Miller Analogies Test (MAT) Preparation and General Knowledge Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards generated from the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) preparation text, covering key terms, historical expressions, classical mythology, literary references, and test mechanics.

Miller Analogies Test (MAT)

A high-level mental ability test requiring the solution of intellectual problems stated in terms of verbal analogies, used for graduate school admission and financial aid.

Colon (:)

In verbal analogy formatting, a symbol translated into words as 'is to'.

Double Colon (::)

In verbal analogy formatting, a symbol translated into words as 'in the same way as'.

Abraham's Bosom

The rest of the blessed dead.

Academy

The school founded by Plato in 368 B.C. in a gymnasium near Athens.

Acadia

The former name of Nova Scotia.

The Admirable Crichton

James Crichton, an accomplished Scotchman of the sixteenth century.

Albino

A person with white skin and hair and red eyes.

Albion

England, so called from its chalky white cliffs.

Aldine Press

A press founded by Aldus Manutius at Venice in 1496, famous for elegant classical editions.

Alexandrian Library

A famous ancient library founded by Ptolemy Philadelphus containing 700,000 volumes, burnt in 47 B.C.

Alhambra

A magnificent palace and fortress built by the Moors at Granada, Spain.

Ambrosia

The food of the gods.

Anachronism

An error in computing time.

Ancien Régime

The French government system prior to the revolution of 1789.

Annus Mirabilis

Meaning 'Wonderful year' (A.D. 1666), marked by the Great Fire of London, the Plague, and a naval victory over the Dutch.

Appian Way

The oldest Roman road, extending from Rome to Capua.

Argonauts

The fifty-four companions who sailed with Jason on the ship Argo to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece.

Argus-eyed

Crafty and watchful; derived from Argus, who had a hundred eyes.

Baconian Philosophy

The inductive system of philosophy introduced by Lord Bacon.

Barmecide's Feast

A mockery, delusion, or sham, named after Barmecide who served a starving beggar empty dishes.

Basilisk

A mythical serpent believed to possess the power to kill merely by looking at its victim.

Bastille

A French prison and fortress where individuals were confined without trial by lettre de cachet, destroyed by a mob in 1789.

Blue Stocking

A female pedant, originating from a 1400 Venetian literary society whose members wore blue stockings.

Bohemian

An artist or literary person living loosely by their wits, as opposed to a Philistine.

Bourgeoisie

The middle class of French society, mostly consisting of traders and manufacturers.

Buncombe

Clap-trap speechmaking designed to cajole constituents rather than persuade listeners immediately.

Lettres de Cachet

Sealed warrants carrying the French King's seal used to imprison or release individuals in the Bastille without trial.

Calumet

An Indian pipe smoked to ratify peace treaties.

Carbonari

A secret political society organized in Italy in 1820.

Cartesian Philosophy

The philosophical system of René Descartes based on the principle 'I think, therefore I exist'.

Catacombs

Subterranean sepulchres near Rome used by early Christians for burials and refuge during persecutions.

Chauvinism

Blatant, unreasoning patriotism, named after Chauvin, a character created by Scribe.

Chiltern Hundreds

An estate stewardship in England used by Members of Parliament as a legal pretext to resign their seats.

Damocles' Sword

A symbol of ever-present impending danger, originating from a sword suspended by a single hair over Damocles at a feast.

Doomsday Book

A land survey and valuation of all property in England compiled by order of William the Conqueror.

Douay Bible

The English translation of the Bible authorized by the Roman Catholic Church, first published at Douay, France.

Fabian Policy

A dilatory or delaying strategy, named after Quintus Fabius Maximus who harassed Hannibal without engaging in open battle.

Les Rois Fainéants

The 'Do-nothing Kings'; the last Merovingian kings of France whose authority was exercised by the mayors of the palace.

Gerrymander

The geographical manipulation of voting district boundaries to give an unfair advantage to one political party.

Gordian Knot

An intricate difficulty or obstacle, originally untied by Alexander the Great cutting it with his sword.

Habeas Corpus Act

An English statute protecting personal liberty by requiring a detained individual to be brought before a judge to determine the legality of imprisonment.

Hanseatic League

A commercial confederation of seventy-two northern European cities formed in the 12th century for trade protection.

Hegira

The flight of Mohammed from Mecca on July 16, 622 A.D., marking the starting epoch of the Mohammedan calendar.

Iconoclast

Literally an image-breaker; a radical reformer who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions.