GRE Deck 10 Flashcards
(399 cards)
1
Q
abbreviate
A
shorten
2
Q
abstemious
A
sparing in eating and drinking; temperate
3
Q
acclivity
A
sharp upslope of a hill; OP. declivity
4
Q
acidulous
A
slightly sour (in taste or manner); sharp; caustic
5
Q
acne
A
skin disease (on the face)
6
Q
acoustics
A
science of sound; quality that makes a room easy or hard to hear in
7
Q
actuary
A
someone who advises insurance companies
8
Q
acuity
A
sharpness (of mind or senses of sight or hearing)
9
Q
adjunct
A
something attached to but holding an inferior position
10
Q
adjuration
A
solemn urging; V. adjure: entreat earnestly; enjoin solemnly
11
Q
adjutant
A
staff officer assisting the commander; assistant
12
Q
adroit
A
skillful (in using mind or hand)
13
Q
advocate
A
speak in favor of; support (an idea or plan); urge; plead for
14
Q
aegis
A
shield; protection; defense
15
Q
affliction
A
state of distress; trial; cause of distress or suffering; V. afflict: inflict grievous suffering on
16
Q
analogy
A
similarity; parallelism; comparing two similar things
17
Q
anathema
A
solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse; V. anathematize
18
Q
anchor
A
secure or fasten firmly; be fixed in place; N. anchorage
19
Q
ancillary
A
serving as an aid or accessory; auxiliary; N.
20
Q
anecdote
A
short story of an amusing or interesting event
21
Q
angular
A
sharp-cornered; having an angle; not rounded (body); bony; lean; gaunt; stiff in manner
22
Q
anonymity
A
state of being nameless; anonymousness; ADJ. anonymous
23
Q
anthem
A
song of praise or patriotism; Ex. national anthem
24
Q
argot
A
slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people
25
asperity
sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather); Ex. asperities of a Russian winter
26
aspersion
slanderous remark; Ex. cast aspersions on
27
aspirant
seeker after position or status
28
aspire
seek to attain (position or status); long for; Ex. aspire to become president; Ex. aspire to/after the leadership
29
assumption
something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; Ex. her assumption of power; V. assume
30
asteroid
small planet
31
autonomous
self-governing; N. autonomy
32
aver
state confidently; declare as true
33
avocation
secondary or minor occupation
34
awe
solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome
35
axiom
self-evident truth requiring no proof
36
azure
sky blue
37
balm
something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees
38
balmy
soft and mild (of air); fragrant
39
barb
sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark
40
barefaced
shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face; Ex. barefaced lie
41
berate
scold strongly
42
bereavement
state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft
43
besmirch
soil; defile; make dirty
44
betoken
signify; indicate; be a sign of
45
bland
soothing or mild (food); agreeable; causing no trouble or offence
46
blotch
spot; blot; CF. blot+botch
47
blues
state of depression or melancholy; style of slow, mournful music (evolved from southern Black American songs)
48
bog
soft wet land; V: hinder or be hindered; Ex. bogged down in the mud
49
brackish
somewhat saline
50
bristle
short stiff hair; V: (hair or fur) stand up stiffly
51
brood
sit on in order to hatch; think deeply or worry anxiously; N: the young of certain animals; group of young birds hatched at one time
52
bulk
size or volume (esp. when very large); main part; Ex. The bulk of the work has already been done; ADJ. bulky: having great size
53
cabal
small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests
54
cameo
shell or jewel carved in relief; star's special appearance in a minor role in a film
55
canny
shrewd in money matters; thrifty
56
canter
slow gallop; V. CF. trot
57
capacious
spacious
58
carapace
shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.)
59
cascade
small waterfall
60
casualty
serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle
61
catapult
slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult
62
catcall
shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match); boo; V.
63
celerity
speed; rapidity
64
censorious
severely critical
65
chapel
small church (in a prison, college, or hospital)
66
chide
scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong)
67
circlet
small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration)
68
clandestine
secret
69
clarion
shrill, trumpetlike sound; kind of trumpet used in former times
70
cleave
split or sever; cling to; remain faithful to; N. cleavage; ADJ. cloven
71
clique
small exclusive group of people
72
collateral
security given for loan; ADJ: secondary; descended from the same person but through different sons or daughters
73
comestible
something fit to be eaten
74
commodious
spacious and comfortable
75
commune
small (often rural) community whose members share work and income; V: exchange thoughts or feelings; Ex. commune with nature
76
complacency
self-satisfaction; smugness; ADJ. complacent
77
complementary
serving to complete something
78
condiments
seasonings; spices
79
confidence
self-assurance; calm unworried feeling based on a strong belief in one's abilities; strong belief in the ability of a person or plan; trust or faith in a person or thing; something confided; secret; Ex. confidence in your ability; Ex. I'm telling you this in confidence; Ex. exchange confidences about their boyfriends; ADJ. confident
80
confidential
spoken or written in secret; trusted with private matters; Ex. confidential secretary
81
confine
shut in an enclosed space; restrict; keep within limits; N. confinement
82
confiscate
seize; take possession of (private property) by official order (usu. as a punishment); commandeer
83
conscientious
scrupulous; through and careful; Ex. conscientious worker
84
consequential
self-important; significant; consequent; following as a result; Ex. consequential air; CF. subsequent
85
conservatory(conservatoire)
school of the fine arts (especially music or drama); glass-enclosed area; CF. conservancy
86
consign
send to a person or place for sale; deliver officially; entrust; put into the care of another; set apart (for a special purpose); N. consignment; CF. consignor, consignee
87
contempt
scorn; disdain; ADJ. contemptuous; CF. contemptible
88
continence
self-restraint; sexual chastity; sexual abstinence; voluntary control over bladder and bowel functions; ADJ. continent
89
contrivance
something contrived; machine or apparatus; clever deceitful plan; scheme
90
convention
social or moral custom; established practice; formal meeting; international agreement
91
covert
secret; hidden; implied; OP. overt
92
cower
shrink quivering as from fear; cringe
93
coy
shy (flirtatiously); showing a (pretended) lack of self-confidence; modest; coquettish; CF. job offer¸ÂÂ\_ ÂÂ\_ÃÅ\_ÂÂ\_Ã'À» ¶§
94
crabbed
sour; bad-tempered; peevish; difficult to read as handwriting
95
craft
skill (esp. with one's hands); skill in deceiving people; guile; ADJ. crafty: cleverly deceitful; cunning
96
cringe
shrink back as if in fear; cower
97
criteria
standards used in judging; CF. criterion
98
crypt
secret recess or vault usually used for burial; underground room (under a church)
99
cubicle
small chamber used for sleeping or work
100
curtail
shorten; reduce
101
cynical
skeptical or distrustful of human motives; N. cynicism; CF. cynic: person who believes all people are motivated by selfishness
102
dappled
spotted
103
daub
smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; Ex. daub one's clothes with mud/paint; N: small bit of sticky substance; Ex. a daub of paint
104
deadlock
standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate
105
decelerate
slow down
106
decrepitude
state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age
107
defect
shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one)
108
deploy
spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically
109
deport
send out of the country; behave; N. deportation, deportment
110
deterrent
something that discourages or deters
111
detraction
slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor
112
dexterous
skillful; skill in using hands or mind; N. dexterity
113
diaphanous
sheer; transparent
114
diffidence
shyness; lack of self-confidence; timidity; ADJ. diffident
115
dilemma
situation that requires a choice between equally unfavorable options; problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives
116
dinghy
small boat (often ship's boat)
117
disarray
state of disorder; a disorderly or untidy state; Ex. with her clothes in disarray
118
discourse
serious speech, writing, or conversation; formal discussion (either written or spoken); conversation; V.
119
discrete
separate; unconnected
120
dispatch
speediness; prompt execution; message sent with all due speed; V: send to a specified destination; finish promptly; kill
121
dissipate
squander; waste foolishly; scatter
122
doddering
shaky; infirm from old age; V. dodder
123
dolorous
sorrowful; N. dolor
124
dolt
slow-thinking stupid person; CF. dull
125
dormant
sleeping; temporarily inactive; lethargic; latent
126
dotage
senility; feeblemindedness of old age; Ex. In one's dotage
127
doze
sleep lightly; nap
128
dregs
sediment in a liquid; lees; worthless residue
129
dupe
someone easily fooled or deceived; V: deceive
130
dwindle
shrink; reduce gradually
131
ebullient
showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling
132
eclectic
selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism
133
effulgent
shining brightly; brilliant
134
emancipate
set free; liberate
135
emollient
soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ.
136
ensconce
settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place)
137
ephemeral
short-lived; fleeting
138
epilogue
short speech at conclusion of dramatic work
139
espionage
spying
140
estranged
separated; alienated; V. estrange: alienate (people in a family); N. estrangement
141
evince
show clearly
142
excerpt
selected passage (written or musical) taken from a longer work; V.
143
excoriate
scold with biting harshness; censure strongly; strip the skin off
144
exemplary
serving as a model; outstanding; Ex. exemplary punishment/behavior; N. exemplar: typical example; model
145
exemplify
show by example; furnish an example; serve as an example of; Ex. His pictures exemplify that sort of painting.
146
exiguous
small in amount; minute
147
expertise
specialized knowledge (in a particular field); expert skill
148
facet
small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side
149
fatuous
smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness
150
fetter
shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot
151
figurine
small ornamental statuette(very small statue)
152
fitful
spasmodic; intermittent; irregular
153
flashy
showy; gaudy; giving a momentary brilliance
154
fleck
spot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot
155
flip
send (something) spinning, often into the air, by striking with a light quick blow; turn over; Ex. flip over
156
fluency
smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent
157
foible
small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble
158
forfeit
something surrendered as punishment for a crime or breach of contract; V: lose as a forfeit; N. forfeiture
159
fusillade
simultaneous firing or outburst (of missiles, questions, etc.)
160
gaffe
social blunder
161
gawk
stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe
162
glare
shine intensely and blindingly; stare fixedly and angrily; N.
163
glimmer
shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; faint indication; Ex. glimmer of hope
164
glitter
shine brightly with flashing points of light; Ex. glittering diamond ring; N: sparkling light; attractiveness; glamor; Ex. glitter of the sun on the waves
165
glossy
smooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness on a surface; superficially attractive appearance; Ex. gloss of good manners
166
glow
shine brightly without a flame (as of eyes or metals); show redness and heat (in the face) after hard work or because of strong feelings; N: light produced by a heated body; brilliance of a color
167
glower
scowl; glare; look or stare angrily
168
glutton
someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much
169
gossamer
sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb
170
gradation
series of gradual stages; degree in such a progression
171
gravity
seriousness; ADJ. grave
172
gregarious
sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group
173
grotto
small cavern
174
hazy
slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind
175
hermetic
sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight
176
hibernate
sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation
177
hide
skin of an animal
178
homily
sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic
179
hone
sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a tool
180
hovel
shack; small wretched house
181
hummock
small hill; hillock
182
hygiene
science and practice of the promotion and preservation of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful attention to cleanness (to prevent disease); Ex. hygienic condition
183
idyll(idyl)
short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time; Ex. idyll of two young lovers
184
immaculate
spotless; flawless; absolutely clean
185
immobility
state of being immovable
186
implication
something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating
187
import
significance; importance; meaning
188
inane
silly; senseless; Ex. inane remarks; N. inanity
189
inarticulate
speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly
190
inasmuch\_as
since; owing to the fact that
191
incantation
singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant
192
incentive
spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity
193
inception
start; beginning
194
incline
slope; slant; Ex. steep incline
195
inconsistency
state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible
196
indices
signs; indications; Ex. indices of a student's potential; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index
197
instigate
start; urge; provoke; incite; Ex. instigate a search/quarrel
198
inviolable
secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable; Ex. inviolable oath/rights; N. inviolability
199
jostle
shove; bump; push against (someone) rather roughly; Ex. jostled by the crowds
200
judicious
sound on judgment; wise
201
jurisprudence
science of law
202
kindle
start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse
203
knack
special talent; art
204
laggard
slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler
205
lagoon
shallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs
206
lancet
small surgical tool for making incisions
207
legerdemain
sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand
208
liquidate
settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish
209
lounge
stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way
210
luminous
shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light; Ex. luminous paint/road signs
211
luster
shine; gloss (of a polished surface)
212
lustrous
shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair
213
macerate
soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; Ex. macerate powdered wood to make paper
214
maculated
spotted; stained; CF. immaculate
215
malign
speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence
216
mange
skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair
217
mangy
shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance
218
mar
spoil the appearance of
219
marrow
soft fatty tissue that fills most bone cavities and is the source of blood cells
220
matrimony
state of being married
221
mediate
settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating; Ex. mediate a cease-fire
222
memorial
something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to honor the memory of a person or event; ADJ: commemorative
223
microcosm
small representative world; world in miniature; Ex. microcosm of English society
224
milieu
social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of one's milieu; Ex. His proper milieu is watercolor.
225
miniature
small model; small painting; ADJ: small
226
minion
servile dependent; obsequious follower
227
mollify
soothe an angry person
228
monograph
scholarly article
229
monolithic
solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone
230
mote
small speck (esp. of dust)
231
multiplicity
state of being numerous or multiple; large number; Ex. multiplicity of details; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element
232
musty
stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist
233
mute
silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, color, shade of
234
muted
silent; muffled; toned down; Ex. muted traffic noise
235
negligible
so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded
236
nemesis
someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis
237
niggle
spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Ex. niggle over details; ADJ. niggling
238
nip
snip off; stop something's growth or development; bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. A guard dog nipped the postman; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme chill
239
nonsense
speech or writing with no meaning; foolish behavior or language; Ex. make (a) nonsense of: spoil; cause to fail
240
nourishment
something that nourishes; food
241
nova
star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness
242
novelty
something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original
243
nuance
shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction
244
oath
solemn promise; blasphemous use of sacred words to express strong feelings; swear-word; Ex. ``For Christ's sake''
245
obloquy
slander; disgrace; infamy
246
obsequious
slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic
247
occlude
shut; close; obstruct; Ex. A blood clot occluded an artery.
248
ordeal
severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction
249
ornithologist
scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds
250
ostentatious
showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display
251
outgoing
sociable; eager to mix socially with others
252
pacify
soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to
253
paean
song of praise or joy; Ex. paeans celebrating the victory
254
pallet
small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet
255
parable
short simple story teaching a moral
256
paradox
something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct
257
parallel
similar; analogous; corresponding; N: parallel line; person or thing that is parallel (to another); similarity; Ex. know of no parallel to the case; Ex. without parallel; V: be similar to; make parallel; Ex. Your experience parallels mine; CF. unparalleled
258
parallelism
state of being parallel; similarity; analogy
259
pariah
social outcast; Ex. Mariah the pariah
260
partiality
state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference
261
paste
smooth viscous mixture as of flour(powder made by crushing grain) and water (used as an adhesive); V: cause to adhere by applying paste
262
peccadillo
slight offense or fault; CF. sin
263
penance
self-imposed punishment for sin; Ex. do penance for one's sins; CF. penitent
264
perennial
something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring
265
pervasive
spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate
266
philatelist
stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting
267
pinch
squeeze between the thumb and a finger, or other edges; Ex. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. N: amount that can be held between the thumb and a finger
268
pinnace
small boat
269
pittance
small amount (of money); small allowance or wage
270
plutocracy
society ruled by the wealthy
271
polarity
state of having two opposite qualities
272
polarize
split into opposite extremes or camps
273
polyglot
speaking several languages; multilingual; Ex. polyglot person/society; N.
274
pomposity
self-important behavior; acting like a stuffed shirt(pompous person); ADJ. pompous: self-important
275
porridge
soft food made by boiling oatmeal
276
postulate
self-evident truth; something assumed without proof; V: assume the truth of (as a basis of an argument)
277
poultice
soothing application applied to sore and inflamed portions of the body
278
precedent
something preceding in time which may be used as an authority or guide for future action; V. precede; CF. unprecedented
279
precipitant
something that causes a substance in a chemical solution to separate out in solid form; Ãâ€\_§ÀÃÂ\_ÃÂÅÂÂ\_; OP. solvent
280
premonitory
serving to warn
281
primogeniture
seniority by birth; state of being the first-born child; right of the eldest child (to inherit the entire property of one or both parents)
282
privy
secret; hidden; not public; made a participant in something secret; Ex. privy chamber government; Ex. be privy to a discussion; CF. private
283
prohibitive
so high as to prohibit purchase or use; tending to prevent the purchase or use of something; prohibiting; inclined to prevent or forbid; Ex. prohibitive tax
284
psyche
soul; mind
285
purchase
secure grasp or hold; firm grasp or footing
286
rag
scrap of cloth; ADJ. ragged: old and torn; seeming unfinished and imperfect; Ex. ragged debut/performance
287
ramp
slope; inclined plane or roadway (connecting two levels)
288
ransack
search thoroughly; pillage (going through a place); Ex. Enemy soldiers ransacked the town.
289
rant
speak violently or excitedly; rave; talk excitedly showing anger; scold; make a grandiloquent speech; Ex. The priest ranted about the devil.
290
rebuke
scold harshly; criticize severely
291
rectify
set right; correct; CF. rect-: right
292
regeneration
spiritual rebirth; Ex. regeneration of the prisoners; V. regenerate: give or obtain new life; reform spiritually
293
rend
split; tear apart; N. rent; CF. heartrending: causing deep sorrow
294
reprobation
severe disapproval; CF. approbation
295
reserve
self-control; self-restraint; formal but distant manner; reticence; Ex. without reserve: freely and openly; ADJ. reserved: shy and uncommunicative
296
retiring
shy and reserved (of a person); modest; Ex. her retiring personality
297
rhapsodize
speak or write in an exaggeratedly enthusiastic manner; Ex. rhapsodize over the beauty of the scenery
298
rigor
severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter
299
rivulet
small stream; CF. rill \< rivulet \< river
300
sardonic
scornfully mocking; disdainful; sarcastic; cynical; Ex. sardonic smile
301
satellite
small body revolving around a larger one
302
saturate
soak thoroughly; imbue; impregnate; charge; fill to capacity
303
savant
scholar; learned person; CF. savoir: know
304
scapegoat
someone who bears the blame for others; whipping boy; CF. escape+goat
305
scintillate
sparkle; flash; be animated; be full of life; Ex. scintillating conversation
306
scorch
sear; N.
307
scotch
stamp out(put an end to); thwart; hinder; Ex. scotch the rumor; CF. cut; CF. È°µ¿À» ÃÂÅÙÀÌ´Ãâ€\_ ÀÇÂÂ\_ÃŒ
308
scrap
small bit or fragment; discarded waste material; fight; Ex. a scrap of paper/cloth; V: break into parts for disposal; discard as worthless; fight; quarrel
309
scuttle
sink (a ship) by cutting holes in the hull; scrap; discard; N: small hatch in a ship's deck or hull
310
seamy
sordid; base; filthy; unwholesome; Ex. seamy side of city life
311
sect
separate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group
312
seine
seine net; net for catching fish
313
seminary
school for training future ministers; secondary school, especially for young women
314
sentinel
sentry; lookout
315
sere
sear; parched; dry
316
servile
slavish; cringing; N. servility
317
servitude
slavery; compulsory labor imposed as a punishment
318
sever
separate; cut off (a part) from a whole; break up (a relationship); N. severance; CF. severance pay: extra pay given an employee upon leaving a position
319
shade
slight difference in degree; nuance; degree of color; Ex. shades of meaning/grey
320
shed
small roofed structure for storage and shelter; V: pour forth; lose by natural process; repel without allowing penetration; radiate; cast; Ex. shed tears/light/water/skin/leaves
321
shimmer
shine with a flickering light; glimmer intermittently; Ex. The moonlight shimmered on the water; N.
322
shrew
scolding woman; very small mouselike animal
323
shudder
shake uncontrollably; tremble; V.
324
silt
sediment deposited by running water (at the entrance to a harbor or by a bend in a river)
325
simper
smirk; smile in a silly way; smile affectedly
326
skiff
small light sailboat or rowboat
327
slacken
slow up; loosen; make or become slack
328
sleazy
shabby and dirty; flimsy; insubstantial; Ex. sleazy back-street hotel/fabric
329
sleek
smooth and shining (as from good health); V.
330
slipshod
slovenly; careless; sloppy; untidy; shabby; Ex. slipshod work
331
slither
slip or slide
332
sloth
slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent
333
slur
slander; insult to one's character or reputation; V.
334
smattering
slight knowledge; small scattered number or amount; Ex. smattering of German
335
smear
spread or cover with a sticky substance; N: mark made by smearing
336
smolder
smoulder; burn slowly without flame; be liable to break out at any moment; exist in a suppressed state; Ex. smoldering anger
337
smug
self-satisfied; complacent
338
snip
short quick cut with scissors; V: cut with scissors
339
snuffle
sniffle; sniff repeatedly (in order to keep liquid from running out of the nose)
340
sober
serious; solemn; not drunken; abstemious or temperate; V: make or become sober
341
solemnity
seriousness; gravity
342
solitude
state of being alone; seclusion; ADJ. solitary: existing or living alone (esp. by choice); remote or secluded; single; sole; Ex. solitary life/inn; Ex. no solitary piece of proof
343
somnambulist
sleepwalker; V. somnambulate; N. somnambulism
344
sophistry
seemingly plausible but fallacious reasoning; sophism
345
soporific
sleep-causing; marked by sleepiness; drowsy
346
spangle
small shiny metallic piece sewn to clothing for ornamentation
347
spat
squabble; minor dispute; minor quarrel
348
specious
seemingly reasonable but incorrect; misleading (often intentionally)
349
speck
small piece or mark; Ex. speck of dust in the eye
350
spendthrift
someone who wastes money; CF. thrift: accumulated wealth
351
squat
short and thick; stocky; Ex. ugly squat tower; V. N.
352
staid
serious and sedate; sober; Ex. staid during the funeral ceremony
353
stammer
speak with involuntarily pauses or repetitions
354
steep
soak; saturate; Ex. steep the fabric in the dye bath; ADJ: precipitous
355
stint
set limits in amount or number; be thrifty; ADJ. stinting, unstinting; CF. stint:savings
356
stipulate
state as a necessary condition (of an agreement); make express conditions; specify; Ex. He stipulated payment in advance
357
stock
standard; kept regularly in stock or supply; typical; routine; common; Ex. stock sizes of paper; Ex. stock excuse/character; N: goods for sale in a shop; OP. unique
358
strew
spread randomly; sprinkle; scatter; Ex. flower girl strewing rose petals
359
stricture
severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction
360
stupor
state of being stupefied; state of apathy; daze; lack of awareness
361
subside
sink to a lower level; settle down; sink to the bottom (as a sediment); descend; grow quiet; become less; moderate; abate
362
subsidiary
serving to assist; subordinate; secondary; of a subsidy; N.
363
suffuse
spread through or over (with a color or liquid); charge; Ex. A blush suffused her cheeks.
364
sullen
silently showing ill humor or resentment; dark; gloomy
365
sunder
separate; part; CF. asunder
366
suspense
state of being undecided; anxiety or apprehension resulting from uncertainty
367
sycophant
servile flatterer; bootlicker; yes man; ADJ. sycophantic
368
synchronous
similarly timed; simultaneous with; occurring at the same time; V. synchronize
369
tablet
small round piece of medicine; flat piece of stone or metal bearing an inscription; Ex. stone tablet on the wall
370
tact
skill or sensitivity in dealing with people without causing offence
371
tardy
slow; sluggish; not on time; late; Ex. tardy arrival
372
tart
sharp to the taste; acid-tasting; caustic; sarcastic; Ex. tart apple/reply
373
taxonomist
specialist in classifying (animals, etc.); CF. taxonomy: science of classification
374
tempo
speed of music
375
thrall
slave; bondage; slavery; Ex. Her beauty held him in thrall; CF. enthrall
376
threat
sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain.
377
tint
slight degree of color; V: give a tint to
378
toady
servile flatterer; yes man; sycophant; V: be a toady to; fawn
379
toll
sound (a large bell) slowly at regular intervals; N: sound of a bell; fixed tax or charge
380
tonsure
shaving of the head especially by person entering religious orders; V.
381
totter
shake or move unsteadily; sway as if about to fall
382
trifle
something of little importance or value; small amount; Ex. a trifle; V: treat without seriousness; flirt
383
trigger
set off; start
384
truism
self-evident truth
385
ulcer
sore place appearing on the skin inside or outside the body; Ex. stomach ulcer; ADJ. ulcerous; V. ulcerate
386
usurp
seize another's power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one's own use
387
velocity
speed
388
vendor
seller
389
vent
small opening; outlet (as of fumes or a gas); Ex. He gave vent to his anger by kicking the chair.
390
ventriloquist
someone who can make his or her voice seem to come from another person or thing (without moving lips or jaws); N. ventriloquism, ventriloquy
391
vertigo
severe dizziness; giddiness
392
vignette
small drawing placed at the beginning or end of a chapter; picture; short literary sketch; short written description of a character or scene
393
vilify
slander; speak evil of; N. vilification
394
vitiate
spoil the effect of; make inoperative; corrupt morally
395
volley
simultaneous discharge of a number of shots; V.
396
voluptuous
sensual; of or giving sensual pleasure; indulging in sensual pleasures; Ex. voluptuous lines; Ex. voluptuous life of the Romans; N. voluptuary: voluptuous person
397
waffle
speak equivocally about an issue; N.
398
wag
shake repeatedly from side to side; Ex. The dog wagged its tail; N: humorous person; wit
399
wrinkle
small ridge on a smooth surface (face or cloth); V.
