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02 Flashcards

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GRE® Vocabulary flashcards
1
Q

amorphous

A

adjective
without a clearly defined shape or form: amorphous blue forms and straight black lines.
• vague; ill-organized; unclassifiable: make explicit the amorphous statements.
• (of a group of people or an organization) lacking a clear structure or focus: an amorphous and leaderless legislature.

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2
Q

anodyne

A

adjective
not likely to provoke dissent or offense; inoffensive, often deliberately so: anodyne New Age music | I attempted to keep the conversation as anodyne as possible.
noun
a painkilling drug or medicine.

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3
Q

anathema

A

noun
1 something or someone that one vehemently dislikes: racial hatred was anathema to her.
2 a formal curse by a pope or a council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine.
• literary a strong curse: the sergeant clutched the ruined communicator, muttering anathemas.

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4
Q

ancillary

A

adjective
providing necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, institution, industry, or system: the development of ancillary services to support its products.
• additional; subsidiary: paragraph 19 was merely ancillary to paragraph 16.
noun (plural ancillaries)
a person whose work provides necessary support to the primary activities of an organization, institution, or industry: the employment of specialist teachers and ancillaries.
• something which functions in a supplementary or supporting role: undergraduate courses of three main subjects with related ancillaries.a

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5
Q

anemic

A

adjective
suffering from anemia.
• lacking in color, spirit, or vitality.

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6
Q

anesthetic

A

noun
1 a substance that induces insensitivity to pain.
2 (anesthetics) [treated as singular] the study or practice of anesthesia.

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7
Q

animate

A

verb | ˈanəˌmāt | [with object]
1 bring to life: the desert is like a line drawing waiting to be animated with color.
• give inspiration, encouragement, or renewed vigor to: she has animated the nation with a sense of political direction.
adjective | ˈanəmət |
alive or having life: all of creation, animate and inanimate.
• lively and active; animated: party photos of animate socialites.

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8
Q

animus

A

noun
1 hostility or ill feeling: the author’s animus toward her.
2 motivation to do something: the reformist animus came from within the Party.
3 Psychoanalysis Jung’s term for the masculine part of a woman’s personality. Often contrasted with anima.

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9
Q

annul

A 
verb (annuls, annulling, annulled) [with object]
declare invalid (an official agreement, decision, or result): the elections were annulled by the general amid renewed protests.
• declare (a marriage) to have had no legal existence: her first marriage was finally annulled by His Holiness.
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10
Q

anomalous

A

adjective
deviating from what is standard, normal, or expected: an anomalous situation | sentences that are grammatically anomalous.

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11
Q

antagonize

A

verb [with object]

cause (someone) to become hostile: he antagonized many colleagues during the budget wars.

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12
Q

antediluvian

A

adjective [attributive]
of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood: gigantic bones of antediluvian animals.
• chiefly humorous ridiculously old-fashioned: they maintain antediluvian sex-role stereotypes.

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13
Q

anterior

A

adjective
1 technical nearer the front, especially situated in the front of the body or nearer to the head: the veins anterior to the heart. The opposite of posterior.
2 formal coming before in time; earlier: there are few examples of gold and silver work anterior to the dynasty of the Romanoffs.

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14
Q

apathy

A

noun

lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern: widespread apathy among students.a

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15
Q

aphorism

A

noun
a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”.
• a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by an ancient classical author.

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16
Q

apocalyptic

A

adjective
describing or prophesying the complete destruction of the world: the apocalyptic visions of ecologists.
• resembling the end of the world; momentous or catastrophic: the struggle between the two countries is assuming apocalyptic proportions.
• of or resembling the biblical Apocalypse: apocalyptic imagery.

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17
Q

apocryphal

A

adjective
(of a story or statement) of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true: an apocryphal story about a former president.
• (also Apocryphal) of or belonging to the Apocrypha: the apocryphal Gospel of Thomas.

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18
Q

apostasy

A

noun

the abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.

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19
Q

appall

A

verb (appalls, appalling, appalled) [with object]
greatly dismay or horrify: bankers are appalled at the economic incompetence of some officials | (as adjective appalled) : Alison looked at me, appalled.

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20
Q

apposite

A

adjective
apt in the circumstances or in relation to something: an apposite quotation | the observations are apposite to the discussion.

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21
Q

appreciable

A

adjective

large or important enough to be noticed: tea and coffee both contain appreciable amounts of caffeine.

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22
Q

apprehension

A

noun
1 anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen: he felt sick with apprehension | she had some apprehensions about the filming.
2 understanding; grasp: the pure apprehension of the work of art.
3 the action of arresting someone: they acted with intent to prevent lawful apprehension.

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23
Q

apprise

A

verb [with object]

inform or tell (someone): I thought it right to apprise Chris of what had happened.

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24
Q

approbation

A

noun formal

approval or praise: the opera met with high approbation.

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25
Q

appropriate

A 
verb | əˈprōprēˌāt | [with object]
1 take (something) for one's own use, typically without the owner's permission: his images have been appropriated by advertisers.
2 devote (money or assets) to a special purpose: there can be problems in appropriating funds for legal expenses.
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26
Q

apropos

A

preposition
with reference to; concerning: she remarked apropos of the initiative, “It’s not going to stop the abuse.”.
adverb [sentence adverb] (apropos of nothing)
used to state a speaker’s belief that someone’s comments or acts are unrelated to any previous discussion or situation: Isabel kept smiling apropos of nothing.
adjective [predicative]
very appropriate to a particular situation: the composer’s reference to child’s play is apropos.

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27
Q

apt

A

adjective
1 appropriate or suitable in the circumstances: an apt description of her nature.
2 [predicative, with infinitive] (apt to do something) having a tendency to do something: she was apt to confuse the past with the present.
3 quick to learn: he proved an apt scholar.

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28
Q

archetype

A

noun
a very typical example of a certain person or thing: the book is a perfect archetype of the genre.
• an original that has been imitated: the archetype of faith is Abraham.
• a recurrent symbol or motif in literature, art, or mythology: mythological archetypes of good and evil.
• Psychoanalysis (in Jungian psychology) a primitive mental image inherited from the earliest human ancestors, and supposed to be present in the collective unconscious.

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29
Q

ardor

A

noun

enthusiasm or passion: they felt the stirrings of revolutionary ardor.

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30
Q

arduous

A

adjective

involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring: an arduous journey.

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31
Q

anthropogenic

A

adjective
(chiefly of environmental pollution and pollutants) originating in human activity: anthropogenic emissions of sulfur dioxide.

32
Q

arrest

A

verb [with object]
2 stop or check (progress or a process): the spread of the disease can be arrested | (as adjective arrested) : arrested development may occur.
• [no object] suffer a heart attack: they were trying to resuscitate a patient who had arrested.
3 attract the attention of (someone): his attention was arrested by a strange sound.
noun
2 a stoppage or sudden cessation of motion: a respiratory arrest.

33
Q

arresting

A

adjective
1 striking; eye-catching: at 6 feet 6 inches he was an arresting figure.
2 a person or agency that seizes and detains (someone or something) by legal authority: the arresting officer.

34
Q

arrhythmic

A

adjective

not rhythmic; without rhythm or regularity: the arrhythmic clip-clop of pony steps.

35
Q

ascendant

A

adjective
1 rising in power or influence: ascendant moderate factions in the party.
2 Astrology (of a planet, zodiacal degree, or sign) just above the eastern horizon.

36
Q

ascetic

A

adjective
characterized by or suggesting the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons: an ascetic life of prayer, fasting, and manual labor | a narrow, humorless, ascetic face.
noun
a person who practices severe self-discipline and abstention.

37
Q

aseptic

A

adjective
free from contamination caused by harmful bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms.
• [attributive] (of surgical practice) aiming at the complete exclusion of harmful microorganisms.

38
Q

askew

A

adjective [predicative]
not in a straight or level position: her hat was slightly askew | the door was hanging askew on one twisted hinge.
• wrong; awry: the plan went sadly askew | the judging was a bit askew.

39
Q

aspect

A

2 [usually in singular] the positioning of a building or thing in a specified direction: a greenhouse with a southern aspect.
• the side of a building facing a particular direction: the front aspect of the hotel was unremarkable.

40
Q

asperity

A

noun (plural asperities)
harshness of tone or manner: he pointed this out with some asperity.
• (asperities) harsh qualities or conditions: the asperities of a harsh and divided society.
• (usually asperities) a rough edge on a surface: the asperities of the metal surfaces.

41
Q

aspersion

A

noun (usually aspersions)

an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something: I don’t think anyone is casting aspersions on you.

42
Q

aspirant

A

adjective [attributive]
(of a person) having ambitions to achieve something, typically to follow a particular career: an aspirant politician.
noun
a person who has ambitions to achieve something: an aspirant to the throne.

43
Q

assent

A

noun
the expression of approval or agreement: a loud murmur of assent | he nodded assent.
• official agreement or sanction: the governor has power to withhold his assent from a bill.
verb [no object]
express approval or agreement, typically officially: [with direct speech] : “Guest house, then,” Frank assented cheerfully | Roosevelt assented to the agreement.a

44
Q

assertive

A

adjective

having or showing a confident and forceful personality: patients should be more assertive with their doctors.

45
Q

assess

A
  • (usually be assessed) calculate or estimate the price or value of: the damage was assessed at $5 billion.
  • set the value of a tax, fine, etc., for (a person or property) at a specified level: all empty properties will be assessed at 50 percent.
46
Q

assiduous

A

adjective

showing great care and perseverance: she was assiduous in pointing out every feature.

47
Q

assuage

A

verb [with object]
make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense: the letter assuaged the fears of most members.
• satisfy (an appetite or desire): an opportunity occurred to assuage her desire for knowledge.

48
Q

astounding

A

adjective

surprisingly impressive or notable: the summit offers astounding views.

49
Q

astute

A

adjective
having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage: an astute businessman.

50
Q

asunder

A

adverb archaic or literary
apart; divided: those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.
• into pieces: the desk burst asunder.

51
Q

atone

A

verb [no object]

make amends or reparation: he was being helpful, to atone for his past mistakes.

52
Q

atrocious

A

adjective
horrifyingly wicked: atrocious cruelties.
• of a very poor quality; extremely bad or unpleasant: he attempted an atrocious imitation of my English accent | atrocious weather.

53
Q

attenuate

A

verb | əˈtenyəˌwāt | [with object]
reduce the force, effect, or value of: her intolerance was attenuated by a rather unexpected liberalism.
• reduce the amplitude of (a signal, electric current, or other oscillation).
• (usually as adjective attenuated) reduce the virulence of (a pathogenic organism or vaccine): attenuated strains of rabies virus.
• reduce in thickness; make thin: the trees are attenuated from being grown too close together.

54
Q

audacious

A

adjective
1 showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks: a series of audacious takeovers.
2 showing an impudent lack of respect: an audacious remark.

55
Q

augur

A

verb [no object] (augur well/badly/ill)
(of an event or circumstance) portend a good or bad outcome: the end of the cold war seemed to augur well | the return to the gold standard augured badly for industry.
• [with object] portend or bode (a specified outcome): a new coalition would not augur a new period of social reforms.
noun
(in ancient Rome) a religious official who observed natural signs, especially the behavior of birds, interpreting these as an indication of divine approval or disapproval of a proposed action.

56
Q

avarice

A

noun

extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

57
Q

aver

A

verb (avers, averring, averred) [reporting verb] formal
state or assert to be the case: [with clause] : he averred that he was innocent of the allegations | [with direct speech] : ‘I don’t have to do anything—it’s his problem,’ he averred.

58
Q

averse

A

adjective [predicative] (averse to) [usually with negative]
having a strong dislike of or opposition to something: as a former CIA director, he is not averse to secrecy | [in combination] : the bank’s approach has been risk-averse.

59
Q

avid

A

adjective
having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something: an avid reader of science fiction | she took an avid interest in the project.
• (avid for) having an eager desire for: she was avid for information about the murder inquiry.

60
Q

awash

A

adjective [predicative]
covered or flooded with water, especially seawater or rain: the boat rolled violently, its decks awash.
• containing large numbers or amounts of someone or something: the city was awash with journalists.
• level with the surface of water, especially the sea, so that it just washes over: a rock awash outside the reef entrance.

61
Q

awe

A

noun
a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder: they gazed in awe at the small mountain of diamonds | the sight filled me with awe | his staff members are in awe of him.
• archaic capacity to inspire awe: is it any wonder that Christmas Eve has lost its awe?
verb [with object] (usually be awed)
inspire with awe: they were both awed by the vastness of the forest.a

62
Q

awry

A

adjective [predicative]
away from the appropriate, planned, or expected course; amiss: I got the impression that something was awry | many youthful romances go awry.
• out of the normal or correct position; askew: he was hatless, his silver hair awry.

63
Q

axiomatic

A

adjective

self-evident or unquestionable: it is axiomatic that dividends have to be financed.

64
Q

babble

A

verb [no object]
talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish, excited, or incomprehensible way: he would babble on in his gringo Spanish.
• (usually as adjective babbling) (of a stream) make the continuous murmuring sound of water flowing over stones: a gently babbling brook.
noun [in singular]
the sound of people talking quickly and in a way that is difficult or impossible to understand: a babble of protest.
• the continuous murmuring sound of water flowing over stones in a stream: the babble of a brook.
• background disturbance caused by interference from conversations on other telephone lines.

65
Q

backhanded

A

adjective
1 made with the back of the hand facing in the direction of movement: a backhanded pass.
2 indirect; ambiguous or insincere: coming from me, teasing is a backhanded compliment.
adverb
with the back of the hand or with the hand turned backward: Frank hit him backhanded.b

66
Q

badger

A

noun
1 a heavily built omnivorous nocturnal mammal of the weasel family, typically having a gray and black coat.
verb [with object]
ask (someone) repeatedly and annoyingly for something; pester: journalists badgered him about the deals | Tom had finally badgered her into going | [with object and infinitive] : his daughter was always badgering him to let her join.

67
Q

badinage

A

noun

humorous or witty conversation: cultured badinage about art and life.

68
Q

bale

A

noun
a bundle of paper, hay, cotton, etc., tightly wrapped and bound with cords or hoops: the fire destroyed 500 bales of hay.
• the quantity in a bale as a measure, especially 500 pounds of cotton.
verb [with object]
make (something) into bales: they baled a lot of good hay | (as noun baling) : most baling and field work have been finished.

69
Q

baleful

A

adjective
threatening harm; menacing: Bill shot a baleful glance in her direction | the baleful light cast trembling shadows.
• having a harmful or destructive effect: drug money has had a baleful impact on the country.

70
Q

balk

A

verb [no object]
1 hesitate or be unwilling to accept an idea or undertaking: any gardener will at first balk at enclosing the garden.
• [with object] thwart or hinder (a plan or person): the utmost of his influence will be invoked to balk the law.
• [with object] (balk someone of) prevent a person or animal from having (something): the lions, fearing to be balked of their prey.
• (of a horse) refuse to go on.

71
Q

balky

A

adjective (balkier, balkiest) chiefly US

reluctant; uncooperative: he was trying to get his balky horse to move.

72
Q

balderdash

A

noun

senseless talk or writing; nonsense: she dismissed talk of plots as “bunkum and balderdash.”.

73
Q

balm

A

noun
1 a fragrant ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin.
• something that has a comforting, soothing, or restorative effect: the murmur of the water can provide balm for troubled spirits.
2 a tree which yields a fragrant resinous substance, especially one used in medicine.
• the resinous substance yielded by a balm.
• used in names of other aromatic herbs of the mint family, e.g. bee balm.

74
Q

banal

A

adjective

so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring: songs with banal, repeated words.

75
Q

bane

A

noun [usually in singular]
a cause of great distress or annoyance: the bane of the decorator is the long, narrow hall | the depressions that were the the bane of her existence.

76
Q

banish

A

verb [with object]
send (someone) away from a country or place as an official punishment: they were banished to Siberia for political crimes.
• forbid, abolish, or get rid of (something unwanted): all thoughts of romance were banished from her head | it’s perfectly feasible to banish the smoke without banning smoking.

77
Q

banter

A

noun
the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks: there was much singing and good-natured banter.
verb [no object]
talk or exchange remarks in a good-humored teasing way: the men bantered with the waitresses | (as adjective bantering) : a bantering tone.

GRE (14 decks)

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