GRE/CAT VOCABULARY LIST 22

GRE/CAT VOCABULARY LIST 22

solstice = point or time at which the sun is farthest from
the equator
amalgamate = (of societies or groups) combine; unite in
one body
auspicious = favoring success; giving signs of future success;
Cf. auspices
pediatrician = physician specializing in children.s diseases;
N. pediatrics
elucidate = explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid
foolhardy = rash; reckless; foolishly daring
erroneous = mistaken; wrong; incorrect
title = name (of a book, film, etc.); mark of rank; formal
appellation as of rank or office (such as Lord or General);
right or claim to possession; championship; Ex.
title as head of the family; Ex. title to the estate
fallible = liable to err
alimony = payments made regularly to an ex-spouse after
divorce
hirsute = hairy; having a lot of hair
militia = army composed of ordinary citizens rather than
professional soldiers
sheaf = bundle of stalks of grain; any bundle of things tied
together
rusticate = banish to the country; dwell in the country
ardor = heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent
sonic = of sound or its speed in air; CF. subsonic, supersonic
leaven = add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven;
N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise
(by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens
suborn = persuade to act unlawfully (especially to commit
perjury); N. subornation
pare = cut away the outer covering or skin of (with a
knife); trim; Ex. pare apples/expenses
misdemeanor = minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing
tendentious = promoting a particular point of view; biased;
having an aim; designed to further a cause; Ex.
tendentious rather than truth-seeking; CF. tend: move
in a certain direction
throes = violent anguish
nova = star that suddenly becomes much brighter and
then returns to its original brightness
savor = enjoy; have a distinctive flavor, smell, or quality;
N: taste or smell; distinctive quality
apolitical = having an aversion or lack of concern for political
affairs
emancipate = set free; liberate
bovine = cowlike; placid and dull; slow-thinking; calm
expletive = meaningless word; interjection; profane oath;
swear-word
agape = openmouthed
lampoon = ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing
a person, group, or institution
forte = strong point or special talent in a person.s character
supple = flexible; limber; pliant
demerit = fault; bad quality
callus = area of thick hard skin
defoliate = destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use
of chemicals); N. defoliant
credence = belief
flip = send (something) spinning, often into the air, by
striking with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over
prognosis = forecasted course of a disease; prediction; CF.
prognostic
flounder = struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or
falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion
skiff = small light sailboat or rowboat
demoniac(demoniacal) = fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil
supernatural being; devil
ruse = trick to deceive; stratagem
sequester = isolate; segregate; seclude; retire from public
life
transgression = violation of a law; sin; V. transgress: go
beyond (a limit); violate; do wrong
analogous = comparable; similar
eclectic = selective; composed of elements drawn from
disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a
variety of sources; N. eclecticism
mangle = tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Ex.
badly mangled bodies
waver = move or swing back and forth; be uncertain or
unsteady in decision or movement; Ex. wavering between
accepting and refusing
buccaneer = pirate
placid = peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake
inscrutable = difficult to understand; impenetrable; not
readily understood; mysterious
gaudy = flashy; showy
pigment = coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed
with water or oil)
skittish = inconstant; capricious; frivolous; not serious;
Ex. charming but skittish young woman; CF. skit
precept = practical rule guiding conduct; Ex. mother.s
precept
contumacious = stubborn and disobedient; resisting authority
(esp. disobedient to an order made by a court)
solace = comfort in sorrow or trouble; consolation; V:
comfort or console in time of sorrow or trouble
affliction = state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on




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