Barron's 800 Flashcards
abate
Definition
(verb) make less active or intense
> rebate means discount… i.e reducing the price..
abate and rebate are rhyming words
abdicate
Definition
(verb) give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations
> ab+dicate
dicate sounds like dictator.
Dictator is an authoritarian ruler who has lot of power.
To remember better,ab normal is opposite to normal.So,abdicate is opposite to dictator (ie)losing power.
aberrant
Definition
(noun) one whose behavior departs substantially from the norm of a group
> (Tag: Global) ab (away) + err (error) + ant : focus on ERR and ANT. Ants normally move together in a queue. imagine all these ants moving randomly like a group of honey bees. That would be abnormal behaviour.
abeyance
Definition
(noun) temporary cessation or suspension
>a+beyance .. here concentrate on beyance.. it sounds like buoyancy which which suspends objects above the ground level..
abject
Definition
(adj) of the most contemptible kind
> Abject sounds like REJECT.
Poor people are like REJECTED (Abject) people in the society.
poor people or people lacking pride (abject people) are rejected in society
abjure
Definition
(verb) formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
> Abjure think it like injure. so once you are injured you will give up.
so abjure means give up
abscission
(noun) the act of cutting something off
> It had the word sciss(scissors) in it.Scissors are used for Cutting,seperating..
abscond
Definition
(verb) run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
> Abscond – ab + scond. ‘Absent in a second’. When you will absent in a second? =when u STEAL OFF & HIDE, or when u DEPART secretly.
abstemious
Definition
(adj) sparing in consumption of especially food and drink
> focus on ‘abs’ part of this word. Abs…To build a six-pack abs, eat n drink carefully
abstinence
Definition
(noun) act or practice of refraining from indulging an appetite
> ABS THIN ence. A person maintained abstinence when he restrained from pleasant things like food and drinks!!!
abysmal
Definition
(adj) very great; limitless
> a+bys(take dis as 20 i.e.bees in hindi)+mal(take it as mile)…..ao a 20 mile deep pit in the ground looks like its bottomless
accretion
Definition
(noun) an increase by natural growth or addition
> Accretion
sounds like
Errection,,, so u r dik grows in size during an errection
accrue
Definition
(verb) grow by addition
> sounds like AKDU(hindi…means haughty)….so a person becomes akdu when he gains a lot
adamant
Definition
(noun) very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
> A+DAM+ant…A DAM IS GENERALLY INFLEXIBLE AND HARD so vehicles can pass through it.
adjunct
Definition
(noun) something added to another thing but not an essential part of it
> add + junc .. its added as junc but not very useful
admonish
Definition
(verb) warn strongly; put on guard
> adm(in)+on(e)+(pun)ish : (net)admin in the company is one step away (Giving strong warning now) from punishing you.bcoz you are accessing prohibited network sites.
adulterate
Definition
(verb) corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
> dull+the+rate = impure, means to decrease the rate
aesthetic
Definition
(noun) (philosophy) a philosophical theory as to what is beautiful
> aes + thetic
opposite of “pathetic”..means beauty
affected
Definition
(adj) acted upon; influenced Definition
(adj) speaking or behaving in an artificial way to make an impression
> affected…..past form of affect….affect..af+fect(FACT).SO SOMETHING which has nothing to do with facts….or reality hence ARTIFICIAL AND THE KEY WORD HERE IS FACT…reality..and opposite of it artificial….
affinity
Definition
(noun) a close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character
> Mathematicians have an affinity for infinity.
aggrandize
Definition
(verb) add details to
> grand- this resembles to somthing huge,great,wealthy.
aggregate
Definition
(noun) the whole amount
> aggregate- a gre gate - all of us need gre “total” score to reach gate of university
alacrity
Definition
(noun) liveliness and eagerness
> take the suffix crity we can link it with creativity.creative people are so eager to learn n create things differently.
alchemy
Definition
(noun) the way two individuals relate to each other
> alchemy ~ ALL + CHEMIcal :related to chemistry
allay
Definition
(verb) lessen the intensity of or calm
> allay allay allay rote nhi chup ho jaao
alleviate
Definition
(verb) make easier
> ALL (all)+ EVI (evil)+ ATE (has been eaten up) so hence you are relieved of the pain and you feel relief
alloy
Definition
(noun) a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten
allure
Definition
(noun) the power to entice or attract through personal charm
> allure= allu+ re= if a beautiful girl sells alu by shouting allu re, all guys will get attracted
amalgamate
Definition
(verb) to bring or combine together or with something else
> suppose you are shy girl and you have a+ male+game+mate (amalgamate)what you should do ? of course combine or unite with your mate against other groups
ambiguous
Definition
(adj) open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead
> ambi means two/both..guous sounds like guess..both are wild guess so its doubtful
ambivalence
Definition
(noun) mixed feelings or emotions
> matches with “ambulance” . In case of severe emergency, inside an ambulance, you have mixed emotions.. bachega ya nahi!
ambrosia
Definition
(noun) a mixture of nectar and pollen prepared by worker bees and fed to larvae
> Aam Ka rasia (Mango Juice) the food of the God.
ameliorate
Definition
(verb) to make better
> Ameli (Imli) improves the taste of food.
amenable
Definition
(adj) disposed or willing to comply
> Amen is a word used in islam and christinity. meaning of which is i agree.
So amenable means something able to be agreed.
amenity
Definition
(noun) pleasantness resulting from agreeable conditions
> amenity sound like “men at ease.” Men at ease need a lot of amenities.
amulet
Definition
(noun) a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
> amul-et amulya(hindi)–amulet which is wor in the neck is precious
anachronism
Definition
(noun) something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
you know about chronometer- means clock. Anything with “chron” is related to time. Anachronisim-an+chron+ism> here an is used in negative sense> so anachronism means something or someone that is not in its correct time
analgesic
Definition
(noun) a medicine used to relieve pain
> anal(anus) + ges(gas)..
when gas is released from anal we feel relief..so it is something which gives relief..
analogous
Definition
(adj) similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar
> remember analogous from analogy
anarchy
Definition
(noun) a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)
> Anarchy-Sounds like ‘monarchy’ (like tibet was ruled by monarchy)…so, absenceof government
anodyne
Definition
(noun) a medicine used to relieve pain
> Ann will not die from pain if she gets some aspirin.
anomalous
Definition
(adj) deviating from the general or common order or type
antecedent
Definition
(noun) a preceding occurrence or cause or event
> ante(before) + ced(“to go”). root “ced” means “to go” .hence antecedent means “that which goes before”
antediluvian
Definition
(adj) so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
> Antediluvian = Aunty+de+luv..; Usually, Loving and Caring Aunties are OLD… very Old.. and hence the meaning..
antipathy
Definition
(noun) a feeling of intense dislike
> CAN REMEMBER IT AS OPPOSITE OF sympathy.
RHYMING n OPPOSITE WORDS - antipathy n sympathy
apathy
Definition
(noun) an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
> consider pathy==sympathy,
there are two words.
1. antipathy = dislike
2. apathy = disinterested
Since “anti” is stronger than “a”..
disliking is 1 step above disinterested..
apex
Definition
(noun) the highest point (of something)
> Apex Climex (climax) gets me high of heights.
apogee
Definition
(noun) a final climactic stage
> Apogee = Up+ho+gee (ho ji -> like in hindi).. So what is up, is at the highest point
apothegm
Definition
(noun) a short pithy instructive saying
> APOlogize THE GM(general manager) because he only says things short-has no time to explain things fully
appease
Definition
(verb) make peace with
> appease…app(appeal)+pease(peace) appeal for peace..…when war was going on in kasmir…our prime minister appealed people to maintain peace in the region.
appellation
Definition
(noun) identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others
> “j’me appelle …..” means “my name is ….. “in french…so appellation means name or title by which u call someone
apposite
Definition
(adj) suitable for the situation
> apposite=> opposite of OPPOSITE i.e. perfectly matched; appropriate; most suitable
apprise
Definition
(verb) inform (somebody) of something
> one who will inform will get the prize
approbation
Definition
(noun) official approval
> Ap+PROBATION: You get CONFIRMATION/APPROVAL in your job after your Probation period
appropriate
Definition
(verb) give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
> appropriate = a + property + iate.. i.e. to make it your own property .. by force if required.. And also when you are appropriating it your self you are “allocating” it to yourself.
apropos
Definition
(adj) of an appropriate or pertinent nature
> apropos sounds like “Propose”
This issue is faced by many teenage boys/girls :)
When is the right time to propose to a Girl/Boy you love?
Hence apropos is an opportune moment or right moment/time.
arabesque
Definition
(noun) an ornament that interlaces simulated foliage in an intricate design
> remember arab. in Arab there are heavily decorated stuff wid ornaments and then dance the belly dance so u will also remeber it as a dance position.
archeology
Definition
(noun) the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people and their cultures
ardor
Definition
(noun) a feeling of strong eagerness (usually in favor of a person or cause)
> sounds like harder-while doing sex. A dat time ppl feel heat, passion.. srry for using — words
arduous
Definition
(adj) characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
> arduous = read it as: “hard to do for us”
argot
Definition
(noun) a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
> argot - it is the j’ar’gon that we ‘got’ here that no other person understands
arrest
Definition
(noun) the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
artifact
Definition
(noun) a handmade object that is often found In some type of archaeological dig
artless
Definition
(adj) simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
> without the art of deception
ascetic
Definition
(noun) someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
> someone who leaves all AESTHETICs is an ascetic
asperity
Definition
(noun) harshness of manner
> Asperity can be thought of as A spear with severity. i.e Sharpness
aspersion
Definition
(noun) an abusive attack on a person’s character or good name
> Sounds like ass-person, if you defame someone you make them look like an ass.
<br><br>
Another way to the say the same thing:
<br>
Make a person look like an ass by defaming them.
assiduous
Definition
(adj) marked by care and persistent effort
> if u get “assi” i.e 80%, u sure r a hardworkin nd ASSIduous :P
assuage
Definition
(verb) provide physical relief, as from pain
ass-usage in the toilet gives huge relief
astringent
acidic
> aStringent- stringent means harsh ,severe..so we can probly remember like this..
asylum
Definition
(noun) a shelter from danger or hardship
> asylum sounds like slum…people living in slums need place for shelter,refuge, or protection during rainy season from rain.
atavism
Definition
(noun) a reappearance of an earlier characteristic
> by ATAVISM you should remember AVATAR, i.e. you are an avatar(incarnation) of one of your ancestors…
attenuate
Definition
(verb) weaken the consistency of (a chemical substance)
audacious
Definition
(adj) invulnerable to fear or intimidation
austere
Definition
(adj) severely simple
autonomous
Definition
(adj) (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
avarice
Definition
(noun) extreme greed for material wealth
> avarice- a + very + rich > a strong greed to be ‘a very rich’ person.
aver
Definition
(verb) to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
> A VERy confident statement!
avocation
Definition
(noun) an activity one enjoys when he or she is not working
during vacations we take up part time(secondary—-VOCATIONAL) jobs….
avuncular
Definition
(adj) resembling a uncle in kindness or indulgence
split the word like av + UNCUL(UNCLE) + AR…SO related to an uncle or suitable to an uncle..avUNCULar..uncle.
axiomatic
Definition
(adj) evident without proof or argument
matheMATICs (axioMATIC)is not obvious or self- evident to me :(
bacchanalian
Definition
(adj) used of riotously drunken merrymaking
(in hindi langauge) Baccha nali mein pada hai kyon ki vo drunken hai.
banal
Definition
(adj) repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
abey nal to roz hi kholte hain…
banter
Definition
(noun) light teasing repartee
bard
Definition
(noun) a lyric poet
bard sounds like beard!! so poets will b havin beard usually!!
bawdy
Definition
(noun) lewd or obscene talk or writing
Bawdy = Rowdy!
beatify
to make something holy or sacred
A cosmetologist beautifies someone living; the Pope beatifies someone dead.
bedizen
Definition
(verb) dress up garishly and tastelessly
bad design dress!
behemoth
Definition
(noun) someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful
behemoth = Mammoth
belie
Definition
(verb) represent falsely
belie has lie.
beneficent
Definition
(adj) doing or producing good
Simply think about beneficial(something gives benefit) which help people.
bifurcate
Definition
(verb) split or divide into two
blandishment
Definition
(noun) flattery intended to persuade
BLANDISHMENT- Remember it like Brandy to an Irish women, this is like a flattery and later u can get wht u want frm the IRISH woman
blase
Definition
(adj) uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence
bolster
Definition
(verb) support and strengthen
RELATE TO BOLT>> USED TO SUPPORT OR REINFORCE
bombastic
Definition
(adj) ostentatiously lofty in style
BOMBS and firecrackers are used to impress people and they cause high sound
boorish
Definition
(adj) ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance
boor means =bura …. ill mannered… so make adj boorish..!..:
bovine
Definition
(adj) dull and slow-moving and stolid; like an ox
basically this word is taken from BOV..means cow..and cow generally remains calm, placid..and dull
brazen
bold and without shame
Split the word brazen as Bra + Zen. Suppose you went out with your friends and saw a girl in a Zen car wearing only a bra. How was the attempt of the girl? Really bold and brazen!
broach
Definition
(verb) bring up a topic for discussion
When a Boy appROACH a girl for the first time,he needs to BROACH.
bucolic
Definition
(noun) a country person
bucolic sounds a bit like bullock which is used in the “country side”…
burgeon
Definition
(verb) grow and flourish
Burge+on sounds like Bulge which means growing big
burnish
Definition
(verb) polish and make shiny
Remember Varnish - used on wooden things to make them shine
buttress
Definition
(noun) a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
remember by your BUTT or BUTTOCKS ! what do they do? They provide you with a padding when ypu sit, giving support.. :)
cacophonous
Definition
(adj) having an unpleasant sound
caco sounds like cactus and phonous like phone. So kindly try to remember it like this…a phone with a cactus makes irritating sounds.
cadge
Definition
(verb) ask for and get free;
cadge….sounds like cage….some1 in d cage begging to get out !!!!!!
callous
Definition
(adj) emotionally hardened
callous sounds like khallas so jiski sub kuch khallas ho gayi hai..that person becomes hard, insensitive and unfeeling.
calumny
Definition
(noun) an abusive attack on a person’s character or good name
calumny, sounds like kalmuhi, which is a harsh remark given by a saas to her bahu.
So its a kind of slander.
canard
Definition
(noun) a deliberately misleading fabrication
Remember Kannad movies…their fighting is so unreal..false…
so remember canard as being a false portrayal.
canon
Definition
(noun) a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy
sounds like canun -> kanun -> set of laws; so canon is the set of books containing kanun
cant
Definition
(noun) a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)
monks will be ChANT ing mantras . its known only for saints and monks
cantankerous
Definition
(adj) stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
split it into can+tanker+ous : read this as ‘kaan’ (ear in hindi)+ taker + us, one who is irritable will always have a one below ear (slap) from us.
capricious
Definition
(adj) changeable
ca(CAR) + PRIC(PRICE)…PRICE OF cars nowadays is becoming unpredictable with the launch of Tata’s 1 lakh car.
captious
Definition
(adj) tending to find and call attention to faults
First word that comes to mind -Captain, who will always find and call attention to Faults which must be altered.
cardinal
fundamental; of the greatest importance
‘cardinal’ also means pertaining to the ‘heart’ and the heart is the ‘most important’ part of our body. It is responsible for the working of our body.
carnal
Definition
(adj) of or relating to the body or flesh
Nowadays cars are used (as a place) to satisfy carnal desires.
carping
Definition
(noun) persistent petty and unjustified criticism
If you will ping with your car horn, people will shout at you…they will complain…
carping…
cartography
Definition
(noun) the making of maps and charts
caste
Definition
(noun) social status or position conferred by a system based on class
castigation
Definition
(noun) a severe scolding
In olden days lower CAST people were severely criticized…
cataclysm
Definition
(noun) a sudden violent change in the earth’s surface
it is a CATASTROPHE in the earth’s surface.
catalyst
Definition
(noun) (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
categorical
Definition
(adj) relating to or included in a category or categories
assume that there are two categories A & B and you have to put an object in one of them..now when you put that object in a category..you are ABSOLUTEly sure that it belongs there.
caucus
Definition
(noun) a closed political meeting
cau + cus sounds like can collector come to discuss….. lets get together in a group and discuss about who will be elected …
causal
Definition
(adj) involving or constituting a cause; causing
Causal == cause; i.e; something relating to cause
caustic
extremely sarcastic or critical
caustic soda is very common and its “harmful “ for health if taken in large quantity….therefore caustic means harmful or burning.
Since its a soda its somehow related with chemistry as well..
celestial
Definition
(adj) of or relating to the sky
Celestial sounding more like Galaxial
centrifugal
Definition
(adj) tending to move away from a center
centripetal
Definition
(adj) tending to move toward a center
champion
Definition
(noun) someone who has won first place in a competition
chasten
Definition
(verb) correct by punishment or discipline
relate it with upper one “Chaste”
as to keep ur viginity you have to be disciplined .. so for chaste and chasten go hand in hand
chicanery
Definition
(noun) the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
chicanery sounds like shikari who uses means of deception to trick animals into his traps.
chivalry
Definition
(noun) courtesy towards women
chi+valry—VALR(VALOR)—which means brave
churlish
Definition
(adj) rude and boorish
chur(church)+lish(wish)-church wishes always not to behave rude,boorish
circuitous
Definition
(adj) deviating from a straight course
circuit-ous -> like circuit;
clamor
Definition
(noun) a loud harsh or strident noise
CLAMOR rhymes wit glamourous….whenever de crowd sees a glamour girl they become NOISY
clique
Definition
(noun) an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
sounds like ‘click’..imagine that u click on a picture in which small grp(QUE i.e a specific type of group) of people are there
cloister
Definition
(verb) seclude from the world in or as if in a cloister
cloister….close+sister…where sisters (nuns) are getting closed or where sisters are resides…..
coagulate
Definition
(verb) change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
Colgate - think about the “thick” paste
coda
Definition
(noun) the closing section of a musical composition
ie ,conclusive part of the lunch ,is done by soda(coda) by watching music on television.
codify
Definition
(verb) organize into a code or system, such as a body of law
a program ll work only when the codes are arranged in correct order
cognizant
Definition
(adj) (sometimes followed by `of’) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception
COGNIZANT is a successful firm since it is cognizant of various policies being adopted by the rival firms
collage
Definition
(noun) a paste-up made by sticking together pieces of paper or photographs to form an artistic image
commensurate
Definition
(adj) corresponding in size or degree or extent
SPLIT AS COMMON - ENSURED -RATE.
WHICH MEANS, OUR RATE WILL BE EQUAL TO THE CHEAPEST PRODUCT!
compendium
Definition
(noun) a concise but comprehensive summary of a larger work
CUM(hindi for less) PEN use karke u can just write summary of topic.
complacent
showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements.
placement … hogaya ab i am fully satisfied with myself
complaisant
Definition
(adj) showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
com + plais(please) + ant
come and please the a(u)nt..lol
complement
Definition
(noun) something added to complete or embellish or make perfect
It sounds like Complete it men
compliant
meeting or in accordance with rules or standards.
one who never complains and obeys everything is compliant !
coalesce
come together to form one mass or whole.
coal- combination of wood and charcoal.
compunction
Definition
(noun) a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
come + puncture..(punch).
You will say “come and punch me” only if you are in deep regret of having done something wrong.
