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GRE Words
A collection of words found on the GRE
271
English
Undergraduate 4
11/21/2010

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Term
Abase
Definition
to reduce or lower, as in rank, office, reputation, or estimation
Term
Abrogate
Definition
to abolish by formal or official means
Term
Abstemious
Definition
sparing or moderate in eating and drinking
Term
Acquiesce
Definition
to assent tacitly; submit or comply silently or without protest
Term
Acuity
Definition
sharpness
Term
Adage
Definition
a traditional saying expressing a common experience or observation
Term
Adherent
Definition
a person who follows or upholds a leader, cause, etc
Term
Admonish
Definition
to caution, advise, or counsel against something
Term
Affable
Definition
pleasantly easy to approach and to talk to
Term
Altruistic
Definition
unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others
Term
Ambivalence
Definition
uncertainty or fluctuation
Term
Ameliorated
Definition
made better
Term
Amelioration
Definition
an act of making or becoming better
Term
Amiable
Definition
having or showing pleasant, good-natured personal qualities; affable
Term
Anachronistic
Definition
pertaining to something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time
Term
Anecdote
Definition
a short account of a particular incident or event of an interesting or amusing nature
Term
Aphorism
Definition
a terse saying embodying a general truth
Term
Apocryphal
Definition
of doubtful authorship or authenticity
Term
Apostate
Definition
a person who forsakes his religion, cause, party
Term
Apotheosis
Definition
the elevation or exaltation of a person to the rank of a god
Term
Apt
Definition
inclined; disposed; given; prone
Term
Aria
Definition
an air or melody
Term
Artifice
Definition
a clever trick or stratagem
Term
Ascetic
Definition
a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial or self-mortification for religious reasons
Term
Asperity
Definition
harshness or sharpness of tone, temper, or manner
Term
Aspersion
Definition
a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism
Term
Assent
Definition
to agree or concur
Term
Assiduous
Definition
constant
Term
Assiduous
Definition
constant; unremitting
Term
Astute
Definition
of keen penetration or discernment
Term
Atonement
Definition
satisfaction or reparation for a wrong or injury; amends
Term
Atrophy
Definition
degeneration, decline, or decrease, as from disuse
Term
Augment
Definition
to make larger
Term
Austere
Definition
severe in manner or appearance
Term
Autonomy
Definition
independence or freedom, as of the will or one's actions
Term
Axiom
Definition
a self-evident truth that requires no proof
Term
Begrudge
Definition
to envy or resent the pleasure or good fortune of (someone)
Term
Beguile
Definition
to influence by trickery, flattery, etc
Term
Belie
Definition
to show to be false
Term
Benevolent
Definition
characterized by or expressing goodwill or kindly feelings
Term
Berate
Definition
scold
Term
Beseech
Definition
to implore urgently
Term
Bilk
Definition
to defraud; cheat
Term
Blandishments
Definition
something, as an action or speech, that tends to flatter, coax, entice, etc
Term
Blithe
Definition
joyous, merry, or gay in disposition
Term
Byline
Definition
a printed line accompanying a news story, article, or the like, giving the author's name
Term
Calumny
Definition
a false and malicious statement designed to injure the reputation of someone or something
Term
Canonize
Definition
to place in the canon of saints
Term
Capitulate
Definition
to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms
Term
Catechism
Definition
an elementary book containing a summary of the principles of the Christian religion
Term
Cavil
Definition
to raise irritating and trivial objections
Term
Celerity
Definition
swiftness, speed
Term
Censure
Definition
strong or vehement expression of disapproval
Term
Chagrin
Definition
a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation
Term
Charlatan
Definition
a person who pretends or claims to have more knowledge or skill than he or she possesses
Term
Chary
Definition
cautious or careful
Term
Clandestine
Definition
characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, esp. for purposes of subversion or deception
Term
Clemency
Definition
the quality of being mild or merciful in disposition or character
Term
Cogent
Definition
convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation
Term
Cognizant
Definition
having awareness, realization, or knowledge
Term
Collusion
Definition
a secret agreement, esp. for fraudulent or treacherous purposes
Term
Commiserate
Definition
to feel or express sorrow or sympathy for
Term
Concede
Definition
to acknowledge as true, just, or proper
Term
Conciliatory
Definition
tending to overcome the distrust or hostility of; placate
Term
Conscription
Definition
compulsory enrollment of persons for military or naval service
Term
Corrigible
Definition
capable of being corrected or reformed
Term
Coterie
Definition
a group of people who associate closely
Term
Countenance
Definition
n: appearance
verb: to permit or tolerate
Term
Coven
Definition
an assembly of witches
Term
Covetous
Definition
inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions
Term
Craven
Definition
adj. cowardly
noun. a coward
Term
Credulous
Definition
willing to believe or trust too readily
Term
Curio
Definition
any unusual article, object of art, etc., valued as a curiosity
Term
Cursory
Definition
going rapidly over something, without noticing details
Term
Dank
Definition
unpleasantly moist or humid
Term
Dearth
Definition
an inadequate supply
Term
Decorous
Definition
characterized by dignified propriety in conduct
Term
Deify
Definition
to make a god of
Term
Demagogue
Definition
a person, esp. an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by arousing the emotions, passions, and prejudices of the people
Term
Denude
Definition
to make naked or bare
Term
Derivative
Definition
received or obtained from a source or origin
Term
Descry
Definition
to see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully
Term
Detritus
Definition
rock in small particles or other material worn or broken away from a mass
Term
Devoid
Definition
not possessing, untouched by, void, or destitute
Term
Diaphanous
Definition
very sheer and light; almost completely transparent or translucent
Term
Didactic
Definition
intended for instruction
Term
Diffident
Definition
lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness
Term
Dignitary
Definition
a person who holds a high rank or office, as in the government or church
Term
Dilatory
Definition
tending to delay or procrastinate
Term
Discern
Definition
to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect
Term
Disclose
Definition
to make known
Term
Disparagement
Definition
the act of speaking of or treating slightingly
Term
Disparity
Definition
lack of similarity or equality
Term
Dissemble
Definition
to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of
Term
Dissolution
Definition
the act or process of resolving or dissolving into parts or elements
Term
Dissuasion
Definition
an act of deterring by advice or persuasion
Term
Docility
Definition
easily managed or handled
Term
Doctrinaire
Definition
a person who tries to apply some doctrine or theory without sufficient regard for practical considerations
Term
Drudgery
Definition
menial, distasteful, dull, or hard work
Term
Effusive
Definition
unduly demonstrative; lacking reserve
Term
Elision
Definition
the omission of a vowel, consonant, or syllable in pronunciation
Term
Emaciated
Definition
marked by abnormal thinness caused by lack of nutrition or by disease
Term
Embezzle
Definition
to appropriate fraudulently to one's own use, as money or property entrusted to one's care
Term
Emolument
Definition
profit, salary, or fees from office or employment
Term
Enactment
Definition
the act of making something into a law
Term
Encomium
Definition
a formal expression of high praise
Term
Encroach
Definition
to advance beyond proper, established, or usual limits
Term
Encumbrance
Definition
something burdensome, useless, or superfluous
Term
Entice
Definition
to lead on by exciting hope or desire
Term
Entrench
Definition
to place in a position of strength
Term
Enumeration
Definition
listing
Term
Epicurean
Definition
fond of or adapted to luxury or indulgence in sensual pleasures
Term
Esoteric
Definition
understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest
Term
Estrange
Definition
to turn away in feeling or affection
Term
Exhort
Definition
to urge, advise, or caution earnestly
Term
Exonerate
Definition
to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame
Term
Expository
Definition
of the nature of exposition; serving to expound, set forth, or explain
Term
Extol
Definition
to praise highly
Term
Fastidious
Definition
excessively particular, critical, or demanding
Term
Febrile
Definition
feverish
Term
Felicity
Definition
the state of being happy, esp. in a high degree
Term
Fetter
Definition
anything that confines or restrains
Term
Feudal
Definition
of or pertaining to the Middle Ages
Term
Fickle
Definition
likely to change, esp. due to caprice, irresolution, or instability
Term
Flagrant
Definition
shockingly noticeable or evident
Term
Fledgling
Definition
an inexperienced person
Term
Founder
Definition
to fill with water and sink
Term
Gentility
Definition
good breeding or refinement
Term
Gregarious
Definition
fond of the company of others
Term
Hackneyed
Definition
made commonplace or trite
Term
Haggard
Definition
having a gaunt, wasted, or exhausted appearance, as from prolonged suffering
Term
Hedge
Definition
to surround and confine as if with a hedge; restrict
Term
Hedonist
Definition
a person whose life is devoted to the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification
Term
Iconoclast
Definition
a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, etc
Term
Idiosyncratic
Definition
a characteristic, habit, mannerism, or the like, that is peculiar to an individual
Term
Impasse
Definition
a position or situation from which there is no escape
Term
Impecunious
Definition
having little or no money
Term
Impropriety
Definition
the quality or condition of being improper
Term
Improvident
Definition
not having or showing foresight
Term
Inanity
Definition
lack of sense
Term
Inauspicious
Definition
not promising success
Term
Indigent
Definition
lacking food, clothing, and other necessities of life because of poverty
Term
Indolent
Definition
having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful
Term
Infallible
Definition
absolutely trustworthy or sure
Term
Ingenue
Definition
the part of an artless, innocent, unworldly girl or young woman, esp. as represented on the stage
Term
Ingenuous
Definition
free from reserve, restraint, or dissimulation
Term
Inimical
Definition
adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable
Term
Insidious
Definition
intended to entrap or beguile
Term
Insidious
Definition
stealthily treacherous or deceitful
Term
Integral
Definition
of, pertaining to, or belonging as a part of the whole
Term
Interdependence
Definition
mutually dependent; depending on each other
Term
Inveterate
Definition
having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change
Term
Ire
Definition
intense anger
Term
Irksome
Definition
annoying
Term
Isthmus
Definition
a narrow strip of land, bordered on both sides by water, connecting two larger bodies of land
Term
Laggard
Definition
a person or thing that lags
Term
Laudable
Definition
deserving praise
Term
Laudatory
Definition
containing or expressing praise
Term
Levity
Definition
lightness of mind, character, or behavior
Term
Libertine
Definition
a person who is morally or sexually unrestrained
Term
Libretto
Definition
the text or words of an opera or similar extended musical composition
Term
Lionize
Definition
to treat (a person) as a celebrity
Term
Litigant
Definition
a person engaged in a lawsuit
Term
Logy
Definition
lacking physical or mental energy or vitality
Term
Luminary
Definition
of, pertaining to, or characterized by light
Term
Mar
Definition
to damage or spoil to a certain extent; render less perfect
Term
Marginal
Definition
at the outer or lower limits
Term
Mealymouthed
Definition
avoiding the use of direct and plain language, as from timidity, excessive delicacy, or hypocrisy
Term
Mellifluous
Definition
sweetly or smoothly flowing
Term
Mendacity
Definition
the quality of being mendacious; untruthfulness
Term
Militate
Definition
to have a substantial effect
Term
Miser
Definition
a person who lives in wretched circumstances in order to save and hoard money
Term
Mitigate
Definition
to lessen in force or intensity
Term
Mollify
Definition
to soften in feeling or temper, as a person
Term
Motley
Definition
exhibiting great diversity of elements
Term
Munificent
Definition
extremely liberal in giving
Term
Mutineer
Definition
a person who mutinies
Term
Nefarious
Definition
extremely wicked or villainous
Term
Nettle
Definition
to irritate, annoy, or provoke
Term
Obdurate
Definition
unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings
Term
Obliquity
Definition
the state of being neither perpendicular nor parallel to a given line or surface; slanting; sloping
Term
Obsequiousness
Definition
characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference
Term
Occlude
Definition
to close, shut, or stop up
Term
Ostentation
Definition
pretentious or conspicuous show, as of wealth or importance
Term
Oust
Definition
to expel or remove from a place or position occupied
Term
Pallor
Definition
unusual or extreme paleness, as from fear, ill health, or death
Term
Paltry
Definition
ridiculously or insultingly small
Term
Panacea
Definition
a remedy for all disease or ills
Term
Parochial
Definition
of or pertaining to a parish or parishes
Term
Parsimonious
Definition
characterized by extreme or excessive economy or frugality; stinginess
Term
Patrician
Definition
a person of noble or high rank
Term
Peccadillo
Definition
a very minor or slight sin or offense; a trifling fault
Term
Penitent
Definition
feeling or expressing sorrow for sin or wrongdoing and disposed to atonement and amendment
Term
Penurious
Definition
extremely stingy; parsimonious
Term
Peripatetic
Definition
walking or traveling about
Term
Pernicious
Definition
causing insidious harm or ruin
Term
Perspicacious
Definition
having keen mental perception and understanding
Term
Petulance
Definition
The state of being moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation
Term
Piquant
Definition
agreeably pungent or sharp in taste or flavor
Term
Pithy
Definition
brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression
Term
Pittance
Definition
a small amount or share
Term
Platitudes
Definition
a flat, dull, or trite remark, esp. one uttered as if it were fresh or profound
Term
Plebiscite
Definition
a direct vote of the qualified voters of a state in regard to some important public question
Term
Politic
Definition
shrewd or prudent in practical matters
Term
Posterity
Definition
succeeding or future generations collectively
Term
Potentate
Definition
a person who possesses great power, as a sovereign, monarch, or ruler
Term
Precept
Definition
a commandment or direction given as a rule of action or conduct
Term
Preen
Definition
to make oneself appear striking or smart in dress or appearance
Term
Prevaricate
Definition
to speak falsely or misleadingly
Term
Probity
Definition
integrity and uprightness
Term
Proponent
Definition
a person who puts forward a proposition or proposal
Term
Propriety
Definition
conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners
Term
Prosaic
Definition
commonplace or dull
Term
Proscribe
Definition
to denounce or condemn (a thing) as dangerous or harmful
Term
Proselyte
Definition
a person who has changed from one opinion, religious belief, sect, or the like, to another
Term
Protract
Definition
to draw out or lengthen, esp. in time
Term
Prudent
Definition
wise or judicious in practical affairs
Term
Pugnacious
Definition
inclined to quarrel or fight readily
Term
Puritanical
Definition
very strict in moral or religious matters, often excessively so
Term
Pusillanimous
Definition
lacking courage or resolution
Term
Quixotic
Definition
extravagantly chivalrous or romantic, or impulsive and often rashly unpredictable
Term
Rapprochement
Definition
an establishment or reestablishment of harmonious relations
Term
Recalcitrant
Definition
resisting authority or control
Term
Recidivism
Definition
repeated or habitual relapse, as into crime
Term
Recompense
Definition
to repay
Term
Recreant
Definition
cowardly or craven
Term
Replete
Definition
abundantly supplied or provided
Term
Reprobate
Definition
a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person
Term
Repugnant
Definition
distasteful, objectionable, or offensive
Term
Restiveness
Definition
impatient of control, restraint, or delay
Term
Reverie
Definition
a state of dreamy meditation or fanciful musing
Term
Rout
Definition
a defeat attended with disorderly flight; dispersal of a defeated force in complete disorder
Term
Sedentary
Definition
characterized by or requiring a sitting posture
Term
Seer
Definition
a person who sees; observer
Term
Servile
Definition
slavishly submissive or obsequious
Term
Shoal
Definition
a place where a sea, river, or other body of water is shallow
Term
Skein
Definition
a length of yarn or thread wound on a reel or swift preparatory for use in manufacturing
Term
Skinflint
Definition
a mean, niggardly person; miser
Term
Snivel
Definition
to weep or cry with sniffling
Term
Soporific
Definition
causing or tending to cause sleep
Term
Sordid
Definition
morally ignoble or base; vile
Term
Spendthrift
Definition
a person who spends possessions or money extravagantly or wastefully
Term
Splenetic
Definition
irritable; peevish; spiteful
Term
Spurious
Definition
not genuine, authentic, or true
Term
Squander
Definition
to spend or use (money, time, etc.) extravagantly or wastefully
Term
Stilted
Definition
stiffly dignified or formal, as speech or literary style
Term
Sumptuous
Definition
entailing great expense, as from choice materials
Term
Supercilious
Definition
haughtily disdainful or contemptuous, as a person or a facial expression
Term
Sycophant
Definition
a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite
Term
Tantamount
Definition
equivalent, as in value, force, effect, or signification
Term
Temerity
Definition
reckless boldness
Term
Tenuous
Definition
thin or slender in form
Term
Tirade
Definition
a prolonged outburst of bitter, outspoken denunciation
Term
Titter
Definition
to laugh in a restrained, self-conscious, or affected way, as from nervousness or in ill-suppressed amusement
Term
Torpid
Definition
inactive or sluggish
Term
Tractable
Definition
easily managed or controlled
Term
Transcendence
Definition
the quality or state of going beyond ordinary limits
Term
Transgress
Definition
to violate a law, command, moral code
Term
Trite
Definition
lacking in freshness or effectiveness because of constant use or excessive repetition
Term
Truculent
Definition
fierce; cruel; savagely brutal
Term
Tryst
Definition
an appointment to meet at a certain time and place
Term
Turbid
Definition
not clear or transparent because of stirred-up sediment or the like
Term
Turpitude
Definition
vile, shameful, or base character
Term
Ulterior
Definition
being beyond what is seen or avowed
Term
Ungainly
Definition
not graceful; awkward
Term
Unguent
Definition
an ointment or salve, usually liquid or semiliquid, for application to wounds, sores
Term
Urbane
Definition
having the polish and suavity regarded as characteristic of sophisticated social life in major cities
Term
Verbose
Definition
characterized by the use of many or too many words
Term
Vex
Definition
to irritate or to discuss or debate (a subject, question, etc.) with vigor or at great length
Term
Vilify
Definition
to speak ill of
Term
Virulence
Definition
the quality of being actively poisonous
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