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GRE vocab m-r
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250
Other
Undergraduate 3
03/15/2011

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Term
maraud
Definition
a sudden, short attack
Term
martinet
Definition
person who imposes strict discipline and demands obedience to orders
Term
maudlin
Definition
foolishly or tearfully sentimental or self-pitying, esp. when drunk
Term
maven
Definition
one who is experienced
Term
maverick
Definition
an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party; rebel
Term
mawkish
Definition
sentimental in a feeble or sickly way
Term
mealymouthed
Definition
hesitant in a feeble or sickly way
Term
mean
Definition
stingy
Term
medley
Definition
piece of music made up of passages from other musical works
Term
meliorism
Definition
the belief that society has an innate drive toward improvement and this tendency may be furthered through conscious human effort
Term
mendacious
Definition
untruthful; lying
Term
mendacity
Definition
dishonesty
Term
mendicant
Definition
a beggar
Term
mercenary
Definition
interested only in making money
Term
mercurial
Definition
characterized by rapid and unpredictable change in mood
Term
meretricious
Definition
apparently attractive but in fact valueless
Term
mete
Definition
give or administer (punishment or rewards)
Term
metrical
Definition
music composed in meter
Term
miasma
Definition
unhealthy or unpleasant mist, etc.
Term
middling
Definition
fairly good but not very good
Term
miff
Definition
a trivial quarrel
Term
milieu
Definition
social environment
Term
militate
Definition
have great force or influence to prevent something
Term
millinery
Definition
trimmings for women's hats
Term
minatory
Definition
menacing, threatening
Term
misnomer
Definition
wrong use of a name, word or description
Term
misogamy
Definition
hatred of marriage
Term
mitigate
Definition
to make or become less severe or intense; to moderate
Term
mogul
Definition
very rich, important or influential person
Term
monastic
Definition
of or relating to monks
Term
monograph
Definition
detailed scholarly study of one subject
Term
montage
Definition
the production of a rapid succession of images in a motion picture to illustrate an association of ideas
Term
morass
Definition
something that traps, confuses or impedes
Term
mordant
Definition
very sarcastic; biting
Term
mores
Definition
customs or conventions considered typical of or essential to a group or community
Term
moribund
Definition
in the state of dying; approaching death
Term
mortify
Definition
cause to be very ashamed or embarrassed
Term
mote
Definition
small particle; speck
Term
mountebank
Definition
person who tries to cheat others by clever talk; swindler
Term
mulct
Definition

1. to deprive someone of something, as by fraud, extortion, etc. swindle

2. to punish (a person) by fine, esp. for a misdemeanor

Term
mulish
Definition
unreasonably and inflexibly obstinate
Term
municipality
Definition
a primarily urban political unit having corporate status and usually powers of self-government
Term
munificent
Definition
extremely generous
Term
myopic
Definition

1. short-sighted; unwilling to act prudently

2. lacking tolerance or understanding; narrow-minded

Term
myriad
Definition
extremely large number
Term
mystic
Definition
of hidden meaning or spiritual power, esp. in religion
Term
nadir
Definition

point in the heavens directly beneath an observer

2. lowest point

Term
nascent
Definition
beginning to exist; coming into being
Term
natty
Definition
smart and tidy; neat (derogatory)
Term
nebula
Definition
light or dark patch in the sky caused by a cluster of very distant stars or a cloud of dust or gas
Term
nefarious
Definition
wicked; unlawful
Term
negligible
Definition
of little importance or size; not worth considering
Term
neophyte
Definition
a recent convert; a beginner; a novice
Term
nexus
Definition
a connection, tie or link
Term
nicety
Definition
accuracy; precision
Term
niggle
Definition
gives too much time and attention to unimportant details; criticize in a petty way
Term
nihilism
Definition
total rejection of all religious and moral beliefs
Term
nomenclature
Definition
system of naming
Term
nominal
Definition
existing, etc. in name only; not real or actual
Term
nonentity
Definition
person without any special qualities or achievements
Term
nonplus
Definition

surprise or puzzle greatly

2. a state of bafflement or perplexity

Term
nonplused
Definition
greatly surprised
Term
nostrum
Definition
a quack remedy; an untested cure
Term
nuance
Definition
subtle difference in meaning, color, feeling, etc.
Term
nubile
Definition
old enough to marry
Term
nucleate
Definition
cluster
Term
nugatory
Definition
worthless; pointless; not valid; trifling
Term
numismatist
Definition
expert collector of coins and metals
Term
obdurate
Definition
unyielding; hard-hearted; stubborn
Term
obeisance
Definition
deep bow of respect or obedience
Term
oblige
Definition
to do a favor for
Term
oblique
Definition
not straightforward; indirect, obscure
Term
obloquy
Definition
public shame or disgrace; abuse; discredit
Term
obsequious
Definition
exhibiting a fawning or servile deference or attentiveness
Term
obsequy
Definition
a funeral rite or ceremony
Term
obstetrician
Definition
a physician concerned with childbirth
Term
obstreperous
Definition
unruly; noisy; boisterous
Term
obviate
Definition
to anticipate and make unnecessary; remove; get rid of
Term
occlude
Definition
to obstruct or block
Term
occult
Definition
hidden; mysterious; secret
Term
odium
Definition
contempt; dislike; aversion
Term
offish
Definition
aloof or distant in manner; distant; not friendly
Term
onerous
Definition
involving an amount of effort and difficulty that is oppressively burdensome
Term
onus
Definition
used to refer to something that is one's duty or responsibility
Term
opine
Definition
(verb) to hold and state as one's opinion
Term
opprobrious
Definition
disgraceful; shameful
Term
opprobrium
Definition
harsh criticism or censure
Term
opus
Definition
a separate composition or set of compositions by a particular composer, usually ordered by publication date
Term
oracular
Definition
hard to interpret; enigmatic; holding or claiming the authority of an oracle
Term
oratorio
Definition
a large scale musical work for orchestra and voices, typically a narrative on a religious theme
Term
orient
Definition
the luster of a pearl
Term
ornithology
Definition
the scientific study of birds
Term
orthodox
Definition
conforming to what is generally or traditionally accepted as right or true (in religion)
Term
orthography
Definition
the conventional spelling system of a language
Term
osseous
Definition
consisting of or turned into bone
Term
ostensible
Definition
stated or appearing to be true but not necessarily true
Term
ostentation
Definition
pretentious and vulgar display, esp. of wealth and luxury, intending to impress or attract
Term
overblown
Definition
excessively inflated or pretentious
Term
overhaul
Definition
take a part (a piece of machinery or equipment) in order to examine it and repair it if necessary
Term
overweening
Definition
showing excessive confidence or pride
Term
overwrought
Definition
in a state of nervous excitement or anxiety
Term
paean
Definition
song of praise and thanksgiving
Term
palatial
Definition
like a palace; magnificent
Term
palimpsest
Definition
manuscript from which the original writing has been removed in order to create space for new writing
Term
pall
Definition
to lose in interest or attraction
Term
palliate
Definition
lessen the severity of; make something appear less serious
Term
palmy
Definition
marked by prosperity
Term
palter
Definition
to act insincerely or deceitfully
Term
panache
Definition
confident, stylish manner
Term
pander
Definition
to provide gratification for others' desires
Term
panegyric
Definition
formal praise; eulogy
Term
pantechnicon
Definition
a furniture van
Term
panorama
Definition
an unobstructed view in all directions
Term
paradigm
Definition

1. set of all the different forms of a word

2. model, example or pattern

Term
parallelism
Definition
similarity
Term
parameter
Definition
quantity that does not vary in a particular case but does vary in other cases
Term
paramour
Definition
illicit lover
Term
pare
Definition
trim by cutting away the edges
Term
parity
Definition
state of being equal; equality
Term
parlance
Definition
manner or mode of speech
Term
parochial
Definition
restricted to a small area of scope; narrow; limited
Term
paroxysm
Definition
sudden violent emotion or action; outburst
Term
parquet
Definition
flooring made of wooden blocks arranged in a pattern
Term
parquetry
Definition
inlaid woodwork in geometric forms
Term
parse
Definition
to resolve into component parts of speech and describe them grammatically
Term
partisan
Definition
a firm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person; esp. one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance
Term
parvenu
Definition
person who has suddenly risen from a low social or economic position to one of wealth or power
Term
pastiche
Definition
literary, musical or artistic work in the style of another author
Term
pathos
Definition
quality, esp. in speech, writing, acting, etc. that causes a feeling of pity or sadness
Term
patina
Definition
a superficial covering or exterior
Term
patois
Definition
dialect spoken by the common people of a region and differing form the standard language of the country
Term
patrician
Definition
a person of high birth; aristocrat
Term
patrimony
Definition
property inherited from one's father or ancestors
Term
patron
Definition
regular customer; one who gives support
Term
paucity
Definition
smallness of number or quantity
Term
paunchy
Definition
with a large or protruding stomach
Term
peccadillo
Definition
small sin; small weakness in one's character
Term
pecuniary
Definition
of or concerning money
Term
pedagogue
Definition
teacher, esp. a dull, formal one
Term
pedagogy
Definition
the art or profession of training, teaching or instructing
Term
pedant
Definition
person who attaches too much importance to details or to rules, esp. when learning or teaching
Term
pedantic
Definition
the parading of learning; paying too much attention to the tiniest rules or details
Term
peerless
Definition
superior to all others; without equal
Term
peevish
Definition
irritable
Term
pejorative
Definition
expressing criticism or scorn; derogatory
Term
pelf
Definition
wealth or riches, esp. those dishonestly acquired
Term
pellucid
Definition
transparent; easy to understand
Term
penology
Definition
study of crime and its punishment, and the management of prisons
Term
penumbra
Definition
partly shaded area around the shadow of an opaque object
Term
penury
Definition
poverty
Term
peon
Definition
person employed as a messenger
Term
perdition
Definition
everlasting punishment of the wicked after death
Term
peregrination
Definition
traveling; wandering
Term
peremptory
Definition

1. insisting on immediate obedience or submission; domineering

2. characterized by imperious or arrogant self-assurance

Term
perfervid
Definition
marked by overwrought or exaggerated emotion
Term
perfidious
Definition
deliberately faithless; deceitful
Term
perfidy
Definition
intentional breach of faith; treachery
Term
perfuctorily
Definition
lacking in interest or enthusiasm
Term
perfunctory
Definition
done without care or interest
Term
perigree
Definition
point in the orbit of the moon, a planet or a spacecraft at which it is nearest to the earth
Term
peripatetic
Definition
wandering
Term
pernicious
Definition
extremely harmful; potentially causing death
Term
peroration
Definition
last part of a speech; summing up
Term
persiflage
Definition
to provide with an incentive; move to action
Term
perspicacity
Definition
quick judging and understanding
Term
perspicuous
Definition
clearly expressed; lucid
Term
pert
Definition
not showing respect; cheeky
Term
pertinacious
Definition
stubbornly unyielding or tenacious, determined
Term
petrography
Definition
the description and classification of rocks
Term
petrous
Definition
like a rock, hard, stony
Term
petulant
Definition
unreasonably impatient
Term
phalanx
Definition
close formation of infantry ready for battle
Term
pharisaical
Definition
hypocritical
Term
philistine
Definition
a smug ignorant person- dislikes culture, likes materialistic things
Term
phlegmatic
Definition
calm; sluggish; unemotional
Term
picaresque
Definition
involving clever rogues or adventures
Term
piddling
Definition
trivial; paltry
Term
pied
Definition
having mixed colors, esp. white and black; piebald
Term
pinion
Definition
outer segment of a bird's wing
Term
pinnace
Definition
small motorboat on a ship for carrying people ashore, etc.
Term
piquant
Definition
having a pleasantly sharp taste, esp. spicy
Term
piscatorial
Definition
of or concerning fishing or fishermen
Term
pith
Definition
the essential or center part
Term
pithy
Definition
precise and brief
Term
plangent
Definition
having a loud reverberating sound
Term
platitude
Definition
a remark or statement, esp. with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful
Term
plaudit
Definition
applause, praise or some other sign of approval
Term
plebeian
Definition
of the lower social classes
Term
plebiscite
Definition
direct vote by all qualified citizens on an important political matter
Term
plenary
Definition
attended by all who have the right to attend
Term
plenitude
Definition
a full supply
Term
plucky
Definition
showing courage; brave
Term
plurality
Definition
a majority
Term
plutocracy
Definition
government by a rich and powerful class
Term
polemic
Definition
speech, piece of writing, etc. containing very forceful arguments
Term
polemical
Definition
controversial; argumentative
Term
politic
Definition
well-judged; prudent
Term
polity
Definition
form or practice of government
Term
polyglot
Definition
knowing, using or written in many languages
Term
pontifical
Definition
of the pope
Term
portend
Definition
foreshadow
Term
portent
Definition
omen
Term
portentous
Definition
eliciting amazement or wonder
Term
poseur
Definition
person who pretends to be what he or she is not; an insincere person
Term
potentiate
Definition
to make effective or active or more effective or active
Term
practicable
Definition
that can be put into practice
Term
pragmatist
Definition
someone who acts in a practical way
Term
precipitant
Definition
moving onward quickly and needlessly
Term
precipitate
Definition
to cause to happen before anticipated or required
Term
precipitous
Definition
dangerously high or steep
Term
preclude
Definition
prevent; make something impossible
Term
precursory
Definition
indicative of something to follow
Term
prefatory
Definition
introductory
Term
prefigure
Definition
foreshadow
Term
prehensile
Definition
able to grasp and hold things
Term
prelate
Definition
high-ranking clergyman
Term
preponderant
Definition
having a superior weight, force or influence
Term
prepossessing
Definition
making a good impression; attractive
Term
presentiment
Definition
vague feeling that something unpleasant is about to happen; foreboding
Term
presumption
Definition
arrogance
Term
pretension
Definition
making of a claim
Term
pretense
Definition
an inadequate or insincere attempt to attain a certain condition or quality
Term
preternatural
Definition
not normal or usual
Term
prevaricate
Definition
to deliberately avoid the truth; mislead - speak in an evasive or misleading way to avoid telling the truth
Term
primogeniture
Definition
fact of being a first-born child
Term
privy
Definition
private; secret
Term
probity
Definition

1. adherence to highest principles; integrity; quality of being honest and trustworthy

2. incorruptibility

Term
proclivity
Definition
a natural predisposition or inclination; tendency
Term
prodigal
Definition
recklessly wasteful; excessively extravagant
Term
profundity
Definition
the quality or state of being profound; depth
Term
progenitor
Definition
ancestor of a person, animal or plant
Term
prognosticate
Definition
tell something in advance; predict
Term
prolix
Definition
marked by or using an excess of words
Term
promontory
Definition
area of high land jutting out into the sea or a lake
Term
propagate
Definition
to cause to spread out or increase in size or number
Term
propensity
Definition
a natural inclination or tendency
Term
prophylactic
Definition
tending to prevent a disease or misfortune
Term
propinquity
Definition
nearness in time or space
Term
propitiate
Definition
to win the favor or forgiveness of someone, esp. when he is angry, by a pleasing act
Term
propitiatory
Definition
conciliatory, appeasing
Term
propitious
Definition
giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable
Term
propriety
Definition
state of being correct in one's social or moral behavior
Term
prosaic
Definition
dull, unimaginative, uninspired
Term
proscenium
Definition
the part of the stage in front of the curtain
Term
proscribe
Definition
to condemn or forbid as harmful or unlawful; prohibit
Term
proselytize
Definition
to recruit or convert especially to a new faith, institution or cause
Term
prosody
Definition
science of verse forms and poetic meters
Term
protean
Definition

1. that can change quickly and easily, variable

2. displaying great diversity or variety, versatile

Term
provenance
Definition
place of origin
Term
provender
Definition
food for horses and cattle; fodder
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