Shared Flashcard Set

Details

GRE Vocabulary
Kaplan 2009 Top 180 Words
180
English
Graduate
09/02/2008

Additional English Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Abscond
Definition
to leave secretly

The patron ABSCONDED from the restaurant without payig his bill by sneaking the back door
Term
Abstain
Definition
to choose not to do something

During Lent, practicing Catholics ABSTAIN from eating meat
Term
Abate
Definition
to reduce in amount,degree, or severity,

As the huricane's force ABATED the winds dropped and the sea became calm
Term
Adulterate, Adultery, (Unadulterated Ant.)
Definition
to make impure, an illicit relationship

The restaurateur made his ketchup last longer by ADULTERATING it wih water
Term
Advocate, Advocacy
Definition
to speak in favor of, active support for

the vegetarian ADVOCATED a diet containing no meat
Term
Aesthetic, Aesthete, Aestheticism
Definition
concerning the appreciation of beauty, someone sensitve to beauty, concern for beauty

Followers of the AESTETIC movement regarded the pursuit of beauty as the only tru purpose of art
Term
Aggrandize
Definition
to increase in power, influence and reputation

the supervisor sought to AGGRANDIZE himself by claiming that the achievements of his staff were actually his own
Term
Alleviate
Definition
to make more bearable

Taking aspirin helps to ALLEVIATE a headache
Term
Amalgamate, Amalgam
Definition
to combine, to mix together, a mixture

Giant Industries AMALGAMATED with MEga Products to form Giant Mega Products Incorporated
Term
Ambiguous, Ambiguity
Definition
doubtful or uncertain; able to be interpreted several ways

The directions he gave were so AMBIGUOUS that we disagreed on which way to turn
Term
Anachronism
Definition
something out of place in time

the aged hippie used ANACHRONISTIC phrases like groovy and far out that had not been popular for years
Term
Analogous, Analogy, Analogue
Definition
similar or alike in some way; equivalent to a similary between things that are otherwise dissimilar,

In a famous argument for the existence of God, the universe is ANALOGOUS to a mechanical timepiece, the create on a divinely intelligent "clockmaker"
Term
Anomaly, Anomalous
Definition
deviation from what is normal,

albino animal may display too gran an ANOMALY in their coloring to attract normally colored mates
Term
Antagonize, Antagonistic, Antagonist
Definition
to annoy or provoke to anger, tending to provoke conflict, someone who fights another

the child discovered the he could ANTAGONIZE the cat by pulling its tail
Term
Antipathy
Definition
extreme dislike

the ANTIPATHY between the french and english regularly erupt into open warfare
Term
Apathy
Definition
lack of interest or emotion

The APATHY of voters is so great that less than half the people who are eligible to vote actually bother to do so
Term
Arbitrate, Arbitration, Arbitrator
Definition
to judge a dispute between two opposing parties, a process by which a conflict is resolved

Sice the couple could not come to agreement, a judge was forced to ARBITRATE their divorce proceedigs
Term
Archaic, Archaism
Definition
ancient old-fashioned

Her ARCHAIC commodore computer could not runthe latest softward
Term
Ardor, Ardent
Definition
intense and passionate feeling, expressing passion

Bishop's ARDPR for landscape was evident when he passionately described the beauty of the scenic hudson valley
Term
Articulate
Definition
able to speak clearly and expressively

She is such an ARTICULATE defender of labor that unions are among her strongest supporters
Term
Assuage
Definition
to make something unpleasant less severe

Like many people, Philip Larkin used alcohol to ASSUAGE his sense of meaninglessness and despair
Term
Attenuate
Definition
to reduce in fore or degree; to weaken

The Bill of Rights ATTENUATED the traditional power of government to change las at will
Term
Audacious, Audacity
Definition
fearless and daring

"And you, your majesty, may kiss my bum!" replied the AUDACIOUS peasant
Term
Austere, Austerity
Definition
Sever or stern in appearance; undecrated

The lack of decoration makes zen temples seem AUSTERE to the untrained eye
Term
Banal, Banality
Definition
Predictable, cliche, boring

He used BANAL phrases like Have a nice day or Another day another dollar
Term
Bolster
Definition
to support; to prop up

the presence of giant footprints BOLSTERED the argument that Sasqauatch was in the area
Term
Bombastic, Bombast
Definition
Pompous in speech and manner

Mussolini's speeches were mostly BOMBASTIC; his boasting and outrageous claims had no basis in fact
Term
Cacophony
Definition
harsh, jarring noise

the junior high orchestra created an almost unbearable Cacophy as the y tried to tune their instruments
Term
Capricious, Caprice
Definition
changing one's mind quickly and often

Queen elizabeth was quite CAPRICIOUS; her courtiers would never be sure which of their number would catch her fancy
Term
Abyss, Abyssal, Abysmal
Definition
an extremely deep hole, pertaining to a great depth, extremely bad

The submarine dove in the the ABYSS to chart the previously unseen depths
Term
Candid
Definition
impartial and honest speech

the observation of a cihld can be charming since they are CANDID and unpretentious
Term
Castigate
Definition
to punish or criticize harshly

Americans are amazed at how harshly the authorities in singapore CASTIGATE perpetrators of what would be considered minor crimes in the United States
Term
Catalyst
Definition
something that brings about a change in something else

The imposition of harsh taxes was the catalyst that finally brought on the revolution
Term
Caustic
Definition
Biting in wit

Dorothy Parker gained her reputation for CAUSTIC wit from her cutting, yet clever, insults
Term
Chaos, Chaotic
Definition
Great disorder or confusion, jumbled confused

in most religious traditions, God Created an ordered universe from CHAOS
Term
Chauvinist
Definition
someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs

The attitude that men are inherently superior to women and therefore must be obeyed is common among male CHAUVINISTS
Term
Chicanery
Definition
deception by means of craft or guile

Dishonest used car salesmen often use CHICANERY to sell their beat up old cars
Term
Cogent, Cogitate
Definition
convincing and well reasoned, to think deeply

Swayed by the COGENT argument of the defense, the jury had no choice but to acquit the defendant
Term
Condone
Definition
to overlook, pardon, or disregard

Some theorist that a failing to prosecute minor crimes is the same as CONDONING and air of lawlessness
Term
Convoluted
Definition
Intricate and complicated

Although many people bought A brief History of Time few could follow its CONVOLUTED ideas and theories
Term
Corroborate
Definition
to provide supporting evidence

Fingerprints CORROBORATED the witness's testimny that he saw the defendant in the victim's apartment
Term
Credulous, Credulity
Definition
too trusting, gullible

Although some 4-year-olds believe in the Easter Bunny, only the most Credulous also believe in him
Term
Crescendo
Definition
steadily increasing volume or force

The CRESCENDO of tension became unbearable as Evel Knievel prepared to ump his motorcycle over the school buses.
Term
Decorum
Definition
appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety

the countess complained that the vulgar peasants lacked the DECORUM appropriate for a visit to the palace
Term
Deference, Defer, Deferent
Definition
respect courtesy, to delay, to be courteous

the respectful young law clerk treated the Supreme Court justice with the utmost DEFERENCE
Term
Deride, Derision, Derisive
Definition
to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock

The awkward child was often DERIDED by his "cooler" peers
Term
Desiccate, Desiccant
Definition
to dry out thoroughly, something that removes water from another substance

After a few wees of lying on the desert's baking sands, the cow's carcass became completely DESICCATED
Term
Desultory
Definition
jumping from one thing to another; disconnected

Diane had a DESULTORY academic record; sh had changed majors 12 times in 3 years
Term
Diatribe
Definition
an abusive, condemnatory speech

the trucker bellowed a DIATRIBE at the drive who had cut him off
Term
Diffident
Definition
lacking self-confidence

Steve's DIFFIDENT manner during the job interview stemmed from his nervous nature and lack of experience in the field
Term
Dilate
Definition
to make larger; to expand

When you enter a darkened room, the pupils of your eyes DILATE to let in more light
Term
Dilatory
Definition
intended to delay

The congressman used DILATORY measures to delay the passage of the bill
Term
Dilettante
Definition
Someone with an amateurish and superficial interest in a topic

Jerry's friends were such DILETTANTES that they seemed to have new jobs and hobbies every week
Term
Dirge
Definition
a funeral hymn or mournful speech

Melville wrote the poem a DIRGE for James Mcpherson for the funeral of a Union general who was killed in 1864
Term
Discern, Discernment
Definition
to perceive; to recognize

It is easy to DISCERN the difference between butter and butter-flavored topping
Term
Disparate
Definition
fundamentally different; entirely unlike

Although the twins to be identical physically, their personality are DISPARATE
Term
Dissemble
Definition
to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character

The villain could DISSEMBLE to the police no longer-he admitted the deed and tore up the floor to reveal the body of the old man
Term
Dissonance
Definition
a harsh and disagreeable combination, often of sounds

Cognitive DISSONANCE is the inner conflict produces when long-standing beliefs are contradicted by new evidence
Term
Dogma
Definition
a firmly held opinion, often a religious belief

Linus's central DOGMA was that children who believed in the Great Pumpkin would be rewarded
Term
Dogmatic
Definition
dictatorial in one's opinions

The dictator was DOGMATIC he, and only he, was right.
Term
Dupe
Definition
to deceive; a person who is easily deceived

Bugs Bunny was able to DUPE Elmer Fudd by dress up as a lady rabbit
Term
Eclectic
Definition
selecting from or made p from a variety of sources

Budapest's arcitecture is an ECLECTIC mix of eastern and western styles
Term
Efficacy, Efficacious
Definition
Effectiveness

The EFFICACY of penicillin was unsurpassed when it was first introduce; the drug completely eliminated almost all bacterial infection for which it was administered
Term
Elegy, Elegiac
Definition
A sorrowful poem or speech, mournful

Although Thomas gray's "ELEGY Written in a Country Churchyard" is about death and loss, it urges its readers to endure this life, and to trust in spirituality
Term
Eloquent
Definition
Persuasive and moving, especially in speech

The Gettysburg Address is moving not only because of its lofty sentiments but also because of its ELOQUENT words
Term
Emulate
Definition
to copy; to try to equal or excel

The graduate student sought to EMULATE his professor in every way, copying not only how she taught, but also how she conducted herself outside of class
Term
Enervate, unnerve
Definition
to reduce in strength, to deprive of strength or courage

The guerrillas hoped that a series of surprise attacks would ENERVATE the regular army
Term
Engender
Definition
to produce, cause, or bring about

His fear and hatred of clowns was ENGENDERED when he witness the death of his father at the hands of a clown
Term
Enigma
Definition
a puzzle; a mystery

Speaking in riddles and dressed in old robes, the artist gained a reputation as something of an ENIGMA
Term
Enumerate
Definition
to count, list, or itemize

Moses returned from the mountain with tablets on which the commandments were ENUMERATED
Term
Ephemeral
Definition
lasting a short time

The lives of mayflies seem EPHEMERAL to use, since the flies' average life span is a matter of hours
Term
Equivocate
Definition
to use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead

When faced with criticism of his policies, the politician EQUIVOCATED and left all parties thinking he agreed with them
Term
Erratic, Errant
Definition
wandering and unpredictable

The plot seemed predictable until it suddenly took a series of ERRATIC turns that surprised the audience
Term
Erudite, Erudition
Definition
learned, scholarly, bookish, extensive knowledge

The annual meeting of philosophy professors was a gathering o the most ERUDITE, well-published individuals in the field
Term
Esoteric
Definition
known or understood by only a few

Only a handful of experts are knowledgeable about the ESOTERIC world of particle physics
Term
Estimable, esteem
Definition
admirable, high regard

Most people consider it ESTIMABLE that Mother Teresa spent her life helping the poor of India
Term
Euphemism
Definition
use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one

The funeral director preferred to use the EUPHEMISM "sleeping" instead of the word "dead"
Term
Exacerbate
Definition
to make worse

It is unwise to take aspirin to try and relieve heartburn; instead of providing relief the drug will only EXACERBATE the problem
Term
Exculpate
Definition
to clear from blame; prove innocent

The adversarial legal system is intended to convict those who are guilty and to EXCULPATE those who are innocent
Term
Exigent
Definition
urgent; requiring immediate action

The patient was losing blood so rapidly that it was EXIGENT to stop the source of bleeding
Term
Exonerate
Definition
to clear of blame

The fugitive was EXONERATED when another criminal confessed to committing the crime
Term
Explicit, explicable, explicate
Definition
clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression

The owners of the house left a list of EXPLICIT instruction detailing their house-sitters' duties, including a schedule for watering the house plants
Term
Eulogy
Definition
speech in priase of someone

His best friend gave the EULOGY, outline his many achievements and talest
Term
Fanatical
Definition
acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme unquestioning devotion

The stormtroopers were FANATICAL in their devotion to the Emperor readily sacrificing their lives for him
Term
Fawn
Definition
to grovel

The understudy FAWND over the director in hopes of being cast in the part on a permanent basis
Term
Fervid, Fervent, Fervor
Definition
intensely emotional; feverish

the fans of Maria Callas per particularly FERVID, doing anyhing to catch a glimpse of the great opera siner
Term
Florid
Definition
ecessively decorated or embellished

The palace had been decorated in an excessively FLORID style, every surface had been carved and gilded
Term
Foment
Definition
to arouse or incite

The protesters tried to FOMENT feelings against the war thorough their speeches and demonstrations
Term
Frugality
Definition
a tendency to be thrifty or cheep

Scrooge McDuck's FRUGALITY was so great that he accumulated enough wealth to fill a giant storehouse with money
Term
Garrulous
Definition
tending to talk a lot

The GARRALOUS parakeet distractedits owner with its continous talking
Term
Gregarious
Definition
outgoing, soiable

She was so GREGARIOUS that when she found herself alone she felt quite sad
Term
Guile (Guileless Ant.)
Definition
deciet or trickery

Since he was not fast enough to catch the roadrunner on foot, the coyote resorted to GUILE in an effort to trap his enemy
Term
Gullible, Gull
Definition
Easily deceived

The con man pretended to be a band officer as to foll GULLIBLE bank customers into giving him their account information
Term
Homogenous, homogenized
Definition
of a similar kind

The class was fairly HOMOGENOUS, since almost all of the students were senior journalism majors
Term
Iconoclast
Definition
one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions

His lack of regard for traditional beliefs soon established him as an ICONOCLAST.
Term
Imperturbable (Perturb Ant.)
Definition
not capable of being disturbed, The counselor had so much experience dealing with distraught children that she seemed IMPERTURBABLE, even when faced with the wildest tantrums
Term
Impervious
Definition
impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected

A good raincoat will be IMPERVIOUS to moisture
Term
Impetuous, Impetus
Definition
quick to act without thinking, impulsive

It is not good for an investiment broker to be IMPETUOUS, since much thought should be given to all the possible options
Term
Implacable (Placate Ant.)
Definition
unable to be calmed down or made peaceful

His rage at the betrayal was so great that he remained IMPLACABLE for weeks.
Term
Inchoate
Definition
not fully formed; disorganized

The ideas expressed in Nietsche's mature work also appear in an INCHOATE form in his earliest writing
Term
Ingenuous, ingenue (Disingenuous Ant.)
Definition
showing innocence or childlike simplicity, a naive girl or young woman

She was so INGENUOUS that her friends feared that her innocence and trustfulness would be exploited when she visited the big city.
Term
Inimical
Definition
hostile, unfriendly

Even though a cease-fire had been in place for months, the two sides were still INIMICAL to each other
Term
Innocuous
Definition
Harmless

Some snakes are poisonous, but most species are INNOCUOUS and pose no danger to humans
Term
Insipid
Definition
lacking interest or flavor

The critic claimed that the painting was INSIPID, containing no interesting qualities at all
Term
Intransigent
Definition
uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled

The professor was INTRANSIGENT on the deadline, insisting that everyone turn the assignment in at the same time
Term
Inundate
Definition
to overwhelm; to cover with water

The tidal wave INUNDATED Atlantis, which was lost beneath the water
Term
Irascible, Irate
Definition
easily made angry

Attila the Hun's IRASCIBLE and violent nature made all who dealth with him fear for their lives
Term
Laconic
Definition
using few words

She was a LACONIC poet who built her reputation on using words as sparingly as possible
Term
Lament
Definition
to express sorrow; to grieve

The children continued to LAMENT the death of the goldfish weeks after its demise
Term
Laud, Laudable, Laudatory
Definition
to give praise, to gorify, worth of praise, expressing praise

Parades and fireworks were staged to LAUD the success of the rebels
Term
Lavish
Definition
to give unsparingly, extremely generous or extravagant

She LAVISHED the puppy with so many treats that it soon became overwheight and spoiled.
Term
Lethargic
Definition
Acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner

The clerk was so LETHARGIC that, even when the store was slow, he always had a long line in front of him
Term
Loquacious, Eloquence, Loquacity
Definition
talkative, convincing speaking,

She was naturally LOQUACIOUS, which was a problem in situations in which listening was more important than talking
Term
Lucid, Lucidity, Lucent
Definition
clear and easily understood, clarity

The explanations were written in a simple and LUCID manner so that students were immediately able to apply what the learned
Term
Luminous,Illuminate, Luminary
Definition
bright brilliant, glowing, to shine light on, and inspiring person

The park was bathed in LUMINOUS sunshine that warmed the bodies and the souls of the visitors
Term
Malinger, linger
Definition
to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill, to be slow in leaving

A common way to avoid the draft was by MALINGERING pretending to be mentally or physically ill so as to avoid being taken by the Army
Term
Malleable
Definition
capable of being shaped

Gold is the most MALLEABLE of precious metals; it can easily be formed into almost any shape.
Term
Metaphor, Metaphorical
Definition
a figure of speech comparing two different things; a symbol

The METAPHOR "a sea of troubles" suggest a lot of troubles by comparing their number to the vastness of the sea
Term
Meticulous
Definition
extremely careful about details

To find all the clues at the crime scene, the investigators METICULOUSLY examined every inch of the area.
Term
Misanthrope
Definition
a person who dislikes others

The character scrooge in A Christmas Carol is such a MISANTHROPE that even the sight of children singing makes him angry
Term
Mitigate
Definition
to soften; to lessen

A judge may MITIGATE a sentence if she decides that a person committed a crime out of need
Term
Mollify
Definition
to calm or make less severe

Their argument was so intense that it was difficult to believe any compromise would MOLLIFY them.
Term
Monotony, Monotone
Definition
Lack of variation,

The MONOTONY of the sound of the dripping faucet almost drove the research assistant crazy.
Term
Naive, Naivete
Definition
lacking sophistication or experience

Having never traveled before, the hillbillies were more NAIVE than the people they met in Beverly Hills
Term
Obdurate
Definition
Hardened in feeling resistant to persuasion

The President was completely OBDURATE on the issues, and no amount of persuasion would change his mind.
Term
Obsequious, Obeisance
Definition
overly submissive and eager to please, a physical show of respect or submission

The OBSEQUIOUS new associate made sure to compliment her supervisor's tie and agree with him on every issue.
Term
Obstinate
Definition
stubborn, unyielding

The OBSTINATE child could not be made to eat any food that he disliked.
Term
Obviate
Definition
to prevent to make unnecessary

The river was shallow enough to wade across at many points, which OBVIATED the need for a bridge.
Term
Occlude
Definition
to stop up to prevent the passage of

A shadow is thrown across the Earth's surface during a solar eclipse, when the light from the sun is OCCLUDED by the moon.
Term
Onerous
Definition
troublesome and oppressive; burdensome

The assignment was so extensive and difficult to manage that it proved ONEROUS to the team in charge of it
Term
Opaque, Opacity
Definition
impossible to see through, preventing the passage of light, indeciferable

The heavy buildup of dirt and grime on the windows almost made them OPAQUE.
Term
Opprobrium
Definition
public disgrace

After the scheme to embezzle the elderly was made public, the treasurer resigned in utter OPPROBRIUM.
Term
Ostentation
Definition
excessive showiness

The OSTENTATION of the Sun King's court is evident in the lavish decoration and luxiousness of his palace at Versailles
Term
Paradox
Definition
a contradiction or dilemma

It is a PARADOX that those most in need of medical attention are often those least able to obtain it.
Term
Paragon
Definition
model of excellence of perfection

She is the PARAGON of what a judge should be; honest intelligent, hardworking, and just
Term
Pedant, Pedantic
Definition
someone who shows off learning

The graduate instructor's tedious and excessive commentary on the subject soon gained her a reputation as a PEDANT
Term
Perfidious, Perfidy
Definition
willing to betray one's trust, treachery

The actress's PERFIDIOUS companion revealed all of her intimate secrets to the gossip columnist.
Term
Perfunctory
Definition
done in a routine way; indifferent

The machine like bank teller processed the transaction and gave the waiting customer a PERFUNCTORY smile.
Term
Permeate (Impermeable Ant.)
Definition
to penetrate

This miraculous new cleaning fluid is able to PERMEATE stains and dissolve them in minutes.
Term
Philanthropy, Philanthropist
Definition
charity; a desire or effort to promote goodness

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art owes much of its collection to the PHILANTHROPY of private collectors who willed their estates to the museum.
Term
Placate, Placid, (Implacable Ant.)
Definition
to soothe of pacify

The burglar tried to PLACATE the snarling dog by saying "Nice doggy" and offering it a treat
Term
Plastic
Definition
able to be molded, altered or bent

The new material was very PLASTIC and could be formed into products of vastly different shape.
Term
Plethora
Definition
excess

assuming that more was better, the defendant offered the judge a PLETHORA of excuses.
Term
Pragmatic, Pragmatism
Definition
practical as opposed to idealistic

While daydreaming gamblers think they can get rich by frequenting casinos, PRAGMATIC gamblers realize that the odds are heavily stacked against them.
Term
Precipitate, Precipitous, Precipice, Precipitation
Definition
to thro violently or bring about abrubtly; lacking deliberation, very steep cliff or hill, weather pheomena

Upon learnging that the couple married after know each other only two months, friends and family members expeected such a PRECIPITATE marriage to end in divorce.
Term
Prevaricate
Definition
to lie or deviate from the truth

Rather than admit that he had overslept again the employee PREVARICATED and claimed that heavy traffic had prevented him from arriving at work on time.
Term
Prodigal, Prodigality
Definition
Lavish, wasteful

The Prodigal son quickly wasted all of his inheritance on lavish lifestyle devoted to pleasure.
Term
Proliferate, Prolific
Definition
to increase in number quickly, very productive or highly able to reproduce rapidly

Although he only kept two guinea pigs initially, the PROLIFERATED to such an extent that he soon had dozens
Term
Propitiate, Propitious
Definition
to conciliate; to appease, advanageous


The management PROPITIATED the irate union by agreeing to raise wages for its members
Term
Propriety, Appropriate
Definition
correct behavior; obedience to rules and customs, suitable for a particular occasion

The aristocracy maintained a high level of PROPRIETY, adhering to even the most minor social rules.
Term
Prudence, (Prude, Prudish Neg. Con)
Definition
wisdom, caution, or restraint, someone who es excessively concerned with propriety, prissy and puritanical

The college student exhibited PRUDENCE by obtaining practical experience along with her studies, which greatly strengthened her resume.
Term
Pungent
Definition
sharp and irritating to the senses

The smoke from the tires was extremely PUNGENT.
Term
Quiescent, Quiescence
Definition
motionless

Many animals are QUIESCENT over the winter months, minimizing activity in order to conserve energy
Term
Rarefy, Rarefaction
Definition
to make thinner or sparse

Since the atmosphere RAREFIES as altitude increases, the air at the top of a tall mountain is to othin to breath.
Term
Repudiate
Definition
to reject the validity of

The old woman's claim that she was Russian royalty was REPUDIATED when DNA tests showed she was of no relation to them.
Term
Reticent
Definition
silent reserved

Physically small and RETICENT in her speech, Joan Didion often went unnoticed by those upon who she was reporting
Term
Rhetoric
Definition
effective writing or speaking

Lincoln's talent for Rhetoric was evident in his beautifully express Gettysburg Address.
Term
Satiate, Sate, (Insatiable Ant.)
Definition
to satisfy fully or overindulge

His desire for power was so great that nothing less than complete control of the country could SATIATE it.
Term
Soporific
Definition
causing sleep or lethargy

The movie proved to be so SOPORIFIC that soon loud snores were heard throughout the theater.
Term
Specious
Definition
deceptively attractice, seemingly plausible but fallacious

The student's SPECIOUS excuse for being late sounded legitimate, but was proved otherwise when his teacher called his home.
Term
Stigma
Definition
Mark of shame or discredit

In The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne was required to wear the letter "A" on her clothes as a public STIGMA for her adultery.
Term
Stolid
Definition
unemotional, lacking sensitivity

The prisoner appeared STOLID and unaffected by the judge's harsh sentence
Term
Sublime, Sublimate, Subliminal
Definition
lofty or grand, elevate or convert into something higher, existing outside of conscious awareness

The music was so SUBLIME that it transformed the rude surrounding into a special place.

The music was so SUBLIME that it
Term
Tacit
Definition
done without using words

Although not a word had been said, everyone in the room knew that a TACIT agreement had been made about which course of action to take.
Term
Taciturn
Definition
silent, not talkative

The clerk's TACITURN nature earned him the nickname "Silent Bob"
Term
Tirade
Definition
long harsh speech or verbal attack

Observers were shocked at the manager's TIRADE ver such a minor speech.
Term
Torpor, Torpid
Definition
Extreme mental and physical sluggishness

After surgery, the patient experience TORPOR until the anesthesia wore off.
Term
Transitory, Transit, Transient
Definition
temporary, lasting a brief time, pass through to make a strasition

The reporter lived a TRANSITORY life, staying in one place only long enough to ocer the current story.
Term
Vacillate
Definition
to sway physically to be indecisive

The customer held up the line as he VACILLATED between ordering chocolate chip or rocky road ice cream.
Term
Pristine
Definition
Fresh and clean, uncorrupted

Since concerted measures had been taken to prevent looting, the archeological site was still PRISTINE when researchers arrived
Term
Venerate
Definition
to respect deeply

IN traditional Confucian society,the young VENERATE their elders, deffering to the elders' wisdom and experience
Term
Veracity, Verity, Veracious
Definition
filled with truth and accuracy

She had a reputation for VERACITY,so everyone trusted her description of events.
Term
Verbose, Verbalize, Verbatim, Verbiage
Definition
wordy, superflous, to put into words, using exact words

The professor's answer was so VERBOSE that his student forgot what the original question was.
Term
Vex, Vexation
Definition
to annoy

The old man who loved his peace and quiet was VEXED by his neighbor's loud music.
Term
Volatile
Definition
Easily aroused or changeable lively or explosive

His VOLATILE personality made it difficult to predict his reaction to anything.
Term
Waver
Definition
to fluctuate between choises

If you WAVER too long before making a decision about which testing site to register for, you may not get your first choice.
Term
Whimsical, Whim
Definition
Acting in a fanciful or capricious manner, unpredictable

The ballet was WHIMSICAL, delighting the children with its imaginative characters and unpredictable sets
Term
Zeal, Zealot
Definition
passion, excitement

She brought her typical ZEAL to the project, sparking enthusiasm in the other team members.
Term
Ameliorate
Definition
to make better; to improve

The doctor was able to AMELIORATE the patient's suffering using painkillers.
Term
Disabuse
Definition
to set right; to free from error

Galileo's observations DISABUSED scholars of the notion that the SUN revolved around the earth.
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