GRE Vocabulary 5 Flashcards
(100 cards)
Obfuscate (v)
Hide with the intention of deceiving.
The spelling changes will deform some familiar words and obfuscate their etymological origins.
Encomium (n)
Praise.
Din (n)
Noise.
The fans made an awful din.
Alloy (n)
A mixture of 2 or more metals
Pugilism (n)
Fighting, boxing.
I do not go to displays of pugilism.
Sanctimony (n)
Making a show of being morally superior to other people.
What happened to all the sanctimonious talk about putting his family first?
Baleful (adj)
Harmful.
Bill shot a baleful glance in her direction.
Hallow (n)
To make holy; sanctify.
The Ganges is hallowed as a sacred, cleansing river.
Ostensible (adj)
Apparently.
The real dispute which lay behind the ostensible complaint.
Sinecure (n)
Comfortable job.
Political sinecures for the supporters of ministers.
Lackey (n)
Toady, Servant.
Lackeys were waiting to help them from the carriage.
Redress (v)
Remedy or set right.
The question is how to redress the consequences of racist land policies.
Unctuous (adj)
Servile flatterer.
He seemed anxious to please but not in an unctuous way.
Arrant (adj)
Thorough unmitigated.
What arrant nonsense!
Vaunt (v)
Praise or boast about.
The much vaunted information superhighway.
Affectation (n)
Artificial behavior designed to impress.
The affectation of a man who measures every word for effect.
Philately (n)
The collecting of stamps.
Canonical (adj)
The original source of truth.
The canonical rites of the Roman Church.
Whit (adj)
Smallest jot off.
The last whit of warmth was drawn off by the setting sun
Epaulet (n)
Shoulder bracelet.
An army greatcoat with fancy epaulets and brass buttons.
Panoply (n)
A complete suit of armor.
Pantheon (n)
All the gods or group of a people or religion collectively.
The deities of the Hindu pantheon.
Blandishment (n)
Coax with flattery.
A blandishment is often teasing in tone.
Peremptory (adj)
Haughty.
Just do it!’ came the peremptory reply.