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GRE vocab3
barron's
30
Other
Graduate
06/04/2008

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Term
fitful
Definition

adj. spasmodic; intermittent

 

After several fitful attempts, he decided to postpone the project until he felt more energetic. 

Term
crotchety
Definition

adj. eccentric; whimsical

 

Although he was reputed to be a crotchety old gentleman, I found his ideas sound and sensible. 

Term
factious
Definition

adj. inclined to form factions; causing dissension

 

Your statement is factious and will upset the harmony that now exists. 

Term
factitious
Definition

adj. artificial, sham

 

Hollywood actresses often create factitious tears by using glycerine. 

Term
factotum
Definition

n. handyman; person who does all kinds of work

 

Although we had hired him as a messenger, we soon began to use him as a general factotum around the office. 

Term
euphemism
Definition

n. mild expression in place of an unpleasant one

 

The expression " he passed away" is a euphemism for "he died." 

Term
expiate
Definition

v. make amends for (a sin)

 

He tried to expiate his crimes by a full confession to the authorities. 

Term
enclave
Definition

n territory enclosed within an alien land.

 

The Vatican is an independent enclave in Italy. 

Term
enjoin
Definition

v. command, order, forbid

 

The owners of the company asked the court to enjoin the union from picketing the plant. 

Term
dissipate
Definition

v. squander, waste, scatter

 

He is a fine artist, but I am afraid he may dissipate his gifts if he keeps wasting his time playing D and D. 

Term
contentious
Definition

adj. quarrelsome

 

Disagreeing violently with the referee's ruling, the coach became so contentious, the ref threw him out. 

Term
connivance
Definition

n pretense of ignorance of something wrong; assistance, permission to offend

 

With the connivance of his friends, he plotted to embarass the teacher. 

Term
febrile
Definition

adj. feverish

 

In his febrile condition, he was subject to nightmares and hallucinations. 

Term
felicity, felicitious
Definition

n happiness, appropriateness (of a remark, choice)

 

She wrote to the newlyweds wishing them great felicity in their wedded life.

 

adj. suitably expressed, well-chosen.

 

He was famous for his felicitious remarks and was called upon to serve as MC at many a banquet. 

Term
devolve
Definition

v. deputize; pass to others

 

It devolved upon us, the survivors to arrange peaceful terms with the enemy. 

Term
dint
Definition

n. means, effort

 

By dint of much hard work, the volunteers were able to control the raging forest fire. 

Term
discomfit
Definition

v. put to rout; defeat; disconcert

 

This ruse will discomfit the enemy. 

n. discomfiture

adj. discomfited 

Term
encomiastic
Definition

adj. praising, eulogistic

Some critics beleive that his ecomiastic statements about Napoleon were inspired by his desire for advancement.

n. encomium, high praise, eulogy

Uneasy with the encomiums expressed by his supporters, Tolkien felt unworthy. 

Term
array
Definition

v. marshal; draw up in order

 

His actions were bound to array public sentiment against him. 

Term
dissolution
Definition

n. disintegration; looseness in morals

 

The profligacy and dissolution of life in Caligula's Rome appal some historians.

 

adj. dissolute 

Term
apposite
Definition

adj. appropriate, fitting

 

She was always able to find the apposite phrase, the correct expression for every occasion. 

Term
assiduous
Definition

adj. diligent

 

It took Rembrandt weeks of assiduous labor before he was satisfied with his portrait. 

Term

effusion

 

effusive 

Definition

n. pouring forth.

 

The critics objected to her literary effusion because it was too flowery.

 

adj. pouring forth; gushing

 

Her effusive manner of greeting her friends finally began to irritate them. 

Term
fete
Definition

v. honor at a festival

 

The returning hero was feted at a community supper and dance.

 

also n. 

Term
fiat
Definition

n. command

 

I cannot accept gov't by fiat; I feel that the wishes of the citizens must be consulted. 

Term
filigree
Definition

n. delicate, lacelike metalwork

 

The pendant with gold filigree that she wore round her neck trembled with each breath she took. 

Term
dowdy
Definition

slovenly; untidy

 

She tried to change her dowdy image by buying a fashionable new wardrobe. 

Term
eminent
Definition

adj. high, lofty

 

After her appointment to this eminent position, she seldom had time for her former friends. 

Term
expostulation
Definition

n. protest, remonstrance

 

Despite the teacher's scoldings and expostulations, the class remained unruly. 

Term
extant
Definition

adj. still in existance

 

Although the book is out of print, some copies are still extant. 

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