GRE Vocabulary
GRE Vocabulary
GRE Vocabulary
(abolish)
He intended
predecessor.
to
abrogate
the
decree
issued
by
his
issued
by
his
abscond
(depart secretly and hide)
abash
, (embarrass)
He was not at all abashed by her open admiration.
The teller
predecessor.
absconded
with
the
bonds
absolve
abdicate
abettor
, (encourager)
He was accused of being an aider and abettor of the
criminal.
abeyance
, (suspended action)
The deal was held in abeyance until his arrival.
abhor
(detest, hate)
affiliation
ablution
, (washing of the body)
His daily ablutions were accompanied by loud noises which he
humorously labeled "Opera in the Bath"
affinity
(kinship)
She felt an affinity with all who suffered, their pains were her
pains.
abominate
(loathe, hate)
affirmation
aboriginal
, , (being the first of its kind in a region,
primitive, native)
His studies of the primitive art forms of the aboriginal Indians
were widely reported in the scientific journals.
abortive
, (unsuccessful, fruitless)
We had to abandon our abortive attempts.
affray
, (public brawl)
abrade
, , , (wear away by
friction, erode)
The skin of his leg was abraded by the sharp rocks.
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alcove
(nook, recess)
agenda
(items of business at a meeting)
We had so much difficulty agreeing upon an agenda that
there was very little time for the meeting.
agglomeration
, (collection, heap)
It took weeks to assort the agglomeration of miscellaneous
items she had collected on her trip.
alienate
, (make hostile, separate)
aggrandize
, (increase or intensify)
The history of the past quarter century illustrates how a
President may aggrandize his power to act aggressively in
international affairs without considering the wishes of Congress.
alimentary
, (supplying nourishment)
The alimentary canal in our bodies is so named because
digestion of foods occurs there.
aggregate
(sum, total)
The aggregate wealth of this country is staggering to the
imagination.
alimony
(payment by a husband to his divorced wife)
Mrs. Jones was awarded $200 monthly alimony by the court
when she was divorced from her husband.
aghast
, (horrified)
He was aghast at the nerve of the speaker who had insulted
his host.
allay
, (calm, pacify)
The crew tried to allay the fears of the passengers by
announcing that the fire had been controlled.
agility
(nimbleness)
The agility of the acrobat amazed and thrilled the audience.
allege
, (state without proof )
agitate
allegory
, (story in which characters are used as symbols,
fable)
agnostic
(one
knowability of a god)
who
is skeptical of
the
existence
or
agrarian
, (pertaining to land or its cultivation)
The country is gradually losing its agrarian occupation and
turning more and more to an industrial point of view.
alacrity
, (cheerful promptness)
He demonstrated his eagerness to serve by his alacrity in
executing the orders of his master.
appellation
, (name, title)
alchemy
He was amazed when the witches hailed him with his correct
appellation.
(medieval chemistry)
The changing of baser metals into gold was the goal of the
students of alchemy.
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append
and pertinent.
, (fitness, talent)
, (diligent attention)
Pleased with how well Tom had whitewashed the fence, Aunt
Polly praised him for his application.(secondary meaning)
apposite
(solemn wonder)
(appropriate, fitting)
He was always able to find the apposite phrase, the correct
expression for every occasion.
appraise
, (distorted, crooked)
appreciate
(sky blue)
, , (be thankful
for, increase in worth, be thoroughly conscious of)
babble
(chatter idly)
The little girl babbled about her doll.
apprehend
badger
apprehensive
, (fearful, discerning)
His apprehensive glances at the people who were walking in
the street revealed his nervousness.
badinage
(teasing conversation)
Her friends at work greeted the news of her engagement
with cheerful badinage.
apprise
(inform)
When he was apprised of the dangerous weather conditions,
he decided to postpone his trip.
baffle
, (frustrate, perplex)
The new code baffled the enemy agents.
approbation
bagatelle
(approval)
She looked for some sign of approbation from her parents.
(trifle)
Trying to reassure Roxanne about his wound, Cyrano claimed
it was a mere bagatelle.
appropriate
, (acquire, take possession of for one's own
use)
The ranch owners appropriated the lands that had originally
been set aside for the Indians' use.
bait
, (harass, tease)
The soldiers baited the prisoners, terrorizing them.
baleful
appurtenances
(subordinate possessions )
, (deadly, destructive)
apropos
~ , ~ (with reference to,
regarding)
I find your remarks apropos of the present situation timely
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(foil)
When the warden learned that several inmates were planning
to escape, he took steps to balk their attempt.
ballast
( ,
) (heavy substance used to add stability or weight)
The ship was listing badly to one side, it was necessary to
shift the ballast in the hold to get her back on an even keel.
balm
(something that relieves pain)
Friendship is the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed
love.
cacophony
(discord)
Some people seem to enjoy the cacophony of an orchestra
that is tuning up.
balmy
, (mild, fragrant)
A balmy breeze refreshed us after the sultry blast.
cadaver
(corpse)
In some states, it is illegal to dissect cadavers.
banal
, (hackneyed, commonplace, trite)
His frequent use of cliches made his essay seem banal.
cadaverous
, (like a corpse, pale)
By his cadaverous appearance, we could see how the disease
had ravaged him.
bane
(cause of ruin)
Lack of public transportation is the bane of urban life.
cajole
, (coax, wheedle)
baneful
, (ruinous, poisonous)
His baneful influence was feared by all.
calamity
, (disaster, misery)
burgeon
(grow forth, send out buds)
In the spring, the plants that burgeon are a promise of the
beauty that is to come.
burlesque
(give an imitation that ridicules)
In his caricature, he burlesqued the mannerisms of his
adversary.
burly
, (husky, muscular)
The burly mover lifted the packing crate with ease.
burnish
, (hardened, unfeeling)
, (support or prop)
(youthful, immature)
buxom
, , (plump, vigorous, jolly)
The soldiers remembered the buxom nurse who had always
been so pleasant to them.
cabal
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calorific
(heat-producing)
Coal is much more calorific than green wood.
calumniate
circuitous
(roundabout)
Because of the traffic congestion on the main highways, she
took a circuitous route.
calumny
, (malicious misrepresentation, slander)
He could endure his financial failure, but he could not bear
the calumny that his foes heaped upon him.
circumlocution
, (indirect or roundabout expression)
He was afraid to call a spade a spade and resorted to
circumlocutions to avoid direct reference to his subject.
camaraderie
(good-fellowship)
What he loved best about his job was the sense of
camaraderie he and his co-workers shared.
circumscribe
, (limit, confine)
Although I do not wish to circumscribe your activities, I must
insist that you complete this assignment before you start anything
else.
cameo
(shell or jewel carved in relief)
Tourists are advised not to purchase cameos from the street
peddlers of Rome who sell poor specimens of the carver's art.
circumspect
, (prudent, cautious)
canard
, (unfounded rumor, exaggerated report)
It is almost impossible to protect oneself from such a base
canard.
Investigating
circumspect.
before
acting,
she
tried
always
to
be
circumvent
, (outwit, baffle)
cordial
, (hearty, affectionate)
censor
. (overseer of morals,
person who reads to eliminate inappropriate remarks)
, (work together)
Two writers collaborated in preparing this book.
collage
churlish
(, , )
(work of art put together from fragments.)
, (boorish, rude)
Dismayed by his churlish manners at the party, the girls
vowed never to invite him again.
ciliated
cipher1
(secret code)
colloquy
Lacking his code book, the spy was unable to decode the
message sent to him in cipher.
, (informal discussion)
I enjoy our colloquies, but I sometimes wish that they could
be made more formal and more searching.
circlet
, (small ring, band)
collusion
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colossal
commiserate
, (huge)
Radio City Music Hall has
accomodate up to 15,000 people.
colossal
stage
that
can
colossus
, (gigantic statue)
The legendary Colossus of Rhodes, a bronze statue of the
sun god that dominated the harbor of the Greek seaport, was
one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
comatose
, (in a coma, extremely sleepy)
The long-winded orator soon had his audience in a comatose
state.
combustible
, , (agreement, contract)
(easily burned)
After the recent outbreak of fires in private homes, the fire
commissioner ordered that all combustible materials be kept in
safe containers.
comely
, (attractive, agreeable)
I would rather have a poor and comely wife than a rich and
homely one.
compatible
, (harmonious, in harmony with)
comestible
compelling
, (overpowering, irresistible in effect)
The prosecutor presented a well-reasoned case, but the
defense attorney's compelling arguments for leniency won over
the jury.
comeuppance
, (rebuke, deserts)
After his earlier rudeness, we were delighted to see him get
his comeuppance.
compendium
(brief, comprehensive summary)
comity
, (courtesy, civility)
A spirit of comity should exist among nations.
compensatory
commandeer
commemorative
(remembering, honoring)
The new commemorative stamps honors the late Martin
Luther King, Jr.
commensurate
, (self-satisfied)
(equal in extent)
Your reward will be commensurate with your effort.
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complaisant
, (trying to please, obliging)
The courtier obeyed the king's orders in a complaisant
manner.
compunction
, (remorse)
complement
, (complete, consummate, make perfect)
The waiter recommended a glass of port to complement the
cheese.
compliance
, , (conformity in fulfilling requirements, readiness
to yield)
concatenate
(link as in a chain)
It is difficult to understand how these events
concatenate as they did without outside assistance.
compliant
, (yielding)
He was compliant and ready to go along with his friend's
desires.
could
concave
, (hollow)
The back-packers found partial shelter from the storm by
huddling against the concave wall of the cliff.
complicity
, (participation, involvement)
You cannot keep your complicity in this affair secret very
long, you would be wise to admit your involvement immediately.
conceit
component
, (element, ingredient)
I wish all the components of my stereo system were working
at the same time.
comport
conception
, (beginning, forming of an idea)
composure
, (mental calmness)
Even the latest work crisis failed to shake her composure.
concerted
compound
, , , (combine,
constitute, pay interest, increase)
The makers of the popular cold remedy compounded a nasal
decongestant with an antihistamine.
comprehensive
(thorough, inclusive)
This book provides a comprehensive review of verbal and
math skills for the GRE.
compress
, , (reconciling, soothing)
concise
compromise
, , , (adjust, endanger
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contortion
conclave
contraband
(private meeting)
(deformation)
() (smuggled goods,)
contravene
, (oppose, repudiate)
conclusive
(decisive, ending all debate)
When the stolen books turned up in John's locker, we finally
had conclusive evidence of the identity of the mysterious thief.
controvert
, . (refute)
contrite
concoct
, , (prepare by combining,
make up in concert)
How did the inventive chef ever concoct such a strange dish?
(apologetic)
contrived
(manufactured, nonnatural)
concomitant
, (that which accompanies, accompanying)
contumacious
, (refractory)
contusion
concord
, (discoloration, shiner)
, (harmony)
Watching Tweedledum and Tweedledee battle, Alice
wondered why the two brothers could not manage to live in
concord.
concur
conundrum
(enigma)
convene
, (agree)
Did you concur with the decision of the court or did you find
it unfair?
(summon)
conventional
(traditional)
concurrent
(happening at the same time)
In America, the colonists were resisting the demands of the
mother country, at the concurrent moment in France, the middle
class was sowing the seeds of rebellion.
converge
, (meet, approach)
conversant
condescend
, (skilled)
converse
, (contrary, reverse)
convert
condign
, (apostate)
convex
(swollen, rounded)
condiments
, (seasonings, spices)
conveyance
(transportation)
confiscate
conviction
(seize, commandeer)
The army confiscated all assailable supplies of uranium.
, (opinion, dogma)
convivial
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2 , , (a thing that
completes another, things very much alike)
() (meet, gather)
coup
(, ) , (highly successful action or
sudden attack)
copious
, (abundant, ample)
coquette
couple
, . (vamp)
, , (join, unite,)
The Flying Karamazovs couple expert juggling and amateur
joking in their nightclub act.
cordon
(barrier, barricate)
courier
cornice
, ,( ), .
(messenger)
The publisher
manuscript.
cornucopia
(horn of plenty, abundance)
sent
special
courier
to
pick
up
the
covenant
, (agreement)
corollary
, (aftermath, outcome)
covert
corpulent
, ,
, (obese, plump)
corporeal
covetous
, (bodily, physical)
, , (avaricious, eagerly
desirous of.)
correlation
(interrelationship)
corroborate
cow
. (prove, verify)
( ) ~ . .
(terrorize, intimidate)
corrosive
(corrodible)
cower
(, ) , (shrink quivering, as
from fear.)
corrugated
, (fluted, bent into fold)
, (extraterrestrial, interstellar)
coterie
() , (clique, faction, camp, crowd)
cozen
,
countenance
~ , . (endorse, support, encourage)
countermand
. (recall, call back)
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culpable
, , ( ) (sour,
peevish)
The children avoided the crabbed old man because he
scolded them when they made noise.
, (deserving blame)
Corrupt politicians who condone the activities of the gamblers
are equally culpable.
culvert
crass
, ,
insensible)
(very
unrefined,
grossly
, , (cowardly)
, (growing by addition)
credence
, , . (belief)
Do not place any credence in his promises.
cupidity
(greed)
credo
, (creed)
I believe we may best describe his credo by saying that it
approximates the Golden Rule.
curator
, (superintendent, manager)
credulity
cumulative
curmudgeon
(churlish, mise)
creed
, , . (system of religious of ethical belief)
In any loyal American's creed, love of democracy must be
emphasized.
crescendo
, , (increase in the volume or
intensity, as in a musical passage, climax)
The overture suddenly changed from a quiet pastoral theme
to a crescendo featuring blaring trumpets and clashing cymbals.
crestfallen
,, (dejected, dispirited,)
We were surprised at his reaction to the failure of his
project, instead of being crestfallen, he was busily engaged in
planning new activities.
curtail
, (shorten, reduce)
During the coal shortage, we must curtail our use of this vital
commodity.
cull
cynical
culmination
cynosure
, (the object of general
attention)
As soon as the movie started, she became the cynosure of
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trade schools.
dais
debacle
dally
, , . (trifle with, procrastinate)
Laertes told Ophelia that Hamlet could only dally with her
affection.
dank
, (damp)
The walls of the dungeon were dank and slimy.
debilitate
(weaken, enfeeble)
Overindulgence debilitates character as well as physical
stamina.
dapper
, (neat and trim)
An excessively dapper soul who could not stand to have a
hair out of place.
debonair
, (friendly, aiming to please)
The debonair youth was liked by all who met him.
dappled
(spotted)
The sunlight filtering through the screens created a dappled
effect on the wall.
debris
() , (rubble)
A full year after the earthquake in Mexico, they were still
carting away the debris.
daub
(smear as with paint)
debunk
daunt
, . (intimidate)
Your threats can not daunt me.
debutante
(young woman making formal entrance
into society)
dauntless
, (bold)
The dauntless soldier volunteered for the assignment.
dawdle
, (decay)
deadlock
decant
, (standstill, stalemate)
deadpan
decapitate
(wooden, impassive)
, (behead)
They did not hang Lady Jane Grey, they decapitated her.
decelerate
dearth
(slow down)
, (scarcity)
The dearth of skilled labor compelled the employers to open
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blinkers
in
the
road
ahead,
he
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deciduous
(falling off, as of leaves)
defamation
decimate
(kill, usually one out of ten)
We do more to decimate our population in automobile
accidents than we do in war.
default
(failure to do)
As a result of her husband's failure to appear in court, she
was granted a divorce by default
decipher
, (decode)
defeatist
declivity
, (downward slope)
The children loved to ski down the declivity.
defection
(desertion)
decollete
The children, who had made him an idol, were hurt most by
his defection from our cause.
deference
(courteous regard for another's wish)
decomposition
(decay)
Despite the body's advanced state of decomposition, the
police were able to identify the murdered man.
defile
(pollute, propane)
decorum
(propriety, seemliness)
Shocked by the unruly behavior, the teacher criticized the
class for it's lack of decorum
definitive
(most reliable or complete.)
Carl Sandburg's Abraham Lincoln may be regarded as the
definitive work on the life of the Great Emancipator.
decoy
(lure or bait)
The wild ducks were not fooled by the decoy.
deflect
(turn aside)
decrepitude
(state of collapse caused by illness or old age)
I was unprepared for the state of decrepitude in which I had
found my old friend , he seemed to have aged twenty years in
six months.
His life was saved when his cigarette case deflected the
bullet.
defoliate
(destroy leaves.)
decry
, , (express strong disapproval of,
disparage)
The founder of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright
Edelman, strongly decries the lack of financial and moral support
for children in America today.
deducible
defrock
(derived by reasoning)
If we accept your premise, your conclusions are easily
deducible.
deface
(mar, disfigure)
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delta
defunct
(dead, no longer in use or existence)
delude
(deceive)
Do not delude yourself into believing that he will relent.
deluge
(flood, rush)
degraded
delusion
dehydrate
deify
(dig, investigate)
Delving into
researcher's job.
old
books
and
manuscripts
is
part
of
demagogue
(condescend)
delete
demean
, (degrade, humiliate)
deleterious
derogatory
(harmful)
deliberate
(consider, ponder)
Offered the new job, she asked for time to deliberate before
she made her decision.
delineate
(portray)
He is a powerful storyteller, but he is weakest when he
attempts to delineate character.
desiccate
(dry up)
A tour of this smokehouse will give you an idea of how the
pioneers used to desiccate food in order to preserve it.
delirium
(mental disorder marked by confusion)
The drunkard in his delirium saw strange animals.
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deterrent
(something that discourages, hindrance)
Does the threat of capital punishment serve as a deterrent to
potential killers?
despicable
, (contemptible)
Your despicable remarks call for no reply.
detonation
(explosion)
despise
(scorn)
I despise your attempts at a reconciliation at this time and
refuse to meet you.
detraction
, (slandering, aspersion)
He is offended by your frequent detractions from his ability
as a leader.
despoil
(plunder)
If you do not yield, I am afraid the enemy will despoil the
countryside.
detriment
, , (harm, damage)
Your acceptance of his support will ultimately prove to be a
detriment rather than an aid to your cause.
despondent
, (depressed, gloomy, despondency)
To the dismay of his parents, he became more and more
despondent every day.
detrimental
(harmful, damaging.)
Your acceptance of her support will
detrimental rather than helpful to your cause.
despotism
ultimately
prove
, , (tyranny)
The people rebelled against the despotism of the king.
deviate
, (turn away from)
destitute
, (extremely poor)
The illness left the family destitute.
devious
, , (going astray, erratic)
Your devious behavior in this matter puzzles me since you are
usually direct and straightforward.
desuetude
, (disused condition)
The machinery in the idle factory was in a state of
desuetude.
devoid
, , (lacking)
desultory
, (aimless, unsystematic, jumping
around)
The animals' desultory behavior indicated that they had no
awareness of their predicament.
detached
devotee
, (enthusiastic follower)
A devotee of the opera, he bought season tickets every
year.
detergent
(cleansing agent)
devout
, (pious)
The devout man prayed daily.
determinate
,
invariable)
(having
fixed
order
of
procedure,
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dexterous
,
(skillful)
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dextrous
, (skillful)
digression
, (devilish)
dilapidated
diadem
(crown)
The king's diadem was on display at the museum.
dilate
(expand)
dialectic
, (art of debate)
I am not skilled in dialectic and, therefore, cannot answer
your arguments as forcefully as I wish.
dilatory
, (delaying)
Your dilatory tactics may compel me to cancel the contract.
diaphanous
, (sheer, transparent)
They saw the burglar clearly through the diaphanous curtain.
dilatory
, (delaying)
Your dilatory tactics may compel me to cancel the contract.
diatribe
(bitter scolding, invective)
During the lengthy diatribe delivered by his opponent he
remained calm and self-controlled.
dilemma
(problem, choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives)
In this dilemma, he knew no one to whom he could turn for
advice.
dichotomy
, (branching into two parts)
The dichotomy of our legislative system provides us with
many safeguards.
dishearten
, (discourage)
His failure to pass the bar exam disheartened him.
dictum
, (authoritative and weighty statement)
disheveled
() , , (untidy)
Your disheveled appearance will hurt your chances in the
interview.
didactic
,
moralizing)
(teaching,
instructional,
preaching
or
disinclination
, (unwillingness)
die
(device for stamping or impressing, mold)
In coining pennies, workers at the old mint squeezed sheets
of softened copper between two dies.
diffidence
, (shyness)
You must overcome your diffidence if you intend to become
a salesperson.
diffusion
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, , , (unprejudiced)
15
protesters.
disperse
, , (disconnected)
~ , , (scatter)
The police fired the tear gas into the crowd to disperse the
protesters.
dislodge
dispirited
, (remove forcibly)
, (lacking in spirit)
dismantle
(, , ) , , . (take apart)
When the show closed, they dismantled the scenery before
storing it.
The coach used all the tricks at his command to buoy up the
enthusiasm of his team, which had become dispirited at the loss
of the star player.
disport
, , (amuse)
dismember
, , , (cut into
small parts)
When the Austrian Empire was dismembered, several new
countries were established.
dismiss
, , (put away from consideration,
reject)
Believing in John's love for her, she dismissed the notion that
he might be unfaithful.
disparage
, , , (belittle)
do not disparage anyone's contribution , these little gifts add
up to large sums
disparate
, , (basically different,
unrelated)
dissemble
, (disguise, pretend)
disparity
, , (difference, condition of inequality)
, (scatter(like seeds))
, , (calm, impartial)
In a dispassionate analysis of the problem, he carefully
examined the causes of the conflict and proceeded to suggest
suitable remedies.
dispatch
( ) , , (speediness,
prompt execution, message sent with all due speed)
dissertation
dispel
, (scatter)
( ) , (formal essay)
The police fired tear gas into the crowd to disperse the
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dissimulate
( ) , ~ (pretend, conceal by feigning)
She tried to dissimulate her grief by her exuberant attitude.
diva
, (operatic singer, prima
donna)
dissipate
(, ) , , (squander)
The young man quickly dissipated his inheritance and was
soon broke.
dissolution
, , (disintegration, looseness in morals)
The profligacy and dissolution of life in Caligula's Rome appall
some historians.
dissonance
, (discord)
some contemporary musicians deliberately use dissonance to
achieve certain effects.
dissuade
(advise against)
He could not dissuade his friend from joining the conspirators.
divination
distant
() , , (reserved or aloof, could
in manner)
His distant greeting made me feel unwelcome from the start.
distend
(reveal)
I will not tell you this news because I am sure you will
divulge it prematurely
docile
distill
, , (purify, refine, concentrate)
A moonshiner distills mash into whisky, an epigrammatist
distills thoughts into quips.
distortion
The case of Smith vs. Jones was entered in the docket for
July 15.
doddering
distrait
, (absent-minded)
because of his concentration on the problem, the professor
often appeared distrait and unconcerned about routine.
distraught
doff
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(take off)
17
doggerel
(poor verse)
Although we find occasional snatches of genuine poetry in his
writing is mere doggerel.
dross
, (waste matter, worthless impurities)
Many methods have been devised to separate the valuable
metal from the dross.
dogmatic
, (arbitrary, dictatorial)
Do not be so dogmatic about that statement, it can be easily
refuted.
drudgery
(menial work)
Cinderella's fairy godmother rescued her from a life of
drudgery.
dolorous
(sorrowful)
He found the dolorous lamentations of the bereaved family
emotionally disturbing and he left as quickly as he could.
dubious
(doubtful)
He has the dubious dictation of being the lowest ranked
member of his class.
dolt
(stupid person)
I thought I was talking to a mature audience, instead, I find
myself addressing a pack of dolts and idiots.
duenna
domicile
, (home)
Although his legal domicile was in New York city, his work
kept him away from his residence for many years.
,
chaperone)
(attendant
of
young
female,
dulcet
(sweet sounding)
dormant
, , (sleeping, lethargic, torpid)
Sometimes dormant talents in our friends surprise those of us
who never realized how gifted acquaintances really were.
dorsal
(relating to the back of an animal)
A shark may be identified by its dorsal in which projects
above the surface of the ocean.
dotage
, (senility)
In his dotage, the old man bored us with long tales of
events in his childhood.
eclectic
, , () (selective.
composed of elements drawn from disparate sources.)
doughty
(courageous)
Many folk tales have sprung up about this doughty pioneer
who opened up the New World for his followers.
dour
finite
, (sullen, stubborn)
(limited)
dregs
, (sediment, worthless residue)
The dregs of society may be observed in this slum area of
the city.
firebrand
, (hothead, troublemaker)
The police tried to keep track of all the local firebrands when
the President came to town.
droll
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18
(crevice)
The mountain climbers secured footholds in tiny fissures in the
rock.
flippant
, (lacking proper seriousness)
When Mark told Mona he loved her, she dismissed his
earnest declaration with a flippant "Oh, you say that to all the
girls!"
fitful
, (spasmodic, intermittent)
After several fitful attempts, he decided to postpone the
start of the project until he felt more energetic.
flit
, (dart lightly, pass swiftly by, fly)
flag
floe
(mass of floating ice)
flagellate
, (flog, whip)
The Romans used to flagellate criminals with a whip that had
three violations of the rules.
flora
flagrant
(conspicuously wicked)
We cannot condone such flagrant violations of the rules.
flail
(thresh grain by hand, strike or slap)
In medieval times, warriors flailed their foe with a metal ball
attached to a handle.
flair
[] (drifting wreckage)
(talent)
She has an uncanny flair for discovering new artists before
the public has become aware of their existence.
flamboyant
(ornate)
Modern architecture has discarded the flamboyant trimming
on buildings and emphasizes simplicity of line.
flaunt
flourish
(display ostentatiously)
She is not one of those actresses who flaunt their physical
charms, she can act.
fledgling
(inexperienced)
, , (reject, mock)
fleece
, (waver, shift)
flippancy
(trifling gaiety)
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fluency
19
, (rash)
fluster
(confuse)
The teacher's
stammered his reply
sudden
question
flustered
him
and
he
fluted
, (raid)
flux
(patience)
flux
Rather than risk using the shaky rope bridge, David walked a
half-mile downstream until he came to the nearest ford
forebears
fodder
(ancestors)
foible
foreboding
, , (premonition of evil)
(contrast)
In Star Wars, dark, evil Darth Vader is a perfect foil for
fair-haired, naive Luke Skywalker
foist
, , (insert improperly, palm off)
I will not permit you to foist such ridiculous idea upon the
membership of this group
, , - (give an indication
beforehand, portend, prefigure)
In retrospect, political analysts realized that Yeltsin's defiance
of the attempted coup foreshadowed his emergence as the
dominant figure of the new Russian republic
foliage
() (masses of leaves)
foresight
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20
, , (rear, encourage)
According to the legend, Romulus and Remus were fostered
by a she-wolf that raised the abandoned infants as her own
forgo
(give up, do without)
founder
, , ( ) (fail
completely, sink, person who establishes(an organization,
business))
forlorn
fracas
formality
, , (brawl, melee)
The military police stopped the fracas in the bar and arrested
the belligerents
fractious
, , (unruly)
The fractious horse unseated its rider
formidable
frail
(menacing, threatening)
, , (weak)
The delicate child seemed too frail to lift the heavy carton
franchise
forsake
(renounce, abandon)
The captured knight could escape death only if he agreed to
forswear christianity and embrace Islam as the one true faith
frantic
forte
, , (wild)
fraudulent
forthright
(cheating, deceitful)
fraught
fortitude
~ , ~ (filled)
, (bravery, courage)
He was awarded the medal for his fortitude in the battle
fray
, , (brawl)
fortuitous
(accidental, by chance)
Though he pretend their encounter was fortuitous, he'd
actually been hanging around her usual haunts for the past two
weeks, hoping she'd turn up
foster
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frenetic
, (frenzied, frantic)
His frenetic activities convinced us that he had no organized
plan of operation
21
frenzied
, (madly excited)
As soon as they smelled smoke, the frenzied animals milled
about in their cages
fruition
, (bearing of fruit, fulfillment, realization)
fresco
( ) (painting on plaster)
The cathedral is visited by many tourists who wish to admire
the frescoes by Giotto
This building marks the fruition of all our aspirations and years
of hard work
frustrate
, (thwart, defeat)
fret
, , (to be annoyed or
vexed)
To fret over your poor grades is foolish, instead, decide to
work harder in the future
friction
() , , (clash in opinion, rubbing against)
At this time when harmony is essential, we cannot afford to
have any friction in our group
fulcrum
, (support on which a lever rests)
frieze
( ), (ornamental
band on a wall)
fulminate
, , (thunder, explode)
The people against whom she fulminated were innocent of
any wrongdoing
frigid
(intensely cold)
fulsome
, (disgustingly excessive)
His fulsome praise of the dictator annoyed his listeners
fritter
(waste)
He could not apply himself to any task and frittered away his
time in idle conversation
functionary
(official)
frivolous
fundamental
frond
(fern leaf, palm or banana leaf)
After the storm the beach was littered with the fronds of
palm trees
furor
, (frenzy, great excitement)
The story of her embezzlement of the funds created a furor
on the stock exchange
fructify
(bear fruit)
This peach tree should fructify in three years
frugality
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furtive
, (stealthy, sneaky)
Nothing the furtive glance the customer gave the diamond
bracelet on the counter, the jeweler wondered whether he had a
22
(speak foolishly)
(simultaneous
firing
or
gibbet
fusion
(gallows)
, (union, coalition)
The opponents of the political party in power organized a
fusion of disgruntled groups and became an important element in
the election
gibe
(mock)
As you gibe at their superstitious beliefs, do you realize that
you, too, are guilty of similarly foolish thoughts?
futile
, , (useless, hopeless, ineffectual,
trifling)
It is futile for me to try to get any work done around here
while the telephone is ringing every 30 seconds
giddy
, (light-hearted, dizzy)
He felt his giddy youth was past.
gingerly
gadfly
, (animal-biting fly, an irritating person)
Like a gadfly, he irritated all the guests at the hotel, within
forty-eight hours, everyone regarded him as an annoying
busybody
(very carefully)
gaffe
(essence)
(, ) , (social blunder)
According to Miss Manners, to call your husband by your
lover's name is worse than a mere gaffe, it is a tactical mistake
germinate
gerrymander
(change voting district lines in
order to favor a political party)
The illogical pattern of the map of this congressional district is
proof that the State Legislature gerrymandered this area in order
to favor the majority party.
gestate
gloat
gesticulation
(motion, gesture)
Operatic performers are trained to make exaggerated
gesticulation because of the large auditoriums in which they
appear.
ghastly
, (express evil
satisfaction, view malevolently)
glossy
(smooth and shining)
I want this photograph printed on glossy paper.
glower
(horrible)
(scowl)
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23
glut
ingenuous
glutinous
instigate
, (sticky, viscous)
gluttonous
inured
, (accustomed, hardened)
goad
invalidate
(urge on)
(weaken, destroy)
gouge
invective
(tear out)
In that fight, all the rules were forgotten, the adversaries bit,
kicked, and tried to gouge each other's eyes out.
(abuse)
He had expected criticism but not the invective which
greeted his proposal.
gullible
inveigh
(easily deceived)
He preyed upon gullible people, who believed his stories of
easy wealth.
invective)
(denounce,
utter
censure
or
hackneyed
(commonplace, trite)
The English teacher criticized her story because of its
hackneyed and unoriginal plot.
inveigle
, (lead astray, wheedle)
She was inveigled into joining the club.
haphazard
(random, by chance)
His haphazard reading left him unacquainted with the authors
of the book.
inverse
(opposite)
There is an inverse ratio between the strength of light and its
distance.
implement
, , (supply what is needed,
furnish with tools)
I am unwilling to implement this plan until I have assurance
that it has the full approval of your officials.
invert
(turn upside down or inside out)
When he inverted his body in a hand stand, he felt the
blood rush to his head.
imply
,
expressed, signify)
(suggest
meaning
not
, (deep-rooted, habitual)
Even though your statement does not declare that you are at
war with that country, your actions imply that is the actual
situation.
imponderable
, , ,
(weightless, unfathomable)
I can evaluate the data gathered in
imponderable items are not so easily analyzed.
inveterate
this
study,
the
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24
irrefragable
, (not to be disproved, indisputable)
inviolability
(security from being destroyed, corrupted or profaned)
They respected the inviolability of her faith and did not try to
change her manner of living.
invoke
The error she made was irremediable, she could see no way
to repair it.
irreparable
(not able to be corrected or repaired)
invulnerable
(incapable of injury)
Achilles was invulnerable except in his heel.
irrepressible
(unable to be restrained or held back)
iota
irresolute
, (uncertain how to act, weak)
irascible
irreverent
irate
(angry)
When John's mother found out that he had overdrawn his
checking account for the third month in a row, she was so irate
floated on the surface of the water.
iridescent
(exhibiting rainbow-like colors)
She admired the iridescent hues of the oil that floated on the
surface of the water.
Let us
irrevocable.
not
brood
over
past
mistakes
since
they
are
litotes
( ) (understatement for
emphasis)
irksome
, (annoying, tedious)
He found working on the assembly line irksome because of
the monotony of the operation he had to perform.
ironic
livid
His face was so livid with rage that we were afraid that he
might have an attack of apoplexy.
irony
, (hidden sarcasm or satire, use of words that
convey a meaning opposite to the literal meaning)
Gradually his listeners began to realize that the excessive
praise he was lavishing was merely irony, he was actually
denouncing his opponent.
loath
, (averse, reluctant)
They were both loath for him to go.
loathe
irreconcilable
(detest)
irreconcilable,
the
lode
(metal-bearing vein)
If this lode which we have discovered extends for any
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25
lofty
(very high)
lunar
loiter
, (hand around, linger)
The policeman told him not to loiter in the alley.
lupine
(like a wolf)
She was terrified of his fierce, lupine smile.
longevity
(long life)
lurid
, (wild, sensational)
The lurid stories he told shocked his listeners.
loquacious
(talkative)
She is very loquacious and can speak on the telephone for
hours.
luscious
(pleasing to taste or smell)
The ripe peach was luscious.
lubricity
, (slipperiness, evasiveness)
luster
, (shine, gloss)
The soft luster of the silk in the dim light was pleasing.
lustrous
(shining)
lucrative
(profitable)
luxuriant
lucre
(money)
macabre
, (gruesome, grisly)
The city morgue is a macabre spot for the uninitiated.
ludicrous
, (laughable, trifling)
macerate
(waste away)
Cancer macerated his body.
lugubrious
(mournful)
machiavellian
(crafty, double-dealing)
I do not think he will be a good ambassador because he is
not accustomed to the machiavellian maneuverings of foreign
diplomats.
lull
(moment of calm)
Not wanting to get wet, they waited under the awning for a
lull in the rain.
machinations
(schemes)
I can see through your wily machinations.
lumber
(move heavily or clumsily)
Still somewhat torpid after its long hibernation, the bear
lumbered through the woods.
luminous
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madrigal
(pastoral song)
His program of folk songs included several madrigals which he
sang to the accompaniment of a lute.
26
malevolent
(whirlpool)
(wishing evil)
magnanimous
malicious
(generous)
magnate
malign
Because of her hatred of the family, she maligns all who are
friendly to them.
magniloquent
malignant
, (boastful, pompous)
magnitude
malingerer
, (greatness, extent)
maim
mall
, (mutilate, injure)
(public walk)
The hospital could not take care of all who had been
wounded or maimed in the railroad accident.
The Mall in Central Park has always been a favorite spot for
Sunday strollers.
maladroit
malleable
, (clumsy, bungling)
malaise
(foul-smelling)
, (uneasiness, distress)
mammal
(a vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young)
malapropism
mammoth
(gigantic)
malcontent
(person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs)
He was one of the few malcontents in Congress, he
constantly voiced his objections to the Presidential program.
malediction
(curse)
The witch uttered maledictions against her captors.
, (order, charge)
malefactor
(criminal)
We must try to bring these malefactors to justice.
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mandate
In his inaugural address, the President stated that he had a
mandate from the people to seek an end to social evils such as
poverty, poor housing, etc.
27
(obligatory)
These instructions are mandatory, any violation will be severly
punished.
meddlesome
(interfering)
mangy
, (shabby, wretched)
We finally threw out the mangy rug that the dog had
destroyed.
mediate
(settle a dispute through the services of an outsider)
maniacal
(raving mad)
His maniacal laughter frightened us.
mediocre
, (ordinary, commonplace)
manifest
, (understandable, clear)
His evil intentions were manifest and yet we could not stop
him.
mausoleum
, (monumental tomb)
His body was placed in the family mausoleum.
medley
, (mixture)
mauve
() (pale purple)
The mauve tint in the lilac bush was another indication that
spring had finally arrived.
meek
, (submissive, patient and long-suffering)
maverick
, (an unbranded
animal, rebel, nonconformist)
To the masculine literary establishment, George Sand with her
insistence on wearing trousers and smoking cigars was clearly a
maverick who fought her proper womanly role.
mawkish
, (sickening, insipid)
melee
, (fight)
The captain tried to ascertain the cause of the melee that
had broken out among the crew members.
maxim
(proverb, a truth pithily stated)
mellifluous
meager
, (scanty, inadequate)
His salary was far too meager for him to afford to buy a new
car.
memento
, , (token, reminder)
Take this book as memento of your visit.
mealymouthed
, , (indirect in speech,
hypocritical, evasive)
Rather than tell Jill directly what he disliked, Jack made a few
mealymouthed comments and tried to change the subject.
meander
( ) (to wind
or turn in its course)
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memorialize
, (commemorate)
Let us memorialize his great contribution by dedicating this
library in his honor.
mendacious
, (lying, false)
28
mendicant
misapprehension
, (error, misunderstanding)
menial
miscegenation
mentor
, (counselor, teacher)
During this very trying period, she could not have had a
better
mentor,
for
the
teacher
was
sympathetic
and
understanding.
mercantile
, (concerning trade)
I am more interested in the opportunities available in the
mercantile field than I am in those in the legal profession.
misconstrue
, (interpret incorrectly, misjudge)
She took the passage seriously rather than humorously
because she misconstrued the author's ironic tone.
minuscule
(extremely small)
Why should I involve myself with a project with so minuscule
a chance for success?
miscreant
, (wretch, villain)
His kindness to the miscreant amazed all of us who had
expected to hear severe punishment pronounced.
minute
(extremely small)
The twins resembled one another closely, only minute
differences set them apart.
misdemeanor
(minor crime)
The culprit pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor rather than face
trial for a felony.
minutiae
(petty details)
She would have liked to ignore the minutiae of daily living.
miserly
, (stingy, mean)
mirage
The miserly old man hoarded his coins not out of prudence
but out of greed.
misgivings
mire
(doubts)
(accident)
, (merriment, laughter)
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29
moiety
, (half, part)
misogynist
(hater of women)
She accused him of being a misogynist because he had been
a bachelor all his life.
molecule
(the smallest part of a homogeneous substance)
missile
mollify
missive
(soothe)
(letter)
The ambassador received a missive from the Secretary of
State.
mite
(appease)
Nothing
unforgiving.
he
did
mitigate
her
wrath,
she
was
molten
(melted)
mnemonic
(pertaining to memory)
he used mnemonic tricks to master mew words.
momentous
mobile
(very important)
The mobile blood bank operated by the Red Cross visited our
neighborhood today.
momentum
, (quantity of motion of a moving body, impetus)
mode
(prevailing style)
She was not used to their lavish mode of living.
monarchy
(government under a single ruler)
modicum
(limited quantity)
His story is based on a modicum of truth.
monastic
(related to monks)
modish
(fashionable)
She always discarded all garments which were no longer
modish.
monetary
modulation
(pertaining to money)
monolithic
, (solidly uniform, unyielding)
mogul
(powerful person)
The oil moguls made great profits when the price of gasoline
rose.
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monotheism
(belief in one God)
30
(bow)
monumental
obelisk
(massive)
moodiness
obese
(fat)
It is advisable that obese people try to lose weight.
moor
obfuscate
(marshy wasteland)
These moors can only be used for hunting , they are too
barren for agriculture.
, (confuse, muddle)
Do not obfuscate the issues by dragging in irrelevant
arguments.
moot
objective
(debatable)
moratorium
(legal delay of payment)
If we declare a moratorium and delay collection of debts for
six months, I am sure the farmers will be able to meet their bills.
objective(n)
, (goal, aim)
A degree in medicine was her ultimate objective.
morbid
, (given to unwholesome thought, gloomy)
These morbid speculations are dangerous, we must lighten
our spirits by emphasizing more pleasant matters.
objurgation
, (severe rebuke, scolding)
Objurgations and even threats of punishment did not deter
the young hoodlums.
mordant
, , (biting, sarcastic, stinging)
, (binding, required)
mores
(customs)
The mores of Mexico are those of Spain with some
modifications.
oblique
, (slanting, deviating from the perpendicular or
from a straight line)
The sergeant ordered the men to march "Oblique Right."
morganatic
oaf
obligatory
obliterate
(destroy completely)
The tidal wave obliterated several island villages.
oblivion
(forgetfulness)
Her works had fallen into a state of oblivion, no one
bothered to read them.
(offensive)
(stubborn)
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31
(the West)
It will take time for the Occident to understand the ways and
customs of the Orient.
occlude
obscure(v)
, (shut, close)
occult
, , (mysterious, secret, supernatural)
obsession
, (fixed idea, continued
brooding)
oculist
obsolete
(outmoded)
That word is obsolete, do not use it.
odious
(hateful)
obstetrician
odium
, (repugnance, dislike)
I cannot express the odium I feel at your heinous actions.
obstinate
(stubborn)
We tried to persuade him to give up smoking, but he was
obstinate and refused to change.
odoriferous
(giving off an odor)
The odoriferous spices stimulated her jaded appetite.
obstreperous
odorous
, (boisterous, noisy)
The crowd became obstreperous and shouted
disapproval of the proposals made by the speaker.
their
(having an odor)
This variety of hybrid tea rose is more odorous than the one
you have in your garden.
obtrude
odyssey
obtrusive
offal
, (waste, garbage)
(pushing forward)
I found her a very obtrusive person, constantly seeking the
center of the stage.
obtuse
offertory
, (blunt, stupid)
Because he was so obtuse, he could not follow the teacher's
reasoning and asked foolish questions.
obviate
, (make unnecessary, get rid of)
I hope this contribution will obviate any need for further
collections of funds.
officious
, (meddlesome, excessively
trying to please)
Browning informs us that the Duke resented the bough of
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32
ogle
(glance coquettishly at, make eyes at)
Sitting for hours at the sidewalk cafe, the old gentleman
would ogle the young girls and recall his youthful romances.
opalescent
(iridescent)
The Ancient Mariner admired the opalescent sheen on the
water.
olfactory
(concerning the sense of smell)
opaque
oligarchy
(government by a few)
opiate
ominous
(threatening)
These clouds are ominous, they ported a severe storm.
opportune
, (timely, well chosen)
omnipotent
(all-powered)
The monarch regarded himself as omnipotent and responsible
to no one for his acts.
opulence
, (wealth)
omnipresent
oratorio
omniscient
(all-knowing)
I do not pretend to be omniscient, but I am positive about
this fact.
omnivorous
(decree)
onerous
(burdensome)
He asked for an assistant because his work load was too
onerous.
ornate
(excessively decorated, highly decorated)
Furniture of the Baroque period can be recognized by its
ornate carvings.
onomatopoeia
(words formed in imitation of natural sounds)
Words like
onomatopoeia.
orifice
"rustle"
and
"gargle"
are
illustrations
of
ornithologist
(scientific student of birds)
Audubon's drawings of American bird life have been of
interest not only to the ornithologists but also to the general
public.
onslaught
(vicious assault)
We suffered many casualties during the unexpected onslaught
of the enemy troops.
oscillate
onus
, (burden, responsibility)
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33
When he called his opponent a "bonehead", he implied that
his adversary's brain had ossified and that he was not capable of
clear thinking.
ostensible
pallid
(pale, wan)
Because his occupation required that he work at night and
sleep during the day, he had an exceptionally pallid complexion.
palpable
ostentatious
, , (showy, pretentious)
The real hero is never ostentatious.
ostracize
, . (throb, flutter)
overt
paltry
, (open to view)
, (insignificant, petty)
pacifist
(one opposed to force, anti-millitarist)
The pacifists urged that we reduce our military budget and
recall our troops stationed overseas.
paean
, , (song of praise or joy)
They sang paeans to the god of spring.
palatable
, (wild tumult)
When the ships collided in the harbor, pandemonium broke
out among the passengers.
pander
palatial
panegyric
(magnificent)
He proudly showed us through his palatial home.
, (formal praise)
The modest hero blushed as he listened to the panegyric
uttered by the speakers about his valorous act.
palaver
, , (discussion, misleading speech, chatter)
In spite of all the palaver before the meeting, the delegates
were able to conduct serious negotiations when they sat down at
the conference table.
panorama
,
unobstructed view in all directions)
(comprehensive
view,
palette
(board on which painter mixes pigments)
At the present time, art supply stores are selling paper
palettes which may be discarded after use.
pallet
pantomime
(acting without dialogue)
Because he worked in pantomime, the clown could be
understood wherever he appeared.
(small,poor bed)
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34
parochial
parable
parody
Let us apply the lesson that this parable teaches to our own
conduct.
parapet
paroxysm
paraphernalia
parricide
(incomplete)
In this issue we have published only a partial list of
contributors because we lack space to acknowledge everyone.
partial (2)
parched
pariah
(social outcast)
I am not a pariah to be shunned and ostracized.
, (delivery, childbirth)
The difficulties anticipated by the obstetricians at parturition
did not materialize, it was a normal delivery.
parity
, (equality, close resemblance)
I find your analogy inaccurate because I do not see the parity
between the two illustrations.
parvenu
, (upstart, newly rich person)
Although extremely wealthy, he was regarded as a parvenu
by the aristocratic members of society.
parlance
, (language, idiom)
All this legal parlance confuses me, I need an interpreter.
passe
, (old-fashioned, past the prime)
Her style is passe and reminiscent of the Victorian era.
parley
(conference)
The peace parley has not produced the anticipated truce.
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parturition
passive
, (not active, acted upon)
35
, (noble, aristocratic)
We greatly admired her well-bred, patrician elegance.
patricide
pastiche
(imitation of another's style in musical composition
or in writing)
We cannot even say that her music is a pastiche of this
composer or that, it is, rather, reminiscent of many musicians.
pastoral
(rural)
In these stories of pastoral life, we find an understanding of
the daily tasks of country folk.
patent
, (open for the public to read, obvious)
It was patent to everyone that the witness spoke the truth.
pathetic
(scarcity)
They closed the restaurant because the paucity of customers
made it uneconomical to operate.
peccadillo
pathological
(slight offense)
(pertaining to disease)
As we study the pathological aspects of this disease, we
must not overlook the psychological elements.
pathos
, , (tender sorrow, pity, quality in art or
literature that produces these feelings)
The quiet tone of pathos that ran through the novel never
degenerated into the maudlin or the overly sentimental.
, (embezzlement, theft)
Her peculations were not discovered until the auditors found
discrepancies in the financial statements.
pecuniary
, (pertaining to money)
patina
, (green crust on old brazen works, tone
slowly taken by varnished painting)
pedagogue
, (teacher, dull and formal teacher)
He could never be a stuffy pedagogue, his classes were
always lively and filled with humor.
patois
(local or provincial dialect)
His years of study of the language at the university did not
enable him to understand the patois of the natives.
pedagogy
, (teaching, art of education)
patriarch
, (father and ruler of a family or tribe)
In many primitive tribes, the leader and lawmaker was the
patriarch.
patriarch
, (father and ruler of a family or tribe)
In many primitive tribes, the leader and lawmaker was the
patriarch.
patrician
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36
boring,
he
wrote
page
after
page
of
pediatrician
platitude
parents
to
consult
pediment
(triangular part above columns in Greek buildings)
The pediment of the building was filled with sculptures and
adorned with elaborate scroll work.
pejorative
(having a deteriorating or depreciating effect on the
meaning of a word)
platonic
, , (purely spiritual, theoretical,
without sensual desire)
Accused of impropriety in his dealings with female students,
the professor maintained he had only a platonic interest in the
women involved.
laudatory
pell-mell
, (approving, applauding)
plausible
, (having a show of truth but open to
double, specious)
Even though your argument is plausible, I still would like to
have more proof.
plebiscite
(expression of the will of a people by direct election)
pivotal
, (central, critical)
De
without
African
African
placate
, (pacify, conciliate)
The teacher tried to placate the angry mother.
plenipotentiary
(fully empowered)
placebo
(harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill)
In a controlled experiment, fifty volunteers were given
erythromycin tablets, the control group received only placebos.
placid
, (abundance, completeness)
, (peaceful, calm)
After his vacation in this placid section, he felt soothed and
rested.
plagiarize
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, (excess, overabundance)
37
pomposity
, (self-important behavior, acting like a stuffed
shirt)
pluck
(courage)
Even the adversaries of young Indiana Jones were impressed
by the boy's pluck in trying to rescue the archeological treasure
they had stolen.
plumb
, (checking perpendicularity, vertical)
Before hanging wallpaper it is advisable to drop a plumb line
from the ceiling as a guide.
His humor lacked the light touch, his jokes were always
ponderous.
porous
, (full of pores, like a sieve)
podiatrist
(doctor who treats ailments of the feet)
He consulted a podiatrist about his fallen arches.
poignant
, , (keen, piercing, severe)
Her poignant grief left her pale and weak.
polarize
, (foretell, presage)
The king did not know what these omens might portend and
asked his soothsayers to interpret them.
portent
polemic
, (controversy, argument in support of point of
view)
Her essays were, for the main part, polemics for the party's
policy.
, (stately, stout)
The overweight gentleman was referred to as portly by the
polite salesclerk.
posterity
, (descendants, future generations)
politic
, , (expedient, prudent, well devised)
posthumous
polity
The critics ignored his works during his lifetime, it was only
after the posthumous publication of his last novel.
postprandial
(after dinner)
poltroon
(coward)
Only a poltroon would so betray his comrades at such a
dangerous time.
polygamist
(one who has more than one spouse at a time)
He was arrested as a polygamist when his two wives filed
complaints about him.
polyglot
(speaking several languages)
New York City is a polyglot community because of the
thousands of immigrants who settle there.
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38
precipice
potent
precipitous
, (steep)
This hill is difficult to climb because it is so precipitous.
potentate
, (monarch, sovereign)
The potentate spent more time at Monte Carlo than he did
at home on his throne.
preclude
, (make impossible)
This contract does not preclude my being employed by others
at the same time that I am working for you.
potential
, (expressing possibility, latent)
This juvenile delinquent is a potential murderer.
precocious
, (advanced in development)
By her rather adult manner of discussing serious topics. the
child demonstrated that she was precocious
potion
1 (dose of liquid)
Tristan and Isode drink a love potion in the first act of the
opera.
precursor
, (forerunner)
potpourri
, (heterogeneous mixture, medley)
He offered a potpourri of folk songs from many lands.
practicable
(feasible)
The board of directors decided that the plan was practicable
and agreed to undertake the project.
predecessor
,
practical
, (based on experience, useful)
He was a practical man, opposed to theory.
predilection
, (partiality, preference)
pragmatic
(practical. concerned with practical values)
This test should provide us with a pragmatic analysis of the
value of this course.
Although the artist used various media from time to time ,she
had a predilection for water colors.
preeminent
, (outstanding)
pragmatist
(practical person)
No pragmatist enjoys becoming involved in a game which he
can never win.
the
preempt
, (appropriate beforehand)
prate
, (speak foolishly, boast idly)
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39
, (foretell)
, (introduction)
The chairman made a few prefatory remarks before he called
on the first speaker
prehensile
prelate
presentiment
, (premonition)
(church dignitary)
The archbishop of Moscow and other high-ranking prelates
visited the Russian orthodox seminary.
prelude
,
reputation)
, (introduction, forerunner)
(impression
premeditate
presumptuous
produced
to
by
obtain
achievements
social
or
prestige
by
, (arrogant)
~ (plan in advance)
She had premeditated the murder for months, reading about
common poisons and buying weed killer that contained arsenic.
premise
pretentious
, (ostentatious)
(assumption)
Because Jack had based his argument upon a faulty premise
his opponent cheerfully pointed out the holes in his logic.
premonition
preternatural
, (beyond that which is normal in nature)
, , (forewarning)
We ignored these premonitions of disaster because they
appeared to be based on childish fears
premonitory
prophylactic
(used to prevent disease)
, (serving to warn)
You should have visited a doctor as soon as you felt these
premonitory chest pains.
preponderance
propinquity
the
, (nearness, kinship)
Their relationship could not be explained as being based on
mere propinquity.
propitiate
preposterous
(appease)
, (absurd, ridiculous)
propitious
, (favorable, kindly)
prerogative
(privilege)
The president cannot levy taxes, that is the prerogative of
the legislative branch of government
proponent
(person who supports or proposes)
presage
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After
the
bill
had
been
amended
and
re-amended
in
40
protocol
(diplomatic etiquette)
propound
prototype
(original work used as a model by others)
propriety
protract
(prolong)
propulsive
(driving forward)
The jet plane has a greater propulsive power than the
engine-driven plane.
protrude
(stick out)
prosaic
, (commonplace, dull)
I do not like this author because he is so unimaginative and
prosaic.
provenance
proscenium
provender
proscribe
provident
proselytize
provincial
, (pertaining to a province, limited)
prosody
provisional
(tentative)
prostrate
proviso
protean
(stipulation)
protege
proximity
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41
(childish)
proxy
pugilist
(authorized agent)
Please act as my proxy and vote for this slate of candidates
in my absence.
(boxer)
The famous pugilist Cassius Clay changed his name to
Muhammed Ali.
prude
(excessively modest person)
The X-rated film was definitely not for prudes.
pugnacious
(combative, disposed to fight)
As a child he was pugnacious and fought with everyone.
prudent
puissant
, (cautious, careful)
A miser hoards money not because he is prudent but because
he is greedy.
prune
, (beauty, comeliness)
With the help of her editor, she was able to prune her
manuscript into publishable form.
I do not envy the judges who have to select this year's Miss
America from this collection of female pulchritude.
prurient
pulmonary
pseudonym
pulsate
(pen name)
(throb)
psyche
pummel
, (soul, mind)
It is difficult to delve into the psyche of a human being.
(beat)
The severity with which he was pummeled was indicated by
the bruises he displayed on his head and face.
psychiatrist
(a doctor who treats mental diseases)
A psychiatrist often needs long conferences with his patient
before a diagnosis can be made.
punctilious
, , (laying stress on niceties of
conduct, form, precise)
We must be punctilious in our planing of this affair, for any
error may be regarded as a personal affront.
psychopathic
(pertaining to mental derangement)
The psychopathic patient suffers more frequently from a
disorder of the nervous system than from a diseased brain.
psychosis
pundit
, , (learned Hindu, any learned man,
authority on a subject)
Even though he discourses on the matter like a pundit, he is
actually rather ignorant about this topic.
(mental disorder)
We must endeavor to find an outlet for the patients
repressed desires if we hope to combat this psychosis.
pungency
, (sharpness, stinging quality)
pterodactyl
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punitive
(punishing)
He asked for punitive measures against the offender.
42
, (dim-sighted, obtuse)
In his purblind condition, he could not identify the people he
saw.
recrudescence
(reopening of a wound or sore)
receptive
(quick or willing to receive ideas, suggestions,
etc.)
Adventure-loving Huck Finn proved a receptive audience for
Tom's tales of buried treasure and piracy.
recession
, (withdrawal, retreat)
rectitude
(receiver)
,
interacting)
(uprightness)
(mutual,
exchangeable,
(recover)
The doctors were worried because the patient did not
recuperate as rapidly as they had expected.
recurrent
(occurring again and again)
These recurrent attacks disturbed us and we consulted a
physician.
recusant
(repay in kind)
If they attack us, we shall be compelled to reciprocate and
bomb their territory.
, (person who
refuses to comply, applied specifically to those who refused to
attend Anglican services)
recluse
(hermit)
The recluse lived in a hut in the forest.
redolent
, , (fragrant, odorous,
suggestive of an odor)
reconcile
, (make friendly after quarrel, correct
inconsistencies)
Each month we reconcile our checkbook with the bank
statement.
recondite
, , (abstruse, profound, secret)
He read many recondite our checkbook with the bank
statement.
redress
, (remedy, compensation)
Do you mean to tell me that I can get no redress for my
injuries?
recourse
(resorting to help when in trouble)
The boy's only recourse was to appeal to his father for aid.
recreant
, (coward, betrayer of faith)
The religious people
abandoned their faith.
redundant
ostracized
the
recreant
who
had
recrimination
(countercharges)
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(emit(odor))
The room reeked with stale tobacco smoke.
43
(slight refreshment)
Despite our hunger, we stopped on the road for only a quick
refection.
refectory
regimen
(dining hall)
In this huge refectory, we can feed the entire student body
at one sitting.
refraction
rehabilitate
, (stubborn, unmanageable)
(repay)
Let me know what you have spent and I will reimburse you.
reiterate
refurbish
(repeat)
refutation
rejuvenate
(make young again)
The charlatan claimed that his elixir would rejuvenate the
aged and weary.
refute
(disprove)
The defense called several respectable witnesses who were
able to refute the false testimony of the prosecution's only
witness.
relegate
regal
(royal)
regale
(entertain)
John regaled us with tales of his adventures in Africa.
relinquish
(abandon)
regatta
(boat or yacht race)
Many boating enthusiasts followed the regatta in their own
yachts.
regeneration
(spiritual rebirth)
Modern
prisoners.
penologists
strive
for
the
regeneration
of
the
remediable
(repairable)
regicide
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44
reserve
, (curative, corrective)
reminiscence
residue
(recollection)
Her reminiscences of her experiences are so fascinating that
she ought to write a book.
(remainder, balance)
In his will, he requested that after payment of debts, taxes,
and funeral expenses, the residue be given to his wife.
remiss
resilient
(negligent)
He was accused of being remiss in his duty when the
prisoner escaped.
remnant
(remainder)
I suggest that you wait until the store places the remnants of
these goods on sale.
rime
(white frost)
The early morning dew had frozen and everything was
covered with a thin coat of rime.
remonstrate
(protest)
I must remonstrate about the lack of police protection in this
area.
risible
, (inclined to laugh, ludicrous)
His remarks were so risible that the audience howled with
laughter.
remorse
, (quilt, self-reproach)
risque
remunerative
, , (compensating, rewarding)
I find my new work so remunerative that I may not return to
my previous employment.
roan
(brown mixed with gray or
white)
You can distinguish this horse in a race because it is roan
while all the others are bay or chestnut.
rend
, , (spilt, tear apart)
In his grief, he tried to rend his garments.
robust
, (vigorous, strong)
render
rococo
, (ornate, highly decorated)
rendezvous
, (meeting place)
The two fleets met at the rendezvous at the appointed time.
rendition
, , (translation, artistic interpretation of a song)
Be careful when you pour not to roil the wine, if you stir up
the sediment you'll destroy the flavor.
rescind
roseate
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, (rosy, optimistic)
I am afraid you will have to alter your roseate views in the
light of the distressing news that has just arrived.
45
ruffian
, (bully, scoundrel)
The ruffians threw stones at the police.
rostrum
, (platform for speechmaking, pulpit)
ruminate
The crowd murmured angrily and indicated that they did not
care to listen to the speaker who was approaching the rostrum.
rote
(repetition)
rummage
rotunda
(circular building or hall covered with a dome)
runic
rotundity
, (roundness, sonorousness of speech)
Washington Irving emphasized the rotundity of the governor
by describing his height and circumference.
rout
, (stampede, drive out)
The reinforcements were able to rout the enemy.
rustic
, (pertaining to country people, uncouth)
rubble
(fragments)
Ten years after World War II, some of the rubble left enemy
bombings could still be seen.
rusticate
, (banish to the country, dwell in
the country)
rubicund
, (having a healthy reddish color,
ruddy, florid)
His rubicund complexion was the result of an active outdoor
life.
rubric
, (title or heading (in red print), directions for
religious ceremony, protocol)
In ordaining the new priests, the bishop carefully observed all
the rubrics for the ordination service.
saccharine
(cloyingly sweet)
She tried to ingratiate herself, speaking sweetly and smiling a
saccharine smile.
ruddy
, (reddish, healthy-looking)
His ruddy features indicated that he had spent much time in
the open.
sacerdotal
(priestly)
The priest decided to abandon his sacerdotal duties and
enter the field of politics.
rudimentary
, (not developed, elementary)
sacrilegious
, (desecrating, profane)
His stealing of the ultra cloth was a very sacrilegious act.
rueful
, , (regretful, sorrowful, dejected)
The artist has captured the sadness of childhood in his
portrait of the boy with the rueful countenance.
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sadistic
(inclined to cruelty)
If we are to improve conditions in this prison, we must first
46
saffron
sanction
(orange colored)
, (approve, ratify)
saga
, (Scandinavian myth, any legend)
This is a saga of the sea and the man who risk their lives on
it.
sangfroid
(coolness in a trying situation)
The captain's sangfroid helped to allay the fears of the
passengers.
sagacious
, , (keen, shrewd, having insight)
He is much too sagacious to be fooled by a trick like that.
sanguinary
(bloody)
The battle of Iwo Jima was unexpectedly sanguinary with
many casualties.
salacious
, (lascivious, lustful)
Chaucer's monk is not pious but salacious, a teller of lewd
tales and ribald jests.
sanguine
salient
, (cheerful, hopeful)
(prominent)
One of the salient features of that newspaper is its excellent
editorial page.
sapient
saline
, (wise, shrewd)
(salty)
The slightly saline taste of this mineral water is pleasant.
sarcasm
, (scornful remarks, sting rebuke)
sallow
sardonic
salubrious
(healthful)
Many people with hay fever move to more salubrious sections
of the country during the months of August and September.
sartorial
() (pertaining to tailors)
salutary
, , (tending to improve, beneficial,
wholesome)
The punishment had a salutary effect on the boy, as he
became a model student.
salvage
(rescue from loss)
satellite
salver
(tray)
The food was brought in on silver salvers by the waiters.
satiate
, , (surfeit, satisfy fully)
sanctimonious
devoutness)
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(displaying
ostentatious
or
hypocritical
47
scaffold
satire
scale
, (climb up, ascend)
To locate a book on the top shelf of the stacks, Lee had to
scale an exceptionally rickety ladder.
scanty
, (mocking )
, , (meager, insufficient)
saturate
scapegoat
, (someone who bears the
blame for others)
, , (soak)
Their clothes were saturated by the rain.
saturnine
, , (gloomy)
scavenger
satyr
( ), , (half-human,
half-bestial being in the court of Dionysus, portrayed as wanton
and cunning)
He was like a satyr in his lustful conduct.
scenario
, , (plot outline, screenplay, opera libretto)
Scaramouche startled the other actors in the comedian troupe
when he suddenly departed from their customary scenario and
began to improvise.
saunter
, (stroll slowly)
As we sauntered through the park, we stopped frequently to
admire the spring flowers.
savant
, (scholar)
Our faculty includes many world-famous savants.
savor
schematic
, , (relating to an outline or diagram, using
a system of symbols)
In working out the solution to an analytical logic question,
you may find it helpful to construct a simple schematic diagram
illustrating the relationships between the items of information given
in the question.
schism
, , (division, split)
Let us not widen the schism by further bickering.
scintilla
, , , , (shred, least bit)
savory
, , , (tasty, pleasing,
attractive, agreeable)
scintillate
, () (sparkle, flash)
scabbard
( ) (case for a sword blade, sheath )
The drill master told the recruit to wipe the blood from his
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48
seclusion
~ , , (mock, ridicule)
, , , (isolation, solitude)
One moment
seclusion.
she
loved
crowds,
the
next,
she
sought
scotch
~ , , , (stamp out,
thwart, hinder)
Heather tried to scotch the rumor that she had stolen her
best friend's fiance.
secrete
, , (hide away or cache, produce
and release a substance into an organism)
The pack rat secretes odds and ends in its nest, the
pancreas secretes insulin in the islets of Langerhans.
scourge
(, ) , (lash, whip, severe punishment)
They feared the plague and regarded it as a deadly scourge.
sectarian
, , (narrow-minded, limited in scope)
As university chaplain, she sought to address universal
religious issues and not limit herself to mere sectarian concerns.
scrupulous
, , , (conscientious, extremely
through)
secular
scrutinize
~ (examine closely and critically)
Searching for flaws, the sergeant scrutinized every detail of
the private's uniform.
sedate
, , (composed, grave)
The parents were worried because they felt their son was too
quiet and sedate.
scurrilous
, , , (obscene, indecent)
Your scurrilous remarks are especially offensive because they
are untrue.
sedentary
, , (requiring sitting)
Because he had a sedentary occupation, he decided to visit a
gymnasium weekly.
scurry
, (move briskly)
The White Rabbit had to scurry to get to his appointment on
time.
sedition
, , (resistance to authority, insubordination)
His words, though not treasonous in themselves, were
calculated to arouse thoughts of sedition.
scuttle
() , , (sink)
The sailors decided to scuttle their vessel rather than
surrender it to the enemy.
sedulous
, , (diligent)
The young woman was so sedulous that she received a
commendation for her hard work.
seamy
, (sordid, unwholesome)
In 'The Godfather', Michael Corleone is unwilling to expose
his wife and children to the seamy side of his life as the son of a
Mafia don.
seedy
, , (run-down, decrepit,
disreputable)
I would rather stay in dormitory lodgings in a decent youth
hostel than have a room of my own in a seedy downtown hotel.
seasoned
, (experienced )
Thought pleased with her new batch of rookies, the
basketball coach wished she had a few more seasoned players on
the team.
secession
, (withdrawal)
The secession of the Southern states provided Lincoln with his
first major problem after his inauguration.
seemly
, , (proper, appropriate)
Lady Bracknell did not think it was seemly for Ernest to lack a
proper family, no baby abandoned on a doorstep could grow up
to marry her daughter.
seep
, (ooze, trickle)
During the rainstorm, water seeped through the crack in the
basement wall and damaged the floor boards.
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49
seethe
of
posting
sentinels
around
the
septic
, , (putrid, producing putrefaction)
The hospital was in such a filthy state that we were afraid
that many of the patients would suffer from septic poisoning.
seine
, (net for catching fish)
When the shad run during the spring, you may see fishermen
with seines along the banks of our coastal rivers.
sepulcher
, (tomb)
Annabel Lee was buried in the sepulcher by the sea.
seismic
shoddy
, (pertaining to earthquakes)
The Richter scale is a measurement of seismic disturbances.
semblance
shrew
(scolding woman)
No one wanted to marry Shakespeare's Kate because she
was a shrew.
seminal
, , , (germinal, influencing future
developments, related to seed or semen)
shrewd
, (clever, astute)
clever
advantage
of
the
shunt
seminary
(school for training future ministers, academy for young
women)
Sure of his priestly vocation, Terrence planned to pursue his
theological training at the local Roman Catholic seminary.
senility
, (old age, feeble mindedness of old age)
Most of the decisions are being made by the junior members
of the company because of the senility of the president.
sensual
, , (devoted to the pleasures of the
senses, carnal, voluptuous)
sidereal
(relating to the stars)
sensuous
, , (pertaining to the physical
senses, operating through the senses)
He was stimulated by the sights, sounds and smells about
him, he was enjoying his sensuous experience.
sententious
, , (terse, concise, aphoristic)
After reading so many redundant speeches, I find his
sententious style particularly pleasing.
sentinel
, (sentry, lookout)
Though camped in enemy teritory, Bledsoe ignored the
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50
economically)
(provide
scantily,
live
very
similitude
, (similarity, using comparisons such as similes, etc.)
Although the critics deplored his use of mixed metaphors, he
continued to write in similitudes.
(miser)
The old skinflint refused to give her a raise.
skirmish
simpering
(minor fight)
(smirking)
I can overlook his simpering manner, but I cannot ignore his
stupidity.
simulate
, (lively, frisky)
(feign)
skulduggery
(dishonest behavior)
sinecure
(well-paid position with little responsibility)
My job is no sinecure, I work long hours and have much
responsibility.
sinewy
slacken
, (slow up, loosen)
singular
, , (unique, extraordinary, odd)
Though the young man tried to understand Father William's
singular behavior, he still found it odd that the old man
incessantly stood on his head.
sinister
(evil)
We must defeat the sinister forces that seek our downfall.
slander
sinuous
, , (winding, bending in and out, not
morally honest)
The snake moved in a sinuous manner.
sirocco
(warm, sultry wind blown from Africa to southern
Europe)
We can understand the popularity of the siesta in southern
Spain: when the sirocco blows, the afternoon heat is unbearable.
skeptic
, (flimsy, unsubstantial)
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sleeper
(something originally of little value or
importance that in time becomes very valuable)
Unnoticed by the critics at its publication, the eventual
51
The rags smoldered for hours before they burst into flame.
sleight
snicker
(dexterity)
(half-stifled laugh)
The boy could not suppress a snicker, when the teacher sat
on the tack.
slither
snivel
(slip or slide)
During the recent ice storm, many people slithered down this
hill as they walked to the station.
sloth
(laziness)
stupor
sloth(2)
stygian
, , (gloomy, hellish, deathly)
slough
(cast off)
Each spring, the snake sloughs off its skin.
stymie
, (present an obstacle, stump)
slovenly
suavity
sluggard
, (urbanity, polish)
(lazy person)
"You are a sluggard, a drone, a parasite," the angry father
shouted at his lazy son.
sluggish
without
sleep,
she
I heard of this sub rosa and I cannot tell you about it.
felt
sluggish
and
subjective
sluice
subjugate
, (conquer, bring under control)
smattering
(slight knowledge)
I don't know whether it is better to be ignorant of a subject
or to have a mere smattering of information about it.
sublimate
(refine, purify)
smirk
(conceited smile)
Wipe that smirk off your face!
sublime
smolder
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52
succinct
, , (brief, terse, compact)
subsequent
, (following, later)
In subsequent lessons, we shall take up more difficult
problems.
succor
subservient
succulent
, (juicy, full of richness)
The citrus foods from Florida are more succulent to some
people than those from California.
subside
, , (settle down, descent, grow
quiet)
The doctor assured us that the fever would eventually
subside.
succumb
, , (yield, give in, die)
I succumb to temptation whenever it comes my way.
suffuse
subsidiary
(spread over)
, (subordinate, secondary)
This information may be used as subsidiary evidence but is
not sufficient by itself to prove your argument.
subsidy
sully
, (tarnish, soil)
subsistence
sultry
(sweltering)
substantiate
summation
, (act of finding the total, summary)
, (verify, support)
I intend to substantiate my statement by producing witnesses.
substantive
, (essential, pertaining to the substance)
Although the delegates were aware of the importance of the
problem, they could not agree on the substantive issues.
sumptuary
(limiting or regulating expenditures)
While no sumptuary law has been enacted, the public will
never tolerate the expenditure of so large a sum.
subterfuge
sumptuous
, (pretense, evasion)
As soon as we realized that you had won our support by a
subterfuge, we withdrew our endorsement of your candidacy.
, (lavish, rich)
I cannot recall
Thanksgiving feast.
when
have
had
such
sumptuous
subtlety
, , (nicety, cunning, guile, delicacy)
The subtlety of his remarks was unnoticed by most of his
audience.
sunder
, (separate, part)
Northern and southern Ireland are politically and religiously
sundered.
subversive
sundry
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53
suffering.
surfeit
(cloy, overfed)
superannuated
, (retired on pension
because of age)
surly
supercede
, (rude, cross)
surmise
(guess)
supercilious
thermal
(pertaining to heat)
superficial
, (trivial, shallow)
Since your report gave only a superficial analysis of the
problem, I cannot give you more than a passing grade.
superfluity
(pertaining to drama)
, (excess, overabundance)
We have a definite lack of sincere workers and a superfluity
of leaders.
supine
, (slave, bondage)
, , (entreating, beseeching, a
person who beseeches for something)
thrifty
, (careful about money, economical)
supplicate
, , (petition humbly, pray to grant a
favor)
throes
supposititious
(violent anguish)
(crowd)
Throngs of shoppers jammed the aisles.
suppurate
(create pus)
The surgeon refused to lance the abscess until it suppurated.
throttle
(strangle)
The criminal tried to throttle the old man.
surcease
(cessation)
He beggage the doctors to grant him surcease from his
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throng
thwart
, (baffle, frustrate)
54
topography
(physical features of a region)
thyme
torpor
, , (lethargy, sluggishness, dormancy)
timbre
(quality of a musical tone produced by a musical
instrument)
We identify the instrument producing a musical sound by its
timbre.
timidity
(lack of self-confidence or courage)
If you are to succeed as a salesman, you must first lose your
timidity and fear of failure.
torso
timorous
tortilla
tipple
tirade
, (extended scolding, denunciation)
Long before he had finished his tirade, we were sufficiently
aware of the seriousness of our misconduct.
titanic
(gigantic)
Titanic waves beat against the shore during the hurricane.
tithe
(tax of one-tenth)
, (sensitive, irascible)
titillate
tout
(tickle)
tocsin
(alarm bell)
toxic
(poisonous)
We must seek an antidote for whatever toxic substance he
has eaten.
tonsure
(shaving of the head, especially by person entering
religious orders)
tract
His tonsure, even more than his monastic garb, indicated that
he was a member of the religious order.
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55
transparent
(docile)
You will find the children in this school very tractable and
willing to learn.
traduce
(expose to slander)
His opponents tried to traduce the candidate's reputation by
spreading rumors about his past.
trajectory
trappings
The police tried to locate the spot from which the assassin
had fired the fatal shot by tracing the trajectory of the bullet.
tranquillity
traumatic
, (calmness, peace)
transcend
travail
, (exceed, surpass)
recalling
the
traumatic
(painful labor)
How long do you think a man can endure such travail and
degradation without rebelling?
transcribe
traverse
(copy)
When you transcribe your notes, please send a copy to Mr.
Smith and keep the original for our files.
transgression
transient
, , (fleeting, quickly passing away,
staying for a short time)
treatise
, (article treating a subject systematically and
thoroughly)
transition
(going from one state of action to another)
During the period of transition from oil heat to gas heat, the
furnace will have to be shut off.
trek
transitoriness
The tribe made their trek further north that summer in search
of game.
, (travel, journey)
(impermanence)
Conscious that all things pass, the psalmist relates the
transitoriness of happiness and fame.
tremor
, (trembling, slight quiver)
She had a nervous tremor in her right hand.
translucent
(partly transparent)
We could not recognize the people in the next room because
of the translucent curtains which separated us.
tremulous
, , (trembling, wavering )
She was tremulous more from excitement than from fear.
transmute
, (change, convert to something different)
trenchant
, , , , , (cutting,
keen)
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56
truism
, , (self-evident truth)
trepidation
truncate
, (cut the top off)
the top of a cone which has been truncated in a plane
parallel to its base is a circle.
tribulation
, , (distress, suffering)
After all the trials and tribulations we have gone through, we
need this rest.
tryst
, , (meeting)
The lovers kept their tryst even though they realized their
danger.
tribunal
, , (court of justice)
The decision of the tribunal was final and the prisoner was
sentenced to death.
tumid
, , (swollen, pompous, bombastic)
I especially dislike his tumid style, I prefer writing which is
less swollen and bombastic.
tribute
, (tax levied by a ruler, mark of respect)
The colonists refused to pay tribute to a foreign despot.
tumult
, , , (commotion, riot, noise)
trident
She could not make herself heard over the tumult of the
mob.
(three-pronged spear)
Neptune is usually depicted as rising from the sea, carrying
his trident on his shoulder.
tundra
trilogy
trinket
, , (knickknack, bauble)
Whenever she traveled abroad, Ethel would pick up costume
jewelry and other trinkets as souvenirs.
The water was turbid after the children had waded through
it.
turbulence
, , , (state of violent agitation)
trite
, , , (hackneyed, commonplace)
The trite and predictable situations in many television
programs alienate many viewers.
trivia
() () (trifles, unimportant matters)
Too many magazines ignore newsworthy subjects and feather
trivia.
troth
, , , (pledge of good faith especially in
betrothal)
He gave her his troth and vowed he would cherish her
always.
truculence
, , (aggressiveness, ferocity)
Tynan's reviews were noted for their caustic attacks and
general tone of truculence.
turncoat
, (traitor)
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The
British
considered
Benedict
Arnold
loyalist,
the
57
turpitude
, (depravity)
A visitor may be denied admittance to this country if she has
been guilty of moral turpitude.
vacillation
, (fluctuation, wavering)
His vacillation when confronted with a problem annoyed all of
us who had to wait until he made his decision.
tutelage
, , , (guardianship, training)
Under the tutelage of such masters of the instrument, she
made rapid progress as a virtuoso.
vacuous
, (empty, inane)
tutelary
, , (protective, pertaining to a
guardianship)
vagabond
, (wanderer, tramp)
In summer, college students wander the roads of Europe like
carefree vagabonds.
tycoon
() (wealthy leader)
vainglorious
tyranny
, , , , , (oppression, cruel
government)
valedictory
tyro
validate
(pertaining to farewell)
, , (beginner, novice)
, (confirm, ratify)
ubiquitous
,
everywhere omnipresent)
valor
(being
(bravery)
He received the Medal of Honor for his valor in battle.
vampire
ursine
usurp
, (seize power, supplant)
The revolution ended when the victorious rebel leader
usurped the throne.
usury
(lending money at illegal rates of interest)
The loan shark was found guilty of usury.
vapid
utopia
(imaginary land with perfect social and political system)
Shangri-la was the name of James Hilton's Tibetan utopia.
uxorious
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They fired upon the enemy from behind trees, walls and any
other point of vantage they could find.
, (insipid, inane)
She delivered an uninspired and vapid address.
variegated
58
venerable
vassal
(in feudalism, one who held land of a superior
lord)
The lord demanded that his vassals contribute more to his
military campaign.
venerate
(revere)
In China, the people venerate their ancestors.
venial
vaunted
, , (boasted, bragged, highly
publicized)
This much vaunted project proved a disappointment when it
collapsed.
, (forgivable, trivial)
We may regard a hungry man's stealing as a venial crime.
venison
(the meat of a deer)
The hunters dined on venison.
veer
(change in direction)
After what seemed an eternity, the wind veered to the east
and the storm abated.
vent(n)
, (a small opening, outlet)
The wine did not flow because the air vent in the barrel was
clogged.
vegetate
(live in monotonous way)
I do not understand how you can vegetable in this quiet
village after the adventure life you have led.
vent(v)
, (express, utter)
He vented his wrath on his class.
vehement
, (impetuous, with marked vigor)
ventral
(abdominal)
We shall now examine the ventral plates of this serpent.
vellum
(parchment)
ventriloquist
velocity
(speed)
venturesome
(bold)
A group of venturesome women were the first to scale Mt.
Annapurna.
venal
(capable of being bribed)
The venal policeman accepted the bribe offered him by the
speeding motorist whom he had stopped.
venturous
(daring)
The five venturous young men decided to look for a new
approach to the mountain top.
vendetta
(blood feud)
The rival mobs engaged in a bitter vendetta.
venue
(location)
vendor
(seller)
The fruit vendor sold her wares from a stall on the sidewalk.
veneer
veracious
(truthful)
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59
volatile
I know you don't like to talk about these things, but please
try to verbalize your feelings.
, , , (changeable, explosive,
evaporating rapidly)
verbatim
volition
, , (act of making a conscious choice)
verbiage
voluble
, , (fluent, glib)
She was a voluble speaker, always ready to talk.
verbose
(wordy)
voluminous
verdant
, (green, fresh)
The verdant meadows in the spring are always an inspiring
sight.
voluptuous
, , (gratifying the senses)
The nobility during the Renaissance led voluptuous lives.
verdigris
(a green coating on copper which has been exposed to
the weather)
Despite all attempts to protect the statue from the elements,
it became coated with verdigris.
verge
voracious
, , (ravenous)
The wolf is a voracious animal, its hunger never satisfied.
vortex
, (border, edge)
Madame Curie knew she was on the verge of discovering the
secrets of radioactive elements.
verisimilitude
, (appearance of truth, likelihood)
Critics praised her for the verisimilitude of her performance as
Lady Macbeth. She was completely believable.
vouchsafe
, , , ~ (grant condescendingly,
guarantee)
I can safely vouchsafe you fair return on your investment.
verity
, (truth, reality)
vouchsafe
, , , ~ (grant condescendingly,
guarantee)
I can safely vouchsafe you fair return on your investment.
vernacular
, (living language, natural style)
voyeur
() (Peeping Tom)
Jill called Jack a voyeur when she caught him aiming his
binoculars at a bedroom window of the house next door.
vernal
(pertaining to spring)
vulnerable
, (susceptible to wounds)
Achilles was vulnerable only in his heel.
versatile
, (having many talents, capable of working in
many fields)
He was a versatile athlete.
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vulpine
, , (like a fox, crafty)
She disliked his sly ways, but granted him a certain vulpine
60
() , () (sing, babble)
Every morning the birds warbled outside her window.
waffle
(speak equivocally about an issue)
When asked directly about the governor's involvement in the
savings and loan scandal, the press secretary waffled, talking all
around the issue.
warrant
~ , ~ , ~ ,
(justify, authorize)
Before the judge issues the injunction, you must convince her
this action is warranted.
waft
(, ) , , ~
() (moved gently by wind or waves)
warranty
waggish
, , , (mischievous,
humorous, tricky)
He was a prankster who, unfortunately, often overlooked the
damage he could cause with his waggish tricks.
warren
, (tunnels in which live, crowded
conditions in which people live)
The tenement was a veritable warren, packed with people
too poor to live elsewhere.
waif
, (homeless child or animal)
Although he already had eight cats, he could not resist
adopting yet another feline waif.
waive
wary
, , (very cautious)
The spies grew wary as they approached the sentry.
wastrel
, , (profligate)
wallow
wax
( , , ) , ( ) (roll in,
indulge in, become helpless)
The hippopotamus love to wallow in the mud.
, (increase, grow)
With proper handing, his fortunes waxed and he became
rich.
wan
waylay
~ , , ~ (ambush, lie
in wait)
wane
, , (grow gradually smaller)
wean
From now until December 21, the winter solstice, the hours
of daylight will wane.
~ , ~ , ( )
(accustom a baby not to muse, give up a cherished activity)
wangle
(, )~ , , ,
(wiggle out, fake)
weather
(, ) , , , ( )
(endure the effects of weather or other forces)
(, ) , , (mark from a
beating or whipping)
warble
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welter(n)
wince
, , , , (turmoil, bewildering
jumble)
The existing welter of overlapping federal and state proclaims
cries out for immediate reform.
welter(v)
, , , (wallow)
winnow
wheedle
, (cajole, coax, deceive by
flattery)
She knows she can wheedle almost anything she wants from
her father.
(), , ( ) , (sift,
separate good parts from bad)
This test will winnow out the students who study from those
who don't bother.
winsome
whelp
, (, ) , () ,
(young wolf, dog, tiger, etc)
This collie whelp won't do for breeding, but he'd make a
fine pet.
, , , , (agreeable,
gracious, engaging)
By her winsome manner, she made herself liked by everyone
who met her.
wispy
whet
( ), , (sharpen, stimulate)
whimsical
witless
, , (capricious, fanciful)
, (foolish, idiotic)
whinny
witticism
whit
wizardry
, (smallest speck)
, (sorcery, magic)
whorl
, (withered, shriveled)
The wizened old man in the home for the aged was still
active and energetic.
wont
willful
, , (intentional, headstrong)
Donald had planned to kill his wife for months, clearly, her
death was a case of deliberate, willful murder, not a crime of
passion committed by a hasty, willful youth unable to foresee the
consequences of his
deeds.
wily
, , (cunning, artful)
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62
wraith
, (ghost, phantom of a living person)
It must be a horrible experience to see a ghost, it is even
more horrible to see the wraith of a person we know to be alive.
zealot
, (fanatic, person who shows excessive zeal)
wrangle
zenith
, (point directly overhead in the sky, summit)
wrath
, (anger, fury)
She turned to him, full of wrath, and said, "What makes you
think I'll accept lower pay for this job than you get?"
wrench
, , (pull, strain, twist)
She wrenched free of her attacker and landed a powerful
kick to his grasp.
wrest
, (pull away, take by violence)
With only ten seconds left to play, our team wrested victory
from their grasp.
writhe
, (squirm, twist)
He was writhing in pain, desperate for the drug his body
required.
wry
, (twisted, with a humorous twist)
We enjoy Dorothy Parker's verse for its wry wit.
xenophobia
() (fear of hatred of foreigners)
When the refugee arrived in America, he was unprepared for
the xenophobia he found there.
yen
, (longing, urge)
She had a yen to get away and live on her own for a while.
yeoman
, (man owning small estate, middle-class farmer)
It was not the aristocrat but the yeoman who determined the
nation's policies.
yield
, ,
investment)
(amount
produced,
crop,
income
on
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63