PCAT Vocab Flashcards
Arrant
Notoriously Bad Adjective Complete, utter: "what arrant nonsense!". Synonyms notorious
Ascetic
Given to severe self-denial and practicing excessive abstinence and devotion
Ascribe
To assign as a quality or attribute
Asperity
Harshness or roughness of temper
Assiduous
Unceasing. Persistent
Alcove
A covered recess connected with or at the side of a larger room
Alleviate
To make less burdensome, or less hard to bear
Aloof
Not in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others
Amalgamate
To mix or blend together in a homogeneous body
Ambidextrous
Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease.
Assuage
Make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense: “the letter assuaged the fears of most members”.
Satisfy (an appetite or desire): “an opportunity occurred to assuage her desire for knowledge”.
Synonyms
soothe - appease - allay - pacify - mitigate - calm
Astringent
as·trin·gent /əˈstrinjənt/ Adjective Causing the contraction of body tissues, typically of the cells of the skin: "an astringent skin lotion". Noun A substance that causes the contraction of body tissues, typically used to reduce bleeding from minor abrasions. Harsh in disposition or character Synonyms severe
Astute
Keen in discernment
as·tute
/əˈst(y)o͞ot/
Adjective
Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage: “an astute businessman”.
Synonyms
shrewd - sly - wily - crafty - canny - artful - sharp
Atonement
Amends, reparation, or expiation made from wrong or injury
a·tone·ment
/əˈtōnmənt/
Noun
Reparation for a wrong or injury: "she wanted to make atonement for her behavior". Reparation or expiation for sin.
Synonyms
expiation - amends - reparation - redemption - penance
Audacious
Fearless
au·da·cious
/ôˈdāSHəs/
Adjective
Showing a willingness to take bold risks: "an audacious takeover". Showing an impudent lack of respect: "an audacious remark".
Synonyms
bold - daring - hardy - impudent - brave - venturesome
Antediluvian
an·te·di·lu·vi·an
/ˌantēdəˈlo͞ovēən/
Adjective
Of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood. Ridiculously old-fashioned.
Antidote
an·ti·dote
/ˈantiˌdōt/
Noun
A medicine taken or given to counteract a particular poison. Something that counteracts or neutralizes an unpleasant feeling or situation.
Synonyms
antitoxin
Aplomb
a·plomb /əˈpläm/ Noun Self-confidence or assurance, esp. when in a demanding situation. Confidence, coolness Synonyms self-confidence - self-assurance
Apocryphal
a·poc·ry·phal
/əˈpäkrəfəl/
Adjective
(of a story or statement) Of doubtful authenticity, or authority although widely circulated as being true. Of or belonging to the Apocrypha.
Apogee
The climax
ap·o·gee
/ˈapəjē/
Noun
The point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is furthest from the earth. The highest point in the development of something; the climax or culmination of something.
Synonyms
zenith - climax - height - pinnacle - acme - culmination
Avarice
av·a·rice
/ˈavəris/
Noun
Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
Synonyms
greed - cupidity - greediness - avidity - miserliness
Aver
a·ver
/əˈvər/
Verb
State or assert to be the case: "he averred that he was innocent of the allegations". Allege as a fact in support of a plea. To avouch, justify or prove
Synonyms
affirm - assert - allege - avouch - claim - declare
Aversion
a·ver·sion
/əˈvərZHən/
Noun
A strong dislike or disinclination: "an aversion to exercise". Someone or something that arouses such feelings.
Synonyms
repugnance - distaste - dislike - antipathy - disgust
Avow
To declare openly
a·vow
/əˈvou/
Verb
Assert or confess openly: “he avowed that he had voted Republican in every election”; “an avowed Marxist”.
Synonyms
admit - confess - acknowledge - recognize - own - grant
Augury
Omen
au·gu·ry
/ˈôgyərē/
Noun
A sign of what will happen in the future; an omen: "they heard the sound as an augury of death". The work of an augur; the interpretation of omens.
Synonyms
omen - presage - prognostication - divination - sign
Auspicious
Favorable Omen
aus·pi·cious
/ôˈspiSHəs/
Adjective
Conducive to success; favorable: "an auspicious moment to hold an election". Giving or being a sign of future success.
Synonyms
favourable - favorable - propitious - fortunate
Austere
aus·tere
/ôˈsti(ə)r/
Adjective
Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance: "an austere man with a puritanical outlook". (of living conditions or a way of life) Having no comforts or luxuries; harsh or ascetic.
Synonyms
severe - stern - strict - rigorous - stringent - rigid
Autocrat
au·to·crat
/ˈôtəˌkrat/
Noun
A ruler who has absolute power. Someone who insists on complete obedience from others; an imperious or domineering person.
Synonyms
despot - tyrant
Auxiliary
aux·il·ia·ry
/ôgˈzilyərē/
Adjective
Providing supplementary or additional help and support: “auxiliary airport staff”.
Noun
A person or thing providing supplementary or additional help and support.
Synonyms
adjective. ancillary - subsidiary - accessory - assistant
noun. helper - assistant - help - aid - subsidiary - adjunct
Aberrant
Markedly different from an accepted norm
ab·er·rant
/ˈabərənt/
Adjective
Departing from an accepted standard. Diverging from the normal type.
Synonyms
abnormal - anomalous
Aberration
Deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course
ab·er·ra·tion
/ˌabəˈrāSHən/
Noun
A departure from what is normal, usual, or expected, typically one that is unwelcome. A person whose beliefs or behavior are unusual or unacceptable.
Synonyms
deviation - deflection - aberrance - abnormality
Abet
To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of an offense
a·bet
/əˈbet/
Verb
Encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong, in particular, to commit a crime or other offense. Encourage or assist someone to commit (a crime).
Synonyms
instigate - incite - encourage - foment - provoke
Abeyance
A state of suspension or temporary inaction
a·bey·ance
/əˈbāəns/
Noun
A state of temporary disuse or suspension. The position of being without, or waiting for, an owner or claimant.
Synonyms
suspension
Abjure
To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath
ab·jure
/abˈjo͝or/
Verb
Solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim).
Synonyms
renounce - repudiate - forswear - abnegate - recant
Ambiguous
Having a double meaning
am·big·u·ous
/amˈbigyo͞oəs/
Adjective
(of language) Open to more than one interpretation; having a double meaning. Unclear or inexact because a choice between alternatives has not been made.
Synonyms
equivocal - vague - uncertain - doubtful - obscur
Ameliorate
To relieve, as from pain or hardship
a·me·lio·rate
/əˈmēlyəˌrāt/
Verb
Make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.
Synonyms
improve - meliorate - better - mend - amend - reform
Anathema
Anything forbidden, as by social usage
a·nath·e·ma
/əˈnaTHəmə/
Noun
Something or someone that one vehemently dislikes. A formal curse by a pope or a council of the Church, excommunicating a person or denouncing a doctrine.
Synonyms
curse - malediction - imprecation - malison - ban
Animadversion
The utterance of criticism or censure
animadversions plural of an·i·mad·ver·sion (Noun)
Noun
Criticism or censure. A comment or remark, esp. a critical one.
Animosity
Hatred an·i·mos·i·ty /ˌanəˈmäsitē/ Noun Strong hostility. Synonyms hostility - enmity - animus - rancour - rancor
Aggrandize
To cause to appear greatly
ag·gran·dize
/əˈgranˌdīz/
Verb
Increase the power, status, or wealth of. Enhance the reputation of (someone) beyond what is justified by the facts.
Synonyms
enlarge - magnify - increase - extend - amplify - augment
Aggravate
To make heavier, worse, or more burdensome
ag·gra·vate
/ˈagrəˌvāt/
Verb
Make (a problem, injury, or offense) worse or more serious. Annoy or exasperate (someone), esp. persistently.
Synonyms
exasperate - exacerbate - irritate - nettle - worsen
Agile
Able to move or act quickly, physically, or mentally
ag·ile
/ˈajəl/
Adjective
Able to move quickly and easily: “as agile as a monkey”; “an agile mind”.
Synonyms
nimble - quick - spry - brisk - nippy - alert - lissom
Agog
Eager desire a·gog /əˈgäg/ Adjective Very eager or curious to hear or see something: "I'm all agog to see London". Synonyms eager - anxious
Alacrity
Cheerful willingness a·lac·ri·ty /əˈlakritē/ Noun Brisk and cheerful readiness. Synonyms readiness - willingness - eagerness
Apprise
To give notice to; to inform ap·prise /əˈprīz/ Verb Inform or tell (someone). Synonyms apprize - inform - notify - advise - acquaint - instruct
Approbation
Sanction
ap·pro·ba·tion
/ˌaprəˈbāSHən/
Noun
Approval or praise: “the opera met with high approbation”.
Synonyms
approval - sanction - endorsement - assent - indorsement
Arboreal
Of or pertaining to a tree or trees
ar·bo·re·al
/ärˈbôrēəl/
Adjective
(chiefly of animals) Living in trees. Of or relating to trees.
Synonyms
arboreous
Ardor
Intensity of passion or affection ar·dor /ˈärdər/ Noun Enthusiasm or passion. Synonyms ardour - zeal - fervour - fervor - fervency - enthusiasm
Argot
A specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group
ar·got
/ˈärgō/
Noun
The jargon or slang of a particular group or class: “teenage argot”.
Synonyms
slang - cant - jargon - patter
Adage
An old saying
ad·age
/ˈadij/
Noun
A proverb or short statement expressing a general truth.
Synonyms
saying - proverb - saw - byword - maxim - dictum
Adamant
Any substance of exceeding hardness or impenetrability
ad·a·mant
/ˈadəmənt/
Adjective
Refusing to be persuaded or to change one’s mind.
Noun
A legendary rock or mineral, formerly associated with diamond or lodestone.
Synonyms
adjective. firm - unyielding - inflexible - uncompromising - stiff
noun. diamond
Admonition
Gentle reproof
ad·mo·ni·tion
/ˌadməˈniSHən/
Noun
An act or action of admonishing; authoritative counsel or warning.
Synonyms
warning - admonishment - exhortation - rebuke - reprimand
Adumbrate
To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem
ad·um·brate
/ˈadəmˌbrāt/
Verb
Report or represent in outline. Indicate faintly.
Synonyms
sketch - delineate - outline
Affable
Easy to approach
af·fa·ble
/ˈafəbəl/
Adjective
Friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.
Synonyms
amiable - kind - polite - debonair - friendly - courteous
Abut
To touch at the end or boundary linea·but
/əˈbət/
Verb
(of an area of land or a building) Be next to or have a common boundary with: "gardens abutting Great Prescott Street". Touch or lean upon: "masonry may crumble where a roof abuts it".
Synonyms
border - adjoin
Accede
To agree
ac·cede
/akˈsēd/
Verb
Assent or agree to a demand, request, or treaty. Assume an office or position.
Synonyms
assent - agree - consent - comply - accept - acquiesce
Acquiesce
To comply; submit
ac·qui·esce
/ˌakwēˈes/
Verb
Accept something reluctantly but without protest.
Synonyms
consent - agree - assent - accede - comply
Acrid
Harshly pungent or bitter
ac·rid
/ˈakrid/
Adjective
Having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell. Angry and bitter.
Synonyms
pungent - biting - acrimonious - sharp - bitter
Acumen
Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination
a·cu·men
/əˈkyo͞omən/
Noun
The ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a particular domain: “business acumen”.
Synonyms
sagacity - perspicacity - acuteness - discernment
Apostate
False a·pos·tate /əˈpästāt/ Noun A person who renounces a religious or political belief or principle. Adjective Abandoning such a belief or principle. Synonyms noun. renegade - turncoat - pervert - recreant - backslider adjective. renegade - recreant
Apotheosis
Deification
a·poth·e·o·sis
/əˌpäTHēˈōsis/
Noun
The highest point in the development of something; culmination or climax. The elevation of someone to divine status; deification.
Synonyms
deification
Apparition
Ghost
ap·pa·ri·tion
/ˌapəˈriSHən/
Noun
A ghost or ghostlike image of a person. The appearance of something remarkable or unexpected, typically an image of this type.
Synonyms
ghost - phantom - spectre - appearance - wraith - specter
Appease
To soothe by quieting anger or indignation
ap·pease
/əˈpēz/
Verb
Pacify or placate (someone) by acceding to their demands. Relieve or satisfy (a demand or a feeling): "we give to charity because it appeases our guilt".
Synonyms
pacify - calm - soothe - mollify - placate - quieten
Apposite
Appropriate
ap·po·site
/ˈapəzit/
Adjective
Apt in the circumstances or in relation to something.
Synonyms
appropriate - proper - suitable - apt - pertinent - fit
Ablution
A washing or cleansing, especially of the body
ab·lu·tion
/əˈblo͞oSHən/
Noun
The act of washing oneself. A ceremonial act of washing parts of the body or sacred containers.
Synonyms
wash - washing
Abrogate
To abolish, repeal
ab·ro·gate
/ˈabrəˌgāt/
Verb
Repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement).
Synonyms
cancel - abolish - annul - rescind - repeal - revoke
Abscond
To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of escaping arrest
ab·scond
/abˈskänd/
Verb
Leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or arrest. (of someone on bail) Fail to surrender oneself for custody at the appointed time.
Synonyms
flee - escape - run away - elope - get away
Abstemious
Characterized by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food
ab·ste·mi·ous
/abˈstēmēəs/
Adjective
Not self-indulgent, esp. when eating and drinking.
Synonyms
abstinent - temperate - moderate - sober - sparing
Abstruse
Dealing with matters difficult to be understood ab·struse /abˈstro͞os/ Adjective Difficult to understand; obscure. Synonyms obscure - recondite - deep - profound
