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GRE Common Vocabulary
Common Vocab for the GRE
525
General Vocab
Graduate
05/21/2011

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Cards

Term
Abate
Definition
To reduce in amount, degree, or severity
Term
Aberrant
Definition
Deviating from the norm
Term
Abjure (verb)
Definition
To renounce or reject solemnly; to recant; to avoid
Term
Abscond
Definition
To leave secretly
Term
Abstain
Definition

To choose not to do something

Term
Abyss
Definition
An extremely deep hole
Term
Accolade
Definition
An expression of praise
Term
Acerbic
Definition
Having a sour or bitter taste or character; sharp; biting
Term
Acumen
Definition
Keen, accurate judgment or insight
Term
Adulation
Definition
Excessive praise; intense adoration
Term
Adulterate
Definition
To make impure
Term
Adumbrate (verb)
Definition
To foreshadow vaguely or intimate; to suggest or outline sketchily; to obscure or overshadow
Term
Advocate
Definition
To speak in favor of
Term
Aesthetic
Definition
Concerning the appreciation of beauty
Term
Aggrandize
Definition
To increase in power, affluence, and reputation
Term
Alacrity
Definition
Eager and enthusiastic willingness
Term
Alchemy
Definition
A medieval science aimed at the transmutation of metals; esp. base metals into gold
Term
Alleviate
Definition
To make more bearable
Term
Alloy (verb)
Definition
To commingle; to debase by mixing with something inferior
Term
Amalgamate
Definition
To combine, to mix together
Term
Ambiguous
Definition
Doubtful or uncertain; able to be interpreted in several ways
Term
Ameliorate
Definition
To make better, to improve
Term
Amenable
Definition
Agreeable; responsive to suggestion
Term
Anachronism
Definition

Something out of place in time

Term
Analogous
Definition
Similar or alike in some way; equivalent to 
Term
Anathema (noun)
Definition
A solemn or ecclesiastical (religious) curse; accursed or thoroughly loathed person or thing
Term
Anodyne (adj./noun)
Definition
Soothing; something that assuages or allays pain or comforts
Term
Anomaly
Definition
Deviation from what is normal
Term
Antagonize
Definition
To annoy or provoke to anger
Term
Antipathy
Definition
Extreme dislike
Term
Apathy
Definition
Lack of interest or emotion
Term
Apogee (noun)
Definition
Farthest or highest point; culmination; zenith
Term
Apostate (noun)
Definition
One who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
Term
Apotheosis (noun)
Definition
Deification; glorification to godliness; an exalted example; a model of excellence or perfection
Term
Approbation
Definition
An expression of approval or praise
Term
Appropriate (vrb)
Definition
To take for one’s own use; to confiscate
Term
Arbitrate
Definition
To judge a dispute between two opposing parties
Term
Archaic
Definition
Ancient, old-fashioned
Term
Ardor
Definition
Intense and passionate feeling
Term
Arrest (verb/adj.)
Definition
To suspend; to engage; holding one’s attention
Term
Articulate
Definition
Able to speak clearly and expressively
Term
Ascetic
Definition

One who practices rigid self-denial, esp. as an act of religious devotion

Term
Asperity (noun)
Definition
Severity, rigor, roughness, harshness; acrimony, irritability
Term
Asseverate (verb)
Definition
To aver, allege, or assert
Term
Assiduous (adj.)
Definition
Diligent, hard-working, sedulous
Term
Assuage
Definition
To make something unpleasant less severe
Term
Astringent
Definition
Having a tightening effect on living tissue; harsh; severe; something with a tightening effect on tissue
Term
Attenuate
Definition
To reduce in force or degree; to weaken
Term
Audacious
Definition
Fearless and daring
Term
Augury (noun)
Definition
Omen, portent
Term
August (adj.)
Definition
Majestic; venerable
Term
Austere
Definition
Sever or stern in appearance; undecorated
Term
Avarice
Definition
Greed, esp. for wealth
Term
Aver
Definition
To state as a fact; to declare or assert
Term
Axiom
Definition
A universally recognized principle
Term
Axiomatic
Definition
Taken as a given; possessing self-evident truth
Term
Banal
Definition
Predictable, clichéd, boring
Term
Bellicose (adj.)
Definition
Belligerent, pugnacious, warlike
Term
Bent (noun)
Definition
Leaning, inclination, proclivity, tendency
Term
Bolster
Definition
To support, to prop up
Term
Bombastic
Definition
Pompous in speech and manner
Term
Broach (verb)
Definition
To bring up; to announce; to begin to talk about
Term
Brook (verb)
Definition
To tolerate; to endure; to countenance
Term
Bucolic
Definition
Rustic and pastoral; characteristic of rural areas & their inhabitants
Term
Burgeon
Definition
To grow rapidly or flourish
Term
Cacophony
Definition
Harsh, jarring noise
Term
Calumniate (verb)
Definition
To slander, to make a false accusation
Term
Calumny (noun)
Definition
Slander, aspersion
Term
Candid
Definition
Impartial and honest in speech
Term
Canon
Definition
An established set of principles or code of laws, often religious in nature
Term
Canonical
Definition
Following or in agreement with accepted, traditional standards
Term
Capricious
Definition
Changing one’s mind quickly and often
Term
Captious (adj.)
Definition
Disposed to point out trivial faults; calculated to confuse or entrap in argument
Term
Cardinal (adj.)
Definition
Major; as in sin
Term
Castigate
Definition
To punish or criticize harshly
Term
Castigation
Definition
Severe criticism or punishment
Term
Catalyst
Definition
Something that brings about a change in something else
Term
Caustic
Definition
Biting in wit
Term
Cavil (verb)
Definition
To find fault without good reason
Term
Celerity (noun)
Definition
Speed, alacrity, accelerate
Term
Censure
Definition
To criticize severely
Term
Chaos
Definition
Great disorder or confusion
Term
Chary
Definition
Wary, cautious, sparing
Term
Chauvinist
Definition
Someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs
Term
Chicanery
Definition
Trickery or subterfuge
Term
Chimera (noun)
Definition
An illusion; originally, an imaginary fire-breathing she-monster
Term
Cogent
Definition
Convincing and well reasoned
Term
Color (verb)
Definition
To change as if by dyeing (to distort, gloss, or affect)
Term
Complaisance
Definition
The willingness to comply with the wishes of others
Term
Condone
Definition
To overlook, pardon or disregard
Term
Consequential (adj)
Definition
Pompous; self-important
Term
Contentious
Definition
Argumentative; quarrelsome; causing controversy or disagreement
Term
Contiguous
Definition
Sharing a border; touching; adjacent
Term
Contrite
Definition
Regretful, penitent, seeking forgiveness
Term
Contumacious (adj.)
Definition
Insubordinate; rebellious; 
Term
Contumely
Definition
Insult, scorn, aspersion
Term
Convention
Definition
A generally agreed-upon practice or attitude
Term
Convoluted
Definition
Intricate and complicated
Term
Corroborate
Definition
To provide supporting evidence
Term
Credulous
Definition
Too trusting, gullible
Term
Crescendo
Definition
Steadily increasing volume or force
Term
Culpable
Definition
Deserving blame
Term
Damp (verb)
Definition
To diminish the intensity or check the vibration of a sound
Term
Dearth
Definition
Smallness of quantity or number; scarcity; a lack 
Term
Debacle
Definition
Rout, fiasco, complete failure
Term
Decorum
Definition
Appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety
Term
Deference
Definition
Respect, courtesy
Term
Demur
Definition
To question or oppose
Term
Denouement 
Definition
An outcome or solution; the unraveling of a ploy
Term
Deride
Definition
To speak of or treat with contempt; to mock
Term
Descry
Definition
To discriminate or discern
Term
Desiccate
Definition
To dry out thoroughly
Term
Desuetude
Definition
Disuse
Term
Desultory
Definition
Jumping from one thing to another; disconnected
Term
Diaphanous
Definition
Transparent, gauzy
Term
Diatribe
Definition
Am abusive, condemnatory speech
Term
Didactic
Definition
Intended to teach or instruct
Term
Die (noun)
Definition
A tool used for shaping
Term
Diffident
Definition
Reserved, shy, unassuming; lacking in self-confidence
Term
Dilate
Definition
To make larger; to expand
Term
Dilatory
Definition
Intended to delay
Term
Dilettante
Definition
Someone with amateurish and superficial interest in a topic
Term
Dirge
Definition
A funeral hymn or mournful speech
Term
Disabuse
Definition
To set right; to free from error
Term
Discern
Definition
To perceive, to recognize
Term
Discordant
Definition
Conflicting, dissonant, or dissimilar
Term
Discretion
Definition
Cautious reserve in speech; ability to make responsible decisions
Term
Disinterested
Definition
Free of bias or self-interest; impartial
Term
Disparage
Definition
To slight or belittle
Term
Disparate
Definition
Fundamentally different; entirely unlike
Term
Dissemble
Definition
To prevent a false appearance; to disguise one’s real intentions or character
Term
Dissonance
Definition
A harsh and disagreeable combination, often of sounds
Term
Divulge
Definition
To disclose something secret
Term
Dogma
Definition
A firmly held opinion, often a religious belief
Term
Dupe
Definition
To deceive; a person who is easily deceived
Term
Ebullience
Definition
The quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts and feelings
Term
Eccentric
Definition
Departing from norms or conventions
Term
Eclectic
Definition
Selecting from or made up from a variety of sources
Term
Efficacy
Definition
Effectiveness
Term
Effrontery
Definition
Extreme boldness; presumptuousness
Term
Elegy
Definition
A sorrowful poem or speech
Term
Eloquent
Definition
Persuasive and moving, especially in speech
Term
Emollient
Definition
Soothing, esp. to the skin; making less harsh; mollifying, an agent that softens or smoothes the skin
Term
Empirical
Definition
Based on observation or experiment
Term
Emulate
Definition
To copy; to try to equal or excel
Term
Encomium
Definition
Glowing and enthusiastic praise; panegyric, tribute, eulogy
Term
Endemic
Definition
Characteristic of or often found in a particular locality, region, or people
Term
Engender
Definition
To produce, cause, or bring about
Term
Enigma
Definition
A puzzle, a mystery
Term
Ennui
Definition
Dissatisfaction and restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy
Term
Enumerate
Definition
To count, list, or itemize
Term
Ephemeral
Definition
Lasting a short time
Term
Equivocate
Definition
To use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead
Term
Erratic
Definition
Wandering & unpredictable
Term
Erudite
Definition
Learned, scholarly, bookish
Term
Eschew
Definition
To shun or avoid
Term
Esoteric
Definition
Known or understood by only a few
Term
Essay (verb)
Definition
To test or try; to attempt; to experiment
Term

Estimable

Definition
Admirable
Term
Eulogy
Definition
Speech in praise of someone
Term
Euphemism
Definition
Use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one
Term
Evanescent
Definition
Tending to disappear like a vapor; vanishing
Term
Exacerbate
Definition
To make worse
Term
Exact (verb)
Definition
To demand; to call for; to require; to take
Term
Excoriate
Definition
To censure scathingly, to upbraid
Term
Exculpate
Definition
To clear from blame; prove innocent
Term
Execrate
Definition
To denounce, to feel loathing for, to curse, to declare to be evil
Term
Exegesis
Definition
Critical examination, explication
Term
Exigent
Definition
Urgent; requiring immediate attention
Term
Exonerate
Definition
To clear of blame
Term
Expiate
Definition
To atone or make amends for
Term
Explicit
Definition
Clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression
Term
Extemporaneous
Definition
Improvised, done without preparation
Term
Extirpate
Definition
To destroy, to exterminate, to cut out, to exscind
Term
Facetious
Definition
Playful, humorous
Term
Fallacy
Definition
An invalid or incorrect notion, a mistaken belief
Term
Fanatical
Definition
Acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme, unquestioned devotion
Term
Fatuous
Definition
Silly, inanely foolish
Term
Fawn
Definition
To grovel
Term
Fell (adj.)
Definition
Inhumanely cruel
Term
Fell (verb)
Definition
To cause to fall by striking
Term
Fervent
Definition
Greatly emotional or zealous
Term
Fervid
Definition
Intensely emotional; feverish
Term
Filibuster
Definition
Intentional obstruction, esp. using prolonged speechmaking to delay legislative action
Term
Flag (verb)
Definition
To sag or droop; to become spiritless; to decline
Term
Flip (adj.)
Definition
Sarcastic, impertinent, 
Term
Florid
Definition
Excessively decorated or embellished
Term
Flout
Definition
To show contempt for, as in a rule or convention
Term
Foment
Definition
To arouse or incite
Term
Ford (verb)
Definition
To wade across the shallow part of a river or stream
Term
Fortuitous
Definition
Happening by accident or chance
Term
Fractious
Definition
Quarrelsome, rebellious, unruly, refractory, irritable
Term
Frugality
Definition
A tendency to be thrifty or cheap
Term
Fulminate
Definition
To loudly attack or denounce
Term
Furtive
Definition
Marked by stealth; covert; surreptitious
Term
Gainsay
Definition
To deny, to dispute, to contradict, to oppose
Term
Garrulous
Definition
Tending to talk a lot
Term
Germane
Definition
Relevant to the subject at hand; appropriate in subject matter
Term
Glib
Definition
Marked by ease or informality; nonchalant; lacking in depth; superficial
Term
Grandiloquence
Definition
Pompous speech or expression
Term
Gregarious
Definition
Outgoing, sociable
Term
Grouse (verb)
Definition
To complain or grumble
Term
Guile
Definition
Deceit or trickery
Term
Gullible
Definition
Easily deceived
Term
Guy (noun)
Definition
A rope, cord, or cable attached to something as a brace or guide; to steady or reinforce using a…
Term
Hackneyed
Definition
Rendered trite or commonplace by frequent usage
Term
Halcyon
Definition
Calm and peaceful
Term
Harangue
Definition
To deliver a pompous speech or tirade; a long, pompous speech
Term
Hedonism
Definition
Devotion to pleasurable pursuits, esp. to the pleasures of the senses
Term
Hegemony
Definition
The consistent dominance of one state or ideology over others
Term
Heretical
Definition
Violating accepted dogma or convention
Term
Heterodox
Definition
Unorthodox, heretical, iconoclastic
Term
Homogenous
Definition
Of a similar kind
Term
Hubris
Definition
Overbearing presumption or pride; arrogance
Term
Hyperbole
Definition
An exaggerated statement, often used as a figure of speech
Term
Iconoclast
Definition
One who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions
Term
Idolatrous
Definition
Given to intense or excessive devotion to something
Term
Imbroglio
Definition
Difficult or embarrassing situation
Term
Imminent
Definition
About to happen; impending
Term
Immutable
Definition
Not capable of change
Term
Impassive
Definition
Revealing no emotions
Term
Impecunious
Definition
Lacking funds, without money
Term
Imperturbable
Definition
Marked by extreme calm, impassivity, and steadiness
Term
Impervious
Definition
Impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected
Term
Impetuous
Definition
Quick to act without thinking
Term
Implacable
Definition
Unable to be calmed down or made peaceful
Term
Impunity
Definition
Immunity from punishment or penalty
Term
Inchoate
Definition
Not fully formed; disorganized
Term
Incipient
Definition
Beginning to come into being or to become apparent
Term
Indefatigable
Definition
Not easily exhaustible; tireless, dogged
Term
Indifferent
Definition
Having no interest or concern; showing no bias or prejudice
Term
Ineluctable
Definition
Certain, inevitable
Term
Inert
Definition
Unmoving, lethargic, sluggish
Term
Infelicitous
Definition
Unfortunate, inappropriate
Term
Ingenuous
Definition

Showing innocence or childlike simplicity, Artless, frank and candid, lacking in sophistication

Term
Inimical
Definition
Hostile, unfriendly
Term
Inimitable
Definition
One of a kind, peerless
Term
Innocuous
Definition
Harmless
Term
Insipid
Definition
Lacking interest or flavor
Term
Insouciant
Definition
Unconcerned, carefree, heedless
Term
Intimate (verb)
Definition
To imply, suggest, or insinuate
Term
Intractable
Definition
Not easily managed or directed; stubborn; obstinate
Term
Intransigent
Definition
Uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled
Term
Intrepid
Definition
Steadfast and courageous
Term
Inundate
Definition
To overwhelm; to cover with water
Term
Inured
Definition
Accustomed to accepting something undesirable
Term
Inveigle
Definition
To obtain by deception or flattery
Term
Inveterate
Definition
Deep rooted, ingrained, habitual
Term
Irascible
Definition
Easily made angry
Term
Jejune
Definition
Vapid, uninteresting, nugatory; childish, immature, puerile
Term
Laconic
Definition
Using few words
Term
Lament
Definition
To express sorrow; to grieve
Term
Laud
Definition
To give praise; to glorify
Term
Lavish
Definition
To give unsparingly (v); extremely generous or extravagant (adj)
Term
Lethargic
Definition
Acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner
Term
List (verb)
Definition
To tilt or lean to one side
Term
Loquacious
Definition
Talkative
Term
Lubricious
Definition
Lewd, wanton, greasy, slippery
Term
Lucid
Definition
Clear and easily understood
Term
Lumber (verb)
Definition
To move heavily and clumsily
Term
Luminous
Definition
Bright, brilliant, glowing
Term
Magnanimity
Definition
The quality of being generously noble in mind and heart, esp. in forgiving
Term
Malevolent
Definition
Having or showing often vicious ill will, spite, or hatred
Term
Malinger
Definition
To evade responsibility by pretending to be ill
Term
Malleable
Definition
Capable of being shaped
Term
Martial
Definition
Associated with war and the armed forces
Term
Maverick
Definition
An independent individual who does not go along with a group or party
Term
Meet (adj.)
Definition

Fitting, proper

Term
Mendacity
Definition
The condition of being untruthful; dishonesty
Term
Mendicant
Definition
A beggar, supplicant
Term
Mercurial
Definition
Characterized by rapid and unpredictable change in mood
Term
Meretricious
Definition
Cheap, gaudy, tawdry, flashy, showy, attracting by false show
Term
Metaphor
Definition
A figure of speech comparing two different things; a symbol
Term
Meticulous
Definition
Characterized by extreme care and precision; attentive to detail
Term
Milk (verb)
Definition
To exploit; to squeeze every last ounce of
Term
Minatory
Definition
Menacing, threatening (e.g. Minotaur)
Term
Mince (verb)
Definition
To pronounce or speak affectedly; to euphemize to speak too carefully. Also, to take tiny steps
Term
Misanthrope
Definition
A person who dislikes others
Term
Mitigate
Definition
To soften, to lessen
Term
Mollify
Definition
To calm or make less severe
Term
Monotony
Definition
Lack of variation
Term
Morose
Definition
Sad, sullen, melancholy
Term
Mundane
Definition
Of the world, typical or concerned with the ordinary
Term
Nadir
Definition
Low point, perigee
Term
Naïve
Definition
Lacking sophistication or experience
Term
Nascent
Definition
Coming in to being; in early development stages
Term
Nebulous
Definition
Vague, cloudy, lacking clearly defined form
Term
Neologism
Definition
A new word, expression, or usage, the creation or use of new words or senses
Term
Neophyte
Definition
A recent convert; a beginner; a novice
Term
Nice (adj.)
Definition
Exacting, fastidious, extremely precise
Term
Nonplussed
Definition
Baffled, bewildered, at a loss for what to do or think
Term
Noxious
Definition
Harmful, injurious
Term
Obdurate
Definition
Hardened in feeling; resistant to persuasion
Term
Obfuscate
Definition
To deliberately obscure; to make confusing
Term
Obsequious
Definition
Overly submissive and eager to please
Term
Obstinate
Definition
Stubborn, unyielding
Term
Obstreperous
Definition
Noisily and stubbornly defiant; aggressively boisterous
Term
Obtain (adj.)
Definition
To be established, accepted, or customary
Term
Obtuse
Definition
Lacking sharpness of intellect; not clear or precise in thought or precision
Term
Obviate
Definition
To prevent, to make unnecessary
Term
Occlude
Definition
To stop up; to prevent the passage of
Term
Occult (adj.)
Definition
Hidden, concealed, beyond comprehension
Term
Odious
Definition
Evoking intense aversion or dislike
Term
Onerous
Definition
Troublesome & oppressive; burdensome
Term
Opaque
Definition
Impossible to see through; preventing the passage of light
Term
Opprobrium
Definition
Public disgrace
Term
Oscillation
Definition
The act or state of swinging back and forth with a steady, uninterrupted rhythm
Term
Ossified
Definition
Tending to become more rigid, conventional, sterile, and reactionary with age; literally, turned into bone
Term
Ostentation
Definition
Excessive showiness
Term
Paean
Definition
A song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving
Term
Palliate
Definition
To make something seem less serious, to gloss over, to make less severe or intense
Term
Panegyric
Definition
Formal praise, eulogy, encomium
Term
Paradox
Definition
A contradiction or dilemma
Term
Paragon
Definition
Model of excellence or perfection
Term
Parody
Definition
A humorous imitation intended for ridicule or comic effect, esp. in literature or art
Term
Parsimonious
Definition
Cheap, miserly
Term
Pedagogy
Definition
The profession or principles of teaching or instructing
Term
Pedant
Definition
Someone who shows off learning
Term
Pedestrian (adj.)
Definition
Commonplace, trite, unremarkable, quotidian
Term
Pellucid
Definition
Transparent, easy to understand, limpid
Term

Penurious

Definition
Penny-pinching, excessively thrifty; ungenerous
Term
Penury
Definition
Poverty; destitution
Term

Perennial

Definition
Recurrent through the year or many years, happening repeatedly
Term
Perfidious
Definition
Willing to betray one’s trust
Term
Perfunctory
Definition
Done in a routine way; indifferent
Term
Permeate
Definition
To penetrate
Term
Pernicious
Definition
Extremely hateful; potentially causing death
Term
Peroration
Definition
The concluding part of a speech; flowery, rhetorical speech
Term
Perspicacious
Definition
Acutely perceptive, having keen discernment
Term
Peruse
Definition
To examine with great care
Term
Pervade
Definition
To permeate throughout
Term
Pervasive
Definition
Having the tendency to permeate or spread throughout
Term
Philanthropy
Definition
Charity; a desire or effort to promote goodness
Term

Phlegmatic

Definition

Calm; sluggish; unemotional

Term
Pied (adj.)
Definition
Multicolored, usually in blotches
Term
Pine
Definition
To yearn intensely; to languish; to love vigor
Term
Pious
Definition
Extremely reverent or devout; showing strong religious devotion
Term
Pirate
Definition
To illegally use or reproduce
Term
Pith
Definition
The essential or central part
Term
Pithy
Definition
Precise and brief
Term
Placate
Definition
To soothe or pacify
Term
Plangent
Definition
Pounding, thundering, resounding
Term
Plastic
Definition
Able to be molded, altered or bent
Term
Platitude
Definition
A superficial remark, esp. one offered as meaningful
Term
Plethora
Definition
Excess
Term
Pluck (noun)
Definition
Courage, spunk, fortitude
Term
Plummet
Definition
To plunge or drop straight down
Term
Polemical
Definition
Controversial; argumentative
Term
Pragmatic
Definition
Practical as opposed to idealistic
Term
Prattle
Definition
To babble meaninglessly, to talk in an empty & idle manner
Term
Precipitate
Definition
To throw violently or bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation
Term
Precursor
Definition
One that precedes and indicates or announces another
Term
Predilection
Definition
A disposition in favor of something, a preference
Term
Preen
Definition
To dress up, to primp, to groom oneself with elaborate care
Term
Prescience
Definition
Foreknowledge of events; knowing of events prior to their occurrence
Term
Presumptuous
Definition
Overstepping due bounds (as of propriety or courtesy); taking liberties
Term
Prevaricate
Definition
To lie or deviate from the truth
Term
Pristine
Definition
Fresh and unclean; uncorrupted
Term
Prize (verb)
Definition
To pry, to press or force with a lever; something taken by force, spoils
Term
Probity
Definition
Adherence to highest principles; complete and confirmed integrity; uprightness
Term
Proclivity
Definition
A natural inclination or tendency; penchant
Term
Prodigal
Definition
Lavish, wasteful
Term
Prodigious
Definition
Abundant in size, force, or extent; extraordinary
Term
Profuse
Definition
Given or coming forth abundantly; extravagant
Term
Proliferate
Definition
To increase in number quickly
Term
Prolific
Definition
Producing large volumes or amounts; productive
Term
Prolix
Definition
Long-winded, verbose
Term
Propitiate
Definition
To conciliate; to appease
Term
Propriety
Definition
Correct behavior; obedience to rules and customs
Term
Prosaic
Definition
Dull; lacking in spirit or imagination
Term
Prudence
Definition
Wisdom, caution, or restraint
Term
Puerile
Definition
Childish, immature, jejune, nugatory
Term
Puissance
Definition
Power, strength
Term
Pungent
Definition
Sharp and irritating to the senses
Term
Pusillanimous
Definition
Cowardly, craven
Term
Putrefy
Definition
To rot; to decay and give off a foul odor
Term
Quaff
Definition
To drink deeply
Term
Quail (verb)
Definition
To lose courage; to turn frightened
Term
Qualify (verb)
Definition
To limit
Term
Qualms
Definition
Misgivings, reservations, causes for hesitancy
Term
Queries
Definition
Questions; inquiries; doubts in the mind; reservations
Term
Querulous
Definition
Prone to complaining or grumbling; peevish
Term
Quiescent
Definition
Motionless
Term
Quixotic
Definition
Foolishly impractical; marked by lofty romantic ideals
Term
Quotidian
Definition
Occurring or recurring daily; commonplace
Term
Rail (verb)
Definition
To complain about bitterly
Term
Rancorous
Definition
Characterized by bitter, long-lasting resentment
Term
Rarefy
Definition
To make thinner or sparser
Term
Recalcitrant
Definition
Obstinately defiant of authority; difficult to manage
Term
Recant
Definition
To retract, esp. a previously held belief
Term
Recondite
Definition
Hidden; concealed; difficult to understand; obscure
Term
Redoubtable
Definition
Awe-inspiring, worthy of honor
Term
Refulgent
Definition
Radiant; shiny; brilliant
Term
Refute
Definition
To disprove, to successfully argue against
Term
Relegate
Definition
To forcibly assign, esp. to a lower place or position
Term
Remonstrate
Definition
To protest, to object
Term
Renege
Definition
To fail or honor a commitment; to go back on a promise
Term
Rent (verb)
Definition
Torn (past of rend); an opening or tear caused by such
Term
Repudiate
Definition
To reject the validity of 
Term
Rescind
Definition
To invalidate; to repeal; to retract
Term
Reticent
Definition
Silent; reserved
Term
Reverent
Definition
Marked by, feeling, or expressing a feeling of profound awe and respect
Term
Rhetoric
Definition
Effective writing or speaking
Term
Sagacious
Definition
Having sound judgment; perceptive, wise, like a sage
Term
Salacious
Definition
Lustful, lascivious, bawdy
Term
Salubrious
Definition
Promoting health or well-being
Term
Salutary
Definition
Remedial, wholesome, causing improvement
Term
Sanction
Definition
Authoritative permission or approval; a penalty intended to enforce compliance; to give permission or authority to
Term
Sanguine
Definition
Cheerful, confident, optimistic
Term
Sap (noun)
Definition
A fool or nitwit
Term

Satiate

Definition
To satisfy fully or overindulge
Term
Satire
Definition
A literary work that ridicules or criticizes a human vice through humor or derision
Term
Saturnine
Definition
Gloomy, dark, sullen, morose
Term
Scurvy (adj.)
Definition
Contemptible; despicable
Term
Sedulous
Definition
Diligent; persistent; hard-working
Term
Sententious
Definition
Aphoristic or moralistic; epigrammatic; tending to moralize excessively
Term
Shard
Definition
A piece of broken pottery or glass
Term
Singular (adj.)
Definition
Exceptional, unusual, odd
Term
Solicitous
Definition
Concerned & attentive; eager
Term
Solvent
Definition
Able to meet financial obligations; able to dissolve another substance
Term
Soporific
Definition
Causing sleep or lethargy
Term
Sordid
Definition
Characterized by filth, grime, or squalor, foul
Term
Sparse
Definition
Thin, not dense; arranged at widely spaced intervals
Term
Specious
Definition
Deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious
Term
Spendthrift
Definition
One who spends money wastefully
Term
Sporadic
Definition
Occurring only occasionally, or in scattered instances
Term
Spurious
Definition
Lacking authenticity or validity; false; counterfeit
Term
Squalid
Definition
Sordid; wretched and dirty as a form of neglect
Term
Squander
Definition
To waste by spending or using irresponsibly
Term
Stand (noun)
Definition
A group of trees
Term
Static
Definition
Not moving, active, or in motion, at rest
Term
Steep (verb)
Definition
To saturate or completely soak, as in tea
Term
Stentorian
Definition
Extremely loud and powerful
Term
Stigma
Definition
A mark of shame or discredit
Term
Stoic
Definition
Indifferent to or unaffected by pleasure or pain; steadfast
Term
Stolid
Definition
Unemotional; lacking sensitivity
Term
Strut (noun)
Definition
The supporting structural cross-part of a wing
Term
Stupefy
Definition
To stun, baffle, or amaze
Term
Stygian
Definition
Gloomy, dark
Term
Stymie
Definition
To block, to thwart
Term
Sublime
Definition
Lofty or grand
Term
Subpoena
Definition
A court order requiring appearance and/or testimony
Term
Subtle
Definition
Not obvious; elusive; difficult to discern
Term
Succinct
Definition
Brief; concise
Term
Superfluous
Definition
Exceeding what is sufficient or necessary
Term
Supplant
Definition
To take the place of; to supercede
Term

Surfeit

Definition
An overabundant supply; excess; to feed or supply to excess
Term
Sycophant
Definition
Toady, servile, self-seeking flatterer, parasite
Term
Synthesis
Definition
The combination of parts to make a whole
Term
Table (verb)
Definition
To remove (a parliamentary motion) from consideration
Term
Tacit
Definition
Done without using words
Term
Taciturn
Definition
Silent, not talkative
Term
Tenacity
Definition
The quality of adherence or persistence to something valued; persistent determination
Term
Tendentious
Definition
Biased, showing marked tendencies
Term
Tender (verb)
Definition
To proffer or offer
Term
Tenuous
Definition
Having little substance or strength; flimsy
Term
Terse
Definition
Brief and concise in wording
Term
Timorous
Definition
Timid, fearful, diffident
Term
Tirade
Definition
Long, harsh speech or verbal attack
Term
Torpid
Definition
Lethargic, sluggish, dormant
Term
Torpor
Definition
Extreme mental & physical sluggishness
Term
Torque
Definition
A force that causes rotation
Term
Tortuous
Definition
Winding, twisting, excessively complicated
Term
Tout
Definition
To publicly praise or promise
Term
Transient
Definition
Fleeting; passing quickly; brief
Term
Transitory
Definition
Temporary, lasting a brief time
Term
Trenchant
Definition
Sharply perceptive; keen; penetrating
Term
Truculent
Definition
Fierce & cruel, eager to fight
Term
Tyro
Definition
Novice, greenhorn, rank amateur
Term
Ubiquitous
Definition
Existing everywhere at the same time; constantly encountered; widespread
Term
Unfeigned
Definition
Genuine; not false or hypocritical
Term
Untenable
Definition
Indefensible; not viable; uninhabitable
Term
Urbane
Definition
Sophisticated; refined; elegant
Term
Vacillate
Definition
To sway physically; to be indecisive
Term
Variegated
Definition
Multicolored; characterized by a variety of patches of different color
Term
Venerate
Definition
To respect deeply
Term
Veracity
Definition

Filled with truth & accuracy

Term
Verbose
Definition
Wordy
Term
Vex
Definition
To annoy
Term
Vexation
Definition
Annoyance; irritation
Term
Vigilant
Definition
Alertly watchful
Term
Vilify
Definition
To defame; to characterize harshly
Term
Virulent
Definition
Extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic
Term
Viscous
Definition
Thick; sticky
Term
Vitiate
Definition
To corrupt, to debase, to spoil, to make ineffective
Term
Vituperate
Definition
To use harsh condemnatory language; to abuse or censure severely or abusively; to berate
Term
Volatile
Definition
Easily aroused or changeable; lively or explosive
Term
Voluble
Definition
Fluent, verbal, having easy use of spoken language
Term
Voracious
Definition
Having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; ravenous
Term
Waffle (verb)
Definition
To equivocate; to change one’s position
Term
Wag (noun)
Definition
Wit, joker
Term
Waver
Definition
To fluctuate between choices
Term
Whimsical
Definition
Acting in a fanciful or capricious manner; unpredictable
Term
Zeal
Definition
Passion, excitement
Term
Abstemious
Definition
Sparing in eating and drinking, temperate
Term
Artless
Definition
Without guile; open & honest
Term
Assiduous
Definition
Diligent
Term
Belie
Definition
Contradict; give a false impression
Term
Burnish
Definition
Make shiny by rubbing; polish
Term
Coda
Definition
Concluding section of a musical or literary composition
Term
Compendium
Definition
Brief, comprehensive summary
Term
Conciliatory
Definition
Reconciling, soothing
Term
Disjointed
Definition
Lacking coherence, separated at the joints
Term
Distend
Definition
Expand; swell out
Term
Divest
Definition
Strip, deprive
Term
Document (v)
Definition
Provide written evidence
Term
Equanimity
Definition
Calmness of temperament; composure
Term
Forestall
Definition
Prevent by taking action in advance
Term
Goad
Definition
Urge on
Term
Guileless
Definition
Without deceit
Term
Indigence
Definition
Poverty
Term
Indolent
Definition
Lazy
Term
Insularity
Definition
Narrow-mindedness; isolation
Term
Invective
Definition
Abuse
Term
Irresolute
Definition
Uncertain how to act; weak
Term
Lassitude
Definition
Languor; weariness; depression
Term
Officious
Definition
Meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering one’s services
Term
Paucity
Definition
Scarcity
Term
Preamble
Definition
Introductory statement
Term
Proscribe
Definition
Ostracize; banish; outlaw
Term
Quibble
Definition
Minor objection or complaint
Term
Stint (v)
Definition
Be thrifty, set limits
Term
Striated
Definition
Marked with parallel bands; grooved
Term
Welter
Definition
Turmoil, bewildering jumble
Term
Catharsis
Definition
Purging or cleansing of any passage of the body
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