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GRE > 25 Short > Flashcards

25 Short Flashcards

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GRE® Vocabulary flashcards
1
Q

sunder

A

verb [with object] literary

split apart: the crunch of bone when it is sundered.

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2
Q

supercilious

A

adjective

behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others: a supercilious lady’s maid.

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3
Q

superfluous

A

adjective

unnecessary, especially through being more than enough: the purchaser should avoid asking for superfluous information.

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4
Q

supine

A

adjective
1 (of a person) lying face upward.
• technical having the front or ventral part upward.
• (of the hand) with the palm upward.
2 failing to act or protest as a result of moral weakness or indolence: supine in the face of racial injustice.

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5
Q

supplant

A

verb [with object]

supersede and replace: another discovery could supplant the original finding.

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6
Q

supplicate

A

verb [no object]

ask or beg for something earnestly or humbly: [with infinitive] : the plutocracy supplicated to be made peers.

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7
Q

supposition

A

noun
an uncertain belief: they were working on the supposition that his death was murder | their outrage was based on supposition and hearsay.

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8
Q

surcharge

A

noun
1 an additional charge or payment: we guarantee that no surcharges will be added to the cost of your trip.
• a charge made by assessors as a penalty for false returns of taxable property.
• the showing of an omission in an account for which credit should have been given.
2 a mark printed on a postage stamp changing its value.
verb [with object]
1 exact an additional charge or payment from: retailers will be able to surcharge credit-card users.
2 mark (a postage stamp) with a surcharge.

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9
Q

surfeit

A

noun [usually in singular]
an excessive amount of something: a surfeit of food and drink.
• archaic an illness caused or regarded as being caused by excessive eating or drinking: he died of a surfeit.
verb (surfeits, surfeiting, surfeited) [with object] (usually be surfeited with)
cause (someone) to desire no more of something as a result of having consumed or done it to excess: I am surfeited with shopping.
• [no object] archaic consume too much of something: he never surfeited on rich wine.

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10
Q

surreptitous

A

adjective

kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of: they carried on a surreptitious affair.

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11
Q

suture

A

noun
1 a stitch or row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical incision.
• a thread or wire used for suturing a wound or incision.
• the action of stitching together the edges of a wound or incision.
2 a seamlike immovable junction between two bones, such as those of the skull.
verb [with object]
stitch up (a wound or incision) with a suture: the small incision was sutured.

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12
Q

svelte

A

adjective

(of a person) slender and elegant.

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13
Q

sweltering

A

adjective

uncomfortably hot: the sweltering afternoon heat.

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14
Q

swerve

A

verb
change or cause to change direction abruptly: [no object] : a car swerved around a corner | [with object] : he swerved the truck, narrowly missing a teenager on a skateboard.
noun
an abrupt change of direction: do not make sudden swerves, particularly around parked vehicles.

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15
Q

sterling

A

noun
British money: prices in sterling are shown | [as modifier] : issues of sterling bonds.
• short for sterling silver:[as modifier] : a sterling spoon.
adjective
(of a person or their work, efforts, or qualities) excellent or valuable: this organization does sterling work for youngsters.

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16
Q

sybarite

A

noun

a person who is self-indulgent in their fondness for sensuous luxury.

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17
Q

syllogism

A

noun
an instance of a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion (e.g., all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs).
• deductive reasoning as distinct from induction: logic is rules or syllogism.

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18
Q

synergy/synergic

A

noun
the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects: the synergy between artist and record company.

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19
Q

synopsis

A

noun (plural synopses | -ˌsēz | )
a brief summary or general survey of something: a synopsis of the accident.
• an outline of the plot of a book, play, movie, or episode of a television show.

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20
Q

tacit

A

adjective

understood or implied without being stated: your silence may be taken to mean tacit agreement.

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21
Q

taciturn

A

adjective

(of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.

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22
Q

tact/tactless/tactful

A

noun
adroitness and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues: the inspector broke the news to me with tact and consideration.

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23
Q

tactile

A

adjective
of or connected with the sense of touch: vocal and visual signals become less important as tactile signals intensify.
• perceptible by touch or apparently so; tangible: she had a distinct, almost tactile memory.
• designed to be perceived by touch: tactile exhibitions help blind people enjoy the magic of sculpture.
• (of a person) given to touching others, especially as an unselfconscious expression of sympathy or affection.

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24
Q

tangent

A

noun
1 a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point, but if extended does not cross it at that point.
2 a completely different line of thought or action: he quickly went off on a tangent about wrestling.
adjective
(of a line or plane) touching, but not intersecting, a curve or curved surface.

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25
Q

tangy

A

adjective (tangier, tangiest)

having a strong, piquant flavor or smell: a tangy salad.

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26
Q

tantalize

A

verb [with object]
torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable: such ambitious questions have long tantalized the world’s best thinkers.
• excite the senses or desires of (someone): she still tantalized him | (as adjective tantalizing) : the tantalizing fragrance of fried bacon.

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27
Q

tantamount

A

adjective [predicative] (tantamount to)

equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as: the resignations were tantamount to an admission of guilt.

28
Q

tantrum

A

noun
an uncontrolled outburst of anger and frustration, typically in a young child: he has temper tantrums if he can’t get his own way.

29
Q

taper

A

verb
diminish or reduce or cause to diminish or reduce in thickness toward one end: [no object] : the tail tapers to a rounded tip | [with object] : David asked my dressmaker to taper his trousers.
• [no object] gradually lessen: the impact of the dollar’s depreciation started to taper off.
noun
1 a slender candle.
• a wick coated with wax, used for conveying a flame.
2 a gradual narrowing: the current industry standard taper of 5 degrees.
• a gradual or incremental reduction: with the taper in training, athletes can feel less hungry.

30
Q

tardy

A

adjective (tardier, tardiest)
delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late: please forgive this tardy reply.
• slow in action or response; sluggish.

31
Q

tatty

A

adjective (tattier, tattiest) informal
worn and shabby; in poor condition: the room was furnished in slightly tatty upholstered furniture.
• of poor quality: his gap-toothed smile and tatty haircut.

32
Q

taut

A

adjective
1 stretched or pulled tight; not slack: the fabric stays taut without adhesive.
• (especially of muscles or nerves) tense; not relaxed.
2 (of writing, music, etc.) concise and controlled: a taut text of only a hundred and twenty pages.
3 (of a ship) having a disciplined and efficient crew.

33
Q

tawdry

A

adjective (tawdrier, tawdriest)
showy but cheap and of poor quality: tawdry jewelry.
• sordid or unpleasant: the tawdry business of politics.

34
Q

taxing

A

adjective

physically or mentally demanding: they find the work too taxing.

35
Q

teeter

A

verb [no object, usually with adverbial]
move or balance unsteadily; sway back and forth: she teetered after him in her high-heeled sandals.
• (often teeter between) be unable to decide between different courses; waver: she teetered between tears and anger.

36
Q

teetotalism/teetotal

A

adjective

choosing or characterized by abstinence from alcohol: a teetotal lifestyle.

37
Q

telling

A

adjective

having a striking or revealing effect; significant: a telling argument against this theory.

38
Q

temerity

A

noun

excessive confidence or boldness; audacity: no one had the temerity to question his conclusions.

39
Q

temporize

A

verb
1 [no object] avoid making a decision or committing oneself in order to gain time: the opportunity was missed because the mayor still temporized.
2 temporarily adopt a particular course in order to conform to the circumstances: their unwillingness to temporize had driven their country straight into conflict with France.

40
Q

temperate

A

adjective
1 relating to or denoting a region or climate characterized by mild temperatures.
2 showing moderation or self-restraint: Charles was temperate in his consumption of both food and drink.

41
Q

tempestuous

A

adjective
1 characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion: he had a reckless and tempestuous streak.
2 very stormy: a tempestuous wind.

42
Q

tenable

A

adjective
1 able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection: such a simplistic approach is no longer tenable.
2 (of an office, position, scholarship, etc.) able to be held or used: the post is tenable for three years.

43
Q

tendentious

A

adjective
expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one: a tendentious reading of history.

44
Q

tender

A

adjective (tenderer, tenderest)
1 showing gentleness and concern or sympathy: he was being so kind and tender.
verb [with object]
offer or present (something) formally: he tendered his resignation as leader.
• offer (money) as payment: she tendered her fare.
• [no object] make a formal written offer to carry out work, supply goods, or buy land, shares, or another asset for a stated fixed price: firms of interior decorators have been tendering for the work.
• [with object] make a formal offer giving (a stated fixed price): what price should we tender for a contract?

45
Q

tenuous

A

adjective
very weak or slight: the tenuous link between interest rates and investment.
• very slender or fine; insubstantial: a tenuous cloud.

46
Q

tepid

A

adjective
1 (especially of a liquid) only slightly warm; lukewarm.
2 showing little enthusiasm: the applause was tepid.

47
Q

terminus | ˈtərmənəs |

A

noun (plural termini | -nī | or terminuses)

1 a final point in space or time; an end or extremity: the exhibition’s terminus is 1962.

48
Q

terse

A

adjective (terser, tersest)

sparing in the use of words; abrupt: a terse statement.

49
Q

testy

A

adjective

easily irritated; impatient and somewhat bad-tempered.

50
Q

tether

A

verb [with object]
1 tie (an animal) with a rope or chain so as to restrict its movement: the horse had been tethered to a post.
2 (usually as noun tethering) use (a smartphone) in order to connect a computer or other device to the Internet: one prediction is that tethering will cost around $30 per month, probably with some cap on the amount of data transfer allowed.
noun
a rope or chain with which an animal is tied to restrict its movement.

51
Q

theatrical

A

adjective
of, for, or relating to acting, actors, or the theater: theatrical productions.
• exaggerated and excessively dramatic: Henry looked over his shoulder with theatrical caution.
noun
a professional actor or actress: a boarding house that catered for theatricals.

52
Q

thorny thwart, ticklish, tiff

A

adjective (thornier, thorniest)
having many thorns or thorn bushes.
• causing distress, difficulty, or trouble: a thorny problem for our team to solve.

53
Q

threadbare

A

adjective
(of cloth, clothing, or soft furnishings) becoming thin and tattered with age: shabby rooms with threadbare carpets.
• (of a person, building, or room) poor or shabby in appearance.
• (of an argument, excuse, idea, etc.) used so often that it is no longer effective: the song was a tissue of threadbare clichés.

54
Q

throng

A

noun
a large, densely packed crowd of people or animals: he pushed his way through the throng | a throng of birds.
verb [with object]
(of a crowd) fill or be present in (a place or area): a crowd thronged the station | the streets are thronged with people.
• [no object, with adverbial of direction] flock or be present in great numbers: tourists thronged to the picturesque village.

55
Q

thwart

A

verb [with object]
prevent (someone) from accomplishing something: he never did anything to thwart his father | he was thwarted in his desire to punish Uncle Fred.
• oppose (a plan, attempt, or ambition) successfully: the government had been able to thwart all attempts by opposition leaders to form new parties.
noun
a structural crosspiece sometimes forming a seat for a rower in a boat.

56
Q

ticklish

A

adjective
1 sensitive to being tickled: Lhasa apsos are ticklish on their feet.
• (of a cough) characterized by persistent irritation in the throat.
2 (of a situation or problem) difficult to deal with; requiring careful handling: her skill in evading ticklish questions.
• (of a person) easily upset.

57
Q

tiff

A

noun informal

a petty quarrel, especially one between friends or lovers: Joanna had a tiff with her boyfriend.

58
Q

tightfisted

A

adjective informal

not willing to spend or give much money; miserly.

59
Q

timeworn

A

adjective
damaged or impaired, or made less striking or attractive, as a result of age or much use: the timeworn faces of the veterans | a timeworn aphorism.

60
Q

timorous

A

adjective

showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence: a timorous voice.

61
Q

tinge

A

verb (tinges, tinging or tingeing, tinged) [with object]
color slightly: a mass of white blossom tinged with pink | [with object and complement] : toward the sun the sky was tinged crimson.
• have a slight influence on; imbue slightly with a feeling or quality: this visit will be tinged with sadness.
noun
a tendency toward or trace of some color: there was a faint pink tinge to the sky.
• a slight trace of a feeling or quality.

62
Q

tinker

A

noun
1 (especially in former times) a person who travels from place to place mending metal utensils as a way of making a living.
• US a person who makes minor mechanical repairs, especially on a variety of appliances and apparatuses, usually for a living.
• British, chiefly derogatory a Gypsy or other person living in an itinerant community.
2 an act of attempting to repair something.
verb [no object]
attempt to repair or improve something in a casual or desultory way, often to no useful effect: he spent hours tinkering with the car.
• [with object] archaic attempt to mend (something) by tinkering.

63
Q

truism

A

noun
a statement that is obviously true and says nothing new or interesting: the truism that you get what you pay for.
• Logic a proposition that states nothing beyond what is implied by any of its terms.

64
Q

toady

A

noun (plural toadies)
a person who behaves obsequiously to someone important.
verb (toadies, toadying, toadied) [no object]
act in an obsequious way: she imagined him toadying to his rich clients.

65
Q

tonic

A

noun
1 a medicinal substance taken to give a feeling of vigor or well-being.
• something with an invigorating effect: being needed is a tonic for someone at my age.
2 short for tonic water.
3 Music the first note in a scale which, in conventional harmony, provides the keynote of a piece of music.
adjective
1 giving a feeling of vigor or well-being; invigorating.
2 Music relating to or denoting the first degree of a scale.
3 Phonetics denoting or relating to the syllable within a tone group that has greatest prominence, because it carries the main change of pitch.
4 relating to or restoring normal tone to muscles or other organs.
• Physiology relating to, denoting, or producing continuous muscular contraction.

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