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My GRE Vocabulary > GRE Deck 8 > Flashcards

GRE Deck 8 Flashcards

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1
Q

absolve

A

pardon (an offense)

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2
Q

accomplice

A

partner in crime

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3
Q

acme

A

peak; pinnacle; highest point

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4
Q

adversary

A

opponent; enemy

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5
Q

affirmation

A

positive assertion; confirmation; solemn pledge by one who refuses to take an oath; V. affirm; ADJ. affirmative; CF. affirmative action: positive discrimination

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6
Q

agape

A

openmouthed

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7
Q

agnostic

A

one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality

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8
Q

agrarian

A

pertaining to land or its cultivation; Ex. agrarian reform

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9
Q

alimony

A

payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after divorce

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10
Q

alluvial

A

pertaining to soil deposits left by running water

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11
Q

amicable

A

peaceful; politely friendly; not quarrelsome; Ex. amicable settlement

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12
Q

amnesty

A

pardon (allowed by government to political criminals)

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13
Q

amphitheater

A

oval building with tiers of seats; CF. arena

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14
Q

anarchist

A

person who seeks to overturn the established government; advocate of abolishing authority

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15
Q

aperture

A

opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light

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16
Q

aphorism

A

pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic

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17
Q

apiarist

A

person who keeps bees

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18
Q

aplomb

A

poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence

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19
Q

apologist

A

one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia

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20
Q

apostate

A

one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy

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21
Q

apothegm(apophthegm)

A

pithy, compact saying

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22
Q

appease

A

pacify or soothe; Ex. appease a crying baby; N. appeasement

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23
Q

arbiter

A

person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; Ex. supreme arbiter of fashion in beachware

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24
Q

arboretum

A

place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited

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25
Q

aria

A

operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio

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26
Q

ascetic

A

practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere; Ex. ascetic life of Buddhist monks; N. asceticism

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27
Q

asylum

A

place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political)

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28
Q

augury

A

omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future)

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29
Q

auroral

A

pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis

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30
Q

auxiliary

A

offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant

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31
Q

awl

A

pointed tool used for piercing

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32
Q

badger

A

pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again; Ex. The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal

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33
Q

bane

A

posion; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous

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34
Q

bard

A

poet

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35
Q

beneficiary

A

person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will

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36
Q

bigot

A

one who is intolerant (in matters of religion or politics)

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37
Q

blight

A

plant disease; V: infect with blight; ruin; destroy

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38
Q

bombastic

A

pompous; using inflated language

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39
Q

braid

A

plait; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; N: braided segment (as of hair)

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40
Q

brochure

A

pamphlet

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41
Q

bromide

A

platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement

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42
Q

brooch

A

ornamental clasp; pin

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43
Q

buccaneer

A

pirate

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44
Q

bully

A

one who is habitually cruel to weaker people; V.

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45
Q

bureaucracy

A

overregulated administrative system marked by red tape; ADJ. bureaucratic

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46
Q

bust

A

piece of sculpture showing a person’s head, shoulders, and upper chest; V: break up; arrest; Ex. crimebuster

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47
Q

cajole

A

persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle

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48
Q

carping

A

petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble

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49
Q

caste

A

one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige

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50
Q

cemetery

A

place for burying the dead

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51
Q

cerebral

A

pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum

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52
Q

championship

A

position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion

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53
Q

chaperon

A

older person who accompanies and supervises a young unmarried woman

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54
Q

chase

A

ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch

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55
Q

chorus

A

phrase repeated throughout a song or poem

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56
Q

circumvent

A

outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around

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57
Q

clich'e

A

phrase dulled in meaning by repetition; platitude; ADJ. clich'ed

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58
Q

coalition

A

partnership; league; union of separate political parties

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59
Q

coax

A

persuade by flattery

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60
Q

colloquial

A

pertaining to conversational or common speech; informal; N. colloquialism: colloquial expression

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61
Q

commonplace

A

ordinary; N: something ordinary or common; trite remark

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62
Q

compartment

A

one of the parts into which an enclosed space is divided

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63
Q

compelling

A

overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding one’s attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a compelling adventure story; V. compel

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64
Q

complicity

A

participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)

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65
Q

condone

A

overlook; forgive; give tacit approval; excuse

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66
Q

congenial

A

pleasant; friendly; in agreement with one’s tastes and nature; Ex. congenial weather

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67
Q

conifer

A

pine tree (usu. evergreen); cone-bearing tree; ADJ. coniferous; CF. deciduous; CF. evergreen

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68
Q

conjugal

A

pertaining to marriage

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69
Q

connoisseur

A

person competent to act as a judge of art, etc. (whose judgments are respected); a lover of an art

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70
Q

connubial

A

pertaining to marriage or the matrimonial state

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71
Q

contaminate

A

pollute

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72
Q

contrite

A

penitent; repentant; N. contrition

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73
Q

controvert

A

oppose with arguments; attempt to refute; contradict; ADJ. controversial; N. controversy

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74
Q

conventional

A

ordinary; typical; not nuclear; Ex. conventional weapons

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75
Q

converse

A

opposite; ADJ.

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76
Q

convert

A

one who has adopted a different religion or opinion; V: change into another form; (persuade to) adopt a particular religion or belief

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77
Q

convivial

A

pleasantly merry; festive; joyous; gay; characterized by joviality; jovial

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78
Q

copious

A

plentiful

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79
Q

cosmic

A

pertaining to the universe; vast

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80
Q

cull

A

pick out from others (to kill the weakest members); reject; select; collect (information); N.

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81
Q

culprit

A

one guilty of a crime

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82
Q

decant

A

pour off gently (wine or liquid)

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83
Q

defile

A

pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains

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84
Q

delineate

A

portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation

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85
Q

demagogue

A

person who appeals to people’s prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery

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86
Q

depict

A

portray

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87
Q

depredation

A

plundering; destruction

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88
Q

dermatologist

A

one who studies the skin and its diseases

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89
Q

despoil

A

plunder; sack; Ex. despoil the village

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90
Q

devout

A

pious; deeply religious; sincere; earnest; Ex. my devout hope

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91
Q

dignitary

A

person of high rank or position

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92
Q

disburse

A

pay out (as from a fund); N. disbursement; CF. purse

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93
Q

dissuade

A

persuade not to do; discourage; N. dissuasion

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94
Q

diva

A

operatic singer; prima donna

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95
Q

divine

A

perceive intuitively (by or as if by magic); foresee the future; foretell; dowse; ADJ. N. divination

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96
Q

doggerel

A

poor verse

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97
Q

dogmatic

A

opinionated; holding stubbornly to one’s opinion; arbitrary; doctrinal

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98
Q

douse

A

plunge into water or liquid; dip; immerse; drench; wet throughly; extinguish; throw water over; dowse

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99
Q

ecliptic

A

path of the sun and the planets

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100
Q

ecologist

A

person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology

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101
Q

efficacy

A

power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual

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102
Q

effusion

A

pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing

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103
Q

ego

A

one’s opinion of oneself; self-esteem

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104
Q

elegy

A

poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiacal, elegiac

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105
Q

ellipsis

A

omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses

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106
Q

Elysium

A

place or condition of bliss

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107
Q

emblazon

A

ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment

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108
Q

encomiastic

A

praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy

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109
Q

enrapture

A

please intensely; fill with rapture and delight

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110
Q

entreat

A

plead; ask earnestly

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111
Q

epaulet(epaulette)

A

ornament worn on the shoulder (of a uniform, etc.)

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112
Q

epistemologist

A

philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology

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113
Q

epitome

A

perfect example or embodiment; brief summary; Ex. epitome of good manners; V. epitomize: make an epitome of; be an epitome of; embody

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114
Q

epoch

A

period of time

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115
Q

equinox

A

period of equal days and nights; the beginning of spring and autumn; Ex. vernal/autumnal equinox; ADJ. equinoctial

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116
Q

erotic

A

pertaining to passionate love or sexual love

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117
Q

escapade

A

prank; flighty conduct; reckless adventure that disobeys rules

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118
Q

eugenic

A

pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race

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119
Q

eulogistic

A

praising; full of eulogy

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120
Q

executioner

A

person administering capital punishment

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121
Q

executive

A

person having administrative authority; one branch of government executing laws; ADJ: relating to executing

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122
Q

executor

A

person designated to execute the terms of a will; ¿ÂÂ_ÂÂ_ú ÀÛÇ°ÀÇ ÃÂÅÂÂ_ÀÛÀÚ

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123
Q

existential

A

pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism

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124
Q

expenditure

A

payment or expense; expending; something expended; output; Ex. receipt for the expenditure; Ex. expenditure of all the energy

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125
Q

extol

A

praise very highly; glorify

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126
Q

extrovert

A

person interested mostly in external objects and actions

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127
Q

exuberance

A

overflowing abundance; joyful enthusiasm; flamboyance; lavishness; ADJ. exuberant: high-spirited and lively; growing abundantly and strongly

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128
Q

faction

A

party; clique (within a large group); dissension

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129
Q

feasible

A

practical; able to be carried out; practicable

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130
Q

felon

A

person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime

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131
Q

filial

A

pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; Ex. filial respect

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132
Q

filing

A

particle removed by a file

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133
Q

firebrand

A

piece of burning wood; hothead; troublemaker; person who stirs up trouble

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134
Q

flamboyant

A

ornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; ostentatious; showy; CF. flame

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135
Q

flora

A

plants of a region or era

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136
Q

forbearance

A

patience; forgiveness; V. forbear: refrain from (in a generous and forgiving way); be patient; Ex. forbear to send him to prison

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137
Q

ford

A

place where a river can be crossed on foot; V.

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138
Q

founder

A

person who establishes (an organization or business)

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139
Q

freebooter

A

pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow rich

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140
Q

fresco

A

painting on wet plaster (usually fresh)

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141
Q

frieze

A

ornamental horizontal band on a wall

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142
Q

frolic

A

play and jump about happily; frisk; Ex. frolicking young lambs

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143
Q

frolicsome

A

prankish; gay; playful; merry; frisky

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144
Q

functionary

A

official (who performs a particular function)

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145
Q

gambit

A

opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage

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146
Q

gape

A

open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly with the mouth open; CF. agape

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147
Q

garish

A

overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy

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148
Q

gazette

A

official periodical publication; newspaper

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149
Q

genre

A

particular variety of art or literature

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150
Q

gentry

A

people of standing(rank or position); people of good family or high social position; class of people just below nobility

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151
Q

germane

A

pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate

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152
Q

germinal

A

pertaining to a germ; creative; Ex. germinal idea

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153
Q

glut

A

overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to excess; N: oversupply

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154
Q

gouge

A

overcharge (with high price); extort from; Ex. gouge the public; CF. usury

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155
Q

graphic

A

pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described

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156
Q

gratify

A

please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire

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157
Q

guise

A

outward appearance; costume; Ex. in a new guise

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158
Q

haven

A

place of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven

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159
Q

healthy

A

possessing good health; healthful

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160
Q

heckler

A

person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker or speech)

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161
Q

hedonist

A

one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living one’s life purely for pleasure

162
Q

heed

A

pay attention to; N: close attention

163
Q

heresy

A

opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic

164
Q

herpetologist

A

one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians

165
Q

hieroglyphic

A

picture writing; ADJ.

166
Q

hireling

A

one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation; Ex. hireling politician

167
Q

horticultural

A

pertaining to cultivation of gardens; N. horticulture: science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants; CF. agriculture: science or art of farming or growing crops

168
Q

hostage

A

person who is kept as a prisoner by an enemy so that the other side will do what the enemy demands

169
Q

hothead

A

person who does things too quickly without thinking; ADJ. hotheaded

170
Q

hue_and_cry

A

outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest; Ex. hue and cry against the new rule

171
Q

humanitarian

A

one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism

172
Q

hypochondriac

A

person unduly worried about his health; worrier without cause about illness; ADJ. CF. hypochondria: neurosis that one is or is becoming ill; CF. abdomen

173
Q

immolate

A

offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire)

174
Q

impale

A

pierce (with a sharp point); Ex. impaled by the spear

175
Q

impuissance

A

powerlessness; feebleness

176
Q

indigence

A

poverty

177
Q

indigent

A

poor; destitute

178
Q

indissoluble

A

permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate

179
Q

induce

A

persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement

180
Q

induct

A

place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts

181
Q

inductive

A

pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general

182
Q

infernal

A

pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction

183
Q

infiltrate

A

pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Ex. infiltrate the troops into enemy territory; CF. infiltrator

184
Q

institute

A

organization for a special purpose; V: establish

185
Q

insurmountable

A

overwhelming; unbeatable; insuperable

186
Q

intermittent

A

periodic; on and off; stopping and starting at intervals

187
Q

interregnum

A

period between two successive reigns or governments

188
Q

introvert

A

one who is introspective or inclined to think more about oneself; ADJ. introverted

189
Q

invalid

A

one incapacitated(disabled) by a chronic illness; ADJ: incapacitated by illness; not valid; null; V: allow to leave (a military force) because of ill-health

190
Q

inverse

A

opposite

191
Q

invocation

A

prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking

192
Q

itinerary

A

plan of a trip; record of a trip

193
Q

jab

A

poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short blows

194
Q

jest

A

playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully

195
Q

jug

A

pitcher; container for holding liquids

196
Q

juxtapose

A

place side by side; CF. next

197
Q

kleptomaniac

A

person who has a compulsive desire to steal

198
Q

lance

A

pierce with a lance; cut into; N: spearlike weapon

199
Q

larder

A

pantry; place where food is kept

200
Q

laud

A

praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise

201
Q

license

A

official or legal permission; latitude of action or speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; V.

202
Q

linguistic

A

pertaining to language

203
Q

lunar

A

pertaining to the moon

204
Q

luscious

A

pleasing to taste or smell; delicious

205
Q

madrigal

A

pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments

206
Q

magistrate

A

official with power to administer the law

207
Q

magnate

A

person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate

208
Q

malcontent

A

person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented

209
Q

malingerer

A

one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work

210
Q

mandate

A

order; charge; authoritative command; power to govern another country; power to given to a government; region under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under a mandate; Ex. mandated territory

211
Q

manifestation

A

outward demonstration; manifesting; indication of the presence of something; Ex. manifestation of his pronounced musical bent

212
Q

manipulate

A

operate with one’s hands; control or play upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative

213
Q

marital

A

pertaining to marriage

214
Q

marsupial

A

one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat

215
Q

martyr

A

one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Ex. martyr to his rheumatism

216
Q

masochist

A

person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism

217
Q

mason

A

one who builds or works with stone or brick; N. masonry: work of a mason; stonework or brickwork

218
Q

matrix

A

point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Ex. the matrix of Western civilization

219
Q

mauve

A

pale purple

220
Q

mediocre

A

ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad

221
Q

metallurgical

A

pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores

222
Q

metaphysical

A

pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality

223
Q

mime

A

pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: mimic; pantomime

224
Q

minutiae

A

petty or trivial details; CF. minutia

225
Q

misanthrope

A

one who hates mankind; misanthropist

226
Q

mnemonic

A

pertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid

227
Q

mogul

A

powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; CF. Mongolian

228
Q

mollycoddle

A

pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively

229
Q

molt(moult)

A

periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth)

230
Q

monetary

A

pertaining to money

231
Q

mongrel

A

plant or animal (esp. a dog) of mixed breed; ADJ.

232
Q

monochrome

A

painting in only one color; ADJ.

233
Q

mosaic

A

picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ.

234
Q

muse

A

ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of a poet)

235
Q

nautical

A

pertaining to ships or navigation

236
Q

nihilist

A

one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement

237
Q

nonentity

A

person of no importance; nonexistence

238
Q

numismatist

A

person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals

239
Q

obsolete

A

outmoded; no longer used

240
Q

obstetrician

A

physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife

241
Q

oculist

A

physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes

242
Q

optimist

A

person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism

243
Q

optometrist

A

one who fits glasses to remedy visual defects

244
Q

outcast

A

one that has been excluded from a society; ADJ.

245
Q

outlook

A

point of view; view from a particular place; expectation for the future; prospect; Ex. outlook on life; Ex. pleasing outlook; Ex. weather outlook

246
Q

outstrip

A

outrun; surpass; outdo

247
Q

outwit

A

outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly

248
Q

overt

A

open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert

249
Q

pacifist

A

one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes

250
Q

palimpsest

A

parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased

251
Q

pallid

A

pale; wan; Ex. pallid complexion

252
Q

partisan

A

one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla

253
Q

pass'e

A

old-fashioned; past the prime

254
Q

pastry

A

paste of flour and water (eaten when baked)

255
Q

pathological

A

pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease

256
Q

pecuniary

A

pertaining to money

257
Q

pedestrian

A

ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot; Ex. pedestrian prose; N.

258
Q

pediatrician

A

physician specializing in children’s diseases; N. pediatrics

259
Q

peer

A

one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress

260
Q

penumbra

A

partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow

261
Q

perforate

A

pierce; put a hole through

262
Q

perigee

A

point of moon’s orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee

263
Q

perimeter

A

outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference

264
Q

periphery

A

outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter; Ex. periphery of the town

265
Q

pharisaical

A

pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical

266
Q

pharisee

A

Pharisee: member of an ancient Jewish group that emphasized strict observance of the Mosaic law (considering themselves very holy); hypocritical self-righteous person

267
Q

physiological

A

pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology

268
Q

piecemeal

A

one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Ex. read a novel piecemeal

269
Q

pied

A

piebald; variegated(many-colored); multicolored

270
Q

pillage

A

plunder

271
Q

pinnacle

A

peak; highest point; acme; Ex. pinnacle of fame

272
Q

piquant

A

pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; Ex. piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help

273
Q

piscatorial

A

pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces

274
Q

placate

A

pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease

275
Q

placid

A

peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake

276
Q

plaster

A

paste that hardens to a smooth solid and is used for coating walls; V.

277
Q

plaudit

A

praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud

278
Q

plumber

A

one who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing(pipes)

279
Q

plump

A

pleasantly fat; nicely rounded

280
Q

podium

A

pedestal; raised platform

281
Q

polygamist

A

one who has more than one spouse at a time; CF. bigamy; CF. polyandry

282
Q

pontifical

A

pertaining to a bishop or pope; pompous or pretentious; CF. pontiff: pope; bishop

283
Q

poseur

A

person who pretends to be sophisticated, elegant, etc., to impress others; person who poses; CF. pose

284
Q

potent

A

powerful; convincing; persuasive; greatly influential

285
Q

pragmatic

A

practical (as opposed to idealistic); concerned with practical worth or impact of something; Ex. pragmatic test of the skill

286
Q

pragmatist

A

practical person; N. pragmatism: pragmatic way of dealing with things

287
Q

precept

A

practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother’s precept

288
Q

preeminent

A

outstanding; superior

289
Q

premeditate

A

plan in advance; Ex. premeditated murder

290
Q

pretentious

A

ostentatious; showy; pompous; making unjustified claims; overambitious; Ex. pretentious films that claim to be art

291
Q

prime

A

period of ideal or peak condition; earliest or beginning stage; Ex. in the prime of life; Ex. prime of the year(spring); ADJ: first in importance or rank; first; V: make ready; prepare

292
Q

procrastinate

A

postpone; delay or put off

293
Q

prod

A

poke (with a pointed object); stir up; urge; goad to action; N: pointed object used to prod; prodding

294
Q

prong

A

pointed projecting part

295
Q

proscenium

A

part of stage in front of curtain; front arch of a stage

296
Q

prot'eg'e

A

person receiving protection and support from a patron

297
Q

prototype

A

original work used as a model by others

298
Q

provenance

A

place of origin; origin or source of something; Ex. Gunpowder is of Chinese provenance; CF. come

299
Q

provincial

A

pertaining to a province; limited in outlook; narrow; unsophisticated

300
Q

pseudonym

A

pen name; fictitious name assumed by an author; ADJ. pseudonymous

301
Q

psychopathic

A

pertaining to mental dearrangement; N. psychopath: person with an antisocial personality disorder

302
Q

puissant

A

powerful; strong; potent; N. puissance: power

303
Q

pulmonary

A

pertaining to the lungs

304
Q

pummel

A

pommel; beat or pound with fists

305
Q

purgatory

A

place of spiritual expiation; temporary state or place in which the souls must expiate their sins

306
Q

pyromaniac

A

person with an insane desire to set things on fire

307
Q

quarry

A

person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey

308
Q

rave

A

overwhelmingly favorable review; V: talk wildly as if mad; Ex. raving lunatic

309
Q

reaper

A

one who harvests grain; Ex. the Grim Reaper; V. reap: cut and gather (crop); harvest a crop

310
Q

recess

A

pause; temporary cessation; alcove; secret inner place; Ex. parliament in recess; V. CF. recessive

311
Q

reprieve

A

postponement or cancelation of a punishment; temporary stay; V: postpone or cancel the punishment of

312
Q

resignation

A

patiently submissiveness; statement that one is quitting a job; ADJ. resigned: acquiescent

313
Q

riddle

A

pierce with holes; permeate or spread throughout; Ex. The gunman riddled the car with bullets; Ex. The whole report is riddled with errors; N. large sieve (separating earth from stone)

314
Q

rococo

A

ornate; highly decorated; N. CF. 18th century

315
Q

romp

A

play or frolic boisterously; gambol; N.

316
Q

rustic

A

pertaining to country people; unsophisticated; simple; crude; uncouth; (of furniture) rough with the bark left on; N. rural person; rustic person

317
Q

ruthless

A

pitiless; merciless; cruel

318
Q

saboteur

A

one who commits sabotage; destroyer of property; N. sabotage: destruction of property (usually carried out secretly)

319
Q

sage

A

person celebrated for wisdom; wise person; ADJ: wise

320
Q

sanctuary

A

place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex. The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.

321
Q

sanguine

A

optimistic; cheerful; hopeful; of the color of blood; red

322
Q

sartorial

A

pertaining to tailors or tailoring; Ex. a man of great sartorial elegance; CF. sartor: tailor

323
Q

savory

A

pleasant in taste; tasty; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable; Ex. savory reputation

324
Q

scenario

A

plot outline; screenplay(script for a movie); opera libretto; outline of possible future events

325
Q

seep

A

pass slowly through small openings; ooze; trickle; N. seepage

326
Q

seismic

A

pertaining to earthquakes

327
Q

semblance

A

outward appearance; guise; Ex. We called in the troops to bring a/some semblance of order to the city.

328
Q

senility

A

old age; feeblemindedness of old age; ADJ. senile: resulting from old age; showing the weakness of body or mind from old age; Ex. senile dementia

329
Q

sententious

A

pithy; terse; concise; aphoristic

330
Q

sheathe

A

place into a case; insert into or provide with a sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for a blade

331
Q

simplistic

A

oversimplified

332
Q

sleeper

A

one that achieves unexpected success; something originally of little value or importance that in time becomes very valuable

333
Q

solstice

A

point or time at which the sun is farthest from the equator

334
Q

somatic

A

pertaining to the body; bodily; physical

335
Q

soothsayer

A

one who foretells the future

336
Q

sow

A

plant or scatter seed

337
Q

spoilsport

A

one who spoils the pleasure of others

338
Q

spoof

A

parody

339
Q

sportive

A

playful; frolicsome; merry; CF. sport: play or frolic; CF. sportsmanlike

340
Q

staccato

A

played in an abrupt manner; marked by abrupt sharp sound; Ex. staccato applause

341
Q

stalwart

A

physically strong; brawny; steadfast; strong in mind or determination; Ex. stalwart supporter; N: stalwart follower

342
Q

stamina

A

power of endurance; strength; staying power

343
Q

stellar

A

pertaining to the stars; of a star performer; outstanding; Ex. stellar attraction of the entire performance

344
Q

stereotype

A

one regarded as embodying a set image or type; fixed and unvarying representation; standardized mental picture often reflecting prejudice; Ex. stereotype of the happy slave; V: make a stereotype of; represent by a stereotype; Ex. It is wrong to stereotype people; Ex. stereotyped answer

345
Q

stickler

A

perfectionist; person who insists things be exactly right

346
Q

stipend

A

pay for services

347
Q

stipple

A

paint or draw with dots or short strokes

348
Q

strut

A

pompous walk; V: walk in a self-important manner

349
Q

submerge

A

place under water; dip; go under water; cover completely (as with water); Ex. submerged in work

350
Q

suborn

A

persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit perjury); N. subornation

351
Q

subtlety

A

perceptiveness; ingenuity; delicacy; ADJ. subtle: delicate; so slight as to be difficult to detect; able to make fine distinctions; clever; Ex. subtle mind/differences in meaning

352
Q

superimpose

A

place over something else

353
Q

supernumerary

A

person or thing excess of what is necessary; extra; ADJ: additional to the usual or necessary number

354
Q

supplicant

A

one who supplicates; ADJ.

355
Q

supplicate

A

petition humbly; pray to grant a favor

356
Q

surge

A

powerful movement of or like a wave; V.

357
Q

surmount

A

overcome

358
Q

sylvan

A

pertaining to the woods or the country

359
Q

tactile

A

pertaining to the organs or sense of touch

360
Q

tangential

A

only slightly connected; not central; peripheral; digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent

361
Q

tanner

A

person who turns animal hides into leather

362
Q

teetotalism

A

practice of abstaining totally from alcoholic drinks; N. teetotaler;; ADJ. teetotal; CF. T + total

363
Q

tenancy

A

possession of land or building by rent; period of a tenant’s occupancy

364
Q

tenant

A

one that pays rent to use property owned by another

365
Q

tender

A

offer formally; extend; Ex. tender one’s resignation/the exact fare; N: formal offer; money; Ex. legal tender; ADJ: young and vulnerable; sensitive to the touch; sore; soft; delicate; Ex. child of tender years; Ex. tender wound

366
Q

terminal

A

part that forms the end; railroad or bus station; ADJ. forming an end; ending in death; fatal; Ex. terminal cancer

367
Q

terrestrial

A

on or relating to the earth

368
Q

thermal

A

pertaining to heat; producing heat; warm; Ex. thermal bath; N: rising current of warm air

369
Q

thesis

A

opinion put forward and supported by reasoned arguments

370
Q

thespian

A

pertaining to drama; N: actor or actress

371
Q

token

A

outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude

372
Q

topography

A

physical features of a region (such as the shape and height); CF. topo-: place

373
Q

touchy

A

oversensitive; easily offended; irasible; delicate; needing delicate handling; Ex. touchy situation

374
Q

toxic

A

poisonous; N. toxicity

375
Q

trajectory

A

path taken by a projectile; Ex. trajectory of a bullet

376
Q

translucent

A

partly transparent

377
Q

transparent

A

permitting light to pass through freely; easily detected; obvious; clear; Ex. transparent lie

378
Q

trappings

A

outward decorations; ornaments (as an outward sign of rank)

379
Q

tribune

A

official of ancient Rome elected by the plebians to protect their rights; protector of the people

380
Q

trickster

A

person who cheats people

381
Q

troth

A

pledge of good faith especially in betrothal; betrothal; Ex. by my troth

382
Q

tyranny

A

oppression; cruel government; ADJ. tyrannical: of a tyrant or tyranny; despotic; V. tyrannize: treat tyrannically; oppress

383
Q

unctuous

A

oily; bland; insincerely suave

384
Q

unequivocal

A

plain; clear; obvious

385
Q

unguent

A

ointment

386
Q

unilateral

A

one-sided; involving or affecting only one side; Ex. unilateral declaration

387
Q

upshot

A

outcome; final result

388
Q

valedictory

A

pertaining to farewell; N: farewell address (esp. at graduation exercises)

389
Q

vantage

A

position giving an advantage (such as a strategic point); CF. vantagepoint

390
Q

varnish

A

paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film; glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex. nail varnish; V.

391
Q

venom

A

poison (of an animal); hatred; Ex. remarks full of venom; ADJ. venomous

392
Q

verbiage

A

pompous array of words; too many unnecessary words; wordiness

393
Q

vernal

A

pertaining to spring

394
Q

vicar

A

parish priest; representative

395
Q

vigilante

A

one who without authority assumes law enforcement powers

396
Q

viper

A

poisonous snake

397
Q

vogue

A

popular fashion; Ex. Jeans became the vogue.

398
Q

voyeur

A

Peeping Tom; person who derives sexual gratification from observing the sexual acts of others

399
Q

weather

A

pass safely through (a storm or difficult period); endure the effects of weather or other forces

400
Q

zest

A

outer skin of an orange used for giving a special taste to food; spice; interest; flavor; spirited enjoyment; Ex. add a certain zest to the affair; Ex. zest for life

My GRE Vocabulary (12 decks)

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