Barron's Essential Words for the GRE - Sheet1 Flashcards
Abate
to decrease; reduce
Abdicate
to give up a position, right, or power
Aberrant
deviation from what is normal
Abeyance
temporary suppression or suspension
Abject
miserable; pitiful
Abjure
to reject; abandon formally
Abscission
the act of cutting; the natural separation of a leaf or other part of a plant
Abscond
to depart secretly
Abstemious
moderate in appetite
Abstinence
the giving up of certain pleasure
Abysmal
very bad
Accretion
growth in size or increase in amount
Accrue
to accumulate; grow by additions
Adamant
uncompromising; unyielding
Adjunct
something added, attached, or joined
Admonish
to caution or reprimand
Adulterate
to corrupt or make impure
Aesthetic
relating to beauty or art
Affected
pretentious, phony
Affinity
fondness; liking; similarity
Aggrandize
to make larger or greater
Aggregated
amounting to a whole; total
Alacrity
cheerful willingness; eagerness; speed
Alchemy
medieval chemical philosophy based on changing metal into gold; a seemingly magical power or process of transmutation
Allay
to lessen; ease; soothe
Alleviate
to relieve; improve partially
Alloy
a combination; a mixture of two or more metals
Allure
the power to entice by charm
Amalgamate
to combine into a unified whole
Ambiguous
unclear or doubtful in meaning
Ambivalence
the state of having conflicting emotional attitudes
Ambrosia
something delicious; the food of the gods
Ameliorate
to improve
Amenable
agreeable; cooperative; suited
Amenity
something that increases comfort
Amulet
ornament worn as a charm against evil spirits
Anachronism
something out of the proper time
Analgesic
medication that reduces or eliminates pain
Analogous
comparable
Anarchy
absence of government; state of disorder