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words to know for the GRE
same as title
260
English
Graduate
05/11/2008

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Term
abate
Definition

to decrease; reduce

Term
abdicate
Definition
to give up a postion right, or power
Term
aberrant
Definition
deviating from what is normal
Term
abeyance
Definition
temporary suppression or suspension
Term
abject
Definition
miserable; pitiful
Term
abjure
Definition
to reject; abandon formally
Term
absicission
Definition
the act of cutting; the natural separation of a leaf or other part of a plant.
Term
abscond
Definition
to depart secretly
Term
abstemious
Definition
moderate in appetite
Term
abstinence
Definition
the giving up of certain pleasures
Term
abysmal
Definition
very bad
Term
accretion
Definition
growth in size or increase in amount
Term
accrue
Definition
to accumulate; grow by addtions
Term
adamant
Definition
unyielding; uncomprimising
Term
adjunct
Definition
something added, attached or joined
Term
admonish
Definition
to caution or reprimand
Term
adulterate
Definition
to corrupt or make impure
Term
aesthetic
Definition
relating to beauty or art
Term
affected
Definition
pretentious, phony
Term
affinity
Definition
fondness; liking; similarity
Term
aggrandize
Definition
to make larger or greater
Term
agreggate
Definition
amounting to a whole; total
Term
alacrity
Definition
cheerful willingness; eagerness; speed
Term
alchemy
Definition
medieval chemical philosophy based on changing metal into gold; a seemingly magical power or process of transmutation
Term
allay
Definition
to lessen; ease; soothe
Term
alleviate
Definition
to relieve; improve partially
Term
alloy
Definition
a combination; a mixture of two or more metals
Term
allure
Definition
the power to entice by charm
Term
amalgamate
Definition
to combine into a unified whole
Term
ambiguous
Definition
uclear or doubtful in meaning
Term
ambivalence
Definition
the state of having conflicting emotional attitudes
Term
ambrosia
Definition
something delicious; the food of the gods
Term
ameliorate
Definition
to improve
Term
amenable
Definition
aggreable; cooperetavie; suited
Term
amenity
Definition
something that increases comfort
Term
amulet
Definition
ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
Term
anachronism
Definition
something out of the proper time
Term
analgesic
Definition
medication that reduces or eliminates pain
Term
analogous
Definition
comparable
Term
anarchy
Definition
absence of goverment; state of disorder
Term
anodyne
Definition
something that calms or soothes pain
Term
anomalous
Definition
irregular; deviating from the norm
Term
antecedent
Definition
something that comes before
Term
antediluvian
Definition
prehistoric
Term
antipathy
Definition
dislike; hostility
Term
apathy
Definition
indifference
Term
apex
Definition
the highest point
Term
apogee
Definition
the point in an orbit most distant from the body being orbited; the highest point
Term
apothegm
Definition
a terse, witty saying
Term
appease
Definition
to calm; pacify; placate
Term
apellation
Definition
name
Term
apposite
Definition
strikingly appropiate and relevant
Term
apprise
Definition
to inform
Term
approbation
Definition
praise; approval
Term
appropriate
Definition
to take possesion for one's own use; confiscate
Term
apropos
Definition
relevant
Term
arabesque
Definition
ornate design featuring interwined curves; a ballet position in which one leg is extended in back while the other supports the weight of the body.
Term
archeology
Definition
the study of material evidence of past human life
Term
ardor
Definition
great emotion or passion
Term
arduous
Definition
extremely difficult; laborious
Term
argot
Definition
a specialized vocabulary used by a group
Term
arrest
Definition
to stop; to seize
Term
artifact
Definition
item made by human craft
Term
artless
Definition
guileless; natural
Term
ascetic
Definition
one who practices self-denial
Term
asperity
Definition
severity; harshness; irritability
Term
aspersion
Definition
slander; false humor
Term
assiduous
Definition
diligent; hard-working
Term
assuage
Definition
to make less severe
Term
astringent
Definition
harsh; severe
Term
asylum
Definition
place of refuge or shelter
Term
atavism
Definition
in biology; the reapperance of a characteristic in an organism after several generations of absence; return of a trait after a period of absence
Term
attenuate
Definition
to weaken
Term
audacious
Definition
bold; daring
Term
austere
Definition
stern; unadorned
Term
autonomous
Definition
self-governing; independent
Term
avarice
Definition
greed
Term
aver
Definition
to affirm; declare to be true
Term
avocation
Definition
secondary occupation
Term
avuncular
Definition
like an uncle; benevolent and tolerant
Term
axiomatic
Definition
taken for granted
Term
bacchanalian
Definition
pertaining to riotous or drunken festivity
Term
banal
Definition
commonplace; trite
Term
banter
Definition
playful conversation
Term
bard
Definition
poet
Term
bawdy
Definition
obscene
Term
beatify
Definition
to sanctify; to bless; to ascribe a virtue to
Term
bedizen
Definition
to dress in a vulgur; showy manner
Term
behemoth
Definition
huge creature; anything very large and powerful
Term
belie
Definition
to contradict; mispresent; give a false impression
Term
beneficent
Definition
kindly; doing good
Term
bifurcate
Definition
to divide into two parts
Term
blandishment
Definition
flattery
Term
blase
Definition
bored because of frequent indulgence; unconcerned
Term
bolster
Definition
to give a boost to; prop up; support
Term
bombastic
Definition
pompous; using inflated language
Term
boorish
Definition
rude; insensitive
Term
bovine
Definition
cowlike
Term
brazen
Definition
bold; shameless
Term
broach
Definition
to mention for the first time
Term
bucolic
Definition
characteristic of the countryside; rustic; pastoral
Term
burgeon
Definition
to flourish
Term
burnish
Definition
to polish
Term
buttress
Definition
to reinforce, support
Term
cacophonous
Definition
unpleasant or harsh-sounding
Term
cadge
Definition
to beg; sponge
Term
callous
Definition
thick-skinned; insensitive
Term
calumny
Definition
false and malicious accusation; slander
Term
canard
Definition
false, deliberately misleading story
Term
canon
Definition
an established principle; a basis or standard for judgement
Term
cant
Definition
insincere talk; language of a particular group
Term
cantankerous
Definition
irritable; ill-humored
Term
capricious
Definition
fickle
Term
captious
Definition
faultfinding; intended to entrap; as in an argument
Term
cardinal
Definition
of foremost importance
Term
carnal
Definition
of the flesh or body; related to physical appetites
Term
carping
Definition
to find fault; complain
Term
cartography
Definition
science of making maps
Term
caste
Definition
any of the hereditary social classes of Hindu society; social stratification
Term
castigation
Definition
punishment; chastisement; criticism
Term
cataclysm
Definition
a violent upheavel that causes great destruction and change
Term
catalyst
Definition
something causing change
Term
categorical
Definition
absolute; without exception
Term
caucus
Definition
smaller group within an organization
Term
causal
Definition
involving a cause
Term
caustic
Definition
sarcastically bittintg; burning
Term
celestial
Definition
concerning the sky or heavens; sublime
Term
centrifugal
Definition
moving away from a center
Term
centripetal
Definition
moving or directed toward a center
Term
champion
Definition
to defend or support
Term
chasten
Definition
to correct by punishment or reproof; to restrain or subdue
Term
chicanery
Definition
trickery; fraud
Term
chivalry
Definition
the qualities idealized by knighthood such as bravery and gallantry toward woman
Term
churlish
Definition
rude; boorish
Term
circuitous
Definition
roundabout
Term
clairvoyant
Definition
one who can predict the future; psychic
Term
clamor
Definition
noisy outcry
Term
clique
Definition
a small; exclusive group
Term
cloister
Definition
to confine; seclude
Term
coagulate
Definition
thicken; congeal
Term
coalesce
Definition
to cause to become one
Term
coda
Definition
concluding part of a literary or musical compositionl something that summarizes or concludes
Term
codify
Definition
to systematize
Term
cognizant
Definition
informed; conscious; aware
Term
collage
Definition
artistic composition of materials pasted over a surface; an assemblage of diverse elements
Term
commensurate
Definition
proportional
Term
compendium
Definition
brief, comprehensive summary
Term
complacent
Definition
self-satisfied
Term
complaisant
Definition
overly politel wiling to please; obliging
Term
complement
Definition
something that completes or makes up a whole
Term
compliant
Definition
yielding
Term
compunction
Definition
uneasiness caused by guilt
Term
concave
Definition
curving inward
Term
conciliatory
Definition
overcoming distrust or hostility
Term
concoct
Definition
to invent
Term
concomitant
Definition
existing concurrently
Term
condone
Definition
to overlook voluntarily; forgive
Term
confound
Definition
to baffle; perplex; mix up
Term
congenial
Definition
similar in tasted and habits; friendly; suited to
Term
conjugal
Definition
pertaining to marriage agreement
Term
connoisseur
Definition
a person possessing expert knowledge or training; a person of informed and disriminating taste
Term
conscript
Definition
person compulsorily enrolled for military service
Term
consecrate
Definition
to declare sacred
Term
contend
Definition
to assert
Term
contentious
Definition
quarrelsome; causing quarrels
Term
contiguous
Definition
touching; neighboring; connectiong without a break
Term
continence
Definition
self-control; abstention from sexual activity
Term
contrite
Definition
very sorrowful for a wrong
Term
contumacious
Definition
disobedient; rebellious
Term
conundrum
Definition
riddle; puzzle with no solution
Term
convention
Definition
practice widely observed in a group; custom; accepted technique or device
Term
converge
Definition
to approach; come together; tend to meet
Term
convivial
Definition
sociable
Term
convex
Definition
curved outward
Term
convoluted
Definition
twisted; complicated
Term
copious
Definition
abundant; plentiful
Term
coquette
Definition
woman who flirts
Term
cornucopia
Definition
horn overflowing with fruit and grain; state of abundance
Term
cosmology
Definition
study of the universe as a totality; theory of the structure and origing of the universe
Term
covert
Definition
hidden; secret
Term
covetous
Definition
desiring something owned by another
Term
cozen
Definition
to mislead by trick or fraud; deceive
Term
craven
Definition
cowardly
Term
credence
Definition
acceptance of something as true
Term
credo
Definition
statement of belief or principle; creed
Term
daunt
Definition
to discourage; intimidate; dishearten
Term
dearth
Definition
scarcity
Term
debauchery
Definition
corruption
Term
decorum
Definition
proper behavior
Term
defame
Definition
to malign; harm someone's reputation
Term
default
Definition
to fail to act
Term
deference
Definition
respect; regard for another's wish
Term
defunct
Definition
no longer existing
Term
delineate
Definition
to represent or depict
Term
demographic
Definition
related to population balance
Term
demotic
Definition
pertaining to people
Term
demur
Definition
to express doubt
Term
denigrate
Definition
to slur someone's reputation
Term
denizen
Definition
an inhabitant; a regular visitor
Term
denouement
Definition
outcomel unraveling of the plot of a play or work of literature
Term
deride
Definition
to mock
Term
derivative
Definition
something derived; unoriginal
Term
desiccate
Definition
to dry completely
Term
desuetude
Definition
state of disuse
Term
desultory
Definition
random; disconnected; rambling
Term
deterrent
Definition
something that discourages or hinders
Term
detraction
Definition
the act of taking away; derogatory comment on a person's character
Term
diaphanous
Definition
transparent; fine-textured; insubstantial; vague
Term
diatribe
Definition
bitter verbal attack
Term
dichotomy
Definition
division into two usually contradictory parts
Term
diffidence
Definition
shyness; lack of confidence
Term
diffuse
Definition
to spread out
Term
digression
Definition
act of straying from the main point
Term
dirge
Definition
funeral hymn
Term
disabuse
Definition
to free from a misconception
Term
discerning
Definition
perceptive; exhibiting keen insight and good judgment
Term
discomfit
Definition
to make uneasy; disconcert
Term
discordant
Definition
not in tune
Term
discredit
Definition
to dishonor; disgrace; cause to be doubted
Term
discrepancy
Definition
difference between
Term
discrete
Definition
constituting a separate thingČ distinct
Term
discretion
Definition
qaulity of showing self restraint in speech or action; circumspection; freedom to act on ones own
Term
disingenous
Definition
not candid; crafty
Term
disinterested
Definition
unprejudiced; objective
Term
disjointed
Definition
lacking order or coherence; dislocated
Term
dismiss
Definition
put away from consideration; reject
Term
disparage
Definition
to belittle
Term
disparate
Definition
dissimilar
Term
dissemble
Definition
to pretend; disguise one's motives
Term
disseminate
Definition
to spread; scatter; disperse
Term
dissident
Definition
person who disagrees about beliefs
Term
dissoulution
Definition
disintegration; debauchery
Term
dissonance
Definition
discord; lack of harmony
Term
distend
Definition
to expandl swell out
Term
distill
Definition
extract the essential elements
Term
distrait
Definition
inattentive; preoccupied
Term
diverge
Definition
to vary; go in different directions from the same point
Term
divest
Definition
to strip; deprive; rid
Term
divulge
Definition
to make known something that is secret
Term
doctrinaire
Definition
relating to a person who cannot compromise about points of a theory or doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding
Term
document
Definition
to provide with written evidence to support
Term
doggerel
Definition
poor verse
Term
dogmatic
Definition
stating opinions without proof
Term
dormant
Definition
inactive
Term
dross
Definition
waste; worthless matter; trivial matter
Term
dupe
Definition
to decieve; trick
Term
ebullient
Definition
exhilarated; enthusiastic
Term
eclectic
Definition
selecting from various sources
Term
effervescence
Definition

state of high spirits or liveliness; process of bubbling as gas escapes

Term
effete
Definition
depleted of vitality; overrefined; decadent
Term
efficacy
Definition
efficiency; effectiveness
Term
effrontery
Definition
shameless boldness; presumptuousness
Term
egoism
Definition
the tendency to see things in relation to oneself
Term
egotistical
Definition
excessively self-centered; conceited
Term
elegy
Definition
poem or song expressing lamentation
Term
elicit
Definition
to provoke; draw out
Term
elixir
Definition
a substance believed to have the power to cure ills
Term
Elysian
Definition
blissful; delightful
Term
emaciated
Definition
thin and wasted
Term
embelish
Definition
to adorn; decorate; enhance; make more attractive by adding details
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