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GRE General Word List

- this is not just "a vocabulary", but "GRE General Vocabulary"
of the actual and frequent words you are sure to run into during the Test

- the definition is not full (but the words are in the use they were
in GRE General verbal section). For example: "caustic" means -
"able to burn or destroy by chemical action".
But in GRE the word has another figurative meaning - 
"biting, sarcastic". e.g. - caustic remark

- misprints are possible

- Internet Explorer users might have to try different font sizes to get the best view

Words & Explanations
abacus		frame with balls for calculating
abate		to lessen, to subside
abdication	giving up control, authority
abdomen		stomach and bowels
aberration	straying away from what is normal
abeyance	suspended action 
abhor		to hate, to detest
abide		be faithful to; endure
abjure		promise or swear to give up
abraded		rubbed off, worn away by friction
abrasion	rubbing, scraping, wearing off
abrogate	repeal or annul by authority
abscond		to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest)
abstruse	difficult to comprehend; obscure 
abundant	plentiful
abut		border on
abysmal		bottomless, extreme
acarpous	effete, no longer fertile, worn out 
accentuate	give more force or attention to
acclaimed	welcomed with shouts and approval
accolade	praise, approval
accretion	the growing of separate things into one
acquiesce in	agree (without protest)
acquisition	smth acquired, acquiring
adamant		kind of stone; inflexible
adhere		remain faithful, stick fast to
adhesion	adhering, support
adjacent	lying near, next
admonitory	containing warning
adorn		add beauty; decorate
adulteration	making unpure, poorer in quality
affinity	close connection, relationship
aggravate	make worse; irritate
agile		active, quick-moving
ail		trouble; be ill
alacrity	eager and cheerful readiness
alienate	estrange
allegiance	duty, support, loyalty
alleviate	make (pain) easier to bear
alloy		to debase by mixing with something inferior 
aloof		reserved, indifferent
amalgamate	mix, combine, unite societies
ambidexterous	able to use the left hand or the right equally well
ambiguous	doubtful, uncertain
ambivalent	having both of two contrary meanings
ameliorate	improve, make better 
amendment	improving
amicable	friendly
amortize	end (a debt) by setting aside money 
amplify		make large or fuller, increase the strength
animosity	strong dislike
annul		put an end to
anticlimax	sudden fall
antidote	medicine used against a poison or a disease
antithetical	direct oppposing
apartheid	brutal racial discrimination
apathetic	indifference
aplomb		self-confidence
apostate	one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions 
apotheosis	deification, glorification to godliness 
appease		make quiet or calm
apprehensive	grasping, understanding; fear, unhappy feeling about future
apprise		give notice to, inform 
approbation	approval 
appropriate	take for one's own use, acquire, set aside
apropos		appropriate to the situation; apt 
apt		well-suited, quick-witted
arabesque	a complex, ornate design
arabesque	whimsical
arbitrate	decide by arbitration
arboreal	of connected with trees
ardently	with full of ardour
ardour		enthusiasm
arduous		steep, difficult ascent; laborious 
argot		jargon, slang
arrant		in the highest degree
arrogance	proud, superior manner of behaviour
articulate	speak distinctly, connect by joints
ascend		go or come up
ascent		the act of ascending
ascertain	get to know
ascetic		practicing self-denial, austere, stark 
ascribe		consider to be the origin of or belonging to
asperity	roughness, harshness, ill temper, irritability
aspersion	slander 
assail with	attack violently
asset		valuable quality, smth that has money value
assiduous	diligent, hard-working, sedulous
assuage		make smth (pain, desire) less
assumption	smth supposed but not proved
asterisk	the mark * (eg. omitted letters)
astringent	substance that shrinks 
astute		clever; quick at seeing to get an advantage
atonement	repayment; death of Jesus
attenuate	make thin. weaken, enervate
audacious	daring, foolishly bold, impudent
augury		omen, sign
august		majestic, venerable
auspice		protection or support, patronage 
auspicious	favorable, successful, prosperous 
austere		severely moral and strict; simple and plain
auxillary	helping, supporting
aver		affirm, assert, prove, justify 
aversion	strong dislike
avid		eager, greedy
avow		admit. Declare openly
baleful		harmful, ominous, causing evil 
balk		obstacle; purposely to get on the way of
balloon		swell out like balloon
balm		sweet-smelling oil; smth giving peace of mind; consolation
banal		uninteresting
band		flat, thin strip of material; group; range of frequences
bane		cause of injury, poison, source of harm 
baneful		causing harm or ruin, pernicious, destructive 
barrage		artificial obstacle built across a river
barren		not good enough, unable to have young ones, without value
bask in		enjoy warmth and light
bazaar		market
be irreconcilable	cannot be brought into harmony
beatify		to bless, make happy, or ascribe a virtue to
bedizen		to adorn, especially in a cheap, showy manner 
belie		contradict, give a false impression 
belittle	cause to seem unimportant
bellicose	belligerent, pugnacious, warlike 
belligerent	(person, nation) waging war
belligerently	waging war
bend		cause smth to be out of a straight line
benefactor	person who has given help
benevolence	wish or activity in doing good
benign		kind and gentle; mild (climate)
bequest		arrangement to give smth at death
berate		scold sharply
bereft		rop or dispossess of smth (material)
bewilder	puzzle, confuse
biased		prejudice
bigot		stubborn, narrow-minded person 
bilge		bulge, the protuberance of a cask 
blandishment	flattery, coaxing
blandness	polite manner, comforting, uninteresting
blatant		noisy and rough
blithe		cheerful, casual, carefree 
blithe		gay and joyous
blueprint	plan, scheme, photographic print
blunt		plain, not troubling to be polite
boggle		be alarmed, hesitate, amazed
bogus		sham, counterfeit, not genuine
boisterous	loud, noisy, rough, lacking restraint 
bolster		give greatly needed support
boorish		crude, offensive, rude 
braid		strands of hair woven together, smth edging sloth or garments
brash		hasty, rush; cheeky, saucy
brass		yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc)
brazen		made of brass
breach		opening, broken place, breaking
brisk		active, lively
brisket		breast of an animal
brittle		easily broken
broach		bring up, announce, begin to talk about 
brook		to tolerate, endure 
buoyant		able to float; light-hearted
burgeon		grow forth, send out buds 
burnish		to polish, rub to a shine 
bust		run out of money
cabal		a scheme or plot, a group of plotters 
cadge		to beg, to get by begging 
calipers	metal supports attached to the legs, measuring instrument
calumniate	to slander, present false accusal 
calumny		slander, aspersion 
candid		frank, straight-forward
canvass		discuss thotoughly; sort of touting
capricious	fickle, whimsical, given to change, unpredictable 
castigate	to chastise, correct by punishing 
castigation	severe punishment
casual		happening by chance, careless
catalyst	substance that causes speeding up
caustic		biting, sarcastic
censure		expression of blame or disapproval; a rebuke 
census		official counting of the population
centurion	leader of a unit of 100 soldiers
chary		cautious, wary
chastened	corrected, punished 
chastisement	punishment
chauvinist	a blindly devoted patriot 
chisel		steel tool for shaping materials
churl		bad-tempered person
cite		give as an example
clamor		shout, complain with a lot of noise
cleanse		make pure, thoroughly clean
cling to	resist separation
clot		half-solid lump formed from liquid 
cloture		closing, device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting
coalescing	coming together and uniting into one substance
coax		get smb to do smth by kindness
coddle		treat with care and tenderness
coerce		compel, to force to make obedient 
coeval		of the same period, coexisting 
cogent		strong, convincing
cogitate	think deeply, mediate
cognition	knowing, awareness (emotionless)
cognizant	being fully aware of
coherent	sticking together
colander	bowl-shaped vessel with many holes used to drain off water
collaborate	work in partnership
collusion	secret agreement for a deceitful purpose
combustion	process of burning
commemorate	keep the memory of
commend		praise
commendable	worthy of praise
commingle	mingle together
commuter	person who travels regularly
complacently	with self-satisfaction
complaisance	tending to comply, obliging, willingness to please 
comply		act in accordance
compound	mix or combine
comprise	be composed of
compunction	feeling of regret for one's action
conceal		hide, keep secret
conceit		over-high opinion of, too much pride
conciliatory	reconciling, soothing, comforting, mollifying 
concord		agreement or harmony
concur		agree in opinion, happen together
condense	increase in density, strength, make laconic
condone		forgive
congeal		make or become stiff and solid
conjoin		to join together 
connoisseur	a person with good judgement (eg. in art)
connotation	suggestion in addition to 
consent		give agreement or permission
consequential	pompous, self important
consolation	consoling or being consoled
console		give comfort or sympathy to
conspicuous	easily seen; remarkable
consternation	surprise and fear,dismay
constrict	make tight or smaller
consume		get to the end of
contemn		to scorn or despise 
contentious	argumentative, pugnacious, combative, quarrelsome 
contiguous	touching, neighboring, near
contrite	filled with deep sorrow for wrongdoing
contumacious	insubordinate, rebellious 
conundrum	a riddle, dilemma, enigma 
conviction	convincing; firm belief 
convoke		call together, summon
convoluted	complicated; coiled, twisted
cord		twisted strands
cordial		warm and sincere
cordon		line (of police acting as a guard)
corporeal	physical; of or for the body
correlate	have a mutual relation
corroboration	additional, strengthening evidence
countenance	to favor or approve of 
counterfeit	forgery
countervail	counterbalance
covert		disguised
covetous	eagerly desirous
cower		crouch; shrink back
craven		cowardly
crease		line made by crushing; white line on the ground in criket
credulity	too great a readiness to believe things
credulous	ready to believe things
crush		press, lose shape, subdue, overwhelm
cryptic		secret, with a hidden meaning
cumbersome	burdensome, heavy and awkward to carry
curmudgeon	bad-tempered person
curriculum	course of study
cursory		quick, hurried
curtail		make shorter then was planned
cynic		person who see no good in anything
dart		quick movement; missile in darts 
daunt		intimidate, make fearful 
dawdler		person who is slow; waste of time
dearth		shortage
debacle		a breakup, overthrow, sudden disaster 
decorous	polite, decent
decorum		propriety, properness
decree		order given by authority
decry		disapprove of
defer		postpone; give way (to show respect)
deference	respect
deferential	showing respect
defiance	open disobedience or resistance
deflect		turn aside
defy		resist openly
degrade		reduce in rank or status
delineate	to portray, depict, sketch out 
deluge		great flood, heavy rush of water
demagogue	person appealing not to reasons
demur		to hesitate, raise objections 
denigrate	blacken, belittle, sully, defame 
denouement	an outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot 
denounce	give information against
dent		hollow, depression mad by a blow
deplete		use until none remains
deposition	dethronoment, depositing
deprave		make morally bad; corrupt
deprecate	protest against, express disapproval of 
dereliction	deserting and leaving to fall into ruins
derision	ridicule, mockery, deriding
derivative	derived, not original or primitive
derivative	unoriginal, obtained from another source 
derogatory	insulting; tending to damage
descry		catch sight of, see smth in the distance
desiccant	substance used to absorb moisture
desiccate	to dry up, dehydrate 
desuetude	cessation of use; disuse 
desultory	aimless, haphazard, digressing at random 
detach		separate
deter		discourage, hinder
detraction	slandering, verbal attack, aspersion 
detumescence	diminishing or lessening of swelling 
deviance	being different in moral standarts (from normal)
dexterity	skill (esp. in handling)
dexterous	clever, skillful with hands
diaphanous	transparent, gauzy 
diatribe	bitter and violent attack in words
dictate		order
diffidence	shyness 
diffident	lacking in self-confidence
dilate		speak comprehensively, become wider, large
dilatory	causing delay, procrastinating 
disabuse	to undeceive, correct a false impression 
disallow	refuse to allow or accept as a corret
discern		see with an effort but clearly
discomfit	confuse, embarrass
discomfit	to defeat, put down 
disconcert	upset the self-possession of
discountenance	refuse to approve of
discourse	speech, lecture, 
discredit	refuse to believe
disdain		look on with contempt
disencumber	free from encumbrance
dishevelled	untidy
disingenuous	sophisticated, artful, trying to deceive, cunning 
disinter	dig up from the earth
dislodge	move, force from the place occupied
dismal		sad, gloomy, miserable
disparate	essentially different
dispassionate	free from passion
dissemble	speak or behave so as to hide smth (in mind)
disseminate	distribute (esp. ideas)
dissent		have a different opinion, refuse to assent
dissipation	going away, dispersing
dissolution	disintegration, looseness in morals 
distinct	easily heard, seen, understood, clearly marked
distorted	pulled out of the usual shape, give a false account of
distraught	distracted, violently upset in mind
distress	great pain; cause discomfort
divergerence	getting farther apart from a point
diverse		of different kinds
divestiture	taking off, getting rid of, giving up
divulge		make known smth secret
doggerel	trivial, poorly constructed verse 
dogmatic	positive, certain, arbitrary, without room for discussion 
dogmatism	being dogmatic
dolt		stupid fellow
dormant		in a state of inactivity but awaiting development
dote		show much fondness, center one's attention
drone		male bee, person who isn't self-employed
dross		waste product, sludge; something worthless, common, or trivial 
drowsiness	feeling sleepy, half asleep
dubious		feeling doubt
dud		no use person, smth that fails
dulcet		melodious, harmonious 
dupe		cheat, make a fool of
duplicity	delibirate deception
duress		threats to compel smb
dwarf		person or smb much below the usual size
dynamo		a generator, something that produces electric current; an energetic person 
earthenware	dishes made of baked clay
ebullience	exuberance, outburst of feeling
ebullient	overflowing with enthusiasm; showing excitement 
ecumenical	representing the whole Christian world
edacious	voracious, devouring 
eddy		circular or spiral movement (eg. of wind)
effete		infertile, worn out, weak 
efficacy 	production of a desired result
effluvia	outflow in a stream of particles; a noxious odor or vapor 
effrontery	boldness, impudence, arrogance 
egress		way out, exit
elaborate	worked out with much care in great detail
elate		stimulate
elation		high-spirits
electorate	all the electors
elegy		a lament, a melancholy composition 
elicit		draw out
eloquence	fluent speaking; skillful use of language
emaciate	make thin and weak
embellish	make beautiful
embezzle	use in a wrong way for one's own benefit
emergence	emerging
emote		stir up, excite
empirical	relying on experiment
encapsulate	enclose in capsule
encomium	warm or glowing praise; eulogy, panegyric 
encumbrance	burden; things that get on the way of
endearing	making dear or liked
endemic		epidemic
endemic		prevailing in a specific area 
endorse		write one's name on the back of
enduring	lasting
enervate	weaken, deprive of strength, attenuate
engender	cause, produce, give rise to 
engrave		impress deeply
engrossing	taken up all the time or attention; writing in large or formal
engulf		swallow up
enigma		smth that is puzzling
enmity		hatred; being an enemy
enormity	excessive wickedness; evilness
enormousness	great size
entangle	put into difficulties
entreat		ask earnestly
enzyme		catalyst
epicure		food lover, a connoisseur of food 
epicurean	devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment)
epistle		letter
epithet		adjective
epitome		brief summary; representative example; a typical model 
equable		steady, regular
equanimity	calmness of temperament 
equilibrium	state of being balanced
equipoise	equal distribution of weight; equilibrium 
equivocal	having a double or doubtful meaning; suspicious
equivocate	try to deceive by equivocal language
eradicate	get rid of; pull up by the roots
erasure		erasing, removing all traces
erode		wear away, eat into
erratic		irregular in behaviour or opinion
erudite		learned, scholarly 
escalate	increase, develop
esoteric	abstruse; intended only for a small circle of
espouse		marry; give one's support to
eulogy		formal praise; panegyric 
euphoria	elation; state of pleasant excitement
euthanasia	easy and painless death
evaluating	finding out the value
evaporate	change into vapour, disappear, die
evince		to show clearly, to indicate 
evoke		call up, bring out
evolve		unfold, develop naturally and gradually
excoriate	to flay, stip off the skin; to denounce sharply 
excoriation	severe criticism
exculpate	free from blame
exculpate	to clear from a charge of guilt 
exert		but forth; bring into use
exertion	instance of exerting
exhaustive	complete, thorough
exigency	emergency, an urgent situation 
exonerate	free; clear
exoneration	set smb clear, free (eg. from blame)
exorbitant	much too high or great
expatiate	to roam, wander freely 
expedient	likely to be useful for a purpose
expiation	ending; expiring
exploit		brilliant achievement; develop; use selfishly
expostulate	argue earnestly to dissuade, correct, or protest 
expurgate	to remove obscenity, purify, censor 
exscind		to cut out, cut away 
exsert		thrust out, push forth 
extant		still in existence
extensive	far-reaching
extenuate	reduce the strength of, lessen seriousness, partially excuse 
extinct		no longer active
extirpate	to destroy, exterminate, cut out, exscind 
extol		praise highly
extort		obtain by threats, violence
extralegal	outside the law
extricable	that can be freed
extrovert	cheerful person
exuberance	state of growing vigorously; being full of life
facetious	humorous, funny, jocular 
facile		easily done
facilitate	make easy (eg. a process of smth)
fallacious	based on error
fallacy		false or mistaken belief
fatuous		without sense, foolish self-satisfaction
faucet		device for controlling the outflow of a liquid
fawn		young deer, try to win smb's favour by servile behaviour
feckless	futile, irresponsible, inefficient
feckless	lacking purpose or vitality; ineffective; careless 
fecund		fertile 
feint		pretend
felicitous	apt; suitably expressed, well chosen, apropos 
felon		person guilty of murder
ferment		substance; become excited
ferocity	savage cruelty
ferret		discover by searching; search
fertile		producing much, full of ideas
fertilize	make fertile or productive
fervid		intense, zealous 
fervid		showing earnest feeling
fervor		warmth of feelings; earnestness
fetter		to shackle, put in chains 
feud		bitter quarrel over a long period of time
fidelity	loyalty, accuracy
fidget		move restlessly, make nervous
figurehead	carved image on the prow of a ship
finesse		delicate way of dealing with a situation
finical		too fussy about food, clothing, etc.
finicky		finical
finite		limited, having bounds
fission		splitting or division (esp. of cells)
fixate		stare at
flamboyant	brightly colored, florid
flammable	having tendency to burst into flames
flaunting	show off complacently
flaw		crack, lessen value
flax		pale yellow (hair); a plant
fledged		able to fly, trained, experienced
fleet		number of ships, quick-moving
fleeting	passing quaickly
flexibility	easily bent without braking
flinch		drow, move back, wince
florid		very much ornamented; naturally red (eg. of face)
floridness	ruddiness; heavily decorated; ornateness 
flout		reject, mock, to go against (as in going against tradition or conventions) 
fluster		make nervous or confused
foible		defect of character (a person is wrongly proud)
foil		prevent from carrying out; contrast
foment		put smth warm (to lessen the pain)
foppish		like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes
forbear		refrain from, be patient; ancestor
forbearance	patience, willingness to wait
ford		shallow place in a river (to cross)
forestall	prevent by taking action in advance, preempt 
forfeit		suffer the loss of smth
forge		workshop for the shaping of metal; to shape metal; lead
forgery		counterfeit
forswear	renounce, disallow, repudiate 
fortify		strengthen
fortuitous	happening by chance
foster		nurture, care for
fragile		easily injured, broken or destroyed
fragrant	sweet-smelling
franchise	special right given by authority
frantic		wildly excited with joy, pain, anxiety
frenetic	frantic, fenzied
fret		worry; irritation; wear away
friction	the rubbing of one thing against another, difference of opinion
fringe		edge; ornamental border; part of hair over the forehead
froward		intractable, not willing to yield or comply, stubborn 
frugal		careful, economical
fulminate	berate, vituperate, to thunder out, to explode
fulmination	bitter protest
fulsome		disgusting, offensive due to excessiveness 
gainsay		to deny, declare false, to oppose 
gambol		quick, playful jumping
garment		article of clothing
garner		to gather and save; to store up 
garrulity	talkativeness
garrulous	too talkative
gaucherie	socially awkward, tactless bahaviour
germane		relevant; pertinent to
gist		the point, general sense
glean		gather facts in small quantities
glib		ready and smooth but not sincere
gloat over	look at with selfish delight
glut		supply to much, fill to excess
gnaw		waste away; bite steadily
goad		smth urging a person to action
gossamer	soft, light, delicate material
gouge		tool for cutting grooves in wood
grace		favor
grave		serious, requiring consideration
gregarious	living in societies; liking the company
grievance	cause for complaint or protest
grievous	causing grief or pain; serious, dire, grave 
grimace		twisted expression of a face
grind		crush, polish
grooves		long channel in the surface, habital way of living
grovel		crawl, humble oneself
guile		deceit, cunning
guileless	straight-forward, candid
gull		cheat, decieve
gullible	easily gulled
gust		outburst of feeling; sudden rain, wind, fire, etc.
hack		cut roughly; hired horse
hallow		to make holy; consecrate 
hamper		basket with a lid, prevent free movement or activity
hapless		unlucky, unfortunate 
harangue	a long, passionate speech 
harbinger	smth or smb that foretells the coming of
harrow		to distress, create stress or torment 
harsh		rough, cruel, stern
haughty		arrogant; conceited
haven		harbour, safety place
heed		pay attention; notice
heinous		odious (of crime)
heresy		belief contrary to what is generally acceted
hermetic	sealed by fusion 
heterogeneous	made up of different kinds
hew		make by hard work; cut (by striking)
hirsute		hairy, shaggy 
hoax		mischievous trick played on smb for a joke
hoi polloi	the masses; the rabble
hollow		not soled, witha  hole
holster		leather case for a pistol
hone		stone used for sharpening tools
hoodwink	trick, mislead
hospitable	liking to give hospitality
hubris		arrogant pride
hurdle		light frame, fence to be jumped over
husk		worthless outside part of anything
hypocrisy	falsely making oneself appear to be good
iconoclast	person who attacks popular beliefs
iconoclastic	attacking cherished beliefs 
idiosyncracy	personal mannerism
idolatrous	worshipping idols
idolatry	excessive admiration of
idyll		a carefree episode or experience
ignoble		dishonorable, common, undignified 
ignominious	shameful, dishonorable, undignified, disgraceful 
illicit		unlawful, forbidden
illusory	deceptive; an illusion 
imbroglio	complicated and embarrassing situation
immaculate	pure, faultless
immerse		absorb; put under the surface of
imminent	likely to come or happen soon
immutable	that cannot be changed
impair		worsen, diminish in value 
impaired	damaged, weakened
impassive	unmoved; feeling no sign of passion
impecunious	having little or no money
impede		hinder; get in the way of
impediment	smth that hinders (e.g. stammer)
impending	imminent, being about to happen, expected
imperative	urgent, essential
imperious	commanding, haughty, arrogant
imperiousness	haughty, arrogant, commanding
impermeable	that cannot be permeated
imperturbable	calm; not capable of being excited
impervious	not allowing to pass through (of materials)
imperviousness	arrogance, commanding presence, overbearingness 
impetuous	having sudden energy, impulsive, thrusting ahead, forceful 
impiety		lack of reverence or dutifulness
implacable	incapable of being placated, unpleasable 
implausibility	incredibility
implicate	show that smb has a share
implicit	implied though not plainly expressed
implosion	collapse; bursting inward
imply		make a suggestion
importune	beg urgently; solicit (of a prostitute)
imprecation	an invocation of evil; a curse 
impromptu	without preparation
impudence	being rash, indisreet
impudent	rash, indiscreet
impugned	challenged, to be doubted
impute		to attribute to a cause or source, ascribe 
inadvertent	not paying proper attention
inane		silly, senseless
inasmuch	since, because
incence		make angry
incessant	often repeated, continual
inchoate	not yet fully formed, rudimentary, elementary 
incise		engrave, make a cut in
incite		stir up, rouse
inclined	directing the mind in a certain direction
incoherently	not consistently, unclearly
incongruous	out of place, not in harmony or agreement
incorrigibility	cannot be cured or corrected
incredulous	skeptical, unwilling to believe
inculcate	fix firmly by repetition
incumbents	official duties
incursion	a raid, a sudden attack 
indefatigability	not easily exhaustible; tirelessness 
indelible	that cannot be rubbed out
indelicate	immodest; lacking in refinement
indigence	poverty
indigenous	native
indistinct	not easily heard, seen, clearly marked
indolence	laziness 
indomitable	not easily discouraged or subdued 
indulge		gratify, give way to, satisfy; allow oneself
indulgent	inclined to indulge
ineffable	to great to be described in words
ineluctable	certain, inevitable 
inept		unskillful; said or done at the wrong time
infertile	not fertile, barren
inflame		become red, angry
inflammatory	tending to inflame
infuriate	fill with fury or rage 
infuse		put, pour, fill
ingenuous	naive, young, artless, frank, honest, sincere
ingest		take in by swallowing
inherent	existing as a natural part
inhibit		hinder, restrain
inimical	harmful or friendly
inimitable	defying imitation, unmatchable 
innocuous	causing no harm
inscrutable	incapable of being discovered or understood 
insensible	unconscious, unresponsive, unaffected 
insinuate	suggest unpleasantly; make a way for smth gently
insipid		without taste or flavour
insouciant	unconcerned, carefree 
insularity	narrow-mindedness, isolated 
insurrection	rising of people to open resistance to
interdict	prohibit, forbid 
interim		as an instalment
intersperse	place here and there
intervene	come between; interfere to change the result
intractable	unruly, refractory, stubborn 
intransigence	unwillingness to compromise, stubbornness, intractability 
intransigent	uncompromising
intrepid	fearless, brave, undaunted 
introspection	examining one's own thoughts and feelings
inundate	flood; cover by overflowing
inured		accustomed to, adapted 
invective	abusive language, curses
inveigh		to attack verbally, denounce, deprecate 
inveterate	deep-rooted. long-established
involute	complex 
irascible	irritable, easily angered 
irate		angry
ire		anger
irksome		tiresome
irrelevant	not relevant, not connected
irresolute	hesitating; undecided
irrevocable	final and unalterable
itinerary	plan for a journey, details or records of a route
itinerate	to travel from place to place, to peregrinate 
jabber		talk excitedly; utter rapidly
jeopardize	put in danger
jibe		gibe, make fun of
jocular		meant as a joke
judicious	sound in judgment; wise 
knit		draw together, unite firmly
labyrinthine	to entangle the state of affairs
lachrymose	causing tears, tearful 
lackluster	(of eyes) dull
laconic		brief, to the point, terse 
lag		go too slow
lament		show, feel great sorrow
lassitude	weariness, tiredness 
latent		present but not yet active, developed or visible
laudatory	expressing or giving praise
lavish		giving or producing freely, liberally or generously
leakage		the process of leaking
legacy		smth handed down drom ancestors
libel		statement that damages reputation
liberality	free giving; gererosity
libertine	immoral person 
lien		legal claim until a debt on it is repaid
limn		paint, portray
limp		lacking strength, walking unevenly
lithe		bending, twisting
loll		rest, to sit or stand in a lazy way; hang (dog's tongue)
loquacious	talkative, garrulous 
lubricant	substance that makes work easier
lubricate	put oil to make work easily
lubricious	lewd, wanton, greasy, slippery 
lucubrate	write in scholarly fashion 
luculent	easily understood, lucid, clear 
lugubrious	mournful, excessively sad 
lull		become quiet or less active
luminary	star, light-giving body
lustrous	being bright, polished
macabre		gruesome, suggesting death
machination	plot, scheme (esp. evil) 
maladroit	tactless, clumpsy
malapropism	misuse of a word (for one that resembles it)
malevolence	wishing to do evil
malign		injurious, speak ill of smb, tell lie
malinger	to fake illness or injury, in order to shirk a duty
malleable	yielding; easily shaped; moldable; adapting 
manacle		chains for the hands or feet
martial		brave, of associated with war
massacre	cruel killing of a large number of people
matriculation	be admitted, enter a university as a student
mature		come to full development, to a state ready for use
maudlin		sentimental in a silly or tearful way
maverick	rebel, nonconformist 
mellifluous	sweetly flowing
mendacious	false
mendacity	dishonesty 
mendicant	a beggar 
mercurial	quick, changeable in character, fleeting 
meretricious	attractive on the surface but of little value
mesmerize	hypnotize
meticulous	giving great attention to details
mettle		quality of endurance or courage
mettlesome	courageous, high-spirited
middling	fairly good but not very good
minatory	menacing, threatening
mince		pronounce or speak affectedly, euphemize, speak too carefully
misanthrope	person who hates mankind
mischievous	harmful, causing mischief
miser		person who loves wealth and spends little
misogynist	one who hates women/females 
missile		smth that is thrown or shot
mitigate	make less severe or painful
moderation	quality of being limited, not extreme
mollify		make calmer or quiter
molt		moult, lose hair, feathers before new growing
morbid		diseased, unhealthy (eg. about ideas)
morose		ill-tempered, unsocial
mortuary	place where dead bodies are taken to be kept until burial
multifarious	varied, motley, greatly diversified 
mundane		worldly as opposed to spiritual; commonplace, everyday 
myriad		very great number
nadir		lowest, weakest point
nascent		coming into existance, emerging 
nebulous	cloud-like; hazy; vague; indistinct
negligent	taking too little care
neophyte	person who has been converted to a belief
nexus		a connection, tie, or link 
nibble		show some inclination to accept (an offer)
nice		precise, sensitive to subtleness 
noisome		offensive, disgusting (smell)
nonchalant	not having interest
nonplussed	greatly surprised
nostrum		a quack remedy, an untested cure 
notion		nominal, token
noxious		harmful
nullify		make void and null
numb		without ability to feel or move
numbness	without ability to move a finger
obdurate	hardened and unrepenting; stubborn, inflexible 
obfuscate	to darken, make obscure, muddle 
oblivious	unaware, having no memory
obloquy		abusively detractive language, sharp criticism, vituperation
obsequious	too eager to obey or serve
obsolete	no longer used
obstreperous	noisy, loud 
obtain		to be established, accepted, or customary
obtrusive	projecting, prominent, undesirably noticeable 
obviate		to make unnecessary, get rid of 
occluded	blocked up
occult		hidden, concealed, beyond comprehension 
odious		repulsive, hateful
odium		contempt, dislike, aversion 
odor		smell; favor; reputation
officious	too eager or ready to help, offer advice
onerous		needing effort, burdensome
opprobrious	showing scorn or reproach
ossify		to turn to bone; to settle rigidly into an idea
ostensible	seeming, appearing as such, professed 
ostentation	display to obtain admiration or envy
ostentatious	fond of showing ostentation
ostracism	shut out from society, refuse to meet, talk
ostrich		fast-running bird unable to fly
outset		start
overhaul	examine thoroughly to learn about the condition
overweening	presumptuously arrogant, overbearing, immoderate, being a jerk 
overwhelm	weigh down, submerge
paean		song of praise or triumph
palate		roof of the mouth; sense of taste
palatial	magnificent
palliate	lessen the severity of
palliate	to make something appear less serious, to alleviate, to gloss over
palpability	can be felt, touched, understood
palpitate	tremble, beat rapidly and irregularly
panegyric	formal praise, eulogy 
paradigm	a model, example, or pattern 
parenthesis	sentense within another one, smth separated
pariah		an outcast, a rejected and despised person 
parsimonious	too economical, miserly
partisan	one-sided, committed to a party, biased or prejudiced
patron		regular customer; person who gives support
paucity		scarcity, a lacking of 
peccadillo	small sin; small weakness in one's character
pedantic	bookish, showing off learning 
pedestrian	commonplace, trite, unremarkable 
pellucid	transparent, easy to understand 
penchant	strong inclination, a liking
penitent	feeling or showing regret 
penury		extreme poverty 
peregrination	traveling about, wandering 
peremptory	urgent, imperative, unchallengeable, ending debate 
perennial	lasting for a long time (eg. a year)
perfidious	treacheres, faithless
perfidy		treachery; breaking of faith
perfunctory	done as a duty withour care
perilous	dangerous
peripatetic	wandering
perish		be destroyed; decay
perjury		wilful fasle statement, unlawful act
permeate	spread into every part of
pernicious	harmful, injurious
perpetrate	be guilty; commit (a crime)
persevere	keep on steadily, continue
personable	pleasing in appearance, attractive 
perspicacity	quick judging and understanding
pertain		belong as a part, have reference
pest		destructive thing or a person who is nuisance
petrified	taken away power (to think, feel, act)
petrify		to make hard, rocklike 
petrous		like a rock, hard, stony 
petulant	unreasonably impatient 
philistine	a smug ignorant person; one who lacks knowledge 
phlegmatic	calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional 
picaresque	involving clever rogues or adventurers
pied		of mixed colors
pinch		be too tight, take between the thumb and finger
pious		dutifull to parents; devoted to religion
piquant		agreeably pungent, stimulating 
pique		hirt the pride or self-respect, stir (curiosity)
pitfall		covered hole as a trap, unsuspected danger
pith		essential part, force, soft liquid substance
pivotal		of great importance (others depend on it)
placate		soothe, pacify, calm
plaintive	mournful, melancholy, sorrowful 
plaque		flat metal on a wall as a memorial
platitude	a trite or banal statement; unoriginality 
plea		request
plead		address a court of law as an advocate
plethora	glut
pliant		pliable, easile bent, shaped or twisted
plod		continue doing smth without resting
pluck		pull the feathers off, pick (eg. flowers)
plumb		get to the root of
plummet		fall, plunge, steeply
plunge		move quickly, suddenly and with force
poignant	deeply moving; keen
poise		be ready, be balanced, self-possession
polemical	controversial, argued 
ponderous	heavy, bulky, dull
portent		omen; mervellous; threatening
poseur		someone taking on airs to impress others; a phony 
posture		state, attitude; adopt a vain
poverty		state of being poor
pragmatic	practical, favoring utility
precarious	uncertain, risky, dangerous
precept		moral instruction
precepts	rules establishing standards of conduct 
precipitate	throw smth violently down from a height
preclude	prevent, make impossible
precursory	peliminary, anticipating
predilection	special liking, mental preference
predominate	have more power than others
preempt		obtain by preemption or in advance
premature	doing or happening smth before the right time
preponderance	greatness in number, strength, weight
presage		warning sign
preternatural	not normal or usual
prevalent	common
prevaricate	to equivocate, to stray from the truth 
prim		neat; formal
pristine	primitive, unspoiled, pure, as in earlier times, unadulterated 
probity		uprightness, incorruptibility, principle 
proclivity	inclination
procrastination	keeping on putting off
prodigal	wasteful, reckless with money 
prodigious	enormous, wonderful
profane		wordly, having contempt for God
profligate	wasteful, prodigal, licentious, extravagant 
profundity	depth
proliferate	grow, reproduce by rapid  multification
prolix		tiring because too long
prone		prostrate; inclined to (undesirable things)
propagation	increasing the number, spreading, extending
propinquity	nearness in time or place, affinity of nature 
propitiate	do smth to take away the anger of
propitiatory	conciliatory, appeasing, mitigating 
propitious	auspicious, presenting favorable circumstances 
prosaic		everyday, mundane, commonplace, trite, pedestrian 
proscribe	denounce as dangerous
protracted	prolonged
provident	frugal; looking to the future 
provisional	of the present time only
provoke		make angry; vax
prudence	careful forethought
prudish		easily shocked, excessively modest
prune		dried plum, silly person
pry		get smth; inquire too curiosly
pugnacious	fond of, in the habit of 
punch		strike with the fist; tool for cutting holes; alc. drink
punctilious	precise, paying attention to trivialities
pundit		pedant, authority on a subject
pungency	sharpness; stinging quality 
purvey		provide, supply
pusillanimous	cowardly, craven 
pyre		large pile of wood for burning
quack		person dishonestly claiming to smth
quaff		drink deeply
quail		lose courage, turn frightened 
qualm		feeling of doubt, temporary feeling of sickness in the stomach
quell		suppress, subdue
quibble		try to avoid by sophistication
quiescent	at rest, dormant, torpid 
quirk		habit or action peculiar to smb or smth
quixotic	generous, unselfish
quotidian	banal; everyday
rabble		mob, crowd; the lower classes of populace
raconter	person who tells anecdotes 
radiant		bright, shining
raffish		low, vulgar, base, tawdry 
rail at		find fault, utter reproaches
ramify		to be divided or subdivided; to branch out 
rancorous	feeling bitterness, spitefulness
rant		use extravagant language
rapacious	greedy (esp for money)
rarefy		to make thin, to make less dense, to purify or refine 
reactionary	opposing progress
rebuff		snub
recalcitrant	disobedient
recant		take back as being false; give up
recast		cast or fashoin anew
recidivism	relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior 
reciprocity	granting of privileges in return for similiar
recitals	a number of, performance of music
recluse		person who lives alone and avoids people
recompense	make payment to; reward, punish
reconcile	settle a quarrel; restore peace
recondite	little known; abstruse
recourse	smth turned to for help
recreancy	cowardice, a cowardly giving up 
recuperate	become strong after illness, loss, exhaustion
redeem		get back by payment; compensate
redemptive	serving to redeem
redoubtable	formidable, causing fear 
refine		make or become pure, cultural
refractory	stubborn, unmanageable, untractable 
refulgent	shining, brilliant
regale		to delight or entertain; to feast 
regicide	crime of killing a king
reiterate	say or do again several times
rejuvenation	becoming young in nature or appearence
relapse		fall back again
relinquish	give up
reluctant	unwilling or disinclined
remonstrate	to protest, object 
render		deliver, provide, represent 
renovate	restore smth to better condition
renowned	celebrated, famous
rent		regular payment for the use of smth, division or split
repast		meal
repine at	be discontented with
reproach	scold, upbraid
reprobate	person hardened in sin; one devoid of decency 
repudiate	disown, refuse to accept or pay
repulsive	causing a feeling of disgust
requite		repay, give in return
resigned	unresisting, submissive 
resilience	quality of quickly recovering the proginal shape
resolve		determine
resort to	frequently visit
restive		refusing to move; reluctant to be controlled
resurrect	bring back into use
resuscitation	coming back to consciousness
retard		check, hinder
reticent	reserved, untalkative, silent, taciturn 
revere		have deep respect for
rift		split, crack, dissension
rivet		fix, take up, secure; matel pin
roll call	calling of names
rope		thick strong cord made by twisting
rotund		rich and deep; plump and round
rubric		heading, title, or category 
ruffian		violent, cruel man
sagacious	having sound judgment; perceptive, wise; like a sage 
salacious	obscene 
salient		prominent, protruding, conspicuous, highly relevant 
salubrious	healthful 
salutary	remedial, wholesome, causing improvement 
sanctimony	self-righteousness, hypocritical, with false piety 
sanction	approval (bt authority); penalty
sanguine	cheerful, confident, optimistic 
sanity		health of mind; soundness of judgement
sap		weaken
sate		satiate
satiate		satisfy fully
saturnine	gloomy, dark, sullen, morose 
savant		person of great learning
savor		taste, flavour smth
sawdust		tiny bits of wood
scabbard	sheath for the blade
scent		smell (esp pleasant)
scribble	write hastily
scurvy		mean, contemptible 
seal		piece of wax, lead, etc stamped on the document
secular		material (not spiritual); living outside monasteries
sedulous	persevering
seminal		like a seed; constituting a source, originative
sententious	short and pithy, full of maxims/proverbs 
sequence	succession, connected line of
serrated	having a toothed edge
serration	having a toothed edge
servile		like a slave, lacking independence
severance	severing
shaft		arrow or spear, smth long and narrow
shallow		little depth; not earnest
shard		piece of broken earthenware
sheath		cover for the blade of a weapon or a tool
shove		push
shrewd		astute; showing sound judgement
shrill		sparp, piercing
shun		keep away from; avoid
shunt		send from one track to another; lay aside; evade discussion
sidestep	step to one side
sinuous		winding, undulating, serpentine 
skiff		small boat
skit		short piece of humorous writing
slack		sluggish; dull; not tight
slake		to assuage, to satisfy, allay 
slate		king of blue-grey stone; propose; critisize
sluggard	lazy, slow-moving person
soar		rise, fly high
sober		self-controlled
sobriety	quality or condition of being sober
sodden		soaked, saturated 
soggy		heavy with water
solvent		of the power of forming a solution
somatic		of the body
soot		black powder in smoke
sophisticated	complex, subtle, refined
sophistry	fallacious reasoning, faulty logic 
sophomoric	self-assured though immature, affected, bombastic, overblown
sordid		wretched, comfortless, contemptible
spear		weapon with a metal point on a long shaft
specious	illogical, of questionable truth or merit 
splenetic	bad-tempered, irritable 
splice		join (two ends)
sponge		porous rubber for washing; live at once expense
spurious	false, counterfeit 
spurn		have nothing to do; reject or refuse
squalid		foul, filthy 
squander	spend wastefully
stanch		to stop the flow of a fluid 
steeply		rising or falling sharply
stentorian	extremely loud and powerful 
stickler	person who insists on importance of smth
stigma		mark of shame or disgrace
stigmatize	describe smb scornfully
sting		smth sharp
stingy		spending, using unwillingly
stint		to be thrifty, to set limits 
stipulate	state or put forward as a necessary condition
stolid		showing no emotion; impassive 
strands		smth twisted together into a rope, line of development
stray		wander, lose one's way
streak		long, thin; move very fast
striated	striped, grooved, or banded
stride		walk with long steps
strut		a supporting bar 
stygian		hence, dark, gloomy
stymie		to hinder, obstruct, or block 
subdue		overcome, bring under control
sublime		extreme; astounding
submerge	put under water, liquid, sink out of sight
suborn		indice by bribery or smth to commit perjury
subpoena	written order requiring a person to appear in a low court
subsume		include under a rule
succor		assistance, relief in time of distress 
suffice		be enough
sullied		to be stained or discredited
summarily	briefly; without delay
sumptuous	magnificent
sundry		various, miscellaneous, separate 
supercilious	disdainful; characterized by haughty scorn 
superfluous	more then is needed or wanted
superimpose	put smth on the top 
supersede	take the place of
supine		lying on the back; slow to act, passive
suppliant	asking humbly, beseeching 
supplicate	make a humble petition to
suppress	prevent from being known; put an end to
surfeit		satiate, feed to fulness or to excess 
susceptibility	sensitiveness
sustain		keep from falling; maintain; suffer; give a decision
sycophant	person who flatter to the rich and powerful 
synopsis	summary or outline
taciturn	untalkative, silent 
talon		claw of a bird of prey
tamp		tap or drive down by repeated light blows
tamper		interfere with
tangential	suddenly changable
tarnished	lost brightness
taunt		contemptuous reproach, hurtful remark
taut		tightly stretched
tautology	a repetition, a redundancy 
tawdry		cheap, gaudy, showy, tacky 
tease		annoy; puzzling question
tedious		tiresome
teetotal	oppose to alcohol 
temerity	boldness, brashness, intrepidness 
temperance	abstinence from alcohol, self-control, moderation
temperate	showing self-control
tenacity	firmness, persistency, adhesiveness, tending to hang on 
tenuous		unsubstantial, flimsy, weak 
terse		brief and to the point
thrift		care, economy, thriving, prosperous
timid		shy, easily frightened
timorous	fearful, timid, afraid 
tolerable	fairly good
tonic		smth giving strength or energy
topple		be unsteady and overturn
torment		severe pain or suffering
torpid		sleeping, sluggish, lethargic, dormant 
tortuous	full of twists and bends
tout		person who worries others to buy smth, to use his service
touting		act as tout
toy		think not seriously, handle absent-mindedly
tractable	easily controlled or guided
transgress	break, go beyond (a limit)
transient	temporary, fleeting 
transitory	brief
trenchant	forceful, effective, vigorous; extremely perceptive, incisive 
trend		tendency, general direction
trepidation	alarm, excited state of mind
trifling	unimportant
trite		not new
truculence	aggressiveness, ferocity 
trudge		walk heavily
turbid		muddy, having the sediment stirred up 
turbulence	being uncontrolled, violent
turgid		excessively ornate; swollen or bloated 
turmoil		trouble, disturbance
turpitude	wickedness, shamefulness 
tyro		tiro, beginner
ulterior	situated beyond
unbrage		offense, resentment 
uncouth		rough, awkward
underbid	make a lower bid then smb else
undermine	weaken gradually, at the base, make smth under
undulate	to move in wavelike fashion, fluctuate 
unencumbered	easy-going, trifle
unfeigned	not pretended, sincere
unscathed	unharmed, unhurt
untoward	unfortunate, inconvenient
upbraid		scold, reproach
urbane		elegant, refined in manners 
vacillation	being uncertain, hesitating
vagary		strange act or idea
vain		without use, result; conceited
valiant		brave
valorous	brave
vanquish	conquer
vapor		stim, mist
veer		change direction
venal		ready to do smth dishonest
veneer		surface appearence covering the true nature
veneration	regard with deep respect 
veracity	truth
verisimilitude	appearing true or real 
veritable	real, rightly named
verve		spirit, vigour, enthusiasm
vex		annoy, distress, trouble
vigilance	watchfulness, self-appointed group who maintain order
vigilant	member of a vigilance committee
vigorous	strong, energetic
vilify		slander, say evil things
vindictive	having a desire to revenge
virago		a loud, domineering woman; a scold or nag 
visceral	of the internal organs of the body
vitiate		lower the quality; weaken the strength
vituperate	curse, abuse in words
vivacious	lively, high-spirited
volatile	changeable, inconstant, fickle, unstable, explosive 
volubility	fluency, verbosity, easy use of spoken language 
voluble		fluent
voluminous	occupying much space
waft		scent, waving movement; carry lightly through
wag		merry person
wage		payment, carry on, engage in (war)
warmonger	person who stirs up war
warp		become bent
warrant		authority, written order, guarantee
wary		cautious
weave		make (threads) into cloth
weigh		measure hoe heavy smth is
welter		turmoil; a bewildering jumble 
wend		to go, proceed 
whimsica	full of odd and fanciful ideas
wince		show bodily or mental pain
woo		try to win
yarn		tale, story; fibres for knitting

Copyright.Oleg Smirnoff.1998

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