MP GRE Vocab Flashcards
1
Q
Besiege
A
(v) Attack, overwhelm, crowd in on or surround
related: harry (harass or annoy), hound (harass or pursue relentlessly), beleaguer (surround, as with with difficulty or attackers)
2
Q
Effrontery
A
(n) Insolence, boldness, or presumptuous
3
Q
Rarefy
A
(v) To make or become thin, less compact, or less dense
(v) To purify, refine, or make more spiritual
(adj) lofty, very high up or elevated, exclusive; select
4
Q
Diatribe
A
(n) Bitter, abusive criticism or denunciation
5
Q
Precipitate
A
(v) To throw or fall down headlong
(v) To bring about or cause to happen, especially abruptly or prematurely
(v) To cause (a substance) to separate from a solution;
To condense or cause to condense and fall from the sky as snow, rain, etc.
(adj.) Speeding headlong, rapidly, or dangerously;
Proceeding with undue haste and without necessary forethought
6
Q
Aver (Uh-Ver)
A
(v) To assert or affirm positively
(v) To formally assert or prove in pleading a case or cause
7
Q
Lucid
A
(adj. ) Intelligible or readily understandable
(adj. ) Sane or rational
(adj. ) Translucent or clear; bright or luminous
8
Q
Intrepid
A
(adj.) Resolutely fearless or undaunted
9
Q
Anomalous
A
(adj. ) Deviating from the norm or expectations; irregular
(adj. ) Uncertain or incongruous in nature
10
Q
Burgeon
A
(v) To produce or send out new growth; to sprout or bloom
(v) To grow, expand, or develop quickly and often profusely
11
Q
Sap
A
(n) 1. The circulatory fluid of a plant; an essential bodily fluid
2. Health, vitality, or energy (metaphor related to “essential body fluid”)
3. A gullible person, fool, or dupe
(v) 1. To deplete, drain, or weaken, especially of energy or vitality
2. To diminish the intensity or supply of
3. To undermine the foundations of
12
Q
Occult
A
(adj. ) Secret or withheld from the uninitiated
(adj. ) Mysterious, inscrutable, difficult or impossible to comprehend
(adj. ) Of, related to, or concerned with magic or the supernatural
13
Q
Gainsay
A
(v) To deny or prove false
(v) To oppose or speak out against
14
Q
Pith
A
(n) The core, essence, or substance of a matter
(n) Mettle (courage and fortitude) or vigor
(n) Importance or significance
15
Q
Gist
A
(n) The central point or essence; the heart of the matter
(n) The grounds of a legal action
16
Q
Plasticisity
A
(n) Capacity to be molded or made to assume or hold a shape
17
Q
Ebullience
A
(n) Liveliness or exuberance, especially in manner or expression
18
Q
Artless
A
(adj. ) Uncultured or ignorant, lacking in knowledge
(adj. ) Poorly or crudely made
(adj. ) Without artificiality; natural, sincere
19
Q
Tortuous
A
(adj. ) Winding; containing numerous twists, turns, or bends
(adj. ) Crooked, tricky, or devious
(adj. ) Highly involved, circuitous, or complex
20
Q
Tenuous
A
(adj. ) Not dense; thin or diluted inconsistency
(adj. ) Slender
(adj. ) Lacking substance or strength; flimsy; shaky
21
Q
Propitiate
A
(v) To gain or regain the favor of; appease or conciliate
22
Q
Malediction
A
(n) A curse
23
Q
Sanction
A
- (POSITIVE meaning) Official or authoritative permission or authorization;
support or encouragement
(v) To approve or authorize officially;
to support or tolerate by showing approval - (NEGATIVE meaning) A penalty meant to force compliance;
a military or economic measure adopted by several nations and meant to coerce
another nation violating international law
(v) To penalize, especially for a violation of international law
24
Q
Complaisant
A
(adj.) Agreeable, eager to please, obliging
25
Ubiquitous
(adj.) Existing or present everywhere; constantly encountered or widespread
26
Perfidy
(n) 1. The quality or state of being disloyal; treachery; faithlessness
2. An act of disloyalty
27
Derivative
(adj. ) Not original; secondary or copied
| (adj. ) Derived
28
Fracas
(n) A noisy, loud quarrel, brawl, or disturbance
29
Presumptuous
(adj.) Overstepping the bounds of what’s right or proper; inappropriately forward or
taking liberties
30
Slight
(v) 1. To treat as unimportant or make light of
2. To treat with disdain or discourteous inattention
3. To do inattentively or negligently
(n) An instance of being slighted
(adj. ) 1. Slim or delicate of body
2. Small in size, extent, or quantity
3. Trifling, trivial, or unimportant
4. Lacking strength or substance; flimsy
31
Pristine
(adj. ) Belonging or related to the original, earliest condition; primitive
(adj. ) Remaining in a pure, unspoiled state; untouched by civilization
(adj. ) Clean as if new
32
Confound
(v) To confuse, perplex, or stump; to throw into disorder
(v) To mix up; to fail to notice differences
(v) To refute, prove wrong, or put to shame
33
Console
(v) To comfort; to alleviate someone’s grief, suffering, or sense of loss
(n) 1. a cabinet (such as for a television) designed to stand on the floor
2. the control unit of a computer, electrical system, vehicle, etc.
related: succor (comfort, provide relief)
34
Discrete
(n) Separate or distinct; an individual thing
| (n) Consisting of unconnected individual parts; not continuous
35
Approbation
(n) Official approval
| (n) Commendation; praise; a warm expression of approval
36
Concur
(v) To agree, cooperate, or coincide
37
Denunciation
1. Public condemnation or censure
| 2. An accusation of a crime
38
Foment
(v) To foster or promote the development of; to incite or rouse
39
Diffuse
(adj. ) Dispersed; spread out
| (adj. ) Wordy and poorly organized
40
Exculpate
(v) To clear from a charge or guilt
41
Obstinate
(adj.) Stubbornly sticking to an attitude, opinion, purpose, or course against
argument or persuasion; difficult to control, subdue, or remedy
42
Prodigious
(adj. ) Impressive or extraordinary in bulk, amount, or degree; enormous
(adj. ) Marvelous; eliciting amazement
43
Levy
(v) 1. To impose and collect (such as a tax)
2. To draft troops into military service
3. To declare and wage war
44
Covert
(adj. ) Not openly done, acknowledged, or avowed; veiled
| (adj. ) Sheltered or covered
45
Avow
verb (used with object)
to declare frankly or openly; own; acknowledge; confess; admit:
He avowed himself an opponent of all alliances.
46
Apprise
(v) To inform, tell, or give notice to
47
Recalcitrant
(adj.) Stubbornly resisting or defying authority or guidance
48
Convoke
(v) To call (as a group of people) to a meeting
49
Catholic
(adj.) Universal, broad-minded
50
Martinet
(n) Person who adheres to rules extremely closely; a disciplinarian
51
Ponderous
(adj. ) Of great weight; unwieldy due to heaviness and bulk
| (adj. ) Labored, dull, or lifeless
52
Somatic
(adj.) 1. Pertaining to the body (as opposed to the mind, a body part, or the
environment)
2. Relating to the wall of the body cavity
53
Fluke
(n) A stroke of good luck; a chance occurrence or accident
54
Doff
(v) 1. To take off or remove (as clothes); to tip or remove (one’s hat) in greeting
2. To put aside or discard
55
Scurvy
(n) A wasting disease caused by vitamin C deficiency
| (adj. ) Contemptible, despicable, or mean
56
Aposite
(adj.) Appropriate, relevant, or apt
57
Garrulous
(adj.) Wordy; overly talkative and given to long, rambling, often trivial speech
58
Gambol
(v) To frolic; to skip or leap about playfully
59
Fulminate
(v) To send out or issue with denunciation, invective, or condemnation
(v) To explode
60
Abscission
(n) The act of cutting of
61
Truculent
(adj. ) Ferocious, cruel, or savage
(adj. ) Deadly or destructive
(adj. ) Scathing or harsh
(adj. ) Belligerent or aggressive; disposed to fighting
62
Rigor
strictness, severity, or harshness, as in dealing with people.
the full or extreme severity of laws, rules, etc.
severity of living conditions; hardship; austerity:
the rigor of wartime existence.
a severe or harsh act, circumstance, etc.
scrupulous or inflexible accuracy or adherence:
the logical rigor of mathematics.
severity of weather or climate or an instance of this:
the rigors of winter.
63
Germane
(adj.) Relevant or closely related
64
Viscid
(adj.) Having a sticky, adhesive, or viscous quality or consistency
65
Glib
(adj. ) Fluent in speaking or writing to the point of insincerity or thoughtlessness
(adj. ) Done with natural ease or off hand nonchalance
66
Requite
v) To repay or make return for; to reciprocate
(v) To avenge
(v) To recompense for a service, benefit, or injury
67
Grouse
(v) To complain, grumble
(n) A grievance; a persistent complaint
(n) Any of various types of plump, chicken-like gamebirds
68
Appreciable
(adj) Possible to see, measure, or estimate
69
Dilate
(v) 1. To cause to expand; to widen or enlarge
| 2. To speak or write at length on a subject
70
Sangfroid
(n) Self-possession or composure, especially under stress
71
Intemperance
(n) Indulgence of passions or appetites
| (n) Excessive drinking of alcohol
72
Stalwart
(adj.) Strong or vigorous in mind, body, or spirit
73
Abridge
(v) To cut short or condense (especially of a written work)
74
Squelch
(v) To crush or squash as if by trampling
(v) To quell or suppress completely
(v) To silence, as by a crushing remark
(v) To emit a splashing, sucking sound
75
Extempore
(adj.) Done, said, or composed with little or no preparation; unpremeditated
76
Forestall
(v) To hinder or prevent in advance
(v) To anticipate or deal with in advance
(v) To buy up goods so as to drive up prices for resale
77
Quiescence
(n) The state of being quiescent; tranquil restfulness or repose
78
Nabob
(n) A person who is wealthy, prominent, or important
| n) A provincial governor of India’s Mogul empire (historical
79
Noisome
(adj.) Having an extremely offensive smell
80
Puissance
(n) Power; might
81
Rue
(n) regret, sorrow
(v) to regret; to feel remorse
(n) a bitter herb used medicinally
82
Dilatory
(adj.) Slow, late; procrastinating or stalling for time
83
Verisimilar
(adj.) Probably, likely, or appearing to be true
84
Teetotaler
(n) One who abstains totally from alcohol
85
Indelible
(adj. ) Permanent; impossible to remove, erase, or wash away
| (adj. ) Memorable; unforgettable; making a lasting impression
86
Scotch
(v) To put an end to (the storm scotched our plans)
87
Fatuous
(adj.) Complacently foolish or silly
88
Inveterate
(adj. ) Established through long practice or precedent
| (adj. ) Habitual or ingrained
89
Propagate
(v) To multiply or breed; to pass (traits) to offspring
(v) To extend or spread to a greater area or number
(v) To foster wider knowledge or spread word of; to publicize
90
Ingenuous
(adj. ) Lacking in cunning, guile, or worldliness; straightforward, candid, or frank
related: guileless, artless, ingenue
91
Affable
(adj.) Pleasant and easy to talk to; approachable
92
Adhere
(v) To stay attached; to stick to
(v) To be devoted in support or allegiance
(v) To remain committed to
93
Slack
(adj.) Negligent, careless, or lax; slow, sluggish, or lacking energy; lacking
tautness or tightness; weak; inactive, not busy
(v) 1. To become slack; to loosen or make slower
2. To shirk or evade work; to be careless or inattentive in doing
94
Egress
(n) The act of going out or exiting
| (n) An exit or way out
95
Ascend
(v) To move or slope upward; to rise from a lower level or station
(v) To go back in time or genealogical progression
(v) To become king or queen
96
Rent
(adj. ) Having been torn, violently lacerated, or wrested from
(n) 1. A tear or opening created by rending
2. A rift or breach in relations
97
Asceptic
(adj. ) Free from or protecting against infection by pathogenic microorganisms
(adj. ) Without animation or emotion
98
Skullduggery
(n) Deceitful, underhanded, unscrupulous behavior
99
Grate
(v) To shred (such as cheese) by rubbing against anabrasive surface;
to cause to make a harsh sound through grinding (as teeth);
to persistently annoy
100
Gratuitous
(adj. ) Done, given, or obtained without payment; unearned
| (adj. ) Unwarranted, unjustified, or uncalled-for
101
Aspersion
(n) A false, derogatory claim meant to injure someone’s reputation
(n) The act of making such a claim
(n) A sprinkling with water, especially as part of a religious ceremony
102
Halcyon
(adj. ) Calm, peaceful, or tranquil
| (adj. ) Prosperous or wealthy
103
Encomium
a formal expression of high praise; eulogy:
| An encomium by the president greeted the returning hero.
104
Savant
(n) A learned person, scholar, or sage; an idiot savant
105
Sedulous
(adj. ) Diligent or persevering in effort or application
(adj. ) Done or achieved through perseverance
related: assiduous
106
Sinecure
(n) A paid position or office requiring little or no work
107
Harrow
(v) To disturb or torment
(v) To prepare ground for planting with a harrow (a tool designed to break up and
even out plowed land)
108
Clinch
(v) grab or hold; secure a goal (to “clinch the win”), make final or settle conclusively; to fasten or hold together
109
Stymie
(v) To block, thwart, or stand in the way of
110
Welter
(n) A confused jumble or mass
(v) To become deeply involved or embroiled in something
(v) To roll, writhe, or heave
111
Supplicate
(v) To ask humbly of (someone); to beseech
| (v) To ask for something humbly; to pray for
112
Torrid
(adj. ) Parched; burning or intensely hot
(adj. ) Passionate or ardent
(adj. ) Fast or hurried
related: arid (dry, barren)
113
Idyll
(n) A poem, either a short description of an idealized rural scene or a narrative
dealing with romantic or heroic themes
(n) A carefree, lighthearted experience or period;
a romantic interlude
114
Travesty
(n) A distorted, debased, grotesque, or inferior imitation or likeness
(n) An exaggerated burlesque or imitation of a serious literary work, which is usually
grotesquely incongruous
115
Turpitude
(n) Depravity, baseness, or vileness
| (n) A corrupt act
116
Fledge
(v) To care for (as a young bird) until it is ready to fly
(v) To cover with or as with feathers
(v) To grow plumage needed for flight
117
Impecunious
(adj.) Penniless; without money
118
Warmonger
(n) One who advocates or attempts to incite war
119
Prevaricate
(v) To equivocate, lie, or stray from the truth
120
Improbity
(n) Dishonesty; lack of probity (probity = honesty)
121
Conversance
(n) Familiarity; the state of being able to speak about something (“converse”)
knowledgeably
122
Quandary
(n) State of perplexity, especially regarding how to proceed
123
Propriety
(n) The quality of being proper or appropriate
| (n) Plural: The customs and rules of polite society
124
Impudent
(adj.) Insolent; boldly disrespectful
125
Impugn
(v) To challenge or attack as false or questionable
126
Inadvertent
(adj. ) Accidental or unintentional
| (adj. ) Inattentive; not fully focused or taking heed
127
Recumbent
(adj. ) Lying down or reclining, especially in repose
| (adj. ) Resting or idle
128
Abjure
(v) To renounce, recant, or repudiate, often solemnly or under oath
related: forswear (reject or renounce under oath; swear falsely in court, eschew
129
Pallid
(adj.) Abnormally pale; lacking color or vitality
130
Refulgent rih-FULL-jent
(adj.) Radiant or resplendent; shining brilliantly
131
Aggregate
(v) To gather together
| (n) Formed by the collection of smaller parts
132
Incursion
(n) An invasion, raid, or hostile entrance of another’s territory
(n) The act of entering
133
Equanimity
(n) Calmness; mental or emotional stability under stress; balance or equilibrium
134
Indeterminate
(adj. ) Vague or uncertain; not precisely fixed or established
(adj. ) Having an infinite number of solutions
135
Corrugated
(adj. ) Drawn or bent into folds or furrows (as in corrugated cardboard)
(adj. ) Wrinkled, as in the skin or face
136
Indigence
(n) Utter poverty, without comfort
137
Indigenous
(adj. ) Native to or naturally occurring in a region or environment
(adj. ) Innate or natural
138
Esoteric
(adj.) Understood by or intended for only a select group, often of people with
specialized knowledge
(adj.) Confidential
139
Abberant
(adj. ) Deviating from the usual or proper course, especially in behavior
(adj. ) Deviating from the normal or expected type; atypical
140
Crass
(adj. ) Crude, gross, and unrefined; lacking indiscrimination
(adj. ) Excessively materialistic or bas
141
Avid
(adj. ) Urgently, keenly desirous to the point of greed
| (adj. ) Marked by enthusiasm or voracious interest
142
Summarily
(adv) immediately; in a prompt or direct manner; without prior notice
143
Extenuating
(adj.) Lessening or mitigating the seriousness or extent of something
144
Cryptic
(adj. ) Having or seeming to have hidden meaning; mysterious or mystifying
(adj. ) Secret or occult; employing or using code or a cipher
145
Damp
(v) To deaden; to hold back or retard the energy of; to stifle, suffocate, or restrain
146
Tout
(v) To solicit business, votes, etc., in a persistent or annoying way
(v) To describe or advertise boastfully; promote or praise excessively
147
Fallacious
(adj. ) Built on unsound logic; containing a fallacy (fallacy = logical mistake)
(adj. ) Misleading or delusive
148
Tribute
(n) A gift, service, or other demonstration of gratitude, admiration, or affection
(n) Evidence or something indicating a praiseworthy quality or characteristic
(n) Payment given or extracted as a sign of submission or in exchange for protection
149
Inveigle
(v) To lure, induce, or win over by using flattery
| (v) To obtain by flattery or coaxing
150
Ferment
(v) 1. To undergo or cause fermentation (such as yogurt or other such foods)
2. To excite or agitate; to foment
(n) A state of agitation, unrest, or tumult (“the political ferment may lead to revolt”)
151
Alacrity
(n) Cheerful willingness or promptness
152
Jabber
(v) To talk rapidly, incoherently, or nonsensically
153
Jibe
(v) To be in harmony; agree
154
Fecund
(adj.) Fruitful, fertile
155
Refractory
(adj.) Stubbornly disobedient; hard to manage
156
Base
(adj. ) Mean-spirited, contemptible, or selfish
(adj. ) Showing a lack of values or ethics
(adj. ) Of inferior value or quality
157
Pettifogger
n) A shifty or unethical lawyer
| (n) A person who bickers or quibbles over trivial matters
158
Confabulate
(v) Chat; talk casually
(v) To make things up; in psychology, to fill in gaps in one’s memory with
“fabulous” stories
159
Fetter
(v) Shackle, put in chains, or restrict the freedom of
160
Vaunt
(v) Brag about
161
Sophomoric
(adj. ) Immature; showing lack of judgment
| (adj. ) Pretentious and immature at the same time
162
Dissonance
(n) Harsh, unpleasantly conflicting, or cacophonous sounds
| (n) Inconsistency or lack of agreement
163
Preternatural
(adj. ) Exceeding the natural, normal, or regular; extraordinary
(adj. ) Existing outside of or beyond the normal course of nature
(adj. ) Supernatural
164
Preen
(v) (Of animals) To smooth and clean one’s fur or feathers
(v) To dress with great care or primp
(v) To gloat, congratulate oneself, or swell with pride
165
Lassitude
(n) Weariness or fatigue
| (n) Listlessness or indolence
166
Levity
(n) Lightness or unseriousness of manner, mind, or character, to the point of being
inappropriate; frivolity
(n) Fickleness or inconstancy
167
Laggard
(adj.) Slow, sluggish, or lagging behind
168
Exigent
(adj. ) Urgent, pressing, or demanding immediate action
| (adj. ) Demanding a good deal or too much
169
Profundity
(n) Something profound; intellectual, mental, or emotional depth
170
Ford
(n) A shallow place in a body of water where one can cross on foot, by horse, etc.
(v) To cross over a body of water, such as a river, in this way
171
Limpid
(adj. ) Clear or transparent
(adj. ) Simple, transparent, or easily understood (as in style or speech)
(adj. ) Untroubled or serene
172
Proscribe
(v) To prohibit or forbid
(v) To condemn as dangerous or harmful
(v) To banish; to publish the name of a convicted outlaw
173
List
(v) To lean to one side, as a ship
174
Pungency
(n) The state or quality of being acrid in smell; biting, caustic, sharp, or incisive
175
Loll
(v) To move or rest in a reclined, indolent manner; to droop or hang
176
Impute
(n) Attribute; give blame or responsibility for (sometimes falsely)
177
Pique
(n) A feeling of offense or wounded pride; resentment
178
Lull
(v) To soothe or put to sleep
(v) To deceive or cause to feel a false sense of safety or security
related: slack (calm, period of quiet)
179
Canon
(n) That which is standard, approved, or sanctioned, especially in regards to
scripture or literature
(n) A rule, principal, or law
180
Quack
(n) One who fraudulently claims to have medical skills; a charlatan
181
Macerate
(v) To make soft or dissolve by soaking; to emaciate
182
Desultory
(adj. ) Lacking in consistency or order; unplanned or fitful
| (adj. ) Random or disconnected from the main subject
183
Epicure
(n) Someone with refined, discriminating taste, especially in food or wine; a connoisseur
184
Rebuff
(v) To reject or criticize bluntly or abruptly; to snub
| (v) To check, repel, or drive of
185
Recondite
(adj.) Challenging to those of average understanding or knowledge; abstruse or
deep
(adj.) Concealed or hidden
186
Soporific
(adj. ) Tending to cause sleep or dull alertness
| (adj. ) Sleepy, lethargic, or drowsy
187
Redoubtable
E (adj.) Causing fear; alarming or formidable
| (adj.) Illustrious; worthy of respect
188
Mercurial
(adj.) Changeable, volatile, or given to rapid shifts in mood
(adj.) Having qualities associated w/Greek god Mercury, including cleverness,
eloquence, and thievishness
189
Metaphysical
(adj) concerned with abstract thought; related to metaphysics (branch of
philosophy concerned with explaining the nature of being and of the world);
very subtle or abstruse
190
Salient
(adj.) Standing out; most noticeable or important
191
Normative
(adj.) Prescribing a norm or standard; expressing value judgments (how things
should be) instead of just stating the facts
192
Shyster
(n) A person who uses petty or unethical practices, esp. a lawyer who does this
193
Mimetic
(adj.) Imitative; copying; relating to mimicry
194
Crepuscular
(adj.) Like twilight; dim
195
Syncretism
(n) Reconciliation or fusion (esp. only partial) of different philosophies, religions,
belief systems, etc.
196
Ecumenical
(adj.) Universal; worldwide in scope
197
Castigation
(n) Severe criticism, reproach, or punishment
| related: admonish, reprove, upbraid, reprimand, rebuke, excoriate, castigate
198
Repine
(v) To be discontent, complain, or fret
| (v) To yearn or long deeply for something
199
Meteoric
(adj.) Like a meteor in speed or sudden (often temporary) brilliance
200
Minatory
(adj.) Menacing or threatening in nature or aspect
201
Endemic
(adj. ) Native to or characteristic of a certain place or people
(adj. ) Restricted or confined to a specific area or place
202
Abrogate
(v) To abolish, annul, or put aside, usually officially
203
Broach
(v) To mention, suggest, or bring up
| (v) To tap, pierce, or open up
204
Deposition
(n) The act of removing from power
(n) Testimony under oath
(n) The process of depositing, or the state of being deposited
205
Accretion
(n) Growth by gradual addition or build up
206
Opprobrium
(n) Disgrace or infamy due to shameful, despicable behavior
(n) Harsh contempt or condemnation
(n) A cause for shame or disgrace
207
Sate
(v) To satisfy or appease (an appetite) fully
| (v) To indulge (an appetite) to excess; to glut
208
Equitable
(adj.) Fair and impartial; characterized by or showing equity (equity = fairness)
(Note: do not confuse with equivocal, meaning ambivalent, undecided)
209
Natty
(adj.) Smart and trim in dress or appearance (usually of a man: “nattily dressed”
210
Seamy
(adj.) Sordid; unpleasant; showing the low side of life
211
Sedulous
(adj. ) Diligent or persevering in effort or application
| (adj. ) Done or achieved through perseverance
212
Efface
(v.) To erase; to rub or wipe out
(v.) To conduct oneself inconspicuously, to make oneself “invisible” (often used in the
expression “self-effacing”)
213
Neologism
(n) A new word, phrase, or usage
| (n) A psychotic symptom involving the creation of new words
214
Seminal
(adj. ) Pertaining to seed; having possibility of future development
(adj. ) Very original and influencing later works (as a seminal artist or artwork)
215
Nexus
(n) A link or connection
(n) A connected group or series
(n) The core, focus, or central point of connection
216
Supine
(adj.) Lying on the back or face up
(adj.) Showing or characterized by lethargy, passivity, or apathetic inactivity;
mentally or morally indifferent or lax
217
Caustic
(adj. ) Capable of burning, corroding, or eating away at
| (adj. ) Cutting, harsh, sarcastic, or severely critical
218
Nugatory
(adj. ) Of little value, worth, or importance; trifling or inconsequential
(adj. ) Without force or effectiveness
219
Maelstrom
(n) A chaotic, turbulent situation
220
Obstinacy
(adj.) Stubbornly sticking to an attitude, opinion, purpose, or course, against
argument or persuasion
(adj.) Difficult to control, subdue, or remedy
221
Sinewy
(adj. ) Full of sinews (tendons); tough and stringy or strong
(adj. ) Lean and muscular; strong, forceful, or vigorous
222
Occluded
(v) To obstruct, close up, or block off
| (v) To prevent the passage of
223
Slew
(n) A large number or quantity (“a whole slew of problems”)
224
Continent
(adj.) Exercising or marked by self-restraint, especially of the desires
225
Odium
(n) The state or quality of being odious (arousing contempt or strong displeasure)
(n) Contempt, dislike, or repugnance
(n) Disgrace or infamy due to reprehensible or hateful acts
226
Sodden
(adj. ) Weighted down with or as if with water; soaked thoroughly
(adj. ) Dull or expressionless, as from drink
(adj. ) Sluggish or torpid
227
Surfeit
(n) 1. An excessive amount or oversupply
2. Overindulgence (such as in food or drink); disgust from overindulgence
(v) To feed or supply to surfeit (i.e., satiety, excess, or disgust)
228
Solvent
(adj.) Able to pay debts; not bankrupt
229
Onerous
(adj. ) Burdensome or troublesome (“onus”=burden)
| (adj. ) Entailing legal obligations that exceed the benefits
230
Machination
(n) Crafty schemes or plots
231
Chary
(adj. ) Cautious or wary
| (adj. ) Sparing; hesitant to give, accept, or expend
232
Sardonic
(adj.) Scornfully mocking; derisive
233
Tendentious
(adj.) Partisan; marked by a strong point of view
234
Bedizen
(v) Dress or decorate in a gaudy, ostentatious way
235
Internecine
(adj. ) Pertaining to conflict within a group
| (adj. ) Mutually destructive
236
Sere
(adj.) Dry or withered
237
Semiotic
(n) The theory or study of signs and symbols used as elements of communication;
the study of languages, gestures, or even clothing used as communication
238
Resplendent
shining brilliantly; gleaming; splendid:
| troops resplendent in white uniforms; resplendent virtues.
239
Quietus
death or something that causes death, regarded as a release from life.
• archaic something that has a calming or soothing effect.
240
Potlatch
A wild party
241
Rota
Period of work done in rotation with others
242
Interregnum
An interval or pause
243
Solicitude
Care of concern for someone or something
244
Multifarious
Made up of many different parts
245
Prosaic
Factual or straightforward
246
Malfeasance
Wrongdoing
247
Substantiation
Proof w evidence
248
Innuendo
Indirect information
249
Creed
A set of principles or beliefs
250
Fraudulent
Refers to something that is intended to deceive
251
Reprobate
One who is morally unprincipled
252
Rogue
An unprincipled or dishonest person
253
Bromide
Commonplace or boring person
254
Inerrant
Without error
255
Fickle
Contradictory
256
Tenebrous
Obscure; difficult to understand
257
Supercilious
Arrogant
258
Protracted
Drawn out/lengthen
259
Declaim
utter or deliver words or a speech in a rhetorical or impassioned way, as if to an audience: [ with obj. ] : she declaimed her views | [ no obj. ] : a preacher declaiming from the pulpit.
• [ no obj. ] (declaim against) forcefully protest against or criticize (something).
260
Deign
To do something that one considers beneath their dignity
261
Contracted
Become smaller; used in relation to having made contracts
262
Jejune
dull; uninteresting; without significance
263
Tumid
Swollen or affected with swelling
264
Turbid
Thick or dense or obscure, confused, muddled (not clear, coherent or arranged in order)
265
Notional
Foolish or speculative
266
Rhapsodize
Talk with extravagant enthusiasm
267
Palter
To equivocate; to be deliberately unclear
268
Countenance
Composure, self-control; facial expression; admit as acceptable or possible; support
269
Adulated
Praised excessively or obsequiously
270
Attenuated
Weakened in force or effect
271
Diachronic
Occurring across time
272
Madcap
reckless, crazy, eccentric
273
Dionysian
Wildly uninhibited, frenzied, orgiastic
274
Saturnine
gloomy, sluggish,sullen, taciturn in temperament
275
Saturnalian
unrestrained in revelry; orgiastic
276
Plutonian
pertaining to the underworld; infernal
277
Hermetic
Sealed airtight, isolated, impervious to outside influence
278
Spendthrift
reckless about spending
279
Cataclysm
Any violent upheaval, esp one of a social or political nature
280
Assiduous
constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task; persevering; industrious; attentive; unremitting (not slacking or abating; incessant)
281
Peregrinate
(V) travel from place to place, esp. on foot
related: Itinerant, peripatetic, wayfaring
282
Semantic
(ADJ) relating to the different meanings of words or other symbols
283
Hedge
(V) Avoid commitment by leaving provisions for withdrawal or changing one's mind; protect a bet by also betting on the other side
related: equivocate, waffle, Tergiversate (waver, use unclear language to deceive or avoid committing), Palter (talk insincerely; bargain or haggle)
A hedge fund is an investment fund that hedges risk with a variety of methods, such as short selling and derivatives
284
Recrudescent
(ADJ)
Recrudescence (N)
Recrudesce (V)
Revival, breaking out into renewed activity
generally used for the reappearance of a disease
related: renascent (reviving, becoming active again), resurgent (having a revival, rising or surging again)
285
Clamber
(V) climb away awkwardly or with difficulty, scramble
286
Redound
(V) to have a good or bad effect, esp as a result of a person's efforts or actions (usually used with to, on or upon)
related: reap (harvest, get as a result of one's effort)
287
Penumbra
(N) outer part of a shadow from an eclipse; any surrounding region, fringe, periphery; any area where something sort of exists
related: hinterland (remote or undeveloped area)
288
Winnow
sift, analyze critically, separate the useful part from the worthless part
related: rarefy (make more pure, exclusive, or thinner and less dense)
289
Supposition
(N) assumption, hypothesis, something that has been supposed
related: conjecture
290
Droll
funny in an odd way
related: waggish (merry), risible (laughable), jocular, jocund, jocose (jesting, jolly)
291
Hand-wringing
(N) grasping, squeezing, etc. of the hands as an expression of nervousness, guilt, etc. extended debate over what to do about an issue
292
Milieu (mill-YUH)
(N) environment, atmosphere; the environmental setting in which something happens or develops
related: zeitgeist (the cultural, intellectual mood of a time period), ethos (the character or moral values specific to a person, group or time period, etc)
293
Bent
personal inclination or tendency
related: predilection, propensity
294
Pastiche
(N) mix of incongruous parts; artistic work imitating the work of other artists, often satirically; a thrown together mess
related: hodgepodge, medley, farrago, potpourri, olio (mixtures of diverse things) eclectic is more positive and means selecting the best from a diverse selection
295
Imprecation
curse, prayer for harm to come to someone
related: malediction
296
Doctrinaire
person who applies doctrine in an impractical or rigid and close-minded way (noun); merely theoretical, impractical, or fanatical about other people accepting once's ideas (adj)
related: dogmatic
297
Precis (PRAY-see)
concise summary, abstract
related: digest, recapitulation, compendium
298
Parry (PAIR-ee)
deflect or avoid esp a blow or attack; skillfully evade a question
299
Hew (HYOO)
(V) strike, chop, or hack (with a axe, sword, etc.) make or shape something (such as a statue) with a cutting tool
300
Flout
treat with disdain, contempt or scorn (usually of rules)
301
Whitewash
a substance used to whiten walls, wood, etc. (noun); deception, covering up wrongs, errors, misdeeds, etc. (verb)
related: gloss over, paper over
302
Lurid
gruesome or excessively vivid; sensational, shocking, unrestrained
303
Platitude
a shallow, overused statement; cliche
related: banal, hackneyed, inane, insipid, trite
304
Inter
bury (a dead body) or place in a tomb
305
Discomfiting
disconcerting, confusing, frustrating
related: abash (destroy the confidence of, make ashamed), disquiet
306
Rend
(V) tear violently esp to tear one's clothing or hair out of grief; pull apart, split or tear away
307
Fluke
stroke of luck, something accidentally successful
308
Spate
sudden outpouring or rush; flood
related: inundated, deluge
309
Searchingly
In a searching or penetrating manner; while examining closely or probing for answers
310
Infallible (in-FAL-ih-bull)
Incapable of error; certain
related: unerring
311
Bilk
cheat or defraud
related: hoodwink, swindle, con, fleece
312
Glacial
pertaining to glaciers; cold, icy, slow, unsympathetic
related: frigid (very cold, without human warmth or emotion), gelid (icy)
313
Impious
not religious, lacking reverence, ungodly
related: irreverent, sacrilegious, blasphemous
314
Meretricious (mair-uh-TRISH-uss)
attractive un a vulgar or flashy way; tawdry; deceptive
related: gaudy, showy, garish (much too bright, vivid, fancy)
315
Declaim
speak in an impassioned, pompous, or oratorical manner; give a formal speech
related: grandstand (perform showily as if to impress an audience)
316
Disclaim
deny, repudiate
317
Ostensible, Ostensive
professed, evident, or pretended; outwardly appearing in a certain way
related: putative (supposed or reputed), nominal (trivial; in name only, so-called)
318
Irascible
irritable, easily angered
related: dyspeptic, curmudgeon, crotchety, cantankerous
319
Ire
anger
320
Diaphanous
very sheer, fine, translucent
related: gossamer
321
Fallow
left unplanted (of land); not in use
related: arable (able to be farmed; fertile)
322
Hotly
in an intense, fiery or heated way
related: heatedly
323
Stint
period of time spent doing something or a specific, limited amount of work (noun); to be frugal, to get by on little
related: mister, cheapskate, skinflint (stingy person), frugal, thrifty
324
Mendicant
beggar, or religious follower who lives by begging]]
related: pauper, Alms (money or other donation given as charity)
325
Irresolute
wavering, not sure how to proceed; not firm in one's decision making
related: ambivalent, equivocal
326
Arbiter, Arbitrate
(N) judge, umpire, person empowered to decide on matters at hand
related: Adjudicator (judge or arbitrator, esp. judge of a competition)
327
Recapitulate
summarize, repeat in a concise way ... this is where recap comes from!
related: precis, digest (periodical containing shortened versions of works published elsewhere), compendium
328
Molt
shed or cast off, esp to regularly shed skin, feathers, etc. (as a snake)
related: to slough or shed
329
Wanton
Reckless, vicious, without regard for what is right; unjustifiable, deliberately done for no reason at all; sexually unrestrained, or excessively luxurious
330
Dissolution
breaking bonds or breaking up a group of people; death; disintegration; extreme hedonism
331
Cupidity
greed, excessive desire
related: avarice, covetousness, rapacity, rapaciousness
332
Forage
wander in search of; rummage, hunt, make a raid
related: plunder, pillage, ransack, depredate and despoil all mean raiding or looting)
333
Verisimilar (ver-uh-SIM-ill-er)
the appearance of being true, real
related: feasible (possible, logical, likely or suitable), plausible
334
Sybarite (SIB-uh-rite)
person devoted to pleasure and luxury
related: voluptuary, hedonist (pleasure-seeker)
335
Vanguard
leading units at the front of an army; leaders in a trend or movement, people on the cutting edge; the forefront of a trend or movement
336
Incarnadine
blood red or flesh colored
related: vermilion (bright red)
337
Erstwhile
former, previous (adj); in the past, formerly (adv)
related: bygone (past, former), quondam (former, sometime)
338
Apostate (n, adj) Apostasy (n)
person who deserts a party, cause, religion, etc.
related:
recreant (coward or deserter)
perfidy (faithlessness, treachery)
heretic (believer who disagrees with religious authorities; any nonconformist thinker)
quisling (traitor)
infidel (unbeliever, person who does not accept a particular faith)
339
Munificent
generous, giving liberally
related: magnanimous, philanthropic
340
Graft
join living tissue (skin) to the part of the body where it will continue to live and grow; to attach as if by grafting; the act of acquiring money or other benefits through illegal means esp. by abusing one's power (noun)
341
Syntax
the rules governing grammar and how words join to make sentences, the study of these rules
342
Dovetail
join or fit together
related: converge (move towards one another or towards a point; unite)
343
Bevy
any large group that stays together
related: covey (group of birds, or any group), brood (group of offspring born at the same time)
344
Malinger
pretend to be sick, esp. to get out of work, duties, etc.
related: shirk, skulk (to hide for a bad reason, such as avoiding work, or waiting to attack someone)
345
Demur
show reluctance or object; esp for moral reasons
related: balk (refuse to proceed or to do something)
346
Asperity
Rigor, severity; harshness or sharpness of tone; roughness of surface
347
Synoptic
relating to a synopsis or summary; giving in a general view
related: digest, recapitulation, precis, compendium
348
Apostle
pioneer of a reform movement (originally, an early follower of jesus)
Apostles usually refer to the original 12 disciples of Jesus. apostle could be any major Christian missionary or a spreader or non-religious doctrine.
349
Gouge
scooping or digging tool; force out a person's eye with one's thumb; swindle, extort money from
related: rout (dig around as with a snout; rummage; scoop out or gouge)
350
Bilk
cheat or defraud
related: hoodwink, swindle, con, fleece (the most severe , has the connotation of taking everything from the victim)
351
Aloof
distant physically or emotionally, reserved; indifferent
related: detached (impartial or aloof) standoffish (cold, unfriendly)
352
Polemic
controversial argument, esp. one attacking a specific idea
353
Mannered
having a particular manner; esp. an artificial one
related: affectation (fake behavior, such as in speech or dress, adopted to give a certain impression)
354
Insensible
incapable of feeling; unconscious, unaware
related: insensate (inanimate, as an object; without sense or human feeling; cruel)
355
Virulent
Extremely infectious, poisonous, etc. hateful, bitterly hostile
related: pathogenic, pervasive
356
Baying
howling in a deep way, like a dog or wolf
357
Expurgate
censor; remove objectionable or offensive parts
related: bowdlerize (expurgate, abridge, or distort), expunge (strike, eliminate, mark for deletion)
358
Disparage
belittle, put down
related: denigrate
359
Expedient
suitable; proper; effective, often at the expense of ethics or other considerations
360
Diaphanous
very sheer, fine, translucent
related: gossamer
361
Delimit
fix, mark, or define the boundaries of
related: demarcate
362
Fractious
unruly, troublemaking; irritable
related: obstreperous, refractory, captious (faultfinding, making a big deal of trivial faults)
363
Quixotic
extremely impractical but very romantic, chivalrous, or idealistic; impulsive
related: rash (too hasty, acting without considering the consequences)
364
Brook
suffer or tolerate
related: condone, countenance
365
Investiture
investing; formally giving someone a right or title
366
Unsparing
unmerciful, harsh (as in not sparing any criticism); generous, lavish (as in not sparing any help or gifts to others)
related: acerbic, acrid, astringent, caustic
367
Militate
have a great effect, weigh heavily (often militate against)
related: inimical (hostile, adverse or harmful)
368
Axiom
self-evident truth requiring no proof; universally or generally accepted principle
related: maxim, postulate (self-evident proposition, such as in math)
369
Strut
a structural support or brace
related: bolster or fortify, buttress
370
Iniquity
injustice, wickedness, sin
371
Contumacious
rebellious; stubbornly disobedient
related: obstreperous, recalcitrant, refactory
372
Dither
act indecisively; a state of fear or trembling excitement
related: vacillate and equivocate
373
Plucky
brave, spirited
374
Lissome
flexible, supple, agile
related: nimble (moving quickly and lightly; alert)
375
Orotund
full, rich and clear (of the voice or speaking); pompous, bombastic
```
related:
sonorous (giving out a deep, rich, loud sound)
dulcet (melodious, agreeable to the ear)
mellifluous
stentorian (loud)
```
376
Circumscribe
strictly limit a role, range of activity, or area; in math, to be constructed around so as to touch as many points as possible
377
Dyspeptic
grumpy, pessimistic, irritable; suffering from dyspepsia (indigestion)
related: crank (an unbalanced person who is fanatical about a private, generally petty cause), cantankerous
378
Impassive
not having or not showing physical feeling or emotion
related: stoic, inscrutable (not able to be scrutinized, mysterious)
379
Vociferous
nosily crying out, as in protest
related: stentorian, clamor
380
Prolix
excessively long and wordy (of a person, piece or writing, etc)
381
Assiduous
persevering, diligent, constant
382
Dispatch
send off or deal with in a speedy way; speed, promptness
related: expediency
383
Hearken, Hark
listen, pay attention to
384
Static
fixed, not moving or changing
related: status quo, stasis, standing (existing indefinitely), stationary (not moving)
385
illiberality
narrow-mindedness, bigotry; strictness or lack of generosity
related: insular, jingoism
386
Qualified
modified, limited, conditional on something else
related: tentative, temper
387
Resolution
the quality of being firmly determined; resolving to do something; a formal judgement, esp. decided by vote
related: resolve
388
Augere
to increase
related: augment, aggrandize
389
Exponent
person who expounds or explains; champion, advocate, or representative
related: proponent
390
Sound
measure the depth of, penetrate and discover the meaning of, understand
related: fathom, plumb
391
Credulous
gullible; prone to believing or trusting too easily
392
Outstrip
surpass, exceed, be larger or better than; leave behind
related: supersede
393
Gawky
physically awkward esp. a tall, skinny person
related: coltish (playful, wild, resembling a young horse; esp having disproportionately long legs, ungainly (awkward, ungraceful)
394
Document
support with evidence, cite sources in a detailed way, create documentary evidence of
related: corroborate, substantiate, verify
395
Futile
useless, ineffective
related: bootless, otiose
396
Obviate
prevent, eliminate, make unnecessary
related: circumvent (bypass, avoid)
397
Synchronous
happening at the same time; occurring at the same time, rate, and thus happening together repeatedly
related: simultaneous, contemporaneous
syn/sym means the together
398
Succeeding
coming after or following
related: subsequent
399
Lampoon
A harsh satire; ridicule or satirize
400
Potentate
ruler, person of great power
401
Imminent
ready to occur, impending
402
Eminent
highly respected
403
Daunt
Discourage, dishearten, lessen the courage of
related: cow (intimidate, destroy the courage of)
404
Ascetic
abstinent or austere in lifestyle
related: hermit, anchorite (person who lives away from society), recluse (person who lives in solitude)
405
Hardy
bold, brave, capable of withstanding hardship, fatigue, cold, etc.
related: robust, hale
406
Restive
restless; impatient or uneasy under the control of another
407
Notoriety
notorious, ill fame; the state of being well-known for a disgraceful reason
related: infamous
408
Presumptive
based on inference or assumption; providing reasonable grounds for belief
related: ostensive, ostensible
* don't confuse with presumptuous*
409
Impair
make worse, weaken
related: exacerbate, aggravate, mar, vitiate
410
Conversely
in an opposite way; on the other hand
related: the expression "on the contrary"
411
Layperson
a person who is not a member of the clergy
related: laity (the church's membership)
412
Delineate
mark the outline of; sketch ; describe in detail
related: adumbrate (give a rough outline of)
413
Secular
not religious or holy; pertaining to worldly things
414
Craven
very cowardly, lacking courage
related: timorous, pusillanimous, dastardly
415
Skirt
border, lie along the edge of, go around; evade
related: circumvent
416
Inasmuch
to the extent that; insofar as: these provisions apply only inasmuch as trade between Member States is affected.
• considering that; since (used to specify the respect in which a statement is true): it was not really a still life inasmuch as all the objects were in motion.
related: whereas (while on the contrary, considering that)
417
Sportive
playful, merry, done in sport rather than intended seriously
related: jocular, jocose, jocund, waggish, risible
418
Scant
not enough or barely enough
related: modicum, scintilla, iota, mote, tad (small amount)
paucity, dearth (scarcity, lack)
419
Assimilate
to take in and incorporate as one's own; absorb
to bring into conformity with the customs, attitudes, etc. of a group, nation; adapt or adjust
420
Prim
(adj) formally precise or proper, as persons or behavior; stiffly neat
(v) to draw up the mouth in an affectedly nice or precise way
421
Pontificate
(n) the office or term of office of a pontiff
| v) to perform the office or duties of a pontiff (a high or chief priest
422
Acquisitive
tending or seeking to acquire and own, often greedily; eager to get wealth, possessions, etc.: our acquisitive impulses; acquisitive societies
423
Sophistry
the use of fallacious arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving.
• a fallacious argument.
424
Depredate
steal from, typically using force; plunder: many types of predators depredate bird nests | wandering flocks of pigeons depredating barley crops.
425
Heterodox
not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs: heterodox views.
426
Somniferous
tending to induce sleep; soporific.
427
Hypnagogic
of or relating to the state immediately before falling asleep; tending to induce sleep.
428
Bathetic
characterized by a sudden, often ludicrous, switch from elevated to the everyday or banal
429
Eviscerate
to disembowel (cut open and remove the internal organs of) or to remove something of central significance
430
Vitiate
spoil or impair the quality or efficiency of: development programs have been vitiated by the rise in population.
• destroy or impair the legal validity of.
431
Derogate
1 [ with obj. ] disparage (someone or something): it is typical of Pirandello to derogate the powers of reason.
2 [ no obj. ] (derogate from) detract from: this does not derogate from his duty to act honestly and faithfully.
3 [ no obj. ] (derogate from) deviate from (a set of rules or agreed form of behavior): one country has derogated from the Rome Convention.
