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GRE Prep Set 01
Vocabulary
377
English
Graduate
05/15/2009
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Term
aberrant:
 Definition
Markedly different from an accepted norm.
Term
aberration:
 Definition
Deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course.
Term
abet:
 Definition
To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense).
Term
abjure:
 Definition
To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath.
Term
ablution:
 Definition
A washing or cleansing, especially of the body.
Term
abrogate:
 Definition
To abolish, repeal.
Term
abstemious:
 Definition
Characterized by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food.
Term
abstruse:
 Definition
Dealing with matters difficult to be understood.
Term
abut:
 Definition
To touch at the end or boundary line.
Term
accede:
 Definition
To agree.
Term
acquiesce:
 Definition
To comply; submit.
Term
acrid:
 Definition
Harshly pungent or bitter.
Term
acumen:
 Definition
Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination.
Term
adumbrate:
 Definition
To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem.
Term
agog:
 Definition
In eager desire.
Term
alacrity:
 Definition
Cheerful willingness.
Term
ameliorate:
 Definition
To relieve, as from pain or hardship
Term
anathema:
 Definition
Anything forbidden, as by social usage.
Term
animadversion:
 Definition
The utterance of criticism or censure.
Term
aplomb:
 Definition
Confidence; coolness.
Term
apogee:
 Definition
The climax.
Term
apotheosis:
 Definition
Deification.
Term
apparition:
 Definition
Ghost.
Term
apposite:
 Definition
Appropriate.
Term
argot:
 Definition
A specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group.
Term
arrant:
 Definition
Notoriously bad.
Term
ascetic:
 Definition
Given to severe self-denial and practicing excessive abstinence and devotion.
Term
asperity:
 Definition
Harshness or roughness of temper.
Term
assiduous:
 Definition
Unceasing; persistent
Term
astringent:
 Definition
Harsh in disposition or character.
Term
augury:
 Definition
Omen
Term
austere:
 Definition
Severely simple; unadorned.
Term
autocrat:
 Definition
Anyone who claims or wields unrestricted or undisputed authority or influence.
Term
baleful:
 Definition
Malignant.
Term
banal:
 Definition
Commonplace.
Term
bask:
 Definition
To make warm by genial heat.
Term
bedaub:
 Definition
To smear over, as with something oily or sticky.
Term
bellicose:
 Definition
Warlike.
Term
belligerent:
 Definition
Manifesting a warlike spirit.
Term
berate:
 Definition
To scold severely.
Term
blithe:
 Definition
Joyous.
Term
boorish:
 Definition
Rude.
Term
breach:
 Definition
The violation of official duty, lawful right, or a legal obligation.
Term
broach:
 Definition
To mention, for the first time.
Term
bumptious:
 Definition
Full of offensive and aggressive self-conceit.
Term
cabal:
 Definition
A number of persons secretly united for effecting by intrigue some private purpose.
Term
cacophony:
 Definition
A disagreeable, harsh, or discordant sound or combination of sounds or tones.
Term
cajole:
 Definition
To impose on or dupe by flattering speech.
Term
callow:
 Definition
Without experience of the world.
Term
calumny:
 Definition
Slander.
Term
cant:
 Definition
To talk in a singsong, preaching tone with affected solemnity.
Term
capacious:
 Definition
Roomy.
Term
captious:
 Definition
Hypercritical.
Term
caustic:
 Definition
Sarcastic and severe.
Term
chary:
 Definition
Careful; wary; cautious.
Term
circumlocution:
 Definition
Indirect or roundabout expression.
Term
coeval:
 Definition
Existing during the same period of time; also, a contemporary.
Term
cogent:
 Definition
Appealing strongly to the reason or conscience.
Term
cogitate:
 Definition
Consider carefully and deeply; ponder.
Term
complaisance:
 Definition
Politeness.
Term
comport:
 Definition
To conduct or behave (oneself).
Term
compunction:
 Definition
Remorseful feeling.
Term
confluence:
 Definition
The place where streams meet.
Term
congeal:
 Definition
To coagulate.
Term
conjoin:
 Definition
To unite.
Term
connoisseur:
 Definition
A critical judge of art, especially one with thorough knowledge and sound judgment of art.
Term
consternation:
 Definition
Panic.
Term
contiguous:
 Definition
Touching or joining at the edge or boundary.
Term
contumacious:
 Definition
Rebellious.
Term
countervail:
 Definition
To offset.
Term
covert:
 Definition
Concealed, especially for an evil purpose.
Term
credulous:
 Definition
Easily deceived.
Term
cupidity:
 Definition
Avarice.
Term
cynosure:
 Definition
That to which general interest or attention is directed.
Term
denouement:
 Definition
That part of a play or story in which the mystery is cleared up.
Term
deprecate:
 Definition
To express disapproval or regret for, with hope for the opposite.
Term
desiccant:
 Definition
Any remedy which, when applied externally, dries up or absorbs moisture, as that of wounds.
Term
desuetude:
 Definition
A state of disuse or inactivity.
Term
desultory:
 Definition
Not connected with what precedes.
Term
didactic:
 Definition
Pertaining to teaching.
Term
dilatory:
 Definition
Tending to cause delay.
Term
disconcert:
 Definition
To disturb the composure of.
Term
disconsolate:
 Definition
Hopelessly sad; also, saddening; cheerless.
Term
discountenance:
 Definition
To look upon with disfavor.
Term
dissolution:
 Definition
A breaking up of a union of persons.
Term
duplicity:
 Definition
Double-dealing.
Term
ebullient:
 Definition
Showing enthusiasm or exhilaration of feeling.
Term
edacious:
 Definition
Given to eating.
Term
educe:
 Definition
To draw out.
Term
effete:
 Definition
Exhausted, as having performed its functions.
Term
egregious:
 Definition
Extreme.
Term
egress:
 Definition
Any place of exit.
Term
elucidate:
 Definition
To bring out more clearly the facts concerning.
Term
emblazon:
 Definition
To set forth publicly or in glowing terms.
Term
Epicurean:
 Definition
Indulging, ministering, or pertaining to daintiness of appetite.
Term
epithet:
 Definition
Word used adjectivally to describe some quality or attribute of is objects, as in "Father Aeneas".
Term
equanimity :
 Definition
Calmness; composure.
Term
errant:
 Definition
Roving or wandering, as in search of adventure or opportunity for gallant deeds.
Term
erudite:
 Definition
Very-learned.
Term
evanescent:
 Definition
Fleeting.
Term
evince:
 Definition
To make manifest or evident.
Term
exigency:
 Definition
A critical period or condition.
Term
exigency :
 Definition
State of requiring immediate action; also, an urgent situation; also, that which is required in a
Term
expatiate:
 Definition
To speak or write at some length.
Term
expiate:
 Definition
To make satisfaction or amends for.
Term
explicate:
 Definition
To clear from involvement.
Term
expostulate:
 Definition
To discuss.
Term
expropriate:
 Definition
To deprive of possession; also, to transfer (another's property) to oneself.
Term
extant:
 Definition
Still existing and known.
Term
extempore:
 Definition
Without studied or special preparation.
Term
extenuate:
 Definition
To diminish the gravity or importance of.
Term
extirpate:
 Definition
To root out; to eradicate.
Term
exuberance:
 Definition
Rich supply.
Term
facetious:
 Definition
Amusing.
Term
facile:
 Definition
Not difficult to do.
Term
factious:
 Definition
Turbulent.
Term
fatuous:
 Definition
Idiotic
Term
feint:
 Definition
Any sham, pretense, or deceptive movement.
Term
fervid:
 Definition
Intense.
Term
flout:
 Definition
To treat with contempt.
Term
foment:
 Definition
To nurse to life or activity; to encourage.
Term
foppish:
 Definition
Characteristic of one who is unduly devoted to dress and the niceties of manners.
Term
fugacious:
 Definition
Fleeting.
Term
fulminate:
 Definition
To cause to explode.
Term
fulsome:
 Definition
Offensive from excess of praise or commendation.
Term
gainsay:
 Definition
To contradict; to deny.
Term
gamut:
 Definition
The whole range or sequence.
Term
germane:
 Definition
Relevant.
Term
gossamer:
 Definition
Flimsy.
Term
gourmand:
 Definition
A connoisseur in the delicacies of the table.
Term
grandiloquent:
 Definition
Speaking in or characterized by a pompous or bombastic style.
Term
gregarious:
 Definition
Sociable, outgoing
Term
halcyon:
 Definition
Calm.
Term
harangue:
 Definition
A tirade.
Term
harbinger:
 Definition
One who or that which foreruns and announces the coming of any person or thing.
Term
hirsute:
 Definition
Having a hairy covering.
Term
hoodwink:
 Definition
To deceive.
Term
imbroglio:
 Definition
A misunderstanding attended by ill feeling, perplexity, or strife.
Term
imbue :
 Definition
To dye; to instill profoundly.
Term
immutable:
 Definition
Unchangeable.
Term
impecunious:
 Definition
Having no money.
Term
imperturbable:
 Definition
Calm.
Term
impetuous:
 Definition
mpulsive.
Term
implacable:
 Definition
Incapable of being pacified.
Term
importunate:
 Definition
Urgent in character, request, or demand.
Term
impugn:
 Definition
To assail with arguments, insinuations, or accusations.
Term
impute:
 Definition
To attribute.
Term
inane:
 Definition
Silly.
Term
inchoate:
 Definition
Incipient (initial)
Term
incipient:
 Definition
Initial.
Term
incongruous:
 Definition
Unsuitable for the time, place, or occasion.
Term
inculcate:
 Definition
To teach by frequent repetitions.
Term
indigence:
 Definition
Poverty.
Term
indistinct:
 Definition
Vague.
Term
ineluctable:
 Definition
Impossible to avoid.
Term
inexorable:
 Definition
Unrelenting.
Term
inimical:
 Definition
Adverse.
Term
inscrutable:
 Definition
Impenetrably mysterious or profound.
Term
insensible:
 Definition
Imperceptible.
Term
insinuate:
 Definition
To imply.
Term
insipid:
 Definition
Tasteless.
Term
insouciant:
 Definition
Nonchalant.
Term
interdict:
 Definition
Authoritative act of prohibition.
Term
intransigent:
 Definition
Not capable of being swayed or diverted from a course.
Term
inundate:
 Definition
To fill with an overflowing abundance.
Term
inure:
 Definition
To harden or toughen by use, exercise, or exposure.
Term
invective:
 Definition
An utterance intended to cast censure, or reproach.
Term
inveigh:
 Definition
To utter vehement censure or invective.
Term
inveterate:
 Definition
Habitual.
Term
invidious:
 Definition
Showing or feeling envy.
Term
irascible:
 Definition
Prone to anger.
Term
itinerant:
 Definition
Wandering.
Term
itinerate:
 Definition
To wander from place to place.
Term
jocular:
 Definition
Inclined to joke.
Term
junta:
 Definition
A council or assembly that deliberates in secret upon the affairs of government.
Term
lachrymose:
 Definition
Given to shedding tears.
Term
languid:
 Definition
Relaxed.
Term
lassitude:
 Definition
Lack of vitality or energy.
Term
libel:
 Definition
Defamation.
Term
listless:
 Definition
Inattentive.
Term
lithe:
 Definition
Supple.
Term
lugubrious:
 Definition
Indicating sorrow, often ridiculously.
Term
luminary:
 Definition
One of the heavenly bodies as a source of light.
Term
lustrous:
 Definition
Shining.
Term
malaise:
 Definition
A condition of uneasiness or ill-being.
Term
malcontent:
 Definition
One who is dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs.
Term
malign:
 Definition
To speak evil of, especially to do so falsely and severely.
Term
maudlin:
 Definition
Foolishly and tearfully affectionate.
Term
mawkish:
 Definition
Sickening or insipid.
Term
mellifluous:
 Definition
Sweetly or smoothly flowing.
Term
mendacious:
 Definition
Untrue.
Term
mendicant:
 Definition
A beggar.
Term
meretricious:
 Definition
Alluring by false or gaudy show.
Term
microcosm:
 Definition
The world or universe on a small scale.
Term
mien:
 Definition
The external appearance or manner of a person.
Term
miscreant:
 Definition
A villain.
Term
modicum:
 Definition
A small or token amount.
Term
mollify:
 Definition
To soothe, placate, appease, assuage.
Term
molt:
 Definition
To cast off, as hair, feathers, etc.
Term
monomania:
 Definition
The unreasonable pursuit of one idea.
Term
mordant:
 Definition
Biting.
Term
moribund:
 Definition
On the point of dying.
Term
multifarious:
 Definition
Having great diversity or variety.
Term
munificent:
 Definition
Extraordinarily generous.
Term
nadir:
 Definition
The lowest point.
Term
neophyte:
 Definition
Having the character of a beginner.
Term
noisome:
 Definition
Very offensive, particularly to the sense of smell.
Term
nostrum:
 Definition
Any scheme or recipe of a charlatan (one making usually showy pretenses to knowledge or ability : fraud, faker) character.
Term
charlatan:
 Definition
One making usually showy pretenses to knowledge or ability : fraud, faker
Term
noxious:
 Definition
Hurtful.
Term
nugatory:
 Definition
Having no power or force.
Term
obdurate:
 Definition
Impassive to feelings of humanity or pity.
Term
obfuscate:
 Definition
To darken; to obscure.
Term
oblique:
 Definition
Slanting; said of lines.
Term
obsequious:
 Definition
Showing a servile readiness to fall in with the wishes or will of another.
Term
obstreperous:
 Definition
Boisterous.
Term
obtrude:
 Definition
To be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence.
Term
obtrusive:
 Definition
Tending to be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence.
Term
obviate:
 Definition
To clear away or provide for, as an objection or difficulty.
Term
odium:
 Definition
A feeling of extreme repugnance, or of dislike and disgust.
Term
officious:
 Definition
Intermeddling with what is not one's concern.
Term
onerous:
 Definition
Burdensome or oppressive.
Term
onus:
 Definition
A burden or responsibility.
Term
opprobrium:
 Definition
The state of being scornfully reproached or accused of evil.
Term
ostentation:
 Definition
A display dictated by vanity and intended to invite applause or flattery.
Term
palatial:
 Definition
Magnificent.
Term
palliate:
 Definition
To cause to appear less guilty.
Term
palpable:
 Definition
Perceptible by feeling or touch.
Term
panacea:
 Definition
A remedy or medicine proposed for or professing to cure all diseases.
Term
panoply:
 Definition
A full set of armor.
Term
paragon:
 Definition
A model of excellence.
Term
Pariah:
 Definition
A member of a degraded class; a social outcast.
Term
paroxysm:
 Definition
A sudden outburst of any kind of activity.
Term
parsimonious:
 Definition
Unduly sparing in the use or expenditure of money.
Term
partisan:
 Definition
Characterized by or exhibiting undue or unreasoning devotion to a party.
Term
paucity:
 Definition
Fewness.
Term
pellucid:
 Definition
Translucent.
Term
penchant:
 Definition
A bias in favor of something.
Term
penurious:
 Definition
Excessively sparing in the use of money.
Term
penury:
 Definition
Indigence.
Term
peregrination:
 Definition
A wandering.
Term
peremptory:
 Definition
Precluding question or appeal.
Term
perfidy:
 Definition
Treachery.
Term
perfunctory:
 Definition
Half-hearted.
Term
peripatetic:
 Definition
Walking about.
Term
pernicious:
 Definition
Tending to kill or hurt.
Term
persiflage:
 Definition
Banter.
Term
perspicacity:
 Definition
Acuteness or discernment.
Term
perturbation:
 Definition
Mental excitement or confusion.
Term
petulant:
 Definition
Displaying impatience.
Term
physiognomy:
 Definition
The external appearance merely.
Term
pique:
 Definition
To excite a slight degree of anger in.
Term
platitude:
 Definition
A written or spoken statement that is flat, dull, or commonplace.
Term
plenary:
 Definition
Entire.
Term
plummet:
 Definition
A piece of lead for making soundings, adjusting walls to the vertical.
Term
poignant:
 Definition
Severely painful or acute to the spirit.
Term
polyglot:
 Definition
Speaking several tongues.
Term
ponderous:
 Definition
Unusually weighty or forcible.
Term
precocious:
 Definition
Having the mental faculties prematurely developed.
Term
predominate:
 Definition
To be chief in importance, quantity, or degree.
Term
presage:
 Definition
To foretell.
Term
prescience:
 Definition
Knowledge of events before they take place.
Term
preternatural:
 Definition
Extraordinary.
Term
prevaricate:
 Definition
To use ambiguous or evasive language for the purpose of deceiving or diverting attention.
Term
pristine:
 Definition
Primitive.
Term
probity:
 Definition
Virtue or integrity tested and confirmed.
Term
proclivity:
 Definition
A natural inclination.
Term
prodigious:
 Definition
Immense.
Term
profligacy:
 Definition
Shameless viciousness.
Term
profligate:
 Definition
Recklessly wasteful
Term
prolix:
 Definition
Verbose.
Term
propinquity:
 Definition
Nearness.
Term
propitious:
 Definition
Kindly disposed.
Term
prosaic:
 Definition
Unimaginative.
Term
proscribe:
 Definition
To reject, as a teaching or a practice, with condemnation or denunciation.
Term
protuberant:
 Definition
Bulging.
Term
puerile:
 Definition
Childish.
Term
pugnacious:
 Definition
Quarrelsome.
Term
punctilious:
 Definition
Strictly observant of the rules or forms prescribed by law or custom.
Term
qualm:
 Definition
A fit of nausea.
Term
quibble:
 Definition
An utterly trivial distinction or objection.
Term
quiescence:
 Definition
Being quiet, still, or at rest; inactive
Term
quiescent:
 Definition
Being in a state of repose or inaction.
Term
Quixotic:
 Definition
Chivalrous or romantic to a ridiculous or extravagant degree.
Term
quotidian:
 Definition
Of an everyday character; ordinary.
Term
raconteur:
 Definition
A person skilled in telling stories.
Term
ramify:
 Definition
To divide or subdivide into branches or subdivisions.
Term
rapacious:
 Definition
Sieze by force, avaricious
Term
reactionary:
 Definition
Pertaining to, of the nature of, causing, or favoring reaction.
Term
rebuff:
 Definition
A peremptory or unexpected rejection of advances or approaches.
Term
recalcitrant:
 Definition
Marked by stubborn resistance.
Term
recondite:
 Definition
Incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding.
Term
recrudescent:
 Definition
Becoming raw or sore again.
Term
redoubtable:
 Definition
Formidable.
Term
refractory:
 Definition
Not amenable to control.
Term
regale:
 Definition
To give unusual pleasure.
Term
regicide:
 Definition
The killing of a king or sovereign.
Term
remonstrate:
 Definition
To present a verbal or written protest to those who have power to right or prevent a wrong.
Term
repine:
 Definition
To indulge in fretfulness and faultfinding.
Term
reprobate:
 Definition
One abandoned to depravity and sin.
Term
repudiate:
 Definition
To refuse to have anything to do with.
Term
rescind:
 Definition
To make void, as an act, by the enacting authority or a superior authority.
Term
restive:
 Definition
Resisting control.
Term
retinue:
 Definition
The group of people who accompany an important person during travels.
Term
ribald:
 Definition
Indulging in or manifesting coarse indecency or obscenity.
Term
risible:
 Definition
Capable of exciting laughter.
Term
ruminate:
 Definition
To chew over again, as food previously swallowed and regurgitated.
Term
salacious:
 Definition
Having strong sexual desires.
Term
salient:
 Definition
Standing out prominently.
Term
salubrious:
 Definition
Healthful; promoting health.
Term
salutary:
 Definition
Beneficial.
Term
sardonic:
 Definition
Scornfully or bitterly sarcastic.
Term
satyr:
 Definition
A very lascivious person.
Term
scintilla:
 Definition
The faintest ray.
Term
sedulous:
 Definition
Persevering in effort or endeavor.
Term
sinuous:
 Definition
Curving in and out.
Term
skiff:
 Definition
Usually, a small light boat propelled by oars.
Term
somniferous:
 Definition
Tending to produce sleep.
Term
somnolent:
 Definition
Sleepy.
Term
sonorous:
 Definition
Resonant.
Term
sophistry:
 Definition
Reasoning sound in appearance only, especially when designedly deceptive.
Term
soporific:
 Definition
Causing sleep; also, something that causes sleep.
Term
sordid:
 Definition
Filthy, morally degraded
Term
specious:
 Definition
Plausible.
Term
spurious:
 Definition
Not genuine.
Term
squalid:
 Definition
Having a dirty, mean, poverty-stricken appearance.
Term
stanch:
 Definition
To stop the flowing of; to check.
Term
stolid:
 Definition
Expressing no power of feeling or perceiving.
Term
subterfuge:
 Definition
Evasion.
Term
sumptuous:
 Definition
Rich and costly.
Term
supercilious:
 Definition
Exhibiting haughty and careless contempt.
Term
supernumerary:
 Definition
Superfluous.
Term
supine:
 Definition
Lying on the back.
Term
surfeit:
 Definition
To feed to fullness or to satiety.
Term
sybarite:
 Definition
A luxurious person.
Term
sycophant:
 Definition
A servile flatterer, especially of those in authority or influence.
Term
temerity:
 Definition
Foolhardy disregard of danger; recklessness.
Term
timorous:
 Definition
Lacking courage.
Term
torpid:
 Definition
Dull; sluggish; inactive.
Term
torrid:
 Definition
Excessively hot.
Term
tortuous:
 Definition
Abounding in irregular bends or turns.
Term
tractable:
 Definition
Easily led or controlled.
Term
travesty:
 Definition
A grotesque imitation.
Term
trenchant:
 Definition
Cutting deeply and quickly.
Term
truculence:
 Definition
Ferocity.
Term
truculent:
 Definition
Having the character or the spirit of a savage.
Term
turbid:
 Definition
In a state of turmoil; muddled
Term
turgid:
 Definition
Swollen.
Term
turpitude:
 Definition
Depravity.
Term
tyro:
 Definition
One slightly skilled in or acquainted with any trade or profession.
Term
unctuous:
 Definition
Oily.
Term
undulate:
 Definition
To move like a wave or in waves.
Term
untoward:
 Definition
Causing annoyance or hindrance.
Term
vagary:
 Definition
A sudden desire or action
Term
vainglory:
 Definition
Excessive, pretentious, and demonstrative vanity.
Term
vapid:
 Definition
Having lost sparkling quality and flavor.
Term
variegated:
 Definition
Having marks or patches of different colors; also, varied.
Term
vehement:
 Definition
Very eager or urgent.
Term
venal:
 Definition
Mercenary, corrupt.
Term
veneer:
 Definition
Outside show or elegance.
Term
venial:
 Definition
That may be pardoned or forgiven, a forgivable sin.
Term
veracious:
 Definition
Habitually disposed to speak the truth.
Term
veracity:
 Definition
Truthfulness.
Term
verbiage:
 Definition
Use of many words without necessity.
Term
verdant:
 Definition
Green with vegetation.
Term
vestige:
 Definition
A visible trace, mark, or impression, of something absent, lost, or gone.
Term
vicissitude:
 Definition
A change, especially a complete change, of condition or circumstances, as of fortune.
Term
virtu:
 Definition
Rare, curious, or beautiful quality.
Term
vitiate:
 Definition
To contaminate.
Term
vituperate:
 Definition
To overwhelm with wordy abuse.
Term
vivify:
 Definition
To endue with life.
Term
vociferous:
 Definition
Making a loud outcry.
Term
volatile:
 Definition
Changeable.
Term
voluble:
 Definition
Having great fluency in speaking.
Term
winsome:
 Definition
Attractive.
Term
Zeitgeist:
 Definition
The intellectual and moral tendencies that characterize any age or epoch.
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