GRE/CAT VOCABULARY LIST 40

GRE/CAT VOCABULARY LIST 40

metaphor = implied comparison; CF. simile
punitive = punishing; Ex. punitive measures
vantage = position giving an advantage (such as a strategic
point); CF. vantagepoint
larceny = theft; Ex. petit larceny
impromptu = without previous preparation; off the
cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment
excoriate = scold with biting harshness; censure strongly;
strip the skin off
taint = contaminate; cause to lose purity; modify with a
trace of something bad; Ex. tainted reputation; N: stain;
touch of decay or bad influence; CF. touch
stricture = severe and adverse criticism; critical comments;
limit or restriction
olfactory = concerning the sense of smell
galvanic = of the production of electricity by the action of
an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock;
Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani
frock = long loose garment (worn by monks)
implication = something hinted at or suggested; implying;
implicating
neophyte = recent convert; new member of a religious
group; beginner; CF. plant
conclave = private secret meeting
distend = expand; swell out
pell-mell = in confusion; disorderly; Ex. dash pell-mell
luminous = shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex.
luminous paint/road signs
pallet = small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
bombastic = pompous; using inflated language
reprisal = retaliation
accomplice = partner in crime
exiguous = small in amount; minute
wretch = miserable person; bad or despicable person;
ADJ. wretched: miserable; bad; contemptible; vile
mundane = worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of
the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world
internecine = mutually destructive
orator = public speaker
sanctuary = place of refuge; shelter; shrine; holy place; Ex.
The outlaw was granted sanctuary in the church.
diva = operatic singer; prima donna
ambulatory = able to walk
umbrage = resentment; anger; sense of injury or insult;
Ex. take umbrage at his rudeness
timorous = fearful; timid; demonstrating fear
rousing = lively; inducing excitement; stirring; V. rouse:
waken; arouse from sleep or depression; excite; stir up
ogle = look at amorously; make eyes at; Ex. old men
ogling young girls
mottled = blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face;
V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors
token = outward sign; Ex. a token of our gratitude
mote = small speck (esp. of dust)
sheathe = place into a case; insert into or provide with a
sheath; Ex. He sheathed his dagger; N. sheath: case for
a blade
attenuate = make thin; weaken
earthy = unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks;
OP. ethereal
odds = chances; probability; disagreement; Ex. The odds
are that it will rain. Ex. at odds with
tangential = only slightly connected; not central; peripheral;
digressing; showing divergence; CF. tangent
eulogistic = praising; full of eulogy
suavity = urbanity; polish; ADJ. suave: smooth and courteous
mogul = powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol,
Moghul; CF. Mongolian
imperial = like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism
dumbfound(dumfound) = astonish (making dumb);
ADJ. dumbfounded, dumfounded, dumbstruck
sham = pretend; feign; ADJ: not genuine; fake; Ex. sham
jewelry; N: something that is not what it appears; impostor;
pretense; Ex. The agreement was a sham.
insightful = discerning; perceptive
atrophy = wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and
muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use)
nectar = drink of the gods; sweet liquid collected by bees
augment = increase; add to
frond = fern leaf; palm or banana leaf
saturnine = morose; gloomy; Ex. Do not be misled by his
saturnine countenance.
predilection = preference; partiality
sybarite = lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure
and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy
bucolic = rustic; pastoral
onerous = burdensome
hypnosis = induced sleeping state; ADJ. hypnotic; V. hypnotize
anneal = reduce brittleness and improve toughness by
heating and cooling (metal or glass)
foray = raid; sudden raid or military advance; V.
spasmodic = fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm:
sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst
of energy or emotion
dwindle = shrink; reduce gradually
equable = tranquil; of even calm temper; (of temperature)
steady; uniform
offhand = casual; done without prior thought or preparation




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