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GRE Study Cards
Vocabulary for the general GRE
10
Other
Graduate
09/14/2009

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Term
Pugilism, Noun. (Pyoo juhl ih suhm)
Definition
Boxing.

Pugilism has been defended as a positive outlet for aggressive impulses.

Synonyms: fighting, sparring
Term
Interregnum, Noun. (in tuh reg nuhm)
Definition
Period between reigns

When John F. Kennedy was shot there was a brief interregnum before lyndon B. Johnson became president
Term
Alactiry, Noun. (uh laak crih tee)
Definition
Speed or quickness.

THe restaurant won a reputation for fine service since the wait staff responded to their client's requests with alacrity.

synonyms: celerity, dispatch, haste.
Term
Xenophobia, Noun. (Zee nuh foh bee uh)
Definition
A fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers.

Countries in which xenophobia is prevalent often have more restrictive immigration policies than countries that are more open to foreign influences.

Synonyms: Bigotry, chauvinism, prejudice
Term
Zealot, Noun. (Zeh luht)
Definition
someone passionately devoted to a cause

The religious zealot had no time for those who failed to share his strong beliefs.

Synonyms: enthusiast, fanatic, militant, radical
Term
Mercurial, adj. (muhr kyoor ee uhl)
Definition
quick, shrewd, and unpredictable

her mercurial personality made it difficult to guess how she would react to the bad news.

Synonyms: clever, crafty, volatile, whimsical
Term
Dogmatic, Adj. (dawg maat ihk)
Definition
Dictatorial in one's opinions. "The dictator was dogmatic, claiming he, and only he, was right." Synonyms: Authoritarian, bossy, dictatorial, domineering, imperious, magisterial, peremptory.
Term
Soporific, Adj. (Sahp uhr ihf ihk)
Definition
Causing Sleep or lethargy. "The movie proved to be so soporific that soon loud snores were heard throughout the cinema." Synonyms:hypnotic, narcotic, somnolent
Term
Raconteur, Noun. (Raa cahn tuhr)
Definition
Witty, skillful storyteller. "The raconteur kept all the passengers entertained with his stories during the six-hour flight" Synonyms:anecdotalist, monologist
Term
Vituperate, Verb. (Vih too puhr ayt)
Definition
To abuse verbally, berate. "Vituperating someone is never a constructive way to effect change." Synonyms:castigate, reproach, scold.
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