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GRE 4000 words > GRE16 From2986-3185 > Flashcards

GRE16 From2986-3185 Flashcards

1
Q

sloth

A

slow moving tree-dwelling mammal; laziness; ADJ. slothful: lazy; indolent

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2
Q

decoy

A

lure or bait; V.

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3
Q

incorporeal

A

without a material body; insubstantial

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4
Q

forestall

A

prevent by taking action in advance

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5
Q

ravine

A

narrow valley with steep sides; gorge; CF. gully, canyon

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6
Q

cauterize

A

burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection

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7
Q

wither

A

(of a plant) dry up from loss of moisture; lose freshness; shrivel; decay

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8
Q

superfluous

A

excessive; overabundant; unnecessary; N. superfluity

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9
Q

blas'e

A

bored with pleasure or dissipation; uninterested or bored

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10
Q

dauntless

A

bold; fearless

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11
Q

improvise

A

compose on the spur of the moment

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12
Q

touching

A

causing a feeling of pity or sympathy; pathetic; V. touch: cause to feel pity or sympathy; ADJ. touched

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13
Q

imponderable

A

weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound

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14
Q

sepulcher

A

tomb; V: place in a sepulcher; ADJ. sepulchral

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15
Q

impregnable

A

invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; Ex. impregnable fort/argument; CF. take

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16
Q

vouch

A

give a personal guarantee; Ex. I can vouch for his integrity; N. voucher

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17
Q

prolong

A

lengthen; extend; draw out

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18
Q

scavenge

A

hunt through discarded materials for usable items or food; search, especially for food; N. scavenger: one who scavenges; animal that feeds on refuse and carrion

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19
Q

barterer

A

trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money

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20
Q

succulent

A

juicy; full of juice or sap; full of richness; N: succulent plant such as a cactus

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21
Q

alms

A

money or goods given to the poor

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22
Q

mash

A

crush into mash; convert into mash; N: mixture of ground grain and nutrients fed to livestock and fowl

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23
Q

ostentatious

A

showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display

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24
Q

propriety

A

fitness; quality of being proper; correct conduct; conformity to prevailing customs and usages; CF. proprietor, proprietary

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25
Q

outspoken

A

candid; blunt

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26
Q

sybarite

A

lover of luxury; person devoted to pleasure and luxury; CF. Sybaris: an ancient Greek city in Italy

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27
Q

herald

A

messenger; sign of something to come; V: announce; proclaim; Ex. unheralded researcher

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28
Q

harping

A

tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think or speak a lot about) tediously

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29
Q

gargoyle

A

waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building

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30
Q

repertoire

A

list of works of music, drama, etc., a performer is prepared to present; CF. repertory

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31
Q

inconsequential

A

insignificant; unimportant

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32
Q

eugenic

A

pertaining to the improvement of race; N. eugenics: study of hereditary improvement of the human race

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33
Q

homeostasis

A

tendency of a system or organism to maintain relative stability or internal equilibrium; CF. homeo-: constant; Ex. homeotherm

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34
Q

throttle

A

strangle; regulate the speed of with a throttle; N: valve that regulates the flow; CF. throat ?

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35
Q

fuss:

A

trouble or worry over trifles; make nervous; pay too much attention to; N: needless concern or worry (about a trivial thing); anxious nervous condition; display of attention; Ex. make a fuss over the baby

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36
Q

wane

A

decrease in size or strength (after being full); grow gradually to an end; Ex. The moon waxes and wanes every month; N.

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37
Q

exclaim

A

cry out suddenly; N. exclamation; ADJ. exclamatory

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38
Q

gorge

A

stuff oneself (with food); glut; CF. gorgeous: dazzlingly beautiful

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39
Q

denounce

A

condemn; criticize; N. denunciation

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40
Q

concede

A

admit; acknowledge as being true (often reluctantly); yield; grant; Ex. concede a goal

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41
Q

canine

A

related to dogs; doglike

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42
Q

abrogate

A

abolish

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43
Q

mutilate

A

maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part

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44
Q

refrain

A

abstain from; resist; forbear; N: chorus

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45
Q

impiety

A

irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety

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46
Q

dysentery

A

inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract

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47
Q

unobtrusive

A

inconspicuous; not blatant

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48
Q

evanescent

A

fleeting; vanishing; soon disappearing; V. evanesce

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49
Q

deducible

A

derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning

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50
Q

debase

A

degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement

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51
Q

agnostic

A

one who is skeptical of the existence or knowability of a god or any ultimate reality

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52
Q

provision

A

act of providing; something provided; preparatory measure; provisions: necessary supplies (esp. food); stipulation; condition in an agreement; Ex. According to the provisions of the agreement

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53
Q

tramp

A

walk with a heavy step; travel on foot; N: vagrant; one who travels aimlessly about; long walk; sound of heavy walking

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54
Q

abet

A

assist usually in doing something wrong; encourage

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55
Q

phalanx

A

formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense)

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56
Q

miasma

A

swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence

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57
Q

rigor

A

severity; Ex. rigors of the Russian winter

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58
Q

titanic

A

gigantic; N. titan

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59
Q

forge

A

counterfeit; reproduce fraudulently; form by heating in a forge and hammering into shape; move with a sudden increase of speed or power; Ex. forged ahead in the last two years; N: furnace where metals are heated

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60
Q

usurp

A

seize another’s power or rank (without legal authority); supplant; appropriate; N. usurpation; CF. take for one’s own use

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61
Q

lineage

A

descent; ancestry

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62
Q

whimsy

A

whim; tendency to behave amusingly strangely; Ex. story full of whimsy

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63
Q

detached

A

emotionally removed; free from emotional involvement; calm and objective; physically separate; N. detachment; CF. attachment

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64
Q

aperture

A

opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light

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65
Q

referendum

A

direct vote by all the people

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66
Q

engage

A

attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle

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67
Q

indolent

A

lazy

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68
Q

callous

A

hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind

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69
Q

dart

A

move or throw suddenly and quickly

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70
Q

contrived

A

unnatural and forced; artificial; not spontaneous; Ex. The ending was rather contrived.

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71
Q

complicity

A

participation; involvement (in a questionable act or a crime)

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72
Q

inequity

A

unfairness; ADJ. inequitable

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73
Q

creed

A

system of religious or ethical belief

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74
Q

concord

A

harmony; accord

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75
Q

fashion

A

give shape to; make; Ex. fashion the pot out of clay

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76
Q

proclivity

A

inclination; natural tendency (esp. towards something bad)

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77
Q

glare

A

shine intensely and blindingly; stare fixedly and angrily; N.

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78
Q

bromide

A

platitude; chemical compound used to calm excitement

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79
Q

rake

A

angle of a slope; V: slant from the perpendicular

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80
Q

antiquated

A

obsolete; old-fashioned; outdated

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81
Q

amalgamate

A

(of societies or groups) combine; unite in one body

82
Q

extenuate

A

weaken; mitigate; lessen the seriousness of (bad behavior)

83
Q

season

A

enhance the flavor of by adding a spice, etc.; inure; harden; N. seasoning: something used in seasoning

84
Q

solicitous

A

anxious; worried; concerned; eager; Ex. solicitous to do something; N. solicitude

85
Q

unsavory

A

distasteful; disagreeable; morally offensive; Ex. unsavory activity/reputation

86
Q

oligarchy

A

government by a privileged few

87
Q

sect

A

separate religious body; faction; group of people with common beliefs within a larger group

88
Q

kernel

A

central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn)

89
Q

harbinger

A

forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come)

90
Q

galley

A

low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves)

91
Q

harbor

A

give protection (by giving food and shelter); provide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feelings); Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge

92
Q

homily

A

sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic

93
Q

rotunda

A

circular building or hall covered with a dome

94
Q

defrock

A

strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock

95
Q

chorus

A

phrase repeated throughout a song or poem

96
Q

genus

A

division of animals or plants, below a family and above a species

97
Q

resonant

A

(of a sound) echoing; resounding(sounding loudly); deep and full in sound; producing resonance; Ex. resonant voice; N. resonance

98
Q

tautological

A

needlessly repetitious; Ex. ``It was visible to the eye’’; N. tautology: needless repetition of the same sense; statement that is always true

99
Q

linguistic

A

pertaining to language

100
Q

castigation

A

punishment; severe criticism or disapproval

101
Q

cataract

A

great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight)

102
Q

strident

A

loud and harsh; insistent; N. stridency

103
Q

cognate

A

having a common origin; related linguistically; allied by blood; similar or akin in nature; Ex. cognate languages; N.

104
Q

belligerent

A

quarrelsome

105
Q

deference

A

courteous regard for another’s wish; courteous yielding to another’s wish or opinion (showing respect); ADJ. deferential; OP. effrontery

106
Q

winnow

A

sift; separate the chaff from grain by blowing; separate good parts from bad; CF. wind

107
Q

problematic

A

causing a problem; open to doubt; doubtful; unsettled; questionable; Ex. Whether the arena will ever be completed is problematic.

108
Q

tractable

A

docile; easily managed; (of something) easily changed or molded; N. tractability

109
Q

indoctrinate

A

cause to accept a doctrine without questioning it; Ex. indoctrinated with mindless anti-communism

110
Q

virtuoso

A

highly skilled artist (esp. in music); Ex. piano virtuoso

111
Q

dais

A

raised platform for speakers or other important people

112
Q

euphemism

A

mild expression in place of an unpleasant one; ADJ. euphemistic

113
Q

indignity

A

treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; Ex. I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them.

114
Q

maternal

A

motherly; N. maternity: motherhood

115
Q

demographic

A

related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population

116
Q

stricture

A

severe and adverse criticism; critical comments; limit or restriction

117
Q

dynamic

A

energetic; vigorously active

118
Q

impersonal

A

not being a person; not showing personal feelings; Ex. impersonal force/manner/organization

119
Q

warble

A

(of a bird) sing; babble; N.

120
Q

discordant

A

not harmonious; conflicting

121
Q

criteria

A

standards used in judging; CF. criterion

122
Q

demeanor

A

behavior; bearing

123
Q

doctrine

A

teachings in general; particular principle (religious, legal, etc.) taught; dogma; tenet; ADJ. doctrinal

124
Q

rivet

A

metal pin used for fastening metal plates together; V: fasten with a rivet; engross

125
Q

levity

A

lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner

126
Q

executioner

A

person administering capital punishment

127
Q

cemetery

A

place for burying the dead

128
Q

protocol

A

diplomatic etiquette; ceremony and etiquette observed by diplomats; first copy of a treaty before its ratification; Ex. Protocol demands that the queen meet him at the airport.

129
Q

catechism

A

book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize

130
Q

mendacious

A

lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity

131
Q

dull

A

(of colors or surfaces) not bright; cloudy; overcast; boring; (of edge or sound) not sharp; not rapid; sluggish; slow in thinking and understanding; stupid; V.

132
Q

chant

A

tune(melody) in which a number of words are sung on the same note; V: sing (a chant); utter (a slogan) in the manner of a chant

133
Q

parchment

A

writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat

134
Q

baroque

A

highly ornate

135
Q

motto

A

brief statement used to express a principle

136
Q

juxtapose

A

place side by side; CF. next

137
Q

insolence

A

impudent disrespect; haughtiness; ADJ. insolent; CF. haughty + rude

138
Q

culmination

A

highest point; climax; V. culminate in: reach the highest point in; end in; Ex. a series of minor clashes culminating in war

139
Q

adhere

A

stick fast; be a devotd follower; N. adhesion: adhering; devotion; loyality

140
Q

putrid

A

decayed and foul-smelling; foul; rotten; decayed; N. putridity

141
Q

sodden

A

thoroughly soaked; dull or stupid as if from drink

142
Q

threat

A

sign or warning (of coming danger); Ex. threat of rain; V: express a threat; give warning of (something bad); Ex. The cloud threatens rain.

143
Q

pivotal

A

of a pivot; central; critical; crucial

144
Q

nuptial

A

of marriage or the wedding ceremony; N; nuptials; wedding ceremony

145
Q

detraction

A

slandering; aspersion; detracting; CF. detractor

146
Q

malapropos

A

inappropriate; ADV.

147
Q

amorphous

A

formless; lacking shape or definition

148
Q

patent

A

obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Ex. patent to everyone; N.

149
Q

rationale

A

fundamental reason or principle (on which a system or principle is based); fundamental reason or justification; grounds for an action

150
Q

scurrilous

A

abusive; obscene; indecent; Ex. scurrilous remark

151
Q

bent

A

determined; Ex. bent on advancing in the business; N: natural talent or inclination

152
Q

decorous

A

proper (in behavior, conduct, or appearance)

153
Q

improvident

A

thriftless; not providing for the future

154
Q

menial

A

suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house)

155
Q

disband

A

dissolve; disperse; (of a group) break up and separate; Ex. The club has disbanded.

156
Q

indite

A

write; compose

157
Q

foment

A

stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something evil or unpleasant)

158
Q

cavalier

A

casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight

159
Q

recrimination

A

countercharges; V. recriminate

160
Q

graduate

A

arrange into categories or grades; divide into marked intervals (for use in measurement); Ex. graduated ruler

161
Q

pillage

A

plunder

162
Q

maroon

A

leave helpless on a deserted island or coast; ADJ. red brown

163
Q

annals

A

records arranged in yearly parts; history

164
Q

peer

A

one who has equal standing with another; nobleman; V: look intently; N. peerage; CF. peeress

165
Q

capacity

A

mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate; Ex. in my capacity as president

166
Q

junket

A

trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense

167
Q

heed

A

pay attention to; N: close attention

168
Q

tangible

A

able to be touched; real; concrete; palpable; possible to realize or understand; Ex. tangible proof

169
Q

invective

A

abuse

170
Q

rebus

A

representation of words in the form of pictures or symbols; puzzle in which pictures or letters stand for words; Ex. R U 18'' is a rebus forAre you 18’’.

171
Q

astringent

A

binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; Ex. astringent criticism

172
Q

impropriety

A

improperness; unsuitableness

173
Q

repeal

A

revoke; annul

174
Q

prone

A

inclined to; likely to (suffer); prostrate; lying with the front downward; Ex. prone to disease/make mistakes; Ex. accident-prone

175
Q

precipice

A

cliff; dangerous position; Ex. on the edge of the precipice

176
Q

ambivalence

A

the state of having contradictory or conflicting emotional attitudes or opinions

177
Q

elaboration

A

addition of details; intricacy

178
Q

ethnic

A

relating to races

179
Q

skulduggery

A

dishonest behavior or action; Ex. skulduggery in the election

180
Q

pessimism

A

belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation; ADJ. pessimistic

181
Q

woe

A

great sorrow; deep inconsolable grief; affliction; suffering; Ex. financial woes

182
Q

makeshift

A

temporary expedient or substitute (in the case of urgent need); Ex. makeshift shelter

183
Q

parasite

A

animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside

184
Q

conscript

A

draftee; person forced into military service; V.

185
Q

verisimilitude

A

appearance of truth; quality of appearing to be true or real; likelihood; Ex. verisimilitude of her performance as Lady Macbeth

186
Q

mollify

A

soothe an angry person

187
Q

fallacious

A

false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument

188
Q

authoritarian

A

subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating another’s will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father

189
Q

seasonal

A

of a particular season; Ex. seasonal rise in employment

190
Q

engaged

A

employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict

191
Q

righteous

A

morally upright; just

192
Q

inclusive

A

tending to include all; all-inclusive; Ex. inclusive charge

193
Q

margin

A

border; room; allowance beyond what is needed; Ex. margin of safety

194
Q

spasmodic

A

fitful; periodic; of or like a spasm; N. spasm: sudden involuntary muscular contraction; sudden burst of energy or emotion

195
Q

effrontery

A

rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptousness; nerve; cheek

196
Q

warranted

A

justified; authorized

197
Q

obsolete

A

outmoded; no longer used

198
Q

intransigence

A

refusal of any compromise; stubbornness; ADJ. intransigent: uncompromising

199
Q

premonitory

A

serving to warn

200
Q

rightful

A

legally correct; Ex. rightful owner

GRE 4000 words (25 decks)

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