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GRE Words
Words to Know
492
Other
Undergraduate 4
08/09/2010

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Term
Abate
Definition
To reduce in amount, degree, or severity
Term
Abscond
Definition
To leave secretly
Term
Abstain
Definition
To choose not to do something
Term
Abyss
Definition
An extremely deep hole
Term
Adulterate
Definition
To make impure
Term
Advocate
Definition
To speak in favor of
Term
Aesthetic
Definition
Concerning the appreciation of beauty
Term
Aggrandize
Definition
To increase in power, influence, and reputation
Term
Alleviate
Definition
To make more bearable
Term
Amalgamate
Definition
To combine; to mix together
Term
Ambiguous
Definition
Doubtful or uncertain; able to be interpreted several ways
Term
Ameliorate
Definition
To make better; to improve
Term
Anachronism
Definition
something out of place in time
Term
Analogous
Definition
similar or alike in some way; equivalent to
Term
Anomaly
Definition
Deviation from what is normal
Term
Antagonize
Definition
To annoy or provoke to anger
Term
Antipathy
Definition
Extreme dislike
Term
Apathy
Definition
Lack of interest or emotion
Term
Arbitrate
Definition
To judge a dispute between two opposing parties
Term
Archaic
Definition
Ancient, old-fashioned
Term
Ardor
Definition
Intense and passionate feeling
Term
Articulate
Definition
Able to speak clearly and expressively
Term
Assuage
Definition
To make something unpleasant less severe
Term
Attenuate
Definition
To reduce in force or degree; to weaken
Term
Audacious
Definition
Fearless and daring
Term
Austere
Definition
severe or stern in appearance; undecorated
Term
Banal
Definition
Predictable, cliched, boring
Term
Bolster
Definition
to support; to prop up
Term
Bombastic
Definition
Pompous in speech and manner
Term
Cacophony
Definition
Harsh, jarring noise
Term
Candid
Definition
Impartial and honest in speech
Term
Capricious
Definition
Changing one's mind quickly and often
Term
Castigate
Definition
To punish or criticize harshly
Term
Catalyst
Definition
Something that brings about a change in something else
Term
Caustic
Definition
Biting in wit
Term
Chaos
Definition
Great disorder or confusion
Term
Chauvinist
Definition
someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs
Term
Chicanery
Definition
Deception by means of craft or guile
Term
Cogent
Definition
Convincing and well reasoned
Term
Condone
Definition
To overlook, pardon, or disregard
Term
Convoluted
Definition
Intricate and complicated
Term
Corroborate
Definition
To provide supporting evidence
Term
Credulous
Definition
Too trusting; gullible
Term
Crescendo
Definition
Steadily increasing volume or force
Term
Decorum
Definition
Appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety
Term
Deference
Definition
Respect; courtesy
Term
Deride
Definition
To speak of or treat with contempt; to mock
Term
Desiccate
Definition
To dry out thoroughly
Term
Desultory
Definition
Jumping from one thing to another; disconnected
Term
Diatribe
Definition
An abusive, condemnatory speech
Term
Diffident
Definition
Lacking self-confidence
Term
Dilate
Definition
To make larger; to expand
Term
Dilatory
Definition
Intended to delay
Term
Dilettante
Definition
Someone with an amateurish and superficial interest in a topic
Term
Dirge
Definition
A funeral hymn or mournful speech
Term
Disabuse
Definition
To set right; to free from error
Term
Discern
Definition
To perceive; to recognize
Term
Disparate
Definition
Fundamentally different; entirely unlike
Term
Dissemble
Definition
To present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character
Term
Dissonance
Definition
A harsh and disagreeable combination, often of sounds
Term
Dogma
Definition
A firmly held opinion, often a religious belief
Term
Dogmatic
Definition
Dictatorial in one's opinions
Term
Dupe
Definition
to deceive; a person who is easily deceived
Term
Eclectic
Definition
Selecting from or made up from a variety of sources
Term
Efficacy
Definition
Effectiveness
Term
Elegy
Definition
A sorrowful poem or speech
Term
Eloquent
Definition
Persuasive and moving, especially in speech
Term
Emulate
Definition
To copy; to try to equal or excel
Term
Enervate
Definition
To reduce in strength
Term
Engender
Definition
To produce, cause, or bring about
Term
Enigma
Definition
A puzzle; a mystery
Term
Enumerate
Definition
To count, list, or itemize
Term
Ephemeral
Definition
Lasting a short time
Term
Equivocate
Definition
To use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead
Term
Erratic
Definition
Wandering and unpredictable
Term
Erudite
Definition
Learned, scholarly, bookish
Term
Esoteric
Definition
Known or understood by only a few
Term
Estimable
Definition
Admirable
Term
Eulogy
Definition
Speech in praise of someone
Term
Euphemism
Definition
Use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one
Term
Exacerbate
Definition
To make worse
Term
Exculpate
Definition
To clear from blame; to prove innocent
Term
Exigent
Definition
Urgent; requiring immediate action
Term
Exonerate
Definition
To clear of blame
Term
Explicit
Definition
Clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression
Term
Fanatical
Definition
Acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme, unquestioned devotion
Term
Fawn
Definition
To grovel
Term
Fervid
Definition
Intensely emotional; feverish
Term
Florid
Definition
Excessively decorated or embellished
Term
Foment
Definition
To arouse or incite
Term
Frugality
Definition
A tendency to be thrifty or cheap
Term
Garrulous
Definition
Tending to talk a lot
Term
Gregarious
Definition
Outgoing, sociable
Term
Guile
Definition
Deceit or trickery
Term
Gullible
Definition
Easily deceived
Term
Homogeneous
Definition
Of a similar kind
Term
Iconoclast
Definition
One who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions
Term
Imperturbable
Definition
Not capable of being disturbed
Term
Impervious
Definition
Impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected
Term
Impetuous
Definition
Quick to act without thinking
Term
Implacable
Definition
Unable to be calmed down or made peaceful
Term
Inchoate
Definition
Not fully formed; disorganized
Term
Ingenious
Definition
Showing innocence or childlike simplicity
Term
Inimical
Definition
Hostile, unfriendly
Term
Innocuous
Definition
Harmless
Term
Insipid
Definition
Lacking interest or flavor
Term
Intransigent
Definition
Uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled
Term
Inundate
Definition
To overwhelm; to cover with water
Term
Irascible
Definition
Easily made angry
Term
Laconic
Definition
Using few words
Term
Lament
Definition
To express sorrow; to grieve
Term
Laud
Definition
To give praise; to glorify
Term
Lavish
Definition
To give unsparingly (v.); extremely generous or extravagant (adj.)
Term
Lethargic
Definition
Acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner
Term
Loquacious
Definition
Talkative
Term
Lucid
Definition
Clear and easily understood
Term
Luminous
Definition
Bright, brilliant, glowing
Term
Malinger
Definition
To evade responsibility by pretending to be ill
Term
Malleable
Definition
Capable of being shaped
Term
Metaphor
Definition
A figure of speech comparing two different things; a symbol
Term
Meticulous
Definition
Extremely careful about details
Term
Misanthrope
Definition
A person who dislikes others
Term
Mitigate
Definition
To soften; to lessen
Term
Mollify
Definition
To calm or make less severe
Term
Monotony
Definition
Lack of variation
Term
Naive
Definition
Lacking sophistication or experience
Term
Obdurate
Definition
Hardened in feeling; resistant to persuasion
Term
Obsequious
Definition
Overly submissive and eager to please
Term
Obstinate
Definition
Stubborn, unyielding
Term
Obviate
Definition
To prevent; to make unnecessary
Term
Occlude
Definition
To stop up; to prevent the passage of
Term
Onerous
Definition
Troublesome and oppressive; burdensome
Term
Opaque
Definition
Impossible to see through; preventing the passage of light
Term
Opprobrium
Definition
Public disgrace
Term
Ostentation
Definition
Excessive showiness
Term
Paradox
Definition
A contradiction or dilemma
Term
Paragon
Definition
Model of excellence or perfection
Term
Pedant
Definition
Someone who shows off learning
Term
Perfidious
Definition
Willing to betray one's trust
Term
Perfunctory
Definition
Done in a routine way; indifferent
Term
Permeate
Definition
To penetrate
Term
Philanthropy
Definition
Charity; a desire or effort to promote goodness
Term
Placate
Definition
To sooth or pacify
Term
Plastic
Definition
Able to be molded, altered or bent
Term
Plethora
Definition
Excess
Term
Pragmatic
Definition
Practical as opposed to idealistic
Term
Precipitate
Definition
To throw violently or bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation
Term
Prevaricate
Definition
To lie or deviate from the truth
Term
Pristine
Definition
Fresh and clean; uncorrupted
Term
Prodigal
Definition
Lavish, wasteful
Term
Proliferate
Definition
To increase in number quickly
Term
Propitiate
Definition
To conciliate; to appease
Term
Propriety
Definition
Correct behavior; obedience to rules and customs
Term
Prudence
Definition
Wisdom, caution, or restraint
Term
Pungent
Definition
Sharp and irritating to the senses
Term
Quiescent
Definition
Motionless
Term
Rarefy
Definition
To make thinner
Term
Repudiate
Definition
To reject the validity of
Term
Reticent
Definition
Silent, reserved
Term
Rhetoric
Definition
Effective writing or speaking
Term
Satiate
Definition
To satisfy fully or overindulge
Term
Soporific
Definition
Causing sleep or lethargy
Term
Specious
Definition
Deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious
Term
Stigma
Definition
A mark of shame or discredit
Term
Stolid
Definition
Unemotional; lacking sensitivity
Term
Sublime
Definition
Lofty or grand
Term
Tacit
Definition
Done without using words
Term
Taciturn
Definition
Silent, not talkative
Term
Tirade
Definition
Long, harsh speech or verbal attack
Term
Torpor
Definition
Extreme mental and physical sluggishness
Term
Transitory
Definition
Temporary, lasting a brief time
Term
Vacillate
Definition
To sway physically; to be indecisive
Term
Venerate
Definition
To respect deeply
Term
Veracity
Definition
Filled with truth and accuracy
Term
Verbose
Definition
Wordy
Term
Vex
Definition
To annoy
Term
Volatile
Definition
Easily aroused or changeable; lively or explosive
Term
Waver
Definition
To fluctuate between choices
Term
Whimsical
Definition
Acting in a fanciful or capricious manner; unpredictable
Term
Zeal
Definition
Passion, excitement
Term
Vapid
Definition
Lacking flavor, zest, liveliness, or spirit. Having lost appeal
Term
Torrid
Definition
Extremely hot
Term
Scrupulous
Definition
Careful to obey moral principles and legal requirements. Conscientious.
Term
Salubrious
Definition
Beneficial to the health, wholesome
Term
Reprehensible
Definition
Worthy of or deserving blame
Term
Rend
Definition
To violently tear apart or split into pieces
Term
Obliterate
Definition
To destroy or wipe away
Term
Innate
Definition
Existing within the individual before his birth, rather than developing over time because of life experiences
Term
Fortuitous
Definition
Lucky
Term
Fetter
Definition
A chain or shackle which restricts motion. To put on shackles or to restrict motion
Term
Fetid
Definition
Foul smelling, stinking, having offensive odor
Term
Desecrate
Definition
To destroy the sanctity or beauty of a holy or solemn place, object, event, or moment
Term
Contrite
Definition
Thoroughly sorry for a wrongdoing
Term
Clemency
Definition
Reduction or elimination of punishment. Mildness of weather.
Term
Charlatan
Definition
Impostor
Term
Blatant
Definition
Completely obvious in a cheap, offensive way. Attracting public notice. Noisy in a vulgar manner.
Term
Animosity
Definition
A feeling of resentment that could lead to violence; hostility; antagonism
Term
Alacrity
Definition
Cheerful promptness, quickness
Term
Abstruse
Definition
Difficult to understand
Term
Myriad
Definition
Immense number, multitude
Term
Aberrant
Definition
Deviating from the norm
Term
Approbation
Definition
Expression of approval or praise
Term
Arduous
Definition
Strenuous
Term
Axiomatic
Definition
Taken as a given; possessing self-evident truth
Term
Canonical
Definition
Following or in agreement with accepted, traditional standards
Term
Connoisseur
Definition
Expert
Term
Effrontery
Definition
Extreme boldness
Term
Ennui
Definition
Dissatisfaction and restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy
Term
Extemporaneous
Definition
Improvised
Term
Filibuster
Definition
Intentional obstruction, especially using prolonged speech-making to delay legislative action
Term
Fulminate
Definition
To loudly attack or denounce
Term
Inured
Definition
Accustomed to accepting something undesirable
Term
Martial
Definition
Associated with war and the armed forces
Term
Nascent
Definition
Coming into being
Term
Nebulous
Definition
vague; cloudy; lacking clearly defined form
Term
Neologism
Definition
A new word
Term
Noxious
Definition
harmful
Term
Obtuse
Definition
Lacking sharpness of intellect; not clear or precise in thought or expression
Term
Paean
Definition
A song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving
Term
Parody
Definition
A humorous imitation intended for ridicule or comic effect
Term
Perennial
Definition
Recurring throughout the year or many years; happening repeatedly
Term
Prattle
Definition
To babble meaninglessly
Term
Predilection
Definition
Preference
Term
Prescience
Definition
Foreknowledge of events
Term
Qualms
Definition
Misgivings; reservations; causes for hesitancy
Term
Recant
Definition
To retract, especially a previously held belief
Term
Refute
Definition
To disprove
Term
Relegate
Definition
To forcibly assign
Term
Solicitous
Definition
Concerned and attentive; eager
Term
Sporadic
Definition
Occurring only occasionally
Term
Squander
Definition
To waste time by spending or using irresponsibly
Term
Static
Definition
Not moving, active, or in motion; at rest
Term
Stupefy
Definition
To stun, baffle, or amaze
Term
Stymie
Definition
To block; thwart
Term
Synthesis
Definition
The combination of parts to make a whole
Term
Torque
Definition
A force that causes rotation
Term
Tortuous
Definition
Winding, twisting; excessively complicated
Term
Truculent
Definition
Fierce and cruel; eager to fight
Term
Virulent
Definition
Extremely harmful or poisonous
Term
Voracious
Definition
Having an insatiable appetite for an activity or pursuit; ravenous
Term
Accolade
Definition
An expression of praise
Term
Adulation
Definition
Excessive praise; intense adoration
Term
Ascetic
Definition
One who practices rigid self-denial, especially as an act of religious devotion
Term
Avarice
Definition
Greed
Term
Axiom
Definition
A universally recognized principle
Term
Burgeon
Definition
To grow rapidly or flourish
Term
Bucolic
Definition
Rustic and pastoral; characteristic of rural areas and their inhabitants
Term
Canon
Definition
An established set of principles or code of laws, often religious in nature
Term
Chary
Definition
Wary; cautious; sparing
Term
Complaisance
Definition
Willingness to comply with the wishes of others
Term
Contentious
Definition
Argumentative
Term
Culpable
Definition
Deserving blame
Term
Dearth
Definition
Scarcity
Term
Demur
Definition
To question or oppose
Term
Didactic
Definition
Intended to teach or instruct
Term
Discretion
Definition
Cautious reserve in speech; ability to make responsible decisions
Term
Disinterested
Definition
Free of bias or self-interest; impartial
Term
Ebullience
Definition
The quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts and feelings
Term
Emollient
Definition
Soothing, especially to the skin
Term
Empirical
Definition
based on observation or experiment
Term
Facetious
Definition
Playful; humorous
Term
Fallacy
Definition
An invalid or incorrect notion; a mistaken belief
Term
Furtive
Definition
Covert
Term
Harangue
Definition
To deliver a pompous speech
Term
Heretical
Definition
Violating accepted dogma
Term
Impecunious
Definition
Lacking money
Term
Incipient
Definition
Beginning to come into being
Term
Inert
Definition
unmoving
Term
Inveigle
Definition
To obtain by deception or flattery
Term
Morose
Definition
Sad
Term
Oscillation
Definition
Act or state of swinging back and forth
Term
Penurious
Definition
Penny-pinching
Term
Pernicious
Definition
Extremely harmful
Term
Peruse
Definition
To examine with great care
Term
Pious
Definition
Extremely devout
Term
Precursor
Definition
One that precedes and indicates or announces another
Term
Preen
Definition
To dress up
Term
Prodigious
Definition
Abundant in size, force, or extent
Term
Prolific
Definition
Producing in large numbers; Productive
Term
Putrefy
Definition
To rot; to decay and give off a foul odor
Term
Quaff
Definition
To drink deeply
Term
Quiescence
Definition
Stillness; motionless
Term
Redoubtable
Definition
awe-inspiring; worthy of honor
Term
Sanction
Definition
Authoritative permission or approval; a penalty intended to enforce compliance; to give permission or authority to
Term
Satire
Definition
Literary work that ridicules or criticizes a human vice through humor or derision
Term
Squalid
Definition
Sordid; wretched and dirty as from neglect
Term
Stoic
Definition
Indifferent to or unaffected by pleasure or pain
Term
Supplant
Definition
To take the place of; supersede
Term
Torpid
Definition
Lethargic
Term
Ubiquitous
Definition
Existing everywhere
Term
Vilify
Definition
To defame
Term
Viscous
Definition
Thick; sticky
Term
Acumen
Definition
Keen, accurate judgment or insight
Term
Aver
Definition
To state a fact; assert
Term
Endemic
Definition
Characteristic of or often found in a particular locality, region, or people
Term
Evanescent
Definition
Tending to disappear like vapor; vanishing
Term
Germane
Definition
Relevant to the subject at hand
Term
Grandiloquence
Definition
Pompous speech or expression
Term
Hackneyed
Definition
Rendered trite or commonplace by frequent usage
Term
Halcyon
Definition
Calm and peaceful
Term
Hedonism
Definition
Devotion to pleasurable pursuits
Term
Hegemony
Definition
The consistent dominance of one state or ideology over others
Term
Iconoclast
Definition
One who attacks or undermines traditional conventions or institutions
Term
Idolatrous
Definition
Given to intense or excessive devotion to something
Term
Impassive
Definition
Revealing no emotion
Term
Impunity
Definition
Immunity from punishment or penalty
Term
Infelicitous
Definition
Unfortunate; inappropriate
Term
Occlude
Definition
To obstruct or block
Term
Pedagogy
Definition
The profession or principle of teaching
Term
Penury
Definition
Poverty; destitution
Term
Pervasive
Definition
Having the tendency to permeate or spread throughout
Term
Pine
Definition
To yearn intensely
Term
Pirate
Definition
To illegally use or reproduce
Term
Pith
Definition
Essential or central part
Term
Pithy
Definition
Precise and brief
Term
Plummet
Definition
To plunge
Term
Polemical
Definition
Controversial; argumentative
Term
Profuse
Definition
Extravagant
Term
Queries
Definition
Questions
Term
Rancorous
Definition
Characterized by bitter, long-lasting resentment
Term
Recalcitrant
Definition
Obstinately defiant of authority
Term
Rescind
Definition
To invalidate; to repeal; to retract
Term
Reverent
Definition
Marked by, feeling, or expressing feeling of profound awe and respect
Term
Solvent
Definition
Able to meet financial obligations; able to dissolve another substance
Term
Spurious
Definition
lacking authenticity or validity
Term
Subpoena
Definition
A court order requiring appearance and/or testimony
Term
Superfluous
Definition
Exceeding what is sufficient or necessary
Term
Surfeit
Definition
An overabundant supply; excess
Term
Tenacity
Definition
The quality of persistence
Term
Tenuous
Definition
Weak
Term
Acerbic
Definition
Having a sour or bitter taste or character; sharp; biting
Term
Alchemy
Definition
A medieval science aimed at the transmutation of metals, esp. base metals into gold
Term
Amenable
Definition
Agreeable
Term
Astringent
Definition
Having a tightening effect on living tissue; harsh; severe; something with a tightening effect on tissue
Term
Convention
Definition
A generally agreed-upon practice or attitude
Term
Cynicism
Definition
An attitude or quality of belief that all people are motivated by selfishness
Term
Divulge
Definition
To disclose something secret
Term
Flout
Definition
To show contempt for, as in a rule or convention
Term
Glib
Definition
Marked by ease or informality; nonchalant; lacking in depth; superficial
Term
Hubris
Definition
Overbearing presumption or pride; arrogance
Term
Imminent
Definition
About to happen; Impending
Term
Immutable
Definition
not capable of change
Term
Intractable
Definition
Not easily managed or directed; stubborn; obstinate
Term
Intrepid
Definition
Steadfast and courageous
Term
Mercurial
Definition
Characterized by rapid and unpredictable change in mood
Term
Obfuscate
Definition
To deliberately obscure
Term
Phlegmatic
Definition
Calm; sluggish; unemotional
Term
Presumptuous
Definition
Overstepping due bounds
Term
Probity
Definition
Adherence to highest principles
Term
Proclivity
Definition
A natural inclination
Term
Propensity
Definition
Natural inclination or tendency
Term
Prosaic
Definition
Dull; lacking in spirit or imagination
Term
Quixotic
Definition
Foolishly impractical
Term
Quotidian
Definition
Occurring or recurring daily;commonplace
Term
Recondite
Definition
Hidden
Term
Refulgent
Definition
Radiant
Term
Renege
Definition
To fail to honor a commitment
Term
Sedulous
Definition
Diligent; persistent
Term
Shard
Definition
A piece of broken pottery or glass
Term
Sparse
Definition
Thin; not dense
Term
Spendthrift
Definition
One who spends money wastefully
Term
Subtle
Definition
Not obvious
Term
Terse
Definition
Brief and concise in wording
Term
Tout
Definition
To publicly praise or promote
Term
Trenchant
Definition
Sharply perceptive; keen
Term
Unfeigned
Definition
Genuine
Term
Untenable
Definition
Indefensible; not viable
Term
Variegated
Definition
Multicolored
Term
Vigilant
Definition
Always watchful
Term
Vituperate
Definition
To use harsh, condemnatory language
Term
Alloy
Definition
To commingle; to debase by mixing with something inferior
Term
Appropriate
Definition
To take for one's own use, confiscate
Term
Arrest
Definition
To suspend; to engage; holding one's attention
Term
August
Definition
Majestic, venerable
Term
Bent
Definition
Leaning, inclination, proclivity, tendency
Term
Broach
Definition
Bring up, announce, begin to talk about
Term
Brook
Definition
To tolerate, endure, countenance
Term
Cardinal
Definition
Major, as in cardinal sin
Term
Chauvinist (2nd meaning)
Definition
A blindly devoted patriot
Term
Color
Definition
To change as if by dyeing
Term
Consequential
Definition
Pompous, self-important
Term
Damp
Definition
To diminish the intensity or check the vibration of a sound
Term
Die
Definition
A tool used for shaping
Term
Essay
Definition
To test or try; attempt, experiment
Term
Exact
Definition
To demand, call for, require, take
Term
Fell (v)
Definition
To cause to fall by striking
Term
Fell (adj)
Definition
Inhumanly cruel
Term
Flag
Definition
To sag or droop, to become spiritless, to decline
Term
Flip
Definition
Sarcastic, impertinent, as in flippant: a flip remark
Term
Ford
Definition
To wade across the shallow part of a river or stream
Term
Grouse
Definition
To complain or grumble
Term
Guy
Definition
A rope, cord, or cable attached to something as a brace or guide
Term
Intimate
Definition
To imply, suggest, or insinuate
Term
List
Definition
To tilt or lean to one side: The ship's broken mast listed helplessly in the wind
Term
Lumber
Definition
To move heavily or clumsily
Term
Meet
Definition
Fitting, proper
Term
Milk
Definition
To exploit, to squeeze every last ounce of
Term
Mince
Definition
Pronounce or speak affectedly, euphemize, speak to carefully. Also, to take tiny steps, tiptoe
Term
Nice
Definition
Exacting, fastidious, extremely precise: He made a nice distinction between the two cases
Term
Obtain
Definition
To be established, accepted, or customary: Those standards no longer obtain
Term
Occult
Definition
Hidden, concealed, beyond comprehension
Term
Pied
Definition
Multicolored, usually in blotches
Term
Pluck
Definition
Courage, spunk, fortitude
Term
Prize
Definition
To pry, to press or force with a lever; something taken by force, spoils: The information was prized from him
Term
Rail
Definition
To complain about bitterly: early American progressives railed against the railroad barons
Term
Rent
Definition
torn, past of rend
Term
Quail
Definition
To lose courage, turn frightened
Term
Qualify
Definition
To limit: Let me qualify that statement
Term
Sap (v)
Definition
To enervate or weaken the vitality of
Term
sap (n)
Definition
Fool or nitwit
Term
Scurvy
Definition
Contemptible, despicable: He was a scurvy old reprobate
Term
Singular
Definition
Exceptional, unusual, odd: He was singularly well-suited for the job
Term
Stand
Definition
A group of trees
Term
Steep
Definition
To saturate or completely soak, as in to let a tea bag steep: She was completely steeped in esoteric knowledge
Term
Strut
Definition
The supporting structural cross-part of a wing
Term
Table
Definition
To remove from consideration: They tabled the motion and will consider it again later
Term
Tender
Definition
To proffer or offer: He tendered his resignation
Term
Waffle
Definition
To equivocate; to change one's position
Term
Wag
Definition
wit, joker
Term
Abjure
Definition
To renounce or reject solemnly; to recant; to avoid
Term
Adumbrate
Definition
To foreshadow vaguely or intimate; to suggest or outline sketchily; to obscure or overshadow
Term
Anathema
Definition
A solemn or ecclesiastical (religious) curse; accursed or thoroughly loathed person or thing
Term
Anodyne
Definition
Soothing, something that assuages or allays pain or comforts
Term
Apogee
Definition
Farthest or highest point; culmination; zenith
Term
Apostate
Definition
One who abandons long-held religious or political convictions
Term
Apotheosis
Definition
Deification, glorification to godliness, an exalted example, a model of excellence or perfection
Term
Asperity
Definition
Severity, rigor; roughness, harshness; acrimony, irritability
Term
Asseverate
Definition
To aver, allege, assert
Term
Assiduous
Definition
Diligent, hard-working, sedulous
Term
Augury
Definition
Omen, portent
Term
Bellicose
Definition
Belligerent, pugnacious, warlike
Term
Calumniate
Definition
To slander, make a false accusation
Term
Captious
Definition
Disposed to point out trivial faults, calculated to confuse or entrap in argument
Term
Cavil
Definition
To find fault without good reason
Term
Celerity
Definition
Speed, alacrity; think accelerate
Term
Chimera
Definition
An illusion
Term
Contumacious
Definition
Insubordinate, rebellious
Term
Debacle
Definition
Rout, fiasco, complete failure
Term
Denouement
Definition
An outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot
Term
Descry
Definition
To discriminate or discern
Term
Desuetude
Definition
Disuse: After years of desuetude, my French kills were finally put to use
Term
Desultory
Definition
Random; aimless: Her desultory performance impressed no one
Term
Diaphanous
Definition
Transparent, gauzy
Term
Encomium
Definition
glowing and enthusiastic praise
Term
Eschew
Definition
To shun or avoid
Term
Excoriate
Definition
To censure scathingly
Term
Execrate
Definition
Denounce, feel loathing for, curse
Term
Exegesis
Definition
critical examination, explication
Term
Expiate
Definition
To atone or make amends for
Term
Extirpate
Definition
To destroy, exterminate
Term
Fatuous
Definition
Silly, inanely foolish
Term
Fractious
Definition
Quarrelsome, rebellious, unruly, refractory, irritable
Term
Gainsay
Definition
To deny, dispute, contradict, oppose
Term
Heterodox
Definition
Unorthodox, heretical, iconoclast
Term
Imbroglio
Definition
Difficult or embarrassing situation
Term
Indefatigable
Definition
Not easily exhaustible
Term
Ineluctable
Definition
Certain, inevitable
Term
Inimitable
Definition
One of a kind, peerless
Term
Insouciant
Definition
Unconcerned, carefree, heedless
Term
Inveterate
Definition
Deep rooted, ingrained, habitual
Term
Jejune
Definition
Vapid, uninteresting, nugatory; childish, immature, puerile
Term
Lubricious
Definition
Lewd, wanton, greasy, slippery
Term
Mendicant
Definition
Beggar
Term
Meretricious
Definition
Cheap, gaudy, tawdry, flashy, showy, attracting by false show
Term
Minatory
Definition
Menacing, threatening (think Minotaur)
Term
Nadir
Definition
Low point, perigee
Term
Nonplussed
Definition
baffled, bewildered, at a loss for what to do or think
Term
Obstreperous
Definition
Noisily and stubbornly defiant, aggressively boisterous
Term
Ossified
Definition
Tending to become more rigid, conventional, sterile, and reactionary with age
Term
Palliate
Definition
To make something less serious
Term
Panegyric
Definition
Formal praise, eulogy, encomium
Term
Parsimonious
Definition
Cheap, miserly
Term
Pellucid
Definition
Transparent, easy to understand
Term
Peroration
Definition
The concluding part of a speech; flowery, rhetorical speech
Term
Plangent
Definition
Pounding, thundering
Term
Prolix
Definition
long-winded, verbose
Term
Puerile
Definition
Childish, immature, jejune, nugatory
Term
Puissance
Definition
Power, strength
Term
Pusillanimous
Definition
Cowardly, craven
Term
Remonstrate
Definition
To protest, object
Term
sagacious
Definition
Having sound judgment
Term
Salacious
Definition
Lustful, lascivious, bawdy
Term
Salutary
Definition
Remedial, wholesome
Term
Sanguine
Definition
Cheerful
Term
Saturnine
Definition
Gloomy, dark, sullen, morose
Term
Sententious
Definition
Aphoristic or moralistic
Term
Stentorian
Definition
Extremely loud and powerful
Term
Stygian
Definition
Gloomy, dark
Term
Tendentious
Definition
Biased; showing marked tendencies
Term
Timorous
Definition
Timid, fearful, diffident
Term
Vitiate
Definition
To corrupt, debase
Term
Voluble
Definition
Fluent, verbal
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