their occurring
Term

Presumptuous

(adj)

Definition
overstepping due bonds (as of propriety or courtesy); taking liberties
Term

Prevaricate

(v)

Definition
to deliberately avoid the truth; to mislead
Term

Probity

(n)

Definition
adherence to highest principles; uprightness
Term

Proclivity

(n)

Definition
a natural predisposition or inclination
Term

Prodigal

(adj)

Definition
recklessly wasteful; extravagant; profuse; lavish
Term

Profligate

(adj)

Definition
excessively wasteful; recklessly extravagant
Term

Profuse

(adj)

Definition
given or coming forth abundantly; extravagant
Term

Proliferate

(v)

Definition
to grow or increase swiftly and abundantly
Term

Propensity

(n)

Definition
a natural inclination or tendency; penchant
Term

Pungent

(adj)

Definition
characterized by a strong, sharp smell or taste
Term

Putrefy

(v)

Definition
to rot; to decay and give off a foul odor
Term

Quaff

(v)

Definition
to drink deeply
Term

Qualm

(n)

Definition
misgiving; reservation; cause for hesitancy
Term

Querulous

(adj)

Definition
prone to complaining or grumbling; quarrelsome
Term

Query

(n)

Definition
question; inquiry; doubt in the mind; reservation
Term

Quotidian

(adj)

Definition
occurring or recurring daily; commonplace
Term

Rancorous

(adj)

Definition
characterized by bitter, long-lasting resentment
Term

Rarefy

(v)

Definition
to make or become thin, less dense; to refine
Term

Recalcitrant

(adj)

Definition
obstinately defiant of authority; difficult to manage
Term

Recant

(v)

Definition
to retract, especially a previously held belief
Term

Recondite

(adj)

Definition
hidden; concealed; difficult to understand; obscure
Term

Redoubtable

(adj)

Definition
awe-inspiring; worthy of honor
Term

Refulgent

(adj)

Definition
radiant; shiny; brilliant
Term

Relegate

(v)

Definition
to forcibly assign, especially to a lower place or position
Term

Renege

(v)

Definition
to fail to honor a commitment; to go back on a promise
Term

Rescind

(v)

Definition
to invalidate; to repeal; to retract
Term

Salubrious

(adj)

Definition
promoting health or well-being
Term

Sanction

(n)

Definition
authoritative permission or approval; a penalty intended to enforce compliance
Term

Shard

(n)

Definition
a piece of broken pottery or glass
Term

Solvent

(adj)

Definition
able to meet financial obligations; able to dissolve another substance
Term

Soporific

(adj)

Definition
causing drowsiness; tending to induce sleep
Term

Sordid

(adj)

Definition
characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul
Term

Sparse

(adj)

Definition
thin, not dense; arranged at widely spaced intervals
Term

Specious

(adj)

Definition
seeming true, but actually being fallacious; misleadingly attractive
Term

Spendthrift

(n)

Definition
one who spends money wastefully
Term

Sporadic

(adj)

Definition
occurring only occasionally, or in scattered instances
Term

Squalid

(adj)

Definition
sordid; wretched and dirty as from neglect
Term

Stoic

(adj)

Definition
indifferent to or unaffected by pleasure or pain; steadfast
Term

Stupefy

(v)

Definition
to stun, baffle, or amaze
Term

Stymie

(v)

Definition
to block; thwart
Term

Subpoena

(n)

Definition
a court order requiring appearance and/or testimony
Term

Succinct

(adj)

Definition
brief; concise
Term

Surfeit

(v)

Definition
excess; overindulgence
Term

Synthesis

(n)

Definition
the combination of parts to make a whole
Term

Tenacity

(n)

Definition
the quality of adherence or persistence to something valued
Term

Tenuous

(adj)

Definition
having little substance or strength; flimsy; weak
Term

Tirade

(n)

Definition
a long and extremely critical speech; a harsh denunciation
Term

Torpid

(adj)

Definition
lethargic; sluggish; dormant
Term

Torque

(n)

Definition
a force that causes rotation
Term

Tortuous

(adj)

Definition
winding; twisting; excessively complicated
Term

Tout

(v)

Definition
to publicly praise or promote
Term

Trenchant

(adj)

Definition
sharply perceptive; keen; penetrating
Term

Truculent

(adj)

Definition
fierce and cruel; eager to fight
Term

Ubiquitous

(adj)

Definition
existing everywhere at the same time; constantly encountered; widespread
Term

Unfeigned

(adj)

Definition
genuine; not false or hypocritical
Term

Untenable

(adj)

Definition
indefensible; not viable; uninhabitable
Term

Urbane

(adj)

Definition
sophisticated; refined; elegant
Term

Vacillate

(v)

Definition
to waver indecisively between one course of action or opinion and another
Term

Variegated

(adj)

Definition
multicolored; characterized by a variety of patches of different color
Term

Veracity

(n)

Definition
truthfulness; honesty
Term

Vexation

(n)

Definition
annoyance; irritation
Term

Vigilant

(adj)

Definition
alertly watchful
Term

Vilify

(v)

Definition
to defame; to characterize harshly
Term

Virulent

(adj)

Definition
extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic
Term

Viscous

(adj)

Definition
thick; sticky
Term

Vituperate

(v)

Definition
to use harsh, condemnatory language; to abuse or censure severly or abusively; berate
Term

Zealous

(adj)

Definition
fervent; ardent; impassioned
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