Shared Flashcard Set

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GRE prep verbal
level one
380
English
Graduate
10/25/2007

Additional English Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term
Abate
Definition
"To lessen in quantity, intensity or degree"
Term
Abdicate
Definition
To relinquish (power or responsibility) in a formal manner
Term
Aberration
Definition
Deviation from a proper or expected course
Term
Abet
Definition
"To urge, encourage or help someone or something (oft. an offense)"
Term
Abide
Definition
To be faithful to or endure
Term
Abhor
Definition
To hate or detest
Term
abscond
Definition
To leave suddenly and secretly to avoid arrest
Term
accede
Definition
To give oneÕs consent
Term
acclaim
Definition
To praise enthusiastically (usu. in public)
Term
accolade
Definition
"Praise, approval"
Term
accretion
Definition
A gradual increase in size by external addition
Term
acquiesce
Definition
To comply or consent passively; submit
Term
acquit
Definition
To clear from a charge or accusation
Term
acrid
Definition
Harshly bitter in taste or smell
Term
adamant
Definition
Stubborn or unyielding; an extremely hard substance
Term
addle
Definition
To muddle or confuse
Term
adorn
Definition
To make beautiful; to put ornaments on something
Term
adulation
Definition
Intense adoration or praise; ass-kissing
Term
aesthetic
Definition
Relating to the appreciation of beauty
Term
affable
Definition
Easy and pleasant to talk to; approachable
Term
affinity
Definition
A natural attraction or feeling of kinship
Term
aggravate
Definition
"To make heavier, worse or more troublesome; to provoke"
Term
agile
Definition
"Quick, light, nimble"
Term
alchemy
Definition
The medieval science of turning metals to gold; any magical or false mutational process
Term
allege
Definition
To assert without proof
Term
allegiance
Definition
Loyalty or the obligation of loyalty
Term
alleviate
Definition
To make more bearable; to lighten
Term
aloof
Definition
Physically or emotionally distant; reserved or remote
Term
ambidextrous
Definition
Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease
Term
ambiguous
Definition
Open to more than one interpretation; uncertain
Term
ambivalent
Definition
Feeling the coexistence of opposing emotions or attitudes
Term
anecdote
Definition
A short account of an interesting event
Term
anguish
Definition
Agonizing mental or physical pain
Term
animosity
Definition
Strong criticism
Term
antidote
Definition
"Anything that will counteract or remove the effects of poison, disease, or the like"
Term
apartheid
Definition
A policy of racial segregation practiced in South Africa against non-white people
Term
apathy
Definition
A lack of interest or concern; indifference
Term
Apparition
Definition
Ghost
Term
Appease
Definition
To soothe someone angry; to bring peace or calm
Term
Apprehensive
Definition
Anxious or fearful about the future; uneasy
Term
Apt
Definition
Inclined; having a natural tendency to
Term
Ardor
Definition
Intensity of passion or affection
Term
Arduous
Definition
Demanding great effort or labor; difficult
Term
Arid
Definition
Extremely dry
Term
Arrogance
Definition
Overbearing pride
Term
Articulate
Definition
"Marked by the use of clear, expressive language"
Term
Ascertain
Definition
To discover with certainty
Term
Astringent
Definition
Harsh or severe in nature; sharp and penetrating
Term
Astute
Definition
Shrew in judgment
Term
Audacious
Definition
Fearlessly daring (oft. recklessly so); brave or bold
Term
Autocrat
Definition
A single ruler having unlimited power; a despot
Term
Auxiliary
Definition
Giving assistance or support; helping; supplementary
Term
Avarice
Definition
Greed
Term
Aversion
Definition
"A fixed, intense dislike"
Term
Avid
Definition
Marked by keen interest and enthusiasm
Term
Banal
Definition
Drearily commonplace; trite
Term
Bask
Definition
To expose oneself to pleasant warmth; to take pleasure or satisfaction
Term
Belligerent
Definition
Inclined or eager to fight; hostile
Term
Benefactor
Definition
One that gives aid (esp. financial)
Term
Benevolence
Definition
An inclination to perform generous acts; a generous act
Term
Benign
Definition
Of a gentle or mild character; harmless
Term
Blatant
Definition
Unpleasantly loud and noisy; totally or offensively conspicuous
Term
Boisterous
Definition
Loud and noisy (oft. in a rough
Term
Brash
Definition
Hasty and unthinking; lacking in tact or sensitivity
Term
Brazen
Definition
Brashly audacious (oft. rudely so)
Term
Brittle
Definition
"Likely to break, snap or crack; fragile"
Term
Callous
Definition
Hardened; unfeeling
Term
Candid
Definition
Unprejudiced or impartial; open and sincere
Term
Cantankerous
Definition
Ill-tempered and quarrelsome
Term
Canvass
Definition
To examine carefully or discuss thoroughly; scrutinize
Term
Catalyst
Definition
Someone or something that makes a process or event happen
Term
Circuitous
Definition
"Indirect, roundabout"
Term
Clamor
Definition
A loud outcry or noise; din
Term
Coagulation
Definition
The hardening of a substance into something thicker and firmer
Term
Coalesce
Definition
To grow together
Term
Coax
Definition
To persuade through flattery
Term
Coddle
Definition
To treat indulgently; to baby
Term
Coerce
Definition
"To force to act or think in a certain way through the use of pressure, threat or force; to compel"
Term
Colloquial
Definition
Particular to common speech as distinguished from literary
Term
Commemorate
Definition
To honor the memory of through ceremony
Term
Conceit
Definition
An unduly high opinion of oneÕs self or abilities
Term
Concord
Definition
Harmony or agreement
Term
Concur
Definition
To agree
Term
Condense
Definition
To reduce in quantity or length
Term
Condone
Definition
"To overlook, forgive or tolerate an offense without protest"
Term
Congeal
Definition
To coagulate
Term
Conjoin
Definition
To join together
Term
Connoisseur
Definition
A person with expert knowledge or training (esp. in the fine arts)
Term
Consecrate
Definition
To declare or make sacred
Term
Console
Definition
To comfort
Term
Conspicuous
Definition
Easy to notice; obvious
Term
Consummate
Definition
To bring to completion; complete or perfect in all respects
Term
Contentious
Definition
Quarrelsome
Term
Convoluted
Definition
Intricate or complicated
Term
Copious
Definition
Abundant
Term
cordial
Definition
Warm and sincere; friendly
Term
counterfeit
Definition
To forge falsely; Something illegally or falsely made
Term
covert
Definition
"Not openly practiced, engaged in or shown"
Term
covet
Definition
To secretly desire something which is not yours
Term
cower
Definition
To cringe in fear
Term
cryptic
Definition
Having hidden meaning; obscure
Term
cumbersome
Definition
Difficult to handle because of weight or bulk; onerous
Term
curt
Definition
Brief or short in speech or manner (oft. rudely so)
Term
curtail
Definition
To cut short
Term
dainty
Definition
Delicately beautiful or charming
Term
dearth
Definition
A scarcity or lack of
Term
debacle
Definition
"A sudden collapse, downturn or defeat; a total failure"
Term
decimate
Definition
To kill or destroy a large portion of something
Term
decorum
Definition
Appropriateness of conduct; the conventions of polite behavior
Term
decree
Definition
An authoritative order having the force of a law
Term
defiance
Definition
Bold resistance to authority or an opposing force
Term
deluge
Definition
To overwhelm with (usu. water); a flood
Term
denigrate
Definition
To speak ill of or attack the character of
Term
deplete
Definition
"To reduce or lessen by use, exhaustion, or waste"
Term
deposition
Definition
Testimony taken under oath (usu. written down)
Term
deride
Definition
To speak of with contempt and mirth
Term
derision
Definition
Ridicule
Term
derivative
Definition
Something derived; unoriginal
Term
derogatory
Definition
Disparaging or belittling
Term
despot
Definition
A ruler with absolute power
Term
destitute
Definition
Lacking or devoid of; poor
Term
deter
Definition
To hinder or prevent
Term
detraction
Definition
A derogatory comment on a personÕs character or reputation
Term
deviant
Definition
Differing from the norm or the accepted standards of society; one who differs from the norm or the accepted standards of society
Term
dexterity
Definition
Skill and grace in physical activity (oft. of the hands); adroitness
Term
digress
Definition
To turn away from (esp. the main subject of a conversation)
Term
dilate
Definition
To make wider or larger
Term
diligent
Definition
Marked by painstaking effort
Term
disallow
Definition
To withhold permission or sanction
Term
discern
Definition
To perceive with the eyes; to detect through careful observation
Term
discredit
Definition
To injure the reputation of
Term
discreet
Definition
Showing prudence and self-restraint; modest
Term
disdain
Definition
To regard or treat with haughty contempt; scorn
Term
disheveled
Definition
Disordered or untidy
Term
disinterested
Definition
Impartial; indifferent
Term
dismal
Definition
Causing gloom; dreary; characterized by a lack of merit
Term
disproof
Definition
The act of refuting; evidence the refutes
Term
dissent
Definition
Disagreement
Term
distraught
Definition
Deeply agitated; insane
Term
divulge
Definition
To make known (esp. a secret)
Term
dormant
Definition
Asleep or inactive
Term
drone
Definition
To speak in a monotonous tone; a male bee that performs no work
Term
dubious
Definition
Doubtful
Term
duress
Definition
Constraint by threat; coercion
Term
elicit
Definition
To bring or draw out (something latent)
Term
eloquence
Definition
Persuasive discourse
Term
elucidate
Definition
To make clear by explanation
Term
emaciate
Definition
To make or become extremely thin
Term
emancipate
Definition
To set free ownership or oppression; to liberate
Term
embellish
Definition
To make beautiful by decoration; to add fictitious details to a story
Term
embezzle
Definition
To take (usu. money) for oneÕs own use in violation of a trust
Term
emote
Definition
"To express emotion, esp. in an excessive or theatrical manner"
Term
emulate
Definition
To strive to equal or excel; to imitate
Term
encapsulate
Definition
To encase in a capsule; to sum up
Term
endorse
Definition
To write oneÕs signature on the back of a check; to give approval or support to
Term
enduring
Definition
Lasting
Term
engrave
Definition
"To cut, carve or etch into some material"
Term
engrossing
Definition
Fascinating
Term
entangle
Definition
To entwine in a confusing mass
Term
entice
Definition
To attract or lure
Term
equilibrium
Definition
A state of balance
Term
eradicate
Definition
To pull up by the roots; to destroy
Term
erratic
Definition
Irregular
Term
erroneous
Definition
Mistaken
Term
evoke
Definition
To summon or call forth
Term
exhaustive
Definition
Treating all parts or aspects without omission; thoroughly
Term
exploit
Definition
"An act or deed, esp. a heroic one; to use (deceitfully)"
Term
extinct
Definition
No longer in existence
Term
extinguish
Definition
To put out or douse (usu. a fire); to destroy
Term
extol
Definition
To praise highly or exalt
Term
extort
Definition
To obtain from another by coercion or intimidation
Term
extraneous
Definition
Inessential or irrelevant
Term
extrovert
Definition
A gregarious or outgoing individual
Term
exuberant
Definition
Full of unrestrained joy or enthusiasm
Term
falter
Definition
"To waver or stumble, oft. due to a loss of confidence"
Term
feign
Definition
To give a false appearance of
Term
felon
Definition
One who has committed crime more severe than a misdemeanor
Term
ferocity
Definition
Savageness
Term
fervor
Definition
Great warmth and intensity of emotion; intense heat or passion
Term
fetish
Definition
An object of unreasonably excessive attention or interest
Term
fetter
Definition
A chain or shackle for the ankles; to restrain or restrict
Term
fickle
Definition
Capricious
Term
fidelity
Definition
Loyalty
Term
fidget
Definition
To behave or more nervously or restlessly
Term
figurehead
Definition
Someone of nominal leadership but no real authority
Term
finesse
Definition
" Refined or delicate performance, execution or artisanship"
Term
finicky
Definition
Hard to please
Term
fission
Definition
The act or process of splitting into parts
Term
fixate
Definition
To make stable; to fix oneÕs attention on; to obsess on
Term
flamboyant
Definition
Highly elaborate; given to ostentatious display
Term
flaunt
Definition
To exhibit shamelessly or ostentatiously
Term
flop
Definition
To fall or lie down heavily and noisily; to fail utterly
Term
foil
Definition
To prevent from being successful; to thwart; a pole-like sword
Term
foolproof
Definition
Designed to be impervious to human error; infallible
Term
forage
Definition
The act of searching for food or provisions
Term
forfeit
Definition
To surrender something as a punishment
Term
forgery
Definition
Counterfeiting
Term
fragile
Definition
Easily broken; delicate
Term
fragrant
Definition
Having a pleasant odor
Term
frantic
Definition
Highly excited with strong emotion or frustration; frenzied
Term
frugal
Definition
Economical
Term
gesticulate
Definition
To make gestures for emphasis (esp. while speaking)
Term
gist
Definition
The central idea; essence
Term
glimmer
Definition
A dim or intermittent flicker or flash of light
Term
gloat
Definition
To feel or express great self-satisfaction (oft. maliciously)
Term
glut
Definition
To fill beyond capacity; oversupply or excess
Term
gnaw
Definition
"To bite at, chew on or generally erode with the teeth"
Term
gorge
Definition
"A deep, narrow passage with steep, rocky sides; a ravine; to eat in a gluttonous manner"
Term
gouge
Definition
To scoop or dig out; to charge an excessively high price
Term
grave
Definition
Requiring serious thought; somber in conduct or character
Term
graze
Definition
To feed on leisurely and continuously; to touch lightly
Term
grovel
Definition
To behave in a servile manner; to lie in a prostrate manner
Term
guile
Definition
Cunning treachery; skillful deceit
Term
gullible
Definition
Easily deceived or duped
Term
gush
Definition
To flow forth suddenly in great volume (esp. tears or praise)
Term
gust
Definition
"A strong, abrupt burst of wind"
Term
hack
Definition
"To cut or chap with repeated, irregular blows"
Term
haughty
Definition
Scornfully and condescendingly proud
Term
heed
Definition
To pay attention to and consider
Term
heinous
Definition
Grossly wicked or reprehensible; abominable
Term
heresy
Definition
"An opinion or doctrine at variance with established religious beliefs, esp. from Christian dogma by a church member"
Term
highbrow
Definition
Highly cultured or intellectual
Term
hospitable
Definition
Disposed to treat strangers or guests with warmth and generosity
Term
hovel
Definition
"A small, miserable dwelling"
Term
idolatry
Definition
The worship of idols; excessive devotion to something
Term
ignoble
Definition
Not noble in character; base
Term
illicit
Definition
Illegal
Term
illustrious
Definition
Well-known and distinguished
Term
imminent
Definition
About to occur
Term
impair
Definition
To cause to diminish in strength or quality
Term
impede
Definition
To be an obstacle to or to place obstacles in the way of
Term
imperative
Definition
A command or order; extremely necessary
Term
impermeable
Definition
Impossible to penetrate or permeate
Term
imperturbable
Definition
Unshakably calm and collected
Term
impervious
Definition
Impenetrable
Term
implosion
Definition
A violent collapse inward
Term
impunity
Definition
"Exempt from penalty, punishment or harm"
Term
inadvertent
Definition
Marked by unintentional lack of care
Term
inane
Definition
Lacking sense or substance; empty or stupid
Term
incense
Definition
To cause to become extremely angry; an aromatic substance that is burned to produce a pleasant odor
Term
incessant
Definition
Unceasing
Term
incite
Definition
To provoke and urge on
Term
incongruous
Definition
Lacking in harmony; incompatible or not in agreement
Term
incredulous
Definition
Skeptical or disbelieving
Term
increment
Definition
"A small, often imperceptible addition or augmentation"
Term
incumbent
Definition
Obligatory; Resting or leaning on something else; Someone
Term
currently
Definition
holding a specified office
Term
indistinct
Definition
Not clearly or sharply delineated; vague
Term
inept
Definition
Not apt or fitting; foolish; incompetent
Term
infallible
Definition
Incapable of erring or failing
Term
inferno
Definition
A place or condition suggestive of hell; a place of fiery heat
Term
infuse
Definition
To fill or cause to be filled with something
Term
ingenuous
Definition
Lacking in worldliness; openly straightforward
Term
ingest
Definition
To take into the body by the mouth for digestion; to take in
Term
interim
Definition
An interval of time between acts or periods; temporary
Term
introspection
Definition
Contemplation of one's own thoughts and feelings
Term
inundate
Definition
"To cover, overwhelm or flood with water; to swamp"
Term
invalid
Definition
One who is disabled by illness or injury; not valid
Term
invincible
Definition
Unconquerable
Term
iota
Definition
A very small amount; a bit
Term
ire
Definition
Wrath
Term
irksome
Definition
"Causing annoyance, weariness or vexation"
Term
jabber
Definition
To talk rapidly or unintelligibly
Term
jovial
Definition
Merry
Term
judicious
Definition
Having or exhibiting sound judgment; prudent
Term
lackluster
Definition
"Lacking brightness, luster or vitality; dull"
Term
lament
Definition
To express grief for or about; to regret deeply
Term
lavish
Definition
Marked by or produced with extravagance; to give in abundance
Term
legacy
Definition
Money or property bequeathed to another by will; something
Term
handed
Definition
down from an ancestor or a predecessor
Term
lethargy
Definition
"A state of inactivity, sluggishness and apathy"
Term
lucid
Definition
Easily understood; intelligible
Term
lurk
Definition
"To lie in wait, as in ambush"
Term
magnanimous
Definition
Courageously noble in mind and heart; generous or unselfish
Term
malcontent
Definition
One who is dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs
Term
malevolence
Definition
Ill-will
Term
malign
Definition
To speak evil of; evil in nature or spirit
Term
manacle
Definition
A device for confining the hands
Term
massacre
Definition
"A cruel, indiscriminate killing of a large number of human beings"
Term
maul
Definition
To injure by beating; to handle roughly
Term
mesmerize
Definition
To hypnotize
Term
meticulous
Definition
Extremely careful and precise; excessively concerned with details
Term
mischievous
Definition
Causing mischief; Playfully naughty; troublesome
Term
miser
Definition
One who lives very meagerly to save money; a greedy person
Term
moderation
Definition
Temperance
Term
morbid
Definition
"Of, relating to or caused by disease; psychologically unhealthy"
Term
morose
Definition
Sullenly melancholy; gloomy
Term
mundane
Definition
Commonplace or ordinary; everyday
Term
negligent
Definition
"Characterized by or inclined to neglect, esp. habitually"
Term
oblivious
Definition
Completely unaware or mindful of
Term
ominous
Definition
Menacing or threatening; portentous
Term
opaque
Definition
Impenetrable by light; so obscure as to be unintelligible
Term
palate
Definition
The roof of the mouth
Term
palatial
Definition
Of the nature or a palace; magnificently enormous
Term
pariah
Definition
A social outcast
Term
partisan
Definition
"A fervent supporter of a cause, group, person or idea"
Term
patron
Definition
A sponsor or benefactor; a customer (esp. a regular one)
Term
paucity
Definition
Smallness of number; fewness
Term
pedestrian
Definition
One who journeys on foot; commonplace
Term
perennial
Definition
Lasting or active throughout the entire year or many years
Term
perilous
Definition
Dangerous
Term
permeate
Definition
To spread or flow through; to pervade
Term
perpetrate
Definition
To be responsible for or commit (esp. a crime)
Term
personable
Definition
Pleasing in personality
Term
petrify
Definition
To turn into wood; to cause to be stiff or stone-like
Term
pine
Definition
To mourn or long for out of grief
Term
pious
Definition
Religiously devout; marked by false devoutness
Term
pivotal
Definition
Of vital importance; crucial
Term
placate
Definition
To allay the anger of (esp. by concessions); to appease
Term
plea
Definition
An earnest request
Term
plod
Definition
"To move or walk in a heavy, laborious manner"
Term
plummet
Definition
To decline suddenly and steeply; something that weighs down
Term
poignant
Definition
"Keenly distressing to the spirit, body or mind; profoundly moving"
Term
pompous
Definition
Marked by excessive self-esteem or exaggerated dignity
Term
portent
Definition
A sign of something important of calamitous to come; an omen
Term
prevalent
Definition
"Widely occurring, existing, accepted or practiced"
Term
pristine
Definition
In a pure state; uncorrupted
Term
procrastinate
Definition
To delay or put off for later
Term
propensity
Definition
An innate inclination; a tendency
Term
provisional
Definition
Temporary
Term
proximity
Definition
Closeness; propinquity
Term
prudent
Definition
Wise in handling practical matters
Term
pry
Definition
To inquire in a nosy manner or snoop; to obtain with difficulty
Term
pseudo-
Definition
Prefix meaning ÔfalseÕ
Term
pungent
Definition
"Sharp smelling or tasting; penetrating, biting or caustic"
Term
quack
Definition
An untrained person who pretends to be a physician; a charlatan
Term
quaff
Definition
To drink heartily
Term
quell
Definition
To put down forcibly; to suppress
Term
queer
Definition
Deviating from the expected; strange
Term
rebuff
Definition
A blunt or abrupt repulse or refusal
Term
reconcile
Definition
To re-establish a close relationship; to bring (oneself) to accept
Term
regurgitate
Definition
To spit up partially digested food (oft. used of ideas as well)
Term
reiterate
Definition
To say or do repeatedly
Term
rejuvenate
Definition
To restore to youthful vigor or appearance
Term
renowned
Definition
Famous
Term
renovate
Definition
To restore to an earlier condition; to revive
Term
repel
Definition
" To force or keep back in a manner, physically or mentally"
Term
requisite
Definition
Necessary; something that is required
Term
resuscitate
Definition
"To restore consciousness, vigor or life to"
Term
revere
Definition
To worship or adore
Term
reverence
Definition
"A feeling of profound awe, respect and (often) love; veneration"
Term
sanction
Definition
To approve authoritatively
Term
scorch
Definition
To burn
Term
secular
Definition
Not specifically related to religion; occurring once in a century or from century to century
Term
servile
Definition
Abjectly submissive; slavish
Term
severance
Definition
The act or condition of being severed; separation
Term
shard
Definition
A piece of broken pottery or a fragment of glass
Term
shrewd
Definition
Clever or cunning; sharp or penetrating
Term
shrill
Definition
High-pitched and piercing in sound; harshly keen to the senses
Term
slur
Definition
To pronounce indistinctly
Term
squalid
Definition
"Having a dirty, mean, poverty-stricken appearance"
Term
stipulate
Definition
To lay down as a condition
Term
sublime
Definition
Majestic
Term
succinct
Definition
Concise
Term
suffice
Definition
To be enough or make do
Term
superfluous
Definition
Beyond what is needed or required
Term
superimpose
Definition
To lay or place something over something else
Term
suppress
Definition
To prevent from being disclosed or punished
Term
surcharge
Definition
An additional amount charged
Term
talon
Definition
The claw of a predatory bird
Term
tenacious
Definition
Holding persistently to something (e.g. a point of view)
Term
thwart
Definition
"To prevent the occurrence, realization or attainment of"
Term
transgress
Definition
To go beyond or over; to act in violation of the law
Term
turbulent
Definition
Violently agitated; tumultuous; causing unrest or restless in nature
Term
vacillate
Definition
"To sway between two sides, positions or opinions; to waver"
Term
vain
Definition
Not yielding the desired outcome; fruitless; excessively proud of
Term
oneÕs
Definition
appearance or accomplishments
Term
vestige
Definition
"A visible trace, mark, or impression, of something gone"
Term
vex
Definition
"To annoy, bother or harass"
Term
vilify
Definition
To make vicious and defamatory statements about
Term
virtue
Definition
"A rare, curious, or beautiful quality"
Term
vivacious
Definition
Lively or full of spirit
Term
vivify
Definition
To give or bring to life; to make more lively or vivid
Term
vociferous
Definition
Making a noisy and vehement outcry
Term
volatile
Definition
Prone to quick and marked change
Term
whimsical
Definition
Capricious
Term
yelp
Definition
"A short, sharp cry or bark"
Term
yen
Definition
A strong desire or urge for something
Term
zealous
Definition
Filled with enthusiastic devotion to a principle or cause
Term
zenith
Definition
The peak
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