Barron's GRE 3500 Master Word List 36-40

Saami R.
As found on Barron's 17th Edition GRE prep
424 words 98 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. philanthropist
    someone who makes charitable donations
  2. philatelist
    a collector and student of postage stamps
  3. philistine
    a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
  4. philology
    the humanistic study of language and literature
  5. phlegmatic
    showing little emotion
  6. phobia
    an anxiety disorder characterized by irrational fear
  7. phoenix
    a legendary bird that burned to death and emerged reborn
  8. phylum
    the major taxonomic group of animals and plants
  9. physiognomy
    the human face
  10. physiological
    relating to the study of the functioning of organisms
  11. piebald
    having sections or patches colored differently and brightly
  12. piecemeal
    one thing at a time
  13. pied
    having sections or patches colored differently and brightly
  14. piety
    righteousness by virtue of being religiously devout
  15. pigment
    dry coloring material
  16. pillage
    steal goods; take as spoils
  17. pillory
    a wooden instrument of punishment on a post
  18. pine
    a coniferous tree
  19. pinion
    wing of a bird
  20. pinnacle
    a slender upright spire at the top of a buttress or a tower
  21. pious
    having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
  22. piquant
    having an agreeably pungent taste
  23. pique
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
  24. piscatorial
    relating to or characteristic of the activity of fishing
  25. pitfall
    an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty
  26. pith
    spongelike central cylinder of the stems of flowering plants
  27. pithy
    concise and full of meaning
  28. pittance
    an inadequate payment
  29. pivotal
    being of crucial importance
  30. placate
    cause to be more favorably inclined
  31. placebo
    an innocuous or inert medication
  32. placid
    calm and free from disturbance
  33. plagiarize
    take without referencing from someone's writing or speech
  34. plaintive
    expressing sorrow
  35. plait
    a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair
  36. plasticity
    the property of being physically malleable
  37. platitude
    a trite or obvious remark
  38. platonic
    free from physical desire
  39. plaudit
    enthusiastic approval
  40. plausible
    apparently reasonable, valid, or truthful
  41. plebeian
    of or associated with the great masses of people
  42. plenary
    full in all respects
  43. plentitude
    a full supply
  44. plethora
    extreme excess
  45. pliable
    capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
  46. pliant
    capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out
  47. plight
    a situation from which extrication is difficult
  48. pluck
    pull lightly but sharply
  49. plumage
    the covering of feathers on a bird
  50. plumb
    exactly vertical
  51. plummet
    drop sharply
  52. plutocracy
    a political system governed by the wealthy people
  53. podiatrist
    a specialist in care for the feet
  54. podium
    a platform raised above the surrounding level
  55. poignancy
    a quality that arouses emotions, especially pity or sorrow
  56. polarize
    cause to divide into conflicting positions
  57. polemic
    a verbal or written attack, especially of a belief or dogma
  58. polemical
    of or involving dispute or controversy
  59. politic
    marked by artful prudence, expedience, and shrewdness
  60. polity
    the form of government of a social organization
  61. polygamist
    someone married to two or more people at the same time
  62. polyglot
    a person who speaks more than one language
  63. pomposity
    lack of elegance from being puffed up with vanity
  64. ponderous
    having great mass and weight and unwieldiness
  65. pontifical
    proceeding from or ordered by or subject to a pope
  66. pore
    any tiny hole admitting passage of a liquid
  67. porous
    full of holes
  68. portend
    indicate by signs
  69. potent
    having or wielding force or authority
  70. portly
    fairly large
  71. poseur
    a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not
  72. posterity
    all future generations
  73. posthumous
    occurring or coming into existence after a person's death
  74. postulate
    maintain or assert
  75. posture
    the arrangement of the body and its limbs
  76. potable
    suitable for drinking
  77. potent
    having or wielding force or authority
  78. potentate
    a powerful ruler, especially one who is unconstrained by law
  79. potential
    existing in possibility
  80. potion
    a medicinal or magical or poisonous beverage
  81. potpourri
    a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
  82. poultice
    a medical dressing spread on a cloth and applied to the skin
  83. practicable
    capable of being done with means at hand
  84. practical
    guided by experience and observation rather than theory
  85. pragmatic
    concerned with practical matters
  86. pragmatist
    an adherent of a theory of observable practical consequences
  87. prate
    speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly
  88. prattle
    speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly
  89. preamble
    a preliminary introduction, as to a statute or constitution
  90. precarious
    not secure; beset with difficulties
  91. precedent
    an example that is used to justify similar occurrences
  92. precept
    a rule of personal conduct
  93. precipice
    a very steep cliff
  94. precipitant
    done with very great haste and without due deliberation
  95. precipitate
    bring about abruptly
  96. precipitate
    bring about abruptly
  97. precipitous
    extremely steep
  98. precis
    a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument
  99. precise
    sharply exact or accurate or delimited
  100. preclude
    make impossible, especially beforehand
  101. precocious
    characterized by exceptionally early development
  102. precursor
    something indicating the approach of something or someone
  103. predator
    any animal that lives by preying on other animals
  104. predecessor
    one who goes before you in time
  105. predetermine
    establish beforehand
  106. predicament
    an unpleasant or difficult situation
  107. predilection
    a predisposition in favor of something
  108. predispose
    make susceptible
  109. preeminent
    greatest in importance, degree, or significance
  110. preempt
    acquire for oneself before others can do so
  111. preen
    clean with one's bill
  112. prefatory
    serving as an introduction or preface
  113. prehensile
    adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
  114. prelate
    a senior clergyman and dignitary
  115. premeditate
    consider, ponder, or plan beforehand
  116. premise
    a statement that is held to be true
  117. premonition
    an early warning about a future event
  118. premonitory
    warning of future misfortune
  119. preponderance
    exceeding in heaviness; having greater weight
  120. preposterous
    inviting ridicule
  121. prerogative
    a right reserved exclusively by a person or group
  122. presage
    a foreboding about what is about to happen
  123. prescience
    the power to foresee the future
  124. presentiment
    a feeling of evil to come
  125. prestige
    a high standing achieved through success or influence
  126. presumptuous
    going beyond what is appropriate, permitted, or courteous
  127. pretentious
    creating an appearance of importance or distinction
  128. preternatural
    existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
  129. pretext
    a fictitious reason that conceals the real reason
  130. prevail
    be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
  131. prevalent
    most frequent or common
  132. prevaricate
    be deliberately ambiguous or unclear
  133. prey
    animal hunted or caught for food
  134. prim
    affectedly dainty or refined
  135. primogeniture
    right of inheritance belonging exclusively to the eldest son
  136. primordial
    having existed from the beginning
  137. primp
    dress or groom with elaborate care
  138. pristine
    immaculately clean and unused
  139. privation
    the act of stripping someone of food, money, or rights
  140. privy
    informed about something secret or not generally known
  141. probe
    an exploratory action or expedition
  142. probity
    complete and confirmed integrity
  143. problematic
    making great mental demands
  144. proclivity
    a natural inclination
  145. procrastinate
    waste time or postpone doing what one should be doing
  146. procurement
    the act of getting possession of something
  147. prod
    push against gently
  148. prodigal
    recklessly wasteful
  149. prodigious
    great in size, force, extent, or degree
  150. prodigy
    an unusually gifted or intelligent person
  151. profane
    grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
  152. profligate
    unrestrained by convention or morality
  153. profound
    situated at or extending to great depth
  154. profusion
    the property of being extremely abundant
  155. progenitor
    an ancestor in the direct line
  156. progeny
    the immediate descendants of a person
  157. prognosis
    a prediction of the course of a disease
  158. prognosticate
    make a prediction about; tell in advance
  159. prohibitive
    tending to discourage, especially of prices
  160. projectile
    a weapon that is forcibly propelled toward a target
  161. proletarian
    belonging to or characteristic of the working class
  162. proliferate
    grow rapidly
  163. prolific
    intellectually productive
  164. prolixity
    boring verbosity
  165. prologue
    an introductory section of a novel or other literary work
  166. prolong
    lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
  167. prominent
    conspicuous in position or importance
  168. promiscuous
    casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior
  169. promontory
    a natural elevation
  170. promote
    assign to a higher position
  171. prompt
    according to schedule or without delay
  172. promulgate
    state or announce
  173. prone
    having a tendency
  174. propagate
    multiply through reproduction
  175. propellant
    any substance that moves forward with force
  176. propensity
    a natural inclination
  177. prophetic
    foretelling events as if by supernatural intervention
  178. prophylactic
    preventing or contributing to the prevention of disease
  179. propinquity
    the property of being close together
  180. propitiate
    make peace with
  181. propitious
    presenting favorable circumstances
  182. proponent
    a person who argues for a cause or puts forward an idea
  183. propound
    put forward, as of an idea
  184. propriety
    correct behavior
  185. propulsive
    having the power to move forward with force
  186. prosaic
    lacking wit or imagination
  187. proscenium
    the part of a stage between the curtain and the orchestra
  188. proscribe
    command against
  189. proselytize
    convert or try to convert someone to another religion
  190. prosody
    the study of poetic meter and the art of versification
  191. prosperity
    the condition of having good fortune
  192. prostrate
    stretched out and lying at full length along the ground
  193. protean
    taking on different forms
  194. protege
    a person who receives support from an influential patron
  195. protocol
    forms of ceremony and etiquette observed by officials
  196. prototype
    a standard or typical example
  197. protract
    lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
  198. protrude
    extend out or project in space
  199. protuberance
    something that bulges out or projects from its surroundings
  200. provenance
    where something originated or started
  201. provender
    food for domestic livestock
  202. provident
    giving something useful for the future
  203. provincial
    associated with an administrative district of a nation
  204. provisional
    under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon
  205. proviso
    a stipulated condition
  206. provocative
    serving or tending to excite or stimulate
  207. prowess
    a superior skill learned by study and practice
  208. proximity
    the property of being close together
  209. proxy
    a person authorized to act for another
  210. prude
    a person excessively concerned about propriety and decorum
  211. prudent
    marked by sound judgment
  212. prune
    cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
  213. prurient
    characterized by lust
  214. pry
    be nosey
  215. pseudonym
    a fake name used to engage in some activity
  216. psyche
    that which is responsible for one's thoughts and feelings
  217. psychiatrist
    a specialist in the treatment of mental disorders
  218. psychopathic
    suffering from an undiagnosed mental disorder
  219. psychosis
    severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost
  220. pterodactyl
    extinct flying reptile
  221. puerile
    displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
  222. pugilist
    someone who fights with fists for sport
  223. pugnacity
    a natural disposition to be hostile
  224. puissant
    powerful
  225. pulchritude
    physical beauty, especially of a woman
  226. pulmonary
    relating to or affecting the lungs
  227. pulsate
    expand and contract rhythmically
  228. pulverize
    make into a powder by breaking up or cause to become dust
  229. pummel
    strike, usually with the fist
  230. punctilious
    marked by precise accordance with details
  231. pundit
    an expert who publicly gives opinions via mass media
  232. pungent
    strong and sharp to the sense of taste or smell
  233. punitive
    inflicting punishment
  234. puny
    of inferior size
  235. purchase
    acquire by means of a financial transaction
  236. purgatory
    a temporary state of the dead in Roman Catholic theology
  237. purge
    rid of impurities
  238. purport
    have the often misleading appearance of being or intending
  239. purport
    have the often misleading appearance of being or intending
  240. purse
    a container used for carrying money and small personal items
  241. purveyor
    someone who supplies provisions, especially food
  242. pusillanimous
    lacking in courage, strength, and resolution
  243. putative
    purported
  244. putrid
    of or relating to the process of decay
  245. pylon
    a large steel tower supporting high-tension power lines
  246. pyromaniac
    a person with a mania for setting things on fire
  247. quack
    the sound made by a duck
  248. quadruped
    an animal especially a mammal having four limbs
  249. quaff
    swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
  250. quagmire
    a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
  251. quail
    a small game bird
  252. quaint
    attractively old-fashioned
  253. qualified
    meeting the proper standards and requirements for a task
  254. qualm
    uneasiness about the fitness of an action
  255. quandary
    state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
  256. quarantine
    isolation to prevent the spread of infectious disease
  257. quarry
    animal hunted or caught for food
  258. quarry
    animal hunted or caught for food
  259. quash
    declare invalid
  260. quay
    wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
  261. queasy
    causing or able to cause nausea
  262. quell
    suppress or crush completely
  263. quench
    satisfy, as thirst
  264. querulous
    habitually complaining
  265. query
    an instance of questioning
  266. queue
    a line of people or vehicles waiting for something
  267. quibble
    evade the truth of a point by raising irrelevant objections
  268. quiescent
    being quiet or still or inactive
  269. quietude
    a state of peace and quiet
  270. quintessence
    the most typical example or representative of a type
  271. quip
    a witty saying
  272. quirk
    a strange attitude or habit
  273. quisling
    someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force
  274. quiver
    shake with fast, tremulous movements
  275. quixotic
    not sensible about practical matters
  276. quizzical
    perplexed
  277. quorum
    a gathering of the minimal number of members of a group
  278. quotidian
    found in the ordinary course of events
  279. rabid
    marked by excessive enthusiasm for a cause or idea
  280. raconteur
    a person skilled in telling anecdotes
  281. ragamuffin
    a dirty shabbily clothed urchin
  282. rail
    a horizontal bar, usually of wood or metal
  283. raiment
    especially fine or decorative clothing
  284. rakish
    marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
  285. rally
    gather or bring together
  286. ramble
    move about aimlessly or without any destination
  287. ramification
    a consequence, especially one that causes complications
  288. ramify
    have or develop complicating consequences
  289. ramp
    an inclined surface connecting two levels
  290. rampant
    occurring or increasing in an unrestrained way
  291. rampart
    an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
  292. ramshackle
    in poor or broken-down condition
  293. rancid
    having an offensive smell or taste
  294. rancor
    a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
  295. random
    lacking any definite plan or order or purpose
  296. rankle
    make resentful or angry
  297. rant
    talk at length in a noisy, excited, or angry manner
  298. rapacious
    living by preying on other animals
  299. rapport
    a relationship of mutual understanding between people
  300. rapt
    feeling great delight and interest
  301. rarefied
    of high moral or intellectual value
  302. raspy
    unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
  303. ratify
    approve and express assent, responsibility, or obligation
  304. ratiocination
    the proposition arrived at by logical reasoning
  305. rationale
    an explanation of the fundamental reasons
  306. rationalize
    employ logic or reason
  307. raucous
    unpleasantly loud and harsh
  308. ravage
    cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
  309. rave
    talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
  310. ravel
    disentangle or separate out
  311. ravenous
    extremely hungry
  312. ravine
    a deep narrow steep-sided valley
  313. raze
    tear down so as to make flat with the ground
  314. reactionary
    extremely conservative or resistant to change
  315. realm
    a domain in which something is dominant
  316. reaper
    someone who helps to gather the harvest
  317. rebate
    a refund of some fraction of the amount paid
  318. rebuff
    a deliberate discourteous act
  319. rebuke
    an act or expression of criticism and censure
  320. rebus
    a puzzle consisting of pictures representing words
  321. rebuttal
    the speech act of refuting by offering a contrary argument
  322. recalcitrant
    stubbornly resistant to authority or control
  323. recant
    formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
  324. recapitulate
    summarize briefly
  325. recast
    mold again
  326. receptive
    able to absorb liquid (not repellent)
  327. recession
    the act of returning control
  328. recidivism
    habitual relapse into crime
  329. recipient
    a person to whom something is sent, given, or awarded
  330. reciprocal
    concerning each of two or more persons or things
  331. reciprocate
    act, feel, or give mutually or in return
  332. recluse
    one who lives in solitude
  333. reconcile
    come to terms
  334. recondite
    difficult to understand
  335. reconnaissance
    the act of scouting, especially to gain information
  336. recount
    narrate or give a detailed account of
  337. recourse
    act of turning to for assistance
  338. recrimination
    mutual accusations
  339. rectify
    make right or correct
  340. rectitude
    righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest
  341. recumbent
    lying down; in a position of comfort or rest
  342. recuperate
    restore to good health or strength
  343. recurrent
    happening again and again
  344. redolent
    having a strong pleasant odor
  345. redoubtable
    inspiring fear
  346. redress
    make reparations or amends for
  347. redundant
    more than is needed, desired, or required
  348. reek
    give off smoke, fumes, warm vapour, steam, etc.
  349. refectory
    a communal dining-hall, usually in a monastery
  350. refraction
    the change in direction of a propagating wave
  351. refractory
    stubbornly resistant to authority or control
  352. refrain
    resist doing something
  353. refulgent
    radiating or as if radiating light
  354. refurbish
    improve the appearance or functionality of
  355. refute
    overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
  356. regal
    belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
  357. regale
    occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
  358. regatta
    a series of boat races
  359. regeneration
    the act of forming again; renewing and reconstituting
  360. regicide
    the act of killing a king
  361. regime
    the governing authority of a political unit
  362. regimen
    a systematic plan for therapy
  363. rehabilitate
    restore someone to a good state of health or reputation
  364. reimburse
    pay back for some expense incurred
  365. reiterate
    say, state, or perform again
  366. rejoinder
    a quick reply to a question or remark
  367. rejuvenate
    make younger or more youthful
  368. relegate
    assign to a lower position
  369. relent
    give in, as to influence or pressure
  370. relevant
    having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
  371. relic
    an antiquity that has survived from the distant past
  372. relinquish
    turn away from; give up
  373. relish
    vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
  374. remediable
    capable of being corrected or redressed
  375. reminiscence
    a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
  376. remiss
    failing in what duty requires
  377. remission
    an abatement in intensity or degree
  378. remnant
    a small part remaining after the main part no longer exists
  379. remonstrance
    the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
  380. remorse
    a feeling of deep regret, usually for some misdeed
  381. remunerative
    for which money is paid
  382. rend
    tear or be torn violently
  383. render
    give or supply
  384. rendezvous
    a meeting planned at a certain time and place
  385. rendition
    a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role
  386. renegade
    someone who rebels and becomes an outlaw
  387. renege
    fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
  388. renounce
    turn away from; give up
  389. renovate
    restore to a previous or better condition
  390. renown
    the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed
  391. rent
    a payment or series of payments made by a lessee to an owner
  392. reparable
    capable of being rectified
  393. reparation
    something done or paid in expiation of a wrong
  394. repartee
    adroitness and cleverness in reply
  395. repast
    the food served and eaten at one time
  396. repeal
    cancel officially
  397. repel
    force or drive back
  398. repellent
    serving or tending to cause aversion
  399. repercussion
    a remote or indirect consequence of some action
  400. repertoire
    the range of skills in a particular field or occupation
  401. repine
    express discontent
  402. replenish
    fill something that had previously been emptied
  403. replete
    filled to satisfaction with food or drink
  404. replica
    copy that is not the original
  405. replicate
    reproduce or make an exact copy of
  406. repository
    a facility where things can be deposited for safekeeping
  407. reprehensible
    bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure
  408. repress
    conceal or hide
  409. reprieve
    postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal
  410. reprimand
    an act or expression of criticism and censure
  411. reprisal
    a retaliatory action against an enemy
  412. reprise
    a repetition of a short musical passage
  413. reproach
    express criticism towards
  414. reprobate
    a person without moral scruples
  415. reprobation
    severe disapproval
  416. reprove
    reprimand, scold, or express dissatisfaction with
  417. repudiate
    refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
  418. repugnance
    intense aversion
  419. repulsion
    the act of successfully defending against an attack
  420. reputable
    held in high esteem and honor
  421. repute
    the state of being held in high esteem and honor
  422. requiem
    a song or hymn of mourning as a memorial to a dead person
  423. requisite
    necessary for relief or supply
  424. requite
    make repayment for or return something
Created on Fri Oct 19 01:32:54 EDT 2012 (updated Sat Oct 20 23:51:44 EDT 2012)

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