GRE Hit Parade Group 4 Flashcards
acerbic
(adj.) having a sour or bitter taste or character;
aggrandize
(verb) to increase in intensity, power, influence, or prestige
alchemy
(noun) a medieval science aimed at the transmutation of metals, especially base metals into gold (alchemist)
amenable
(adj.) agreeable; responsive to suggestion
anachronism
(noun) something or someone out of place in terms of historical or chronological context
astringent
(adj.) having a tightening effect on living tissue; harsh; severe; something with a tightening effect on tissue
contiguous
(adj.) sharing a border; touching; adjacent
convention
(noun) a generally agreed-upon practice or attitude
credulous
(adj.) tending to believe too readily; gullible (credulity)
cynicism
(noun) an attitude or quality of belief that all people are motivated by selfishness (cynical)
decorum
(noun) polite or appropriate conduct or behavior (decorous)
derision
(noun) scorn, ridicule, contemptuous treatment (derisive, deride)
desiccate
(verb) to dry out or dehydrate; to make dry or dull
dilettante
(noun) one with an amateurish or superficial interest in the arts or a branch of knowledge
disparage
to slight or belittle
divulge
(verb) to disclose something secret
fawn
(verb) to flatter or praise excessively
flout
(verb) to show contempt for, as in rule or convention
garrulous
(adj.) pointlessly talkative; talking too much
glib
(adj.) marked by ease or informality; nonchalant; lacking in depth; superficial
hubris
(noun) overbearing presumption or pride; arrogance
imminent
(adj.) about to happen; impending
immutable
(adj.) not capable of change
impetuous
(adj.) hastily or rashly energetic; impulsive and vehement
indifferent
(adj.) having no interest of concern; showing no bias or prejudice
inimical
(adj.) damaging; harmful; injurious
intractable
(adj.) not easily managed or directed; stubborn; obstinate
intrepid
(adj.) steadfast and courageous