G Flashcards
(45 cards)
gaffe
n. social blunder
Jim was so afraid of making a gaffe that he barely spoke to anyone at the party.
gainsay
v. to deny or dispute
No one can gainsay the impact of technology on modern society.
galvanize
v. to rouse or stir
The speech galvanized support for the plan.
gambit
n. a stratagem or ploy
The general decided on the risky gambit.
gambol
v. to frolic; leap playfully
We watched the dolphins gambol in the waves.
gamut
n. entire range
The courses at this university run the gamut from anthropology to zoology.
gargantuan
adj. huge; tremendous
There has been a gargantuan increase in public rural areas.
garrulous
adj. very talkative
The garrulous students were told to leave the library.
gauche
adj. coarse and uncouth; clumsy
The girls were embarrassed by the boys’ gauche behavior.
generic
adj. universal; referring to a group
They are all in favor of the use of generic drugs.
genesis
n. beginning; origin
Scientists are studying the genesis of the human species.
genial
adj. having a pleasant or friendly disposition
People like Ted’s genial personality.
genocide
n. the systematic killing of a people or nation
The genocide was condemned by the United Nations.
genome
n. the genetic material of an organism
An analogy to the human genome stored on DNA is the instructions stored in a library.
genre
n. type, class; distinct literary or artistic category
Amy’s favorite genre of literature is the novel.
gentry
n. people of standing; class of people just below nobility
The king made sure he had the support of the gentry before introducing a new policy.
geomorphic
n. relating to the study of the evolution and configuration of landforms
Geomorphic processes are influenced by tectonics, climate, ecology, and human activity.
geophysics
n. the physics of the Earth and its environment
One of the phenomena studied by geophysics is the periodic reversal in polarity of the Earth’s magnetic field.
geriatric
adj. related to the aged or the aging process
As the population ages, geriatric medicine is becoming more important.
germane
adj. appropriate, relevant
The judge ruled that the testimony was not germane.
gerrymander
v. to divide an area into voting districts in a way that favors a political party
The lawsuit contends that the party’s gerrymandering violates the state constitution.
gestalt
adj. relating to a pattern of elements so unified that properties cannot be derived from the sum of its parts
During the 1920s and 1930s artists Paul Klee, Vasily Kandinsky, and Josef Albers explicitly drew upon gestalt theory for inspiration in their writings, paints, and lectures.
gestation
n. growth process from conception to birth
Human beings have a long gestation period.
gesticulate
v. to motion or gesture
I saw the police officer gesticulating, so I pulled my car to the side of the road.