Barron's Essential Words for the GRE: Set 2 Flashcards
1
Q
impermeable
A
impossible to penetrate
The virus protection software is said to be impermeable to attacks by malicious software.
2
Q
imperturbable
A
not easily disturbed
Buddha counseled that one should try to remain imperturbable through life’s vicissitudes.
3
Q
impervious
A
impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected
We were amazed how Laura could study organic chemistry at a noisy party, impervious to the noise around her.
4
Q
impinge
A
to strike; encroach
When you look at a star that is 50 light-years away, the light that is impinging on your retina forms an image of the star as it was 50 years ago.
5
Q
implacable
A
inflexible; incapable of being pleased
6
Q
implicit
A
implied; understood but not stated
Implicit in the review is the idea that the writing of serious literature is a moral undertaking.
7
Q
implode
A
to collapse inward violently
8
Q
impute
A
to relate to a particular cause or source; attribute the fault to; assign as a characteristic
People generally impute cleverness to cats.
9
Q
vicissitude
A
mutability; favorable or unfavorable event or situation that occurs by chance; a fluctuation of state or condition
10
Q
hermetic
A
magical; tightly sealed
The hermetic tradition refers to a number of interrelated subjects such as alchemy, magic, and astrology.
11
Q
heterodox
A
unorthodox; not widely accepted
The theologian’s heterodox conclusions were censured by the church.
12
Q
harrowing
A
extremely distressing; terrifying
J.R.R. Tolkien’s story The Lord of the Rings recounts Frodo Baggin’s harrowing journey from to carry the One Ring from Rivendell to the Crack of Doom and destroy it before Sauron gets to it.
13
Q
hirsute
A
covered with hair
Anthropologists believe that early human beings were hirsute.
14
Q
histrionic
A
relating to exaggerated emotional behavior calculated for effect
Most mothers are astute at judging whether their child’s tears are genuine or mostly histrionics.
15
Q
impudent
A
cocky; insolent; audacious
16
Q
eclecting
A
selecting from various sources
17
Q
document
A
provide written evidence
18
Q
doggerel
A
poor verse
Even the doggerel of a great poet like John Milton is interesting.
19
Q
dross
A
worthless; trivial matter
20
Q
effete
A
depleted of vitality; overrefined; decadent
It is interesting how some traditions remain strong, while others gradually become effete.
21
Q
dogmatic
A
stating opinions without proof
Bertrand Russel observed that people are most dogmatic about things that is least possible to be certain about.
22
Q
effervescence
A
the state of high spirits or liveliness; bubbling that occurs when gas escape
A person who believes he is unattractive might develop an effervescent personality as a compensation for his perceived deficiency.
23
Q
ebullient
A
enthusiastic; exhilarated
The fans were ebullient after the team they rooted for won.
24
Q
quagmire
A
marsh; difficult situation
The Nissan patrol sank halfway into the quagmire.
25
purport
claim; profess; suppose
26
pungent
caustic; strong or sharp in taste or smell; to the point; mordant
Slang frequently expresses an idea succintly and pungently.
27
quail
cower; lose heart
The bank teller quailed as the masked robber threatened her with a gun.
28
qualms
uneasy feeling about the rightness of actions; sudden feeling of nausea
29
qualified
limited or restricted
30
pusillanimous
cowardly
31
quibble
to argue over insignificant or irrelevant details
The lawyers quibbled over details that they made little progress in reaching an agreement on the central issue.
32
quiescent
inactive; still
Although malignant tumors remain quiescent for a period of time, they never become benign.
33
mettle
courage; endurance
In many cultures, young men are expected to test their mettle by performing difficult and dangerous tasks.
34
misanthrope
one who hates humanity
35
militate
to work against
The student's laziness militates stongly against the likelihood of success.
36
minatory
menacing; threatening
The student stood quietly while the teacher made minatory gestures.
37
microcosm
a small system having analogies to a larger system
The city was a microcosm of American society.
38
minutia
petty details
39
mettlesome
full of courage and fortitude; spirited
40
inveigh
to protest vehemently; disapprove
The political leaders regularly inveighed against the corruption of Western influence.
41
inured
hardened; accustomed; used to
After 20 years in the army, the chaplain still has not become inured to the sight of dying men on the field.
42
invidious
offensive; likely to provoke ill will
The book makes invidious comparisons between American and European culture.
43
inundate
to cover with water; overwhelm
The domestic market was inundated with foreign goods to the detriment of local manufacturers.
44
inveterate
deeply rooted; long standing; confirmed
He was an inveterate gambler.
45
irresolute
unsure of how to act; weak
We should not be irresolute about our goals.
46
irascible
easily angered
The irascible old man complains ever time someone makes a little noise.
47
invective
verbal abuse
The debate judge cautioned participants not to engage in invective, but rather in reasoned and decorous discourse.
48
inveigle
to win over by flattery or acquire through ingenuity or coaxing
The students inveigled their professor into postponing the test for a week.
She inveigled her way to a promotion.
49
to win over by flattery or acquire through ingenuity or coaxing
inveigle
50
verbal abuse
invective
51
easily angered
irascible
52
unsure of how to act; weak
irresolute
53
impossible to penetrate
Impermeable
54
Not easily disturbed
Imperturbable
55
impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected
impervious
56
vituperative
using or containing harsh, abusive censure
The critic's vituperative comments aroused the wrath of of nearly every serious composer
57
vitiate
to impair the quality of; corrupt morally; make inoperative
One error in the study's methodology vitiates the entire body of work.
58
visage
appearance; countenance; aspect
The infant studied its mother's visage intently.
59
vindictive
spiteful; unforgiving; vengeful
The treaty of Versailles, which concluded World War CI was deliberately vindictive, imposing tremendous penalties on the defeated nation.
60
viable
practicable; capable of developing
Spend money to keep cities viable by rebuilding decrepit infrastructure or allow them to decay
61
vexation
irritation; annoyance; confusion; puzzlement
Some people have the fortitude to live prosperous lives despite many vexations.
62
vacillate
waver; ocillate
Philip is vacillating between going to medical school and law school.
63
venerate
to adore; honor; respect
Mother Teresa is venerated for her compassion for the poor people in India.
64
vendetta
prolonged feud marked by bitter hostility
The vendetta between the two families have gone on for more than 20 yrs now with no prospect of reconciliation.
65
venal
corruptible; bribable; mercenary
Men going into politics in the Philippines are dissemblers pretending to want to help the poor when their motives are entirely venal.
66
vaunt
to boast; brag
The head coach warned her players not to vaunt their undefeated record.
67
variegated
varied; marked with different colors
The flower fields are variegated; a plethora of flowers of different colors and kinds overwhelm your view.
68
vacuous
empty; void; lacking intelligence; purposeless
Lydia, the youngest of the Bennett sisters, is portrayed as a vacuous young woman with few interests other than having fun.
69
irritation; annoyance; confusion; puzzlement
vexation
70
practicable; capable of developing
viable
71
spiteful; unforgiving
vindictive
72
appearance; countenance; aspect
visage
73
to impair the quality of; corrupt morally; make inoperative
vitiate
74
using or containing harsh, abusive censure
vituperative
75
empty; void; lacking intelligence; purposeless
vacuous
76
varied; marked with different colors
variegated
77
to boast; brag
vaunt
78
corruptible; bribable; mercenary
venal
79
to adore; honor; respect
venerate
80
solvent
able to meet financial obligations
During the financial crisis several large banks had difficulty remaining solvent.
81
somatic
relating to or affecting the body; corporeal
A pyschosomatic disorder is a malady caused by a mental disorder that adversely affects somatic functioning.
82
soporific
sleep producing; tending to dull alertness or awareness
This medication is soporific, so don't drive after taking it.
83
sordid
filthy; contemptible; corrupt
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is a sordid human being.
84
specious
seeming to be logical and sound, but not really so
The article systematically rebuts the specious argument advanced by the so called expert in the field.
85
spendthrift
a person who spends money recklessly; wasteful and excessive
Tom's spendthrift habits resulted into an accumulation of a huge debt in his credit card.
86
sporadic
occurring occasionally, singly, or in irregular or random instances
Despite the ceasefire, there have been sporadic outbreaks of violence between the warring factions.
87
squalor
filthy wretched condition
Many families live in squalor in the poverty-stricken areas of Manila.
88
staccato
marked by abrupt, clear-cut sounds
We listened to the staccato steps of the woman in high heels running down the street.
89
able to meet financial obligations
solvent
90
relating to or affecting the body; corporeal
somatic
91
sleep producing; tending to dull alertness or awareness
soporific
92
filthy; contemptible; corrupt
sordid
93
seeming to be logical and sound, but not really so
specious
94
a person who spends money recklessly; wasteful and excessive
spendthrift
95
occurring occasionally, singly, or in irregular or random instances
sporadic
96
filthy wretched condition
squalor
97
marked by abrupt, clear-cut sounds
staccatto
98
sidereal
relating to the stars; astral
A sidereal year is longer than a solar year by 20 minutes and 23 seconds.
99
sextant
navigation tool that determines latitude and longitude
100
servile
submissive; obedient
None of the president's servile citizens questioned his peremptory decree.
101
sensuous
relation to the senses; operating through tthe senses
She is known for her sensuous paintings of plants and flowers and lanscapes
102
sentient
aware; conscious; able to perceive
Charles Darwin regarded many animals as being sentient and as having intelligence.
103
sensual
gratifying the physical senses
Attachment to sensual pleasures hinders spiritual advancement.
104
sedulous
diligent
The Nobel Prize-winning scientist attributed his success to "curiosity, modicum of intelligence and sedulous application."
105
sedition
behavior prompting rebellion
Sedition was heavily punished by the Spaniards in their colonies.
106
prodigal
wasteful; extravagant; lavish
Betty warned her husband that he must stop his prodigal spending on sports cars and expensive clothing.
107
probity
honesty; high-mindedness
No one questioned the probity of the judge being considered for elevation to the US Supreme Court; what was the issue was his controversial views on several important issues.
108
untouched; uncorrupted
pristine
109
primordial
original; existed from the beginning
110
prevaricate
to quibble or evade the truth
Journalists accused government leaders of prevaricating about the progress of the war.
111
preternatural
beyond the normal course of nature; supernatural
112
rude; improperly bold
presumptuous
113
presage
to foretell; indicate in advance
The poet William Blake believed his work presaged a new age in which people would achieve political, social, psychological, and spiritual freedom.
114
prehensile
capable of grasping
Prehensile tails help many arboreal animals to find and eat food as they move through the trees.
115
preempt
to supersede; appropriate for oneself
The movie was preempted for teh president's emergency address to the nation.
116
precipitate
rash; hasty; sudden
The secretary of state advised the president not to take precipitate action.
117
to cause to happen; throw down from a height
precipitate
118
relating to the stars; astral
sidereal
119
relation to the senses; operating through tthe senses
sensuous
120
behavior prompting rebellion
sedition
121
gratifying the physical senses
sensual
122
navigation tool that determines latitude and longitude
sextant
123
aware; conscious; able to perceive
sentient
124
submissive; obedient
servile
125
diligent
sedulous
126
principle; law
precept
127
uncertain
precarious
128
meaningless, foolish talk
prattle
The sociologist theorizes that what may seem like prattle often has an important social function: what might be labeled gossip is an important means for people to communicate valuable information about themselves and others.
129
prate
to talk idly; chatter
The radio program allows people to call in and prate about their pet peeves.
130
pliability; capable of being shaped or formed
plasticity
131
spiritual without sensual desire; theoretical
platonic
132
to determine the depth; to examine deeply
plumb
133
fall; plunge
to plummet
134
society ruled by the wealthy
plutocracy
135
permeable to liquids
porous
136
calm in temperament; sluggish
phlegmatic
137
lacking color or liveliness
pallid
138
panegyric
elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
Many panegyrics were written to Abraham Lincoln after his death.
139
model of excellence or perfection
paragon
140
partisan
one-sided; committed to a party, group or cause; prejudiced
The job of political scientists is is the objective study of government and politics; thus they are expected to be aloof to partisan politics.
141
departing from normal condition
pathological
142
quality that causes a feeling of pity or sorrow
pathos
143
patois
a regional dialect; nonstandard speech or jargon
In SIngapore the lingua franca is fast becoming Singaporean English widely regarded as a patois.
144
showy of learning
pedantic
145
hinder or block
impede
146
long pompus speech; tirade
harangue
147
to complain
grouse
148
elaborate praise; formal hymn of praise
panegyric
149
to talk idly; chatter
prattle
150
one-sided; committed to a party, group or cause; prejudiced
partisan
151
a regional dialect; nonstandard speech or jargon
patois
152
deviating from what is normal
aberrant
152
deviating from what is normal
aberrant
153
temporary suppression or suspension
abeyance
153
temporary suppression or suspension
abeyance
154
miserable; pitiful
abject
154
miserable; pitiful
abject
155
to reject; abandon formally
abjure
155
to reject; abandon formally
abjure
156
the act of cutting; the natural separation of a leaf or other part of plant
abscission
156
the act of cutting; the natural separation of a leaf or other part of plant
abscission
157
to cut off or away
abscise
157
to cut off or away
abscise
158
to depart secretly
abscond
158
cant
insincere talk - whining or in a singsong manner; private language of the underworld; to talk hypocritically
159
abstemious
moderate in lifestyle
Studies show that people who live abstemious lifestyles tend to live longer than those who indulge their appetites.
159
abstemious
moderate in lifestyle
Studies show that people who live abstemious lifestyles tend to live longer than those who indulge their appetites.
160
unpleasant or harsh-sounding
cacophonous
161
faultfinding; intended to entrap, as in an argument
captious
The pedantic and captious critic fails to appreciate the merits of even the most highly regarded books.
162
fickle
capricious
163
moderate in lifestyle
abstemious
164
irritable; ill-humored
cantankerous
165
rude; boorish
churlish
According to the chivalric code, a knight was never supposed to be churlish especially toward noble ladies, to whom he was supposed to be unfailingly gentle and courteous.
166
carping
to find fault; complain
Cost-benefit analyses owes much of its to utilitarian thought; despite the carping of critics that such analysis is based on faulty premises, the technique has proved useful in many ways.
167
class; social stratification
caste
168
punishment; chastisement; criticism
castigation
169
biting and caustic in thought, manner, or style : incisive
mordant; caustic
170
complaisant
overly polite; willing to please; obliging
Although France and Germany have a close relationship, neither would consider the other a complaisant ally.
171
thicken; congeal
coagulate
172
to confine or seclude
cloister
The writer cloistered herself in a country house to finish her novel.
173
rude; boorish
churlish
174
to correct by punishment or reproof; to restrain or subdue
chasten
The child's behavior improved after she had been chastened by punishment.
175
trickery; fraud
chicanery
176
roundabout
circuitous
According to Hindu philosophy, some souls take a circuitous path through many births to reach God.
177
something that completes or makes up a whole
complements
178
complaisant
overly polite; willing to please; obliging
Although France and Germany have a close relationship, neither would consider the other a complaisant ally.
179
brief comprehensive summary
compendium
180
proportional
commensurate
181
informed; conscious; aware
cognizant; sentient
190
to systematize
codify
The state legislature voted to codify regulations governing banking fraud.
191
practice of lending money at exorbitant rates
usury
192
not favorable; adverse; troublesome; unruly
untoward
Police were called in to investigate whether anything untoward had happened to the missing man.
193
indefensible
untenable
Skeptics are inclined to regard arguments for God's existence from design as meaningless, since they rely on a logically untenable position that assumes the conclusion of their argument - God's existence.
194
genuine
unfeigned
The child smiled in unfeigned delight when she opened the Christmas presents.
195
moving in waves
undulating
The undulating terrain of the area has made it difficult for engineers to build roads there.
196
mysterious; strange
uncanny
The psychic has an uncanny ability to accurately predict the future.
197
tutelary
serving as a guardian or protector
Most of the people of ancient Rome believed in the existence of tutelary spirits.
tutelary spirits: gods who are guardians of a particular area or person
198
turgid
swollen; bloated; pompous
The professor's editor advised him to change his writing style so that it was less pedantic and turgid of he wanted to appeal to a mass audience.
199
muddy; opaque; in a state of great confusion
turbid
200
swollen; distended
tumid
The prose of writers discussing lofty subjects sometimes becomes tumid.
201
long violent speech; verbal assault
tirade
202
toady
flatterer; hanger-on; yes-man
The boss had no respect for the employee because he considered him a toady who would do anything he said.
203
tome
book, usually large and academic
This 800-page tome called Biology contains most of the information students need to learn for the introductory biology course.
204
torpor
sluggishness; lethargy; dormancy
After returning home from his coast-to-coast trip, the truck driver sank into a peaceful torpor, watching tv and dozing.
205
having many twists and turn; highly complex
tortuous
The book describes the author's tortuous journey from cynicism and despair of faith and hope.
206
tout
to promote or praise energetically
Proud of his sister's accomplishments, Lawrence touted that her sister was the best actress the world has seen.
207
obedient; yielding
tractable
The psychotic patient became tractable after being injected with a sedative.
208
having many twists and turn; highly complex
tortuous
The book describes the author's tortuous journey from cynicism and despair of faith and hope.
209
tout
to promote or praise energetically
Proud of his sister's accomplishments, Lawrence touted that her sister was the best actress the world has seen.
210
obedient; yielding
tractable
The psychotic patient became tractable after being injected with a sedative.
