GRE16 Flashcards
catcall
shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.
apothegm
pithy, compact saying
crotchety
(of someone old) eccentric; odd; whimsical; bad-tempered; N. crotchet: odd or whimsical notion
guile
deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; Ex. persuade her by guile
liquidate
settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish
tension
stretching; condition of being stretched; mental strain; strained relationship between groups or people
indeterminate
uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite
die
metal block used for shaping metal or plastic; device for stamping or impressing; mold; CF. dice
impinge
infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; Ex. The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives.
pastiche
imitation of another’s style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists
conjecture
surmise; guess; V.
bookish
fond of books and reading
grate
make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; shred by rubbing against a rough surface; Ex. grated cheese N: framework of metal bars to hold fuel in a fireplace
existential
pertaining to existence; pertaining to the philosophy of existentialism
missive
letter; written statement; CF. sent
brindled
tawny or grayish with streaks or spots (of animals)
gentility
those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel
bantering
joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter
resurrect
revive
epistemologist
philosopher who studies the nature of knowledge; N. epistemology
whittle
pare; cut away thin bits (from wood); fashion in this way; reduce gradually; trim
vindictive
disposed to revenge; vengeful; out for revenge; spiteful; intended to cause harm; malicious; Ex. vindictive streak
toady
servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn
fringe
decorative edge of hanging threads; edge