GRE Barron's part 8

Robin B.
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. zest
    a tart spicy quality
  2. zenith
    the highest point of something
  3. zealot
    a fervent and even militant proponent of something
  4. zeal
    a feeling of strong eagerness
  5. yore
    time long past
  6. yoke
    a wooden frame across the shoulders for carrying buckets
  7. yield
    give or supply
  8. yeoman
    a free man who cultivates his own land
  9. yen
    the basic unit of money in Japan
  10. wry
    humorously sarcastic or mocking
  11. writhe
    move in a twisting or contorted motion
  12. wring
    a twisting squeeze
  13. wretch
    someone you feel sorry for
  14. wrest
    obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically
  15. wreak
    cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
  16. wrangle
    quarrel noisily, angrily, or disruptively
  17. woeful
    affected by or full of grief or sadness
  18. wizardry
    exceptional creative ability
  19. withstand
    resist or confront with resistance
  20. wither
    lose freshness, vigor, or vitality
  21. withdrawn
    tending to be reserved, quiet, or introspective
  22. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
  23. wispy
    thin and weak
  24. winsome
    charming in a childlike or naive way
  25. wince
    draw back, as with fear or pain
  26. wily
    marked by skill in deception
  27. wilt
    become limp
  28. willowy
    slender and graceful
  29. willful
    done by design
  30. wiggle
    move to and fro
  31. whorl
    a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles
  32. wholesome
    characteristic of physical or moral well-being
  33. whittle
    cut small bits or pare shavings from
  34. whit
    a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
  35. whinny
    the characteristic sounds made by a horse
  36. whimsy
    an odd or fanciful or capricious idea
  37. whimsical
    determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
  38. whet
    sharpen by rubbing
  39. whelp
    young of any of various canines such as a dog or wolf
  40. wheedle
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
  41. welter
    a confused multitude of things
  42. welt
    a raised mark on the skin
  43. well-bred
    of good upbringing
  44. weird
    strikingly odd or unusual
  45. weather
    atmospheric conditions such as temperature and precipitation
  46. wean
    gradually deprive of mother's milk
  47. wax
    substance solid at normal temperature and insoluble in water
  48. waver
    pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
  49. wastrel
    someone who squanders resources or time
  50. wary
    marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
  51. warren
    a colony of rabbits
  52. warranty
    written assurance that a product or service will be provided
  53. warrant
    formal and explicit approval
  54. warp
    bend or twist out of shape
  55. warble
    sing or play with trills
  56. wane
    a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
  57. wanderlust
    very strong or irresistible impulse to travel
  58. wan
    pale, as of a person's complexion
  59. wake
    stop sleeping
  60. waive
    do without or cease to hold or adhere to
  61. waif
    a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
  62. waggish
    witty or joking
  63. wage
    payment for work
  64. wag
    a movement from side to side
  65. waffle
    a batter cake baked and pressed between two patterned metal plates
  66. wade
    walk through relatively shallow water
  67. vie
    compete for something
  68. vulgar
    of or associated with the great masses of people
  69. voyeur
    a viewer who enjoys seeing the sex acts or organs of others
  70. vouchsafe
    grant in a condescending manner
  71. vouch
    give personal assurance; guarantee
  72. vortex
    a powerful circular current of water
  73. voodoo
    (Haiti) followers of a religion that involves witchcraft and animistic deities
  74. voluptuous
    displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
  75. voluminous
    large in capacity or bulk
  76. voluble
    marked by a ready flow of speech
  77. volley
    rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
  78. volatile
    liable to lead to sudden change or violence
  79. vogue
    a current state of general acceptance and use
  80. vociferous
    conspicuously and offensively loud
  81. vixen
    a female fox
  82. vivisection
    the act of operating on living animals
  83. vituperative
    marked by harshly abusive criticism
  84. vitiate
    make imperfect
  85. vital
    performing an essential function in the living body
  86. visionary
    a person with unusual powers of foresight
  87. vise
    a holding device attached to a workbench
  88. viscous
    having a relatively high resistance to flow
  89. viscid
    having the sticky properties of an adhesive
  90. visceral
    relating to or affecting the internal organs
  91. virus
    infectious agent that replicates itself within living hosts
  92. virulent
    extremely poisonous or injurious; producing venom
  93. virtuoso
    someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
  94. virtual
    being actually such in almost every respect
  95. vintner
    someone who sells wine
  96. vindictive
    disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
  97. vilify
    spread negative information about
  98. vile
    morally reprehensible
  99. vigor
    forceful exertion
  100. vigilant
    carefully observant or attentive
  101. victuals
    a source of food or nourishment
  102. vicissitude
    a variation in circumstances or fortune
  103. vicarious
    experienced at secondhand
  104. vicar
    a Catholic priest who acts for a higher-ranking clergyman
  105. vibrant
    vigorous and animated
  106. viable
    capable of life or normal growth and development
  107. vex
    disturb, especially by minor irritations
  108. veto
    a vote that blocks a decision
  109. vestige
    an indication that something has been present
  110. verve
    an energetic style
  111. vertex
    the highest point of something
  112. vertebrate
    animals having a bony or cartilaginous skeleton
  113. versatile
    having great diversity or variety
  114. vernal
    suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
  115. verisimilar
    appearing to be true or real
  116. verbose
    using or containing too many words
  117. verbiage
    overabundance of words
  118. verbatim
    using exactly the same words
  119. verbalize
    express in speech
  120. veracity
    unwillingness to tell lies
  121. venturesome
    disposed to take risks
  122. ventriloquist
    a performer who projects the voice into a wooden dummy
  123. ventilate
    furnish with an opening to allow air to circulate or escape
  124. vent
    a hole for the escape of gas, air, or liquid
  125. venom
    toxin secreted by animals
  126. venison
    meat from a deer used as food
  127. venial
    warranting only temporal punishment
  128. venerate
    regard with feelings of respect and reverence
  129. veneer
    coating consisting of a thin layer of wood
  130. vendor
    someone who exchanges goods or services for money
  131. vendetta
    a blood feud between members of opposing parties
  132. venal
    capable of being corrupted
  133. vegetate
    produce plant life
  134. veer
    turn sharply; change direction abruptly
  135. vaunt
    show off
  136. vassal
    a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord
  137. varnish
    a coating that provides a hard, lustrous finish to a surface
  138. variegated
    having an assortment of colors
  139. vaporize
    turn into gas
  140. vapid
    lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
  141. vantage
    place or situation affording some benefit
  142. vanguard
    the leading units moving at the head of an army
  143. vampire
    a corpse rising at night to drink the blood of the living
  144. valor
    courage when facing danger
  145. validate
    confirm the legal force of
  146. valid
    well grounded in logic or truth or having legal force
  147. valedictory
    a farewell oration
  148. valediction
    a farewell oration
  149. vainglorious
    feeling self-importance
  150. vagrant
    a wanderer with no established residence or means of support
  151. vagary
    an unexpected and inexplicable change in something
  152. vagabond
    a wanderer with no established residence or means of support
  153. vacuous
    devoid of matter
  154. vacillate
    be undecided about something
  155. uxorious
    foolishly fond of or submissive to your wife
  156. usury
    the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest
  157. usage
    the act of employing
  158. ursine
    of or relating to or similar to bears
  159. urgent
    compelling immediate action
  160. urchin
    a poor and often mischievous city child
  161. upshot
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  162. uproar
    a state of commotion and noise and confusion
  163. upright
    in a vertical position; not sloping
  164. unwitting
    not aware or knowing
  165. unwieldy
    difficult to use or handle because of size or weight
  166. untoward
    not in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper
  167. untenable
    incapable of being defended or justified
  168. unsullied
    free from blemishes
  169. unsightly
    unpleasant to look at
  170. unseemly
    not in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper
  171. unsavory
    morally offensive
  172. unruly
    unable to be governed or controlled
  173. unravel
    become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers of
  174. unprepossessing
    creating an unfavorable or neutral first impression
  175. unobtrusive
    not undesirably noticeable
  176. unmitigated
    not diminished or moderated in intensity or severity
  177. unkempt
    not properly maintained or cared for
  178. universal
    applicable to or common to all members of a group or set
  179. anointment
    the act of applying oil or an oily liquid
  180. uninhibited
    not restrained
  181. unimpeachable
    beyond doubt or reproach
  182. unilateral
    involving only one part or side
  183. uniformity
    the quality of lacking diversity or variation
  184. unguent
    preparation applied externally as a remedy or for soothing
  185. unfledged
    young and inexperienced
  186. unfettered
    not bound or restrained, as by shackles and chains
  187. unfeigned
    not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
  188. unfaltering
    marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
  189. unerringly
    without making errors
  190. unequivocal
    admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding
  191. undulate
    move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
  192. undertaker
    one whose business is the management of funerals
  193. underscore
    give extra weight to
  194. undermine
    weaken or impair, especially gradually
  195. underlying
    in the nature of something though not readily apparent
  196. unctuous
    unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating
  197. unction
    anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
  198. uncanny
    surpassing the ordinary or normal
  199. unbridled
    not restrained or controlled
  200. unassuming
    not arrogant
  201. unassured
    lacking boldness or confidence
  202. unassailable
    impossible to attack
  203. unanimity
    everyone being of one mind
  204. unaccountable
    not to be explained
  205. umbrage
    a feeling of anger caused by being offended
  206. ultimatum
    a final peremptory demand
  207. ulcer
    an inflammatory lesion resulting in decay of tissue
  208. ubiquitous
    being present everywhere at once
  209. tyro
    someone new to a field or activity
  210. tyranny
    government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator
  211. tycoon
    a very wealthy or powerful businessperson
  212. tutelary
    providing protective supervision
  213. tutelage
    attention and management implying responsibility for safety
  214. turncoat
    a disloyal person who betrays or deserts a cause
  215. turmoil
    a violent disturbance
  216. turgid
    ostentatiously lofty in style
  217. tureen
    a large deep serving dish with a cover
  218. turbulence
    instability in the atmosphere
  219. turbid
    clouded as with sediment
  220. tundra
    a vast treeless plain where subsoil is permanently frozen
  221. tumid
    abnormally distended especially by fluids or gas
  222. trunk
    the main stem of a tree
  223. truncate
    make shorter as if by cutting off
  224. truism
    an obvious statement of fact
  225. truculence
    stubborn and defiant aggressiveness
  226. trough
    a long narrow shallow receptacle
  227. trivia
    something of small importance
  228. trite
    repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
  229. trinket
    a small cheap ornament, knickknack, or piece of jewelry
  230. trigger
    lever that activates the firing mechanism of a gun
  231. trifling
    not worth considering
  232. trifle
    a detail that is considered insignificant
  233. trickster
    someone who plays practical jokes on others
  234. trickle
    run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
  235. tribute
    something given or done as an expression of esteem
  236. tribune
    an ancient Roman official elected by the plebeians
  237. tremulous
    quivering as from weakness or fear
  238. tremor
    an involuntary vibration, as if from illness or fear
  239. trek
    any long and difficult trip
  240. travesty
    a composition that imitates or misrepresents a style
  241. traverse
    journey across or pass over
  242. trappings
    ornaments; embellishments to or characteristic signs of
  243. transpose
    change the order or arrangement of
  244. transport
    move something or somebody around
  245. transpire
    come about, happen, or occur
  246. transparent
    able to be seen through with clarity
  247. transmute
    change or alter in form, appearance, or nature
  248. translucent
    allowing light to pass through diffusely
  249. transitory
    lasting a very short time
  250. transition
    the act of passing from one state or place to the next
  251. transgression
    the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
  252. trance
    a psychological state induced by a magical incantation
  253. trample
    tread or stomp heavily or roughly
  254. trajectory
    the path followed by an object moving through space
  255. tractable
    easily managed
  256. toxic
    of or relating to or caused by a poison
  257. tout
    advertise in strongly positive terms
  258. touchy
    difficult to handle; requiring great tact
  259. touchstone
    a basis for comparison
  260. touching
    arousing affect
  261. totem
    emblem consisting of an object such as an animal or plant
  262. toss
    throw with a light motion
  263. tortuous
    marked by repeated turns and bends
  264. torso
    the body excluding the head and neck and limbs
  265. torrid
    characterized by intense emotion
  266. torpor
    a state of motor and mental inactivity
  267. topple
    fall down, as if collapsing
  268. tonsure
    shaving the crown of the head by priests or monks
  269. tome
    a large and scholarly book
  270. token
    a disk that can be used in designated slot machines
  271. toga
    a one-piece cloak worn by men in ancient Rome
  272. titter
    laugh nervously
  273. title
    the name of a work of art or literary composition
  274. tirade
    a speech of violent denunciation
  275. tipple
    drink moderately but regularly
  276. tint
    a variation or slightly different shade of a color
  277. timorous
    shy and fearful by nature
  278. timbre
    the distinctive property of a complex sound
  279. tickle
    (archaic) touch a body part lightly so as to excite the surface nerves and cause uneasiness, laughter, or spasmodic movements
  280. throttle
    a valve that regulates the supply of fuel to the engine
  281. throng
    a large gathering of people
  282. throes
    violent pangs of suffering
  283. throb
    pulsate or pound with abnormal force
  284. thrive
    make steady progress
  285. thresh
    beat the seeds out of a grain
  286. thrash
    give a beating to
  287. thesis
    an unproved statement advanced as a premise in an argument
  288. thermal
    relating to or associated with heat
  289. therapeutic
    tending to cure or restore to health
  290. theoretical
    concerned with hypotheses and not practical considerations
  291. theocracy
    a political unit governed by a deity
  292. thematic
    relating to or constituting a topic of discourse
  293. tether
    restraint consisting of a rope or chain
  294. testator
    a person who makes a will
  295. tessellated
    decorated with small pieces of colored glass or stone
  296. tertiary
    coming third in position
  297. terse
    brief and to the point
  298. tension
    the action of stretching something tight
  299. tensile
    of or relating to physical stress or strain
  300. tenet
    a basic principle or belief that is accepted as true
  301. tender
    easy to cut or chew
  302. tendentious
    having a strong bias, especially a controversial one
  303. tenant
    someone who pays rent to use property owned by someone else
  304. tenacity
    persistent determination
  305. tenacious
    stubbornly unyielding
  306. temporize
    draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
  307. tempo
    the speed at which a composition is to be played
  308. tempestuous
    characterized by violent emotions or behavior
  309. temperate
    not extreme
  310. temperament
    your usual mood
  311. temper
    a characteristic state of feeling
  312. temerity
    fearless daring
  313. tedium
    the feeling of being bored by something
  314. taxonomist
    a biologist specializing in the classification of organisms
  315. tautological
    characterized by unnecessary repetition
  316. taunt
    harass with persistent criticism or carping
  317. tatter
    a small shred of cloth or paper
  318. tart
    tasting sour like a lemon
  319. tarry
    leave slowly and hesitantly
  320. tarnish
    make or become dirty or dull, as by exposure to air
  321. tardy
    after the expected or usual time
  322. taper
    diminish gradually
  323. tantrum
    a display of bad temper
  324. tantamount
    being essentially equal to something
  325. tantalize
    harass with persistent teasing or baiting
  326. tangible
    perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch
  327. tangential
    of superficial relevance if any
  328. tan
    a light brown the color of topaz
  329. talon
    a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey
  330. talisman
    a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
  331. taint
    place under suspicion or cast doubt upon
  332. tact
    consideration in dealing with others
  333. tacit
    implied by or inferred from actions or statements
  334. synthetic
    a compound made artificially by chemical reactions
  335. synchronous
    occurring or existing at the same time
  336. symmetry
    balance among the parts of something
  337. symbiosis
    the relation between two interdependent species of organisms
  338. sylvan
    relating to or characteristic of wooded regions
  339. syllogism
    reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
  340. sycophant
    a person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage
  341. sybarite
    a person addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses
  342. swipe
    a sweeping stroke or blow
  343. swindler
    a person who steals by means of deception or fraud
  344. swill
    drink large quantities of
  345. swelter
    be uncomfortably hot
  346. swell
    increase in size, magnitude, number, or intensity
  347. swearword
    profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
  348. sway
    move back and forth
  349. swathe
    wrap in or as if in strips of cloth
  350. swagger
    walk with a lofty proud gait
  351. suture
    a seam used in surgery
  352. sustenance
    the act of providing a means of subsistence or survival
  353. suspense
    an uncertain cognitive state
  354. suspend
    bar temporarily
  355. surveillance
    close observation of a person or group
  356. surrogate
    someone or something that takes the place of another
  357. surreptitious
    marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
  358. surpass
    be or do something to a greater degree
  359. surmount
    get on top of; deal with successfully
  360. surmise
    infer from incomplete evidence
  361. surge
    rise and move, as in waves or billows
  362. surfeit
    indulge (one's appetite) to satiety
  363. supplicant
    someone who prays to God
  364. supple
    moving and bending with ease
  365. supplant
    take the place or move into the position of
  366. supersede
    take the place or move into the position of
  367. supernumerary
    more than is needed, desired, or required
  368. superfluous
    more than is needed, desired, or required
  369. superficial
    of, affecting, or being on or near the surface
  370. supererogatory
    more than is needed, desired, or required
  371. supercilious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
  372. superannuated
    too old to be useful
  373. sundry
    consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
  374. sunder
    break apart or in two, using violence
  375. summation
    calculating the total of two or more numbers
  376. sultry
    attractive and suggesting hidden passion
  377. sully
    make dirty or spotty
  378. sullen
    showing a brooding ill humor
  379. suffuse
    cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
  380. suffocate
    deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
  381. suckle
    suck milk from the mother's breasts
  382. succumb
    give in, as to overwhelming force, influence, or pressure
  383. succulent
    tasty and full of juice
  384. subversive
    in opposition to an established system or government
  385. subtlety
    the quality of being difficult to detect or analyze
  386. subsume
    contain or include
  387. substantive
    having a firm basis in reality and therefore important
  388. subsistence
    a means of surviving
  389. subsidiary
    functioning in a supporting capacity
  390. subside
    wear off or die down
  391. subservient
    compliant and obedient to authority
  392. subpoena
    a writ issued to compel the attendance of a witness
  393. suborn
    incite to commit a crime or an evil deed
  394. submerge
    put under water
  395. subliminal
    below the threshold of conscious perception
  396. vitriolic
    harsh, bitter, or malicious in tone
  397. volition
    the act of making a choice
  398. voracious
    devouring or craving food in great quantities
  399. vulpine
    resembling or characteristic of a fox
  400. WAN
    a computer network that spans a wider area than does a local area network
  401. wanton
    a lewd or immoral person
  402. wizened
    lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
  403. xenophobia
    a fear of foreigners or strangers
  404. Zealot
    a member of an ancient Jewish sect in Judea in the first century who fought to the death against the Romans and who killed or persecuted Jews who collaborated with the Romans
Created on Sat Oct 27 20:04:32 EDT 2007

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