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GRE Verbal
Level II
231
English
Graduate
10/29/2007

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Cards

Term
abacus
Definition
Outmoded device used for calculating basic arithmetic
Term
abase
Definition
To lower in rank or esteem
Term
aberrant
Definition
Different from an accepted norm or group (usu. considerably so)
Term
accretion
Definition
A gradual increase in size by external addition
Term
admonition
Definition
Gentle reproof; warning
Term
ado
Definition
"Bustle, fuss, bother"
Term
alloy
Definition
A solid mixture of two or more metals; a mixture; something
Term
added
Definition
that lowers value or purity
Term
amenable
Definition
"Responsive to advice, authority or suggestion"
Term
amorphous
Definition
Lacking definite form; shapeless
Term
angst
Definition
Anxiety or apprehension often accompanied by depression
Term
anomalous
Definition
"Deviating from the usual or common order, form or rule"
Term
antipathy
Definition
Strong feelings of aversion
Term
antiquated
Definition
Very old; outmoded
Term
apropos
Definition
"With reference to, speaking of"
Term
archetype
Definition
An ideal example of a type; a quintessence or prototype
Term
assail
Definition
To attack (with violent blows)
Term
assuage
Definition
"To cause to be less harsh, violent, or severe, as excitement,"
Term
"appetite,"
Definition
"pain, or disease"
Term
astringent
Definition
Harsh or severe in nature; sharp and penetrating
Term
astute
Definition
Shrewd in judgment
Term
atonement
Definition
"Amends, reparation, or expiation made for a wrong or injury."
Term
attune
Definition
To bring into a harmonious relationship
Term
auspicious
Definition
Attended by favorable circumstances
Term
austere
Definition
Severe or stern in character; bare or simple; somber or grave
Term
barrage
Definition
An artificial obstruction built in a waterway; a wall of artillery fire
Term
belabor
Definition
To assail verbally; to discuss repeatedly or at excessive length
Term
bellicose
Definition
Warlike in manner
Term
berate
Definition
To rebuke or scold at length
Term
bewilder
Definition
To confuse or befuddle; to disorient
Term
bolster
Definition
To support or prop up; to buoy
Term
boorish
Definition
Rude; possessed of little refinement
Term
breach
Definition
"A rupture, gap or hole"
Term
buoy
Definition
To keep afloat; to uplift; a float
Term
capricious
Definition
Characterized by or subject to whim
Term
cavalier
Definition
Carefree and nonchalant; dismissive in an offhand manner
Term
centurion
Definition
A captain of one hundred infantry in the ancient Roman army
Term
cessation
Definition
A ceasing or stopping
Term
clandestine
Definition
"Kept or done in secret, often to conceal an illegal purpose"
Term
cogitate
Definition
To think carefully about; to ponder
Term
cognizant
Definition
Fully aware of
Term
collateral
Definition
Parallel or accompanying; secondary or subordinate; property acceptable as security for a loan
Term
collude
Definition
To act together to achieve a deceitful purpose; to conspire
Term
complacence
Definition
Self-satisfaction
Term
complaisance
Definition
The inclination to comply willingly with the wishes of others
Term
conciliate
Definition
To overcome distrust or animosity; to appease
Term
confluence
Definition
The flowing together of two or more streams
Term
connotation
Definition
An idea or meaning associated with a word or thing
Term
consternation
Definition
A state of paralyzing dismay
Term
constrict
Definition
To make smaller or narrower by binding or squeezing
Term
conundrum
Definition
A difficult or insoluble problem; a dilemma
Term
cornucopia
Definition
"The horn of plenty, symbolizing prosperity and abundance"
Term
corpulence
Definition
Obesity
Term
correlate
Definition
To put in some relation of connection or correspondence
Term
corroborate
Definition
To strengthen or support with other evidence
Term
countenance
Definition
The appearance or expression of a face
Term
coy
Definition
Reserved; flirtatiously shy or modest
Term
credulous
Definition
Gullible
Term
cull
Definition
To pick out from others or select; to gather or collect
Term
culpable
Definition
Deserving of blame; at fault
Term
curmudgeon
Definition
An ill-tempered person full of resentment and stubborn notions
Term
curriculum
Definition
The course of study offered by an institution
Term
daunt
Definition
To discourage
Term
defer
Definition
To put off or postpone; to commit or entrust to another
Term
delineate
Definition
To sketch out or depict
Term
deprave
Definition
To debase (esp. morally)
Term
diatribe
Definition
"A bitter, abusive denunciation"
Term
dilapidate
Definition
To decay or fall into a state of disrepair
Term
din
Definition
A loud jumble of noise
Term
disabuse
Definition
To free from misconception
Term
disconcert
Definition
To frustrate by throwing into disorder
Term
disconsolate
Definition
"Beyond consolation; very sad, cheerless"
Term
discourse
Definition
"Conversation, speech or writing"
Term
disingenuous
Definition
Not straightforward; crafty
Term
divestiture
Definition
An act of divesting; the sale or liquidation of an asset
Term
divulge
Definition
To make known (esp. a secret)
Term
dolt
Definition
A person regarded as stupid
Term
dote
Definition
To show excessive love or fondness
Term
drawl
Definition
To speak with lengthened vowels; the speech or manner of one who drawls
Term
dupe
Definition
To deceive an unwary person; one who has been deceived
Term
duplicity
Definition
Double-dealing
Term
earthenware
Definition
Anything made of clay and baked in a kiln or dried in the sun
Term
eddy
Definition
A current moving in a circular motion or against the main current
Term
edible
Definition
Fit to be eaten
Term
efficacy
Definition
Effectiveness
Term
egomania
Definition
Obsessive self-interest
Term
Žlan
Definition
Enthusiastic vigor and liveliness; distinctive style or flair
Term
empirical
Definition
Derived from observation or experiment; verifiable
Term
encumbrance
Definition
"A heavy, burdensome load"
Term
engulf
Definition
To swallow or overwhelm by overflowing or enclosing
Term
enigma
Definition
A riddle or mystery
Term
enunciate
Definition
To pronounce carefully; to articulate
Term
ephemeral
Definition
Living or lasting for a brief time
Term
epitome
Definition
A representation or example of a class of type
Term
equivocate
Definition
To avoid making an explicit statement
Term
errant
Definition
"Straying from the proper course or standards; roving, esp. in search of adventure"
Term
explicate
Definition
To make clear or explain
Term
explicit
Definition
Fully and clearly expressed
Term
extralegal
Definition
Not permitted by law
Term
extricate
Definition
To release from an entanglement; to disentangle
Term
fallacy
Definition
A false notion
Term
felicitous
Definition
Agreeably suited; happy or fortunate
Term
ferment
Definition
"To undergo fermentation, a process by which yeast converts sugar to carbon dioxide and alcohol; to excite, agitate or seethe"
Term
fervid
Definition
Intensely zealous
Term
flinch
Definition
To wince involuntarily; to recoil or shrink
Term
fluster
Definition
To make or become nervous or upset
Term
fodder
Definition
Feed for livestock; raw material
Term
foible
Definition
A personal weakness or failing
Term
foster
Definition
To bring up or nurture
Term
fracas
Definition
"A noisy, disorderly fight or quarrel; a brawl"
Term
garble
Definition
To mix up or distort so as to make incomprehensible
Term
garner
Definition
To gather and store; to amass
Term
glean
Definition
To collect bit by bit (esp. information or understanding)
Term
goad
Definition
To prod our urge as if with a pointed stick; a prod
Term
gourmet
Definition
A connoisseur of fine food and drink
Term
gregarious
Definition
"Sociable, outgoing"
Term
havoc
Definition
Devastation; disorder or chaos
Term
heterogeneous
Definition
Consisting of dissimilar elements or parts
Term
homogeneous
Definition
Uniform in composition or structure
Term
hoodwink
Definition
To deceive
Term
hypocrisy
Definition
"The act of professing beliefs, feelings or virtues which one does not practice"
Term
ignominious
Definition
Marked by shame or disgrace; shameful
Term
imbue
Definition
To permeate or inspire
Term
immaculate
Definition
Without spot or blemish; impeccably clean
Term
impetuous
Definition
Impulsive or rash
Term
impiety
Definition
The quality or state of lacking reverence or piety
Term
implacable
Definition
Incapable of being pacified or pleased
Term
implicate
Definition
To show or prove to be involved in or concerned
Term
implicit
Definition
Implied; not expressly stated
Term
incipient
Definition
Beginning to exist or to appear
Term
incise
Definition
To cut into with a sharp instrument; to engrave
Term
indigenous
Definition
Native; intrinsic
Term
indomitable
Definition
Unconquerable
Term
indulge
Definition
To yield to or gratify the desires or whims of
Term
inebriated
Definition
Drunk
Term
innocuous
Definition
Harmless
Term
inscrutable
Definition
Difficult to fathom or understand
Term
insensible
Definition
Imperceptible
Term
insurrection
Definition
Open revolt against a civil authority
Term
intersperse
Definition
To distribute among other things at intervals
Term
irate
Definition
Extremely angry
Term
irresolute
Definition
Lacking in resolution; indecisive
Term
irrevocable
Definition
Impossible to retract or revoke
Term
iterate
Definition
To repeat
Term
latent
Definition
Present or potential but not evident or active; hidden or dormant
Term
levee
Definition
An embankment raised to prevent a river from overflowing
Term
levity
Definition
Lightness of manner; frivolity
Term
lexicon
Definition
A dictionary; a vocabulary
Term
lull
Definition
To cause to sleep or rest; a relatively calm interval of time
Term
luminary
Definition
"An object, such as a celestial body, that gives off light; a star"
Term
lustrous
Definition
Having a glow; radiant
Term
machination
Definition
A crafty scheme for the accomplishment of a sinister end
Term
malleable
Definition
"Capable of being shaped, influenced or controlled; pliant"
Term
manifest
Definition
Clearly apparent; to appear clearly
Term
manumit
Definition
To set free from slavery; to emancipate
Term
mettlesome
Definition
Having courage or spirit
Term
microcosm
Definition
A small-scale representation of (or analogy to) a larger system
Term
middling
Definition
"Of medium size, position or quality"
Term
mince
Definition
To cut or shop into small pieces; to walk with small steps; to speak in roundabout way so as to avoid being direct
Term
mirth
Definition
Gladness and gaiety (oft. expressed as laughter)
Term
misnomer
Definition
A name wrongly or unsuitably applied to a person or thing
Term
misogynist
Definition
One who hates or mistrusts women
Term
modicum
Definition
"A small, moderate or token amount"
Term
mollify
Definition
To soothe or soften
Term
myriad
Definition
innumerable; a vast number
Term
nascent
Definition
Just born; emerging
Term
nonchalant
Definition
Seeming to be coolly unconcerned or indifferent
Term
onerous
Definition
Burdensome
Term
outmoded
Definition
Out of fashion or practice; obsolete
Term
penchant
Definition
A definite liking; a strong inclination
Term
penitent
Definition
Feeling or expressing remorse for oneÕs sins or misdeeds
Term
pique
Definition
To provoke or arouse (esp. resentment or interest)
Term
plebian
Definition
Characteristic of commoners; unrefined or coarse in manner
Term
plethora
Definition
Excess; superabundance
Term
pliant
Definition
Easily bent; adaptable
Term
ponderous
Definition
Having great weight; lacking grace; bored and dull
Term
portend
Definition
To serve as an omen or a warning of
Term
precarious
Definition
Dangerously lacking in security or stability
Term
predominate
Definition
"To be of or have greater quantity, power or importance"
Term
preponderance
Definition
"Superiority in weight, force, importance or influence"
Term
proclivity
Definition
A natural inclination or propensity
Term
profane
Definition
Marked by contempt or irreverence for what is sacred
Term
prone
Definition
Lying with the front or face downward; having a tendency to
Term
provincial
Definition
Unsophisticated or rural; narrow and self-centered
Term
pyre
Definition
A heap of combustibles arranged for burning a dead body
Term
rabble
Definition
The lowest or coarsest class of people; a mob
Term
rancor
Definition
"Bitter, long-lasting resentment"
Term
rarefy
Definition
To make thin or less dense; to become thin or less dense
Term
raucous
Definition
Rough-sounding and harsh; boisterous and disorderly
Term
reciprocity
Definition
A mutual exchange of favors or privileges
Term
recluse
Definition
One who withdraws from the world to live in seclusion
Term
recompense
Definition
To make compensation to
Term
recuperate
Definition
To recover
Term
regale
Definition
To provide with great entertainment; a choice food or delicacy
Term
repudiate
Definition
To reject the authority or validity of
Term
resilience
Definition
The ability to recover quickly
Term
salient
Definition
Jutting out; strikingly conspicuous
Term
satiate
Definition
To satisfy
Term
savor
Definition
To perceive by taste or smell; to enjoy or relish
Term
scabbard
Definition
The sheath of a sword or dagger
Term
schism
Definition
A separation into factions
Term
solace
Definition
"Comfort in grief, trouble, or calamity"
Term
sophomoric
Definition
Exhibiting great immaturity and lack of judgment
Term
sordid
Definition
"Filthy, dirty or foul (oft. morally)"
Term
stigma
Definition
A mark or token of infamy or disgrace
Term
stingy
Definition
Cheap or unwilling to spend money
Term
subpoena
Definition
To serve a writ summoning a person to give legal testimony; such a writ
Term
substantiate
Definition
To support with evidence; to verify; to make or form a solid mass
Term
sully
Definition
"To dirty, mar or taint"
Term
tenuous
Definition
Long and thin; slender or slight
Term
tepid
Definition
Lukewarm
Term
terse
Definition
Brief and to the point
Term
transcend
Definition
To pass beyond the limits of; to be greater than
Term
transient
Definition
Remaining in one place only a brief time; one that does so
Term
transitory
Definition
Existing for a short time only
Term
translucent
Definition
"Permitting light through, but with some diffusion; clear"
Term
travesty
Definition
An exaggerated or grotesque imitation; to parody or ridicule
Term
trudge
Definition
"To walk in a laborious, heavy-footed way; to plod"
Term
turmoil
Definition
A state of extreme confusion or agitation; tumult
Term
tutelage
Definition
The act of training or the state of being under instruction
Term
undermine
Definition
To subvert in an underhand way
Term
unscathed
Definition
Unharmed or untouched
Term
vacuous
Definition
Empty; lacking intelligence; devoid of expression
Term
valorous
Definition
Marked by great personal bravery; valiant
Term
vanquish
Definition
To beat or conquer in battle; to subdue
Term
vend
Definition
To sell (oft. by peddling)
Term
vigilant
Definition
On the alert; watchful
Term
vigorous
Definition
"Strong, energetic and active in body or mind; robust"
Term
vindictive
Definition
Disposed to seeking revenge; spiteful
Term
warmonger
Definition
One who advocated or tries to stir up war
Term
writhe
Definition
To move or twist from pain or embarrassment
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