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GRE Vocab > Chapter 3 - II > Flashcards

Chapter 3 - II Flashcards

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1
Q

vicissitude

A

a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant.

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2
Q

irony

A

the expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.

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3
Q

circle

A

move all the way around (someone or something), especially more than once.

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4
Q

serendipity

A

the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.

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5
Q

comedy

A

professional entertainment consisting of jokes and satirical sketches, intended to make an audience laugh.

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6
Q

akimbo

A

with hands on the hips and elbows turned outward.

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7
Q

abreast

A

side by side and facing the same way.

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8
Q

obtuse

A
  1. annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand.
  2. (of an angle) more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees.
  3. not sharp-pointed or sharp-edged; blunt.
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9
Q

subservient

A

prepared to obey others unquestioningly.

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10
Q

askance

A

with an attitude or look of suspicion or disapproval.

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11
Q

apologist

A

a person who suffers an argument in defense of something controversial.

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12
Q

critic

A
  1. a person who expresses an unfavorable opinion of something.
  2. a person who judges the merits of literary, or musical works, especially one who does so professionally.
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13
Q

proponent

A

a person who advocates a theory, proposal, or project.

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14
Q

catalyst

A

a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

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15
Q

mercenary

A

(of a person or their behavior) primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics.

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16
Q

lackey

A

a servant, especially a liveried footman or manservant.

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17
Q

demarcate

A

set the boundaries or limits of.

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18
Q

whitewash

A
  1. Deliberately attempt to conceal unpleasant facts about (a person or organization).
  2. defeat (an opponent), keeping them from scoring.
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19
Q

trumpet

A
  1. make a loud, penetrating sound

2. proclaim widely or loudly.

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20
Q

improvident

A

not having or showing foresight; spendthrift or thoughtless.

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21
Q

taciturn

A

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

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22
Q

dissolute

A

lax in morals; licentious.

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23
Q

innovative

A

(of a product, idea, etc.) featuring new methods; advanced and original.

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24
Q

acerbic

A
  1. (especially of a comment or style of speaking) sharp and forthright.
  2. tasting sour or bitter.
25
Q

inimical

A

tending to obstruct or harm.

26
Q

pallid

A

(of a person’s face) pale, typically because of poor health.

27
Q

aghast

A

filled with horror and shock.

28
Q

impecunious

A

having little or no money.

29
Q

enigmatic

A

difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.

30
Q

break away

A

(of a person) escape from someone’s hold.

31
Q

emblematic

A

serving as a symbol of a particular quality or concept; symbolic.

32
Q

pragmatic

A

dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.

33
Q

quixotic

A

exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.

34
Q

grandiloquent

A

pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress.

35
Q

posit

A
  1. assume as a fact; put forward as a basis of argument.

2. put in position; place

36
Q

deny

A
  1. state that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of.
  2. refuse to give or grant (something requested or denied) to (someone).
37
Q

cajole

A

persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.

38
Q

warily

A

cautiously; carefully.

39
Q

mendacious

A

not telling the truth; lying.

40
Q

roundly

A
  1. in a vehement or emphatic manner.

2. so as to form a circular or roughly circular shape.

41
Q

lauded

A

highly praised or admired.

42
Q

pan

A
  1. criticize (someone or something) severely.

2. wash gravel in a pan to separate out (gold).

43
Q

venerate

A

regard with great respect; revere.

44
Q

insouciance

A

casual lack of concern; indifference.

45
Q

utility

A
  1. the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial.

2. an organization supplying the community with electricity, gas, water, or sewerage.

46
Q

price

A
  1. the amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something.
  2. an unwelcome experience, event, or action involved as a condition of achieving a desired end.
47
Q

aesthetics

A

a set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty, especially in art.

48
Q

profundity

A

deep insight; great depth of knowledge or thought.

49
Q

attentively

A

while paying close attention.

50
Q

insensible

A
  1. without one’s mental faculties, typically a result of violence or intoxication; unconscious.
  2. unaware of or indifferent to.
  3. too small or gradual to be perceived; inappropriate.
51
Q

listless

A

(of a person or their manner) lacking energy or enthusiasm.

52
Q

actively

A
  1. in a deliberate and positive way.

2. in an energetic or vigorous way.

53
Q

consciously

A

in a deliberate and intentional way.

54
Q

prologue

A

a separate introductory section of a literary or musical work.

55
Q

catharsis

A
  1. the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
  2. purgation.
56
Q

coda

A

the concluding passage of a piece or movement, typically forming an addition the the basic structure.

57
Q

homily

A

a religious discourse that is intended primarily for spiritual edification rather than doctrinal instruction; a sermon.

58
Q

rampage

A

(especially of a large group people) rush around in a violent and uncontrollable manner.

GRE Vocab (19 decks)

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