GRE Vocabulary 4 Flashcards
acerbic
(adj.) having a sour or bitter taste or character; sharp; biting
aggrandize
(verb) to increase in intensity, power, influence, or prestige
alchemy
(noun) a medieval science aimed at the transmutation of metals, esp. base metals into gold (noun: alchemist)
amenable
(adj.) agreeable responsive to suggestion
anachronism
(noun) something or someone out of place in terms of a historical 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 (noun: credulity)
cynicism
(noun) an attitude or quality of belief that all people are motivated by selfishness (adj: cynical)
decorum
(noun) polite or appropriate conduct or behavior (adj: decorous)
derision
(noun) scorn, ridicule, contemptuous treatment (adj.: derisive; verb: deride)
dessicate
(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
disaparage
(verb) 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 a 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 or 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