Shared Flashcard Set

Details

GRE Words
Particularly difficult GRE words from "Essential Words for the GRE, 3rd Ed."
323
General Vocab
Graduate
03/05/2014

Additional General Vocab Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Abeyance
Definition
Temporary suppression or suspension.
Term
Abjure
Definition
To reject formally.
Term
Abscission
Definition
The act of cutting; the natural separation of a leaf.
Term
Abstemious
Definition
Moderate in appetite.
Term
Alacrity
Definition
Cheerful willingness; eagerness; speed.
Term
Anachronism
Definition
Something out of the proper time.
Term
Analgesic
Definition
Medication that reduces or eliminates pain.
Term
Anodyne
Definition
Something that calms or soothes pain; relaxing.
Term
Antecedent
Definition
Something that comes before.
Term
Antipathy
Definition
Dislike, hostility.
Term
Apogee
Definition
The highest point, potentially in an orbit.
Term
Apothegm
Definition
A terse, witty saying.
Term
Appellation
Definition
Name.
Term
Apprise
Definition
To inform.
Term
Apropos
Definition
Relevant.
Term
Arabesque
Definition
Ornate design featuring intertwined curves; a ballet position.
Term
Ardor
Definition
Great emotion or passion.
Term
Argot
Definition
Specialized vocabulary used by a group.
Term
Artless
Definition
Guileless; natural.
Term
Ascetic
Definition
One who practices self-denial.
Term
Asperity
Definition
Severity; harshness; irritability.
Term
Aspersion
Definition
Slander; false rumor.
Term
Assiduous
Definition
Diligent, hard-working.
Term
Astringent
Definition
Harsh; severe.
Term
Atavism
Definition
Reappearance of a characteristic after a period of absence.
Term
Attenuate
Definition
To weaken.
Term
Aver
Definition
To affirm; declare to be true.
Term
Avocation
Definition
Secondary occupation.
Term
Avuncular
Definition
Like an uncle, benevolent, and tolerant.
Term
Axiomatic
Definition
Taken for granted.
Term
Bacchanalian
Definition
Pertaining to riotous or drunken behavior.
Term
Beatify
Definition
To sanctify; to bless.
Term
Bedizen
Definition
To dress in a showy, vulgar manner.
Term
Belie
Definition
To contradict; misrepresent; give a false impression.
Term
Blandishment
Definition
Flattery.
Term
Bucolic
Definition
Characteristic of the countryside; pastoral.
Term
Cadge
Definition
To beg; sponge.
Term
Calumny
Definition
False and malicious accusation.
Term
Canard
Definition
False, deliberately misleading story.
Term
Cant
Definition
Insincere talk; language of a particular group.
Term
Capricious
Definition
Fickle.
Term
Caprice
Definition
An inclination to change one's mind compulsively.
Term
Captious
Definition
Faultfinding; intending to entrap.
Term
Churlish
Definition
Rude, boorish.
Term
Commensurate
Definition
Proportional.
Term
Compendium
Definition
Brief, comprehensive summary.
Term
Complaisant
Definition
Overly polite; willing to please; obliging.
Term
Compunction
Definition
Uneasiness caused by guilt.
Term
Concomitant
Definition
Existing concurrently.
Term
Congenial
Definition
Similar in tastes and habits; friendly.
Term
Continence
Definition
Self-control; abstention from sexual activity.
Term
Contumacious
Definition
Disobedient, rebellious.
Term
Convivial
Definition
Sociable.
Term
Cozen
Definition
To mislead by trick or fraud.
Term
Craven
Definition
Cowardly
Term
Credence
Definition
Acceptance of something as true.
Term
Credo
Definition
Statement of belief or principle.
Term
Demotic
Definition
Pertaining to people.
Term
Demur
Definition
To express doubt.
Term
Denizen
Definition
An inhabitant.
Term
Denouement
Definition
Outcome; unraveling of the plot of a play or work of literature.
Term
Denigrate
Definition
To slur someone's reputation.
Term
Desiccate
Definition
To dry completely.
Term
Desuetude
Definition
State of disuse.
Term
Desultory
Definition
Random; disconnected; rambling.
Term
Diaphanous
Definition
Transparent; fine-textured; insubstantial; vague.
Term
Diffidence
Definition
Shyness.
Term
Disabuse
Definition
To free from a misconception.
Term
Discomfit
Definition
To make uneasy; disconcert.
Term
Discordant
Definition
Not in tune.
Term
Dissemble
Definition
To pretend; disguise one's motives.
Term
Distend
Definition
To expand; swell out.
Term
Distrait
Definition
Inattentive; preoccupied.
Term
Doctrinaire
Definition
Relating to a person who cannot compromise about points of a theory or doctrine; dogmatic; unyielding.
Term
Dogmatic
Definition
Stating opinions without proof.
Term
Dross
Definition
Waste; worthless matter; trivial matter.
Term
Ebullient
Definition
Exhilarated; enthusiastic.
Term
Eclectic
Definition
Selecting from various sources.
Term
Effete
Definition
Depleted of vitality; overrefined; decadent.
Term
Effrontery
Definition
Shameless boldness; presumptuousness.
Term
Elegy
Definition
Poem or song expressing lamentation.
Term
Elysian
Definition
Blissful; Delightful.
Term
Emollient
Definition
Soothing; mollifying.
Term
Enervate
Definition
To weaken.
Term
Ephemeral
Definition
Short-lived; fleeting.
Term
Epistemology
Definition
Branch of philosophy that examines the nature of knowledge.
Term
Equable
Definition
Steady; unvarying; serene.
Term
Equanimity
Definition
Composure; calmness.
Term
Erudite
Definition
Learned; scholarly.
Term
Essay
Definition
To make an attempt; subject to a test.
Term
Etiology
Definition
Causes or origins.
Term
Exculpate
Definition
To clear of blame; vindicate.
Term
Execrable
Definition
Detestable; abhorrent.
Term
Exigency
Definition
Crisis; urgent requirements.
Term
Existential
Definition
Having to do with existence; based on experience; having to do with the philosophy of existentialism (stresses individual experience in relation to the world--ideas of freedom, responsibility, and the isolation of the individual self).
Term
Expatiate
Definition
To speak or write at length.
Term
Extirpate
Definition
To root up; to destroy.
Term
Factotum
Definition
A person who does all sorts of work; a handyman.
Term
Fatuous
Definition
Foolishly self-satisfied.
Term
Felicitous
Definition
Suitably expressed; appropriate; well-chosen.
Term
Fetid
Definition
Having a bad smell.
Term
Fetter
Definition
To bind; confine.
Term
Finesse
Definition
To handle with a deceptive or evasive strategy; to use finesse, that is, refinement in performance.
Term
Foment
Definition
To incite; arouse.
Term
Forbearance
Definition
Patience.
Term
Forestall
Definition
To prevent; delay.
Term
Forswear
Definition
Renounce; repudiate.
Term
Fracas
Definition
A loud quarrel; brawl.
Term
Fractious
Definition
Quarrelsome; unruly; rebellious.
Term
Frieze
Definition
Ornamental band on a wall.
Term
Froward
Definition
Stubbornly contrary; obstinately disobedient.
Term
Fulminate
Definition
To attack loudly; denounce.
Term
Fulsome
Definition
So excessive as to be disgusting.
Term
Gainsay
Definition
To deny; dispute; oppose.
Term
Gambol
Definition
To frolic; to leap playfully.
Term
Garrulous
Definition
Very talkative; wordy.
Term
Gauche
Definition
Course and uncouth; clumsy.
Term
Glib
Definition
Fluent in an insincere way; offhand.
Term
Grandiloquent
Definition
Pompous; bombastic.
Term
Gregarious
Definition
Sociable.
Term
Guileless
Definition
Free of cunning or deceit; artless.
Term
Gustatory
Definition
Affecting the sense of taste.
Term
Halcyon
Definition
Calm and peaceful; happy; golden; prosperous.
Term
Harangue
Definition
Long, pompous speech; tirade.
Term
Hermetic
Definition
Tightly sealed; magical.
Term
Heterodox
Definition
Unorthodox; not widely accepted.
Term
Hirsute
Definition
Covered with hair.
Term
Histrionic
Definition
Relating to exaggerated emotional behavior calculated for effect; theatrical arts or performances.
Term
Iconoclastic
Definition
Attacking cherished traditions.
Term
Imbroglio
Definition
Complicated situation; an entanglement.
Term
Impassive
Definition
Showing no emotion.
Term
Impecunious
Definition
Poor; having no money.
Term
Impinge
Definition
To strike; encroach.
Term
Imprecation
Definition
Curse.
Term
Impute
Definition
To relate to a particular cause or source; attribute the fault to; assign as a characteristic.
Term
Inchoate
Definition
Imperfectly formed or formulated.
Term
Indeterminate
Definition
Uncertain; indefinite.
Term
Indolent
Definition
Habitually lazy; idle.
Term
Ineluctable
Definition
Not to be avoided or escaped; inevitable.
Term
Ingenuous
Definition
Naïve and trusting; lacking sophistication.
Term
Insensible
Definition
Unconscious; unresponsive.
Term
Insipid
Definition
Lacking in flavor; dull.
Term
Insouciant
Definition
Indifferent; lacking in concern or care.
Term
Insularity
Definition
Narrow-mindedness; isolation.
Term
Insuperable
Definition
Insurmountable; unconquerable.
Term
Interdict
Definition
To forbid; prohibit; to confront and halt the activities, advance, or entry of.
Term
Internecine
Definition
Deadly to both sides.
Term
Interpolate
Definition
To insert; change by adding new words or material.
Term
Interregnum
Definition
Interval between reigns; gap in continuity.
Term
Intractable
Definition
Not easily managed.
Term
Intransigence
Definition
Stubbornness; refusal to compromise.
Term
Inured
Definition
Hardened, accustomed; used to.
Term
Invective
Definition
Verbal abuse.
Term
Inveigh
Definition
To disapprove; protest vehemently.
Term
Inveigle
Definition
To win over by flattery or coaxing.
Term
Inveterate
Definition
Confirmed; long-standing; deeply rooted.
Term
Invidious
Definition
Likely to provoke ill-will; offensive.
Term
Irascible
Definition
Easily angered.
Term
Itinerant
Definition
Wandering from place to place; unsettled.
Term
Jibe
Definition
To be in agreement.
Term
Jocose
Definition
Fond of joking; jocular, playful.
Term
Labile
Definition
Likely to change.
Term
Laconic
Definition
Using few words.
Term
Lambaste
Definition
To thrash verbally or physically.
Term
Lascivious
Definition
Lustful
Term
Lassitude
Definition
Lethargy; sluggishness.
Term
Libertine
Definition
One without moral restraint.
Term
Lilliputian
Definition
Extremely small.
Term
Limn
Definition
To draw; describe
Term
Limpid
Definition
Clear; transparent.
Term
Lucre
Definition
Money or profits.
Term
Magnanimity
Definition
Generosity; nobility.
Term
Malign
Definition
To speak evil of.
Term
Malinger
Definition
To feign illness to escape duty.
Term
Maverick
Definition
Dissenter.
Term
Megalomania
Definition
Delusions of power or importance.
Term
Menagerie
Definition
Variety of animals kept together.
Term
Mendacious
Definition
Dishonest.
Term
Mendicant
Definition
Beggar.
Term
Meretricious
Definition
Gaudy; plausible but false; specious.
Term
Metaphysics
Definition
A branch of philosophy that investigates the ultimate nature of reality.
Term
Mettle
Definition
Courage; endurance.
Term
Militate
Definition
To work against.
Term
Minatory
Definition
Threatening; menacing.
Term
Misanthrope
Definition
One who hates humanity.
Term
Miscellany
Definition
Mixture of writing on various subjects.
Term
Modicum
Definition
Limited quantity.
Term
Morose
Definition
Ill-humored; sullen.
Term
Multifarious
Definition
Diverse.
Term
Necromancy
Definition
Black magic.
Term
Neologism
Definition
New word or expression.
Term
Neophyte
Definition
Novice; beginner.
Term
Nexus
Definition
Means of connection; a connected group or series; a center.
Term
Nonplussed
Definition
Bewildered.
Term
Nostrum
Definition
Medicine or remedy of doubtful effectiveness; supposed cure.
Term
Nugatory
Definition
Trifling; invalid.
Term
Obsequious
Definition
Overly submissive.
Term
Obsequy
Definition
Funeral ceremony.
Term
Obviate
Definition
To make unnecessary; to anticipate or prevent.
Term
Occlude
Definition
To shut; block.
Term
Officious
Definition
Too helpful; meddlesome.
Term
Onerous
Definition
Burdensome.
Term
Opprobrium
Definition
Disgrace; contempt.
Term
Ornithologist
Definition
Scientist who studies birds.
Term
Overweening
Definition
Presumptuous; arrogant; overbearing.
Term
Paean
Definition
Song of joy or triumph; a fervent expression of joy.
Term
Paleontology
Definition
Study of past geological eras through fossil remains.
Term
Pallid
Definition
Lacking color or liveliness.
Term
Panegyric
Definition
Elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise.
Term
Paragon
Definition
Model of excellence or perfection.
Term
Pathological
Definition
Departing from normal condition.
Term
Patois
Definition
A regional dialect; nonstandard speech; jargon.
Term
Pedantic
Definition
Showing off learning.
Term
Penury
Definition
Extreme poverty.
Term
Peregrination
Definition
Wandering from place to place.
Term
Peremptory
Definition
Imperative; leaving no choice.
Term
Perfidious
Definition
Faithless; disloyal; untrustworthy.
Term
Perfunctory
Definition
Superficial; not thorough; performed really as a duty.
Term
Perigee
Definition
Point in an orbit that is closest to the Earth.
Term
Petulant
Definition
Rude; peevish.
Term
Phlegmatic
Definition
Calm in temperament; sluggish.
Term
Physiognomy
Definition
Facial features.
Term
Piquant
Definition
Appealingly stimulating; pleasantly pungent; attractive.
Term
Pique (n.)
Definition
Fleeting feeling of hurt pride.
Term
Plaintive
Definition
Melancholy; mournful.
Term
Platitude
Definition
Stale, overused expression.
Term
Plumb
Definition
To determine the depth; to examine deeply.
Term
Plume
Definition
To congratulate oneself in a self-satisfied way.
Term
Plutocracy
Definition
Society ruled by the wealthy.
Term
Poseur
Definition
Person who affects an attitude or identity to impress others.
Term
Prate
Definition
to talk idly; chatter.
Term
Prattle
Definition
Meaningless, foolish talk.
Term
Precept
Definition
Principle; law.
Term
Precipitate (adj.)
Definition
Rash; hasty; sudden.
Term
Prehensile
Definition
Capable of grasping.
Term
Presage
Definition
To foretell; indicate in advance.
Term
Preternatural
Definition
Beyond the normal course of nature; supernatural.
Term
Prevaricate
Definition
to quibble; evade the truth.
Term
Probity
Definition
Honesty; high-mindedness.
Term
Propitiate
Definition
To win over; appease.
Term
Proscribe
Definition
To condemn; forbid; outlaw.
Term
Provident
Definition
Providing for future needs; frugal.
Term
Puissant
Definition
Powerful.
Term
Punctilious
Definition
Careful in observing rules of behavior or ceremony.
Term
Pusillanimous
Definition
Cowardly.
Term
Quail
Definition
To cower; lose heart.
Term
Quiescent
Definition
Inactive; still.
Term
Raconteur
Definition
Witty, skillful storyteller.
Term
Raiment
Definition
Clothing.
Term
Rarefied
Definition
Refined.
Term
Rebus
Definition
Puzzle in which pictures or symbols represent words.
Term
Recalcitrant
Definition
Resisting authority or control.
Term
Recondite
Definition
Abstruse; profound.
Term
Redoubtable
Definition
Formidable; arousing fear; worthy.
Term
Refractory
Definition
Stubborn; unmanageable; resisting ordinary methods of treatment.
Term
Refulgent
Definition
Brightly shining; resplendent.
Term
Regale
Definition
To entertain.
Term
Remonstrate
Definition
To object or protest.
Term
Repine
Definition
To fret; complain.
Term
Reprobate
Definition
Morally unprincipled person.
Term
Riposte
Definition
A retaliatory action or retort.
Term
Rue
Definition
To regret.
Term
Salacious
Definition
Lascivious; lustful.
Term
Salubrious
Definition
Healthful.
Term
Salutary
Definition
Expecting an improvement; favorable to health.
Term
Sardonic
Definition
Cynical; scornfully mocking.
Term
Sartorial
Definition
Pertaining to tailors.
Term
Saturnine
Definition
Gloomy.
Term
Sedulous
Definition
Diligent.
Term
Servile
Definition
Submissive; obedient.
Term
Sidereal
Definition
Relating to the stars.
Term
Simian
Definition
Apelike; relating to apes.
Term
Sinecure
Definition
Well-paying job or office that requires little or no work.
Term
Solicitous
Definition
Concerned; attentive; eager.
Term
Somatic
Definition
Relating to or affecting the body; corporeal.
Term
Soporific
Definition
Sleep producing.
Term
Sordid
Definition
Filthy; contemptible and corrupt.
Term
Specious
Definition
Seeming to be logical and sound, but not really so.
Term
Spendthrift
Definition
Person who spends money recklessly.
Term
Stanch
Definition
To stop or check the flow of.
Term
Stentorian
Definition
Extremely loud.
Term
Stint
Definition
To be sparing.
Term
Stolid
Definition
Having or showing little emotion.
Term
Striated
Definition
Marked with thin, narrow grooves or channels.
Term
Stricture
Definition
Something that restrains; negative criticism.
Term
Strident
Definition
Loud; harsh; unpleasantly noisy.
Term
Stultify
Definition
To impair or reduce to uselessness.
Term
Stygian
Definition
Dark and gloomy; hellish.
Term
Subsume
Definition
To include; incorporate.
Term
Succor
Definition
Relief; help in time of distress or want.
Term
Supine
Definition
Lying on the back; marked by lethargy.
Term
Suppliant
Definition
Beseeching.
Term
Supplicant
Definition
One who asks humbly and earnestly.
Term
Supposition
Definition
The act of assuming to be true or real.
Term
Sylvan
Definition
Related to the woods or forest.
Term
Tautology
Definition
Unnecessary repetition.
Term
Toady
Definition
Flatterer; hanger-on; yes-man.
Term
Torpor
Definition
Lethargy; dormancy; sluggishness.
Term
Tortuous
Definition
Having many twists and turns; highly complex.
Term
Tractable
Definition
Obedient; yielding.
Term
Travail
Definition
Work, especially arduous work; tribulation; anguish.
Term
Travesty
Definition
Parody; exaggerated imitation; caricature.
Term
Tremulous
Definition
Trembling; quivering; frugal; timid.
Term
Truculence
Definition
Aggressiveness; ferocity.
Term
Tumid
Definition
Swollen; distended.
Term
Turbid
Definition
Muddy; opaque; in a state of great confusion.
Term
Turgid
Definition
Swollen; bloated; pompous.
Term
Tutelary
Definition
Serving as a guardian or protector.
Term
Unfeigned
Definition
Not false; not made up; genuine.
Term
Untoward
Definition
Not favorable; troublesome; adverse; unruly.
Term
Usury
Definition
Practice of lending money at exorbitant rates.
Term
Vacuous
Definition
Empty; void; lacking intelligence; purposeless.
Term
Valedictory
Definition
Pertaining to a farewell.
Term
Vapid
Definition
Tasteless; dull.
Term
Vaunt
Definition
To boast; brag.
Term
Venal
Definition
Bribable; mercenary; corruptible.
Term
Veracious
Definition
Truthful; accurate.
Term
Vexation
Definition
Irritation; annoyance; confusion; puzzlement.
Term
Visage
Definition
Countenance; appearance; aspect.
Term
Vitiate
Definition
To impair the quality of; corrupt morally; make inoperative.
Term
Vituperative
Definition
Using or containing harsh, abusive censure.
Term
Vivisection
Definition
Dissection, surgery, or painful experiments performed on a living animal for the purpose of scientific research.
Term
Welter
Definition
To wallow or roll; toss about; be in turmoil.
Supporting users have an ad free experience!