key terms group 2 part 1 Flashcards
take a GRE in August he said (25 cards)
abate
to lessen in intensity or degree
accolade
an expression of praise
adulation
excessive praise; intense adoration
aesthetic
dealing with, appreciative of, or responsive to art or the beautiful
ameliorate
to make better or more tolerable
ascetic
one who practices rigid self-denial, especially as an act of religious devotion
avarice
greed, especially for wealth (avaricious)
burgeon
to grow rapidly or flourish
bucolic
rustic and pastoral; characteristic of rural areas and their inhabitants
cacophony
harsh, jarring, discordant sound; dissonance (cacophonous)
canon
an established set of principles or code of laws, often religious in nature (canonical)
castigation
severe criticism or punishment (castigate)
catalyst
a substance that accelerates the rate of a chemical reaction without itself changing; a person or thing that causes change
caustic
burning or stinging; causing corrosion
chary
wary; cautious; sparing
cogent
appealing forcibly to the mind or reason; convincing
complaisance
willingness to comply with the wishes of others (complaisant)
contentious
argumentative; quarrelsome; causing controversy or disagreement
contrite
regretful; penitent; seeking forgiveness (contrition)
culpable
deserving blame
dearth
smallness of quantity or number; scarcity; a lack
demur
to question or oppose
didactic
intended to teach or instruct
discretion
cautious reserve in speech; ability to make responsible decisions (discreet)
