GRE/CAT Vocabulary List 5
vapid = lacking liveliness; dull and unimaginative; insipid
and flavorless; Ex. vapid lecture
propitiate = appease; conciliate; make peaceful; ADJ. propitiatory
fledgling(fledgeling) = inexperienced; N: young bird that
has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced
person
immaculate = spotless; flawless; absolutely clean
distinctive = clearly different from others of the same
kind
transpose = reverse the order or position of
momentum = quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus;
moving force
exploit = brave and successful act; deed or action, particularly
a brave deed; CF. crossing the Atlantic ocean
sibylline = prophetic; oracular; N. sibyl: woman prophet
(in the ancient world)
serrated = having a sawtoothed edge; Ex. serrated leaf
cohere = stick together
wistful = sadly thoughtful (because of desires or memories);
sadly pensive; vaguely longing
gamely = in a spirited manner; with courage; Ex. fight
gamely against a superior boxer; ADJ. game
spurn = reject disdainfully; scorn; Ex. She spurned all offers
of help.
conservatory(conservatoire) = school of the fine arts (especially
music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy
malcontent = person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs;
discontented person; ADJ: discontented
killjoy = grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils
the pleasure of others
discourse = serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal
discussion (either written or spoken); conversation;
V.
bifurcated = divided into two branches; forked
lucrative = profitable; producing wealth
qualms = uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially
about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms
about giving this assignment to Helen.
fusion = union; coalition; V. fuse
clarion = shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used
in former times
traverse = go through or across
cherubic = angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph:
winged angel of the highest order
parasite = animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant;
CF. para-: beside
decomposition = decay; V. decompose: decay; break and
separate into simple parts
industrious = diligent; hard-working; N. industry
metallurgical = pertaining to the art of removing metals
from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting
metals from ores
dutiful(duteous) = (of people or their behavior) respectful;
obedient (filled with a sense of duty)
indices = signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student.s potential;
CF. index: something that reveals or indicates;
sign; Ex. cost-of-living index
disband = dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and
separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.
supposititious = assumed; counterfeit; hypothetical
despot = tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler; CF. despotism
topple = become unsteady and fall down
apprise = inform
tardy = slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival
sheer = pure; thin and transparent; very steep
optician = maker and seller of eyeglasses
deposition = testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning
legend = explanatory list of symbols on a map
aseptic = preventing infection; having a cleansing effect
farce = broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of
silly things happening; ADJ. farcical
acrid = bitter (to the taste or smell); sharp; bitterly pungent
raconteur = story-teller; one who tells stories with wit and
skill
reduce = diminish; bring to a weaker or more difficult
condition; demote; lower in rank; separate into components
by analysis; Ex. reduced to the ranks; Ex. reduce
the house to rubble; N. reduction
dart = move or throw suddenly and quickly
scholarly = full of learning; erudite; like a scholar; Ex.
scholarly journal
cohesion = tendency to keep together
epoch = period of time
canard = unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report
toss = throw lightly; move or lift (the head) with a sudden
motion; flip (a coin) to decide something
phalanx = formation of infantry carrying overlapping
shields and long spears; group of men packed together
(for attack or defense)
bar = railing in a courtroom; legal profession; vertical line
dividing a staff into equal measures; Ex. prisoner at the
bar; V: shut in or out with bars; forbid; exclude; CF. barrister
lineaments = features especially of the face; distinctive
shape or contour of the face; CF. line
validate = make valid; confirm; ratify
compelling = overpowering; irresistible in effect; holding
one.s attention; that compels one to do something; Ex. a
compelling adventure story; V. compel
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