GRE/CAT VOCABULARY LIST 33
varnish = paint used to coat a surface with a glossy film;
glossy coating produced by using this substance; Ex.
nail varnish; V.
chortle = chuckle with delight; N.
multiform = having many forms
dilate = expand; dilate on/upon: speak or write at length
on (a subject)
monarchy = government under a single ruler
layman = man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional
flair = talent
fluke = unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune; accidental
stroke of good luck; ADJ. fluky
ornithologist = scientific student of birds; N. ornithology:
scientific study of birds
bank = heap; piled-up mass; embankment; lateral tilting
(as of an aircraft in turning); V: pile up; protect with a
bank; tilt in turning
ruthless = pitiless; merciless; cruel
entail = make necessary; require; necessitate; involve;
limit the inheritance of (property) to a specified succession
of heirs; Ex. entail A on/upon B
prosody = art of versification; study of the metrical structure
of verse
acme = peak; pinnacle; highest point
delusive = deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising
vain hopes; Ex. delusive promises
torso = trunk of statue with head and limbs missing; human
trunk
asinine = stupid; Ex. asinine remarks
adulterate = make impure or of poorer quality by adding
inferior or tainted(contaminated) substances
economy = efficiency or conciseness in using something;
thrifty management of resources
derelict = negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of
something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned
property; homeless or vagrant person
lust = intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V.
ignite = kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to
convex = curving outward
vociferous = clamorous; noisy; V. vociferate: cry out
loudly (when complaining)
knack = special talent; art
matrimony = state of being married
self-righteous = sure of one.s own righteousness; moralistic
caustic = burning; corrosive; able to burn by chemical action;
sarcastically biting; (of remarks) intended to hurt;
bitter; harmful; OP. harmless
icon(ikon) = religious image; idol; image or representation
static = having no motion; unchanging; lacking development;
N. stasis: stable state
allege = state without proof
victuals = food; provisions; V. victual: provide with food
ennui = boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting
from lack of interest; CF. annoy
heyday = time of greatest success or power; prime
obese = excessively fat; N. obesity
maxim = proverb; truth pithily stated
stupefy = stun; make numb (as with a drug); amaze
ecstasy = rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness;
any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing
or experiencing ecstasy
impotent = weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength
or power
tureen = deep dish for serving soup
statute = law enacted by the legislature
stoop = bend forward and down; lower or debase oneself;
fall to a lower standard of behavior by doing something;
condescend; Ex. stoop to lying
aromatic = fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma:
strong pleasant smell
frustrate = thwart; defeat; prevent from accomplishing a
purpose
hothead = person who does things too quickly without
thinking; ADJ. hotheaded
abut = border upon; adjoin
litigation = lawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V.
litigate
descry = catch sight of (something distant)
squeamish = easily shocked or sickened by unpleasant
things; fastidious; Ex. A nurse should not be squeamish.
abrogate = abolish
grill = question severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking
surface of parallel metal bars
conciliatory = reconciling; soothing; V. conciliate: reconcile;
soothe; win the friendly feelings (by removing
anger)
burgeon = grow rapidly; grow forth; send out buds; Ex.
burgeoning computer industry; CF. bludgeon
freebooter = pirate or plunderer who makes war in order
to grow rich
bruise = injure without breaking the skin; N.
amorphous = formless; lacking shape or definition
sedition = conduct or language inciting rebellion; rebellion;
resistance to authority; insubordination; ADJ. seditious
groom = man employed to take care of horses; V: make
neat and trim; clean and brush (an animal)
circuitous = roundabout
determination = resolve; firmness of purpose; measurement
or calculation; decision
peerless = having no equal; incomparable
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