GRE14 Flashcards
hummock
small hill; hillock
elaboration
addition of details; intricacy
haphazard
random; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town
righteous
morally upright; just
incantation
singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant
saccharine
cloying sweet; characteristic of sugar or saccharin
conglomerate
corporation made up of several different companies in diversified fields; mass of various material gathered together; rock consisting of small stones held together by clay; V.
esoteric
hard to understand; known only to the chosen few, esp. initiates; N. esoterica
nadir
lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith
mat
not shiny; matte; having a dull finish; N: flat piece of material used as a floor covering; V.
prototype
original work used as a model by others
supersede
replace; cause to be set aside; make obsolete; N. supersession
bastion
stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; Ex. the last bastion of male chauvinism
menial
suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)
buccaneer
pirate
somnolent
half asleep; drowsy; N. somnolence
microcosm
small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society
hone
sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a tool
unruly
disobedient; lawless; difficult to control
ensconce
settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
execute
put into effect; carry out; kill as a lawful punishment; N. execution
resuscitate
revive; bring back to life or consciousness; Ex. resuscitate the drowned child
credulity
belief on slight evidence; gullibility; naivet'e; ADJ. credulous
adulterate
make impure or of poorer quality by adding inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances