GRE Practice Vocab

abase

(v) to humiliate, cause to feel shame, to hurt pride of

abash

(v) to embarass, to cause to be embarassed

abate

(v) to make less active or intense

abdicate

(v) to give up power

aberration

(n) an aberrant state or condition

a disorder in a person’s mental state; an optical phenomenon which results from the failure of a mirror or lens to produce a good image

abet

(v) to assist or encourage, often in the case of wrongdoing

to support, uphold, or maintain

(v) to contribute to the commissions of an offense

abeyance

(n) a temporary suspension or cessation, or suppression

abhor

(v) to find repugnant, or to shrink back with dislike or horror

abjure

(v) to reject something, to retract an oath, to recant

abortive

(adj) failing to accomplish an original intent or goal

(adj) imperfectly formed or developed

(n) something that is born prematurely

(adj) made from the skin of a still-born animal

abscond

(v) to run away, often taking someone or something along

(v) to hide away, withdraw, or be concealed

absolve

(v) to release from moral wrongdoing

to grant remission of a sin

abstemious

(adj) sparing in consumption of, especially in relation to food and drink

(adj) marked by moderation in indulgence

abyss

(n) a gulf or pit that is either bottomless or which possesses an unfathomable and inconceivable depth

(n)**infinite time

abysmal

(adj) boundless, vast, unfathomable

accede

(v) to give into or yield to someone else’s wishes or desires

(v) to agree with

acclivity

(n) an upward grade or slope, on the Earth

accolade

(n/v) to praise

(n) symbol that signifies distinction or approval

(n) a ceremony that was formerly used to bestow knighthood

accoutre

(v) to provide with military equipment

accretion

(n) an increase brought about by natural growth

(n) an increase in a beneficiary’s awarded portion of an estate

acetic

(adj) containing or relating to acetic acid; vinegary smell or taste, especially in relation to wine

acidulous

(adj) tasting sour like

acme

(n) the highest degree or level attainable, the highest point of something; mature age

(n) the crisis or height of a disease

acquiescence

(adj) willing to carry out someone else’s orders or wishes without any protest or dissent

(adj) submissive

actuate

(v) to trigger a reaction or to move and incite to action

(v) to carry out or perform

adhere

(v) to be in accordance with or compatible with; to carry out a plan without deviation

(v) to come into close contact with; to be a devoted supporter or follower, in a religious sense

adipose

(adj) composed of animal fata

admonish

(v) to counsel in relation to one’s negative behavior

(v) to warn against strongly

(v) to take to task

adulterate

(adj) mixed with impurities

(v) to corrupt or debase by adding a foreign substance

adumbration

(n) a rough summary of the main aspects of an argument or theory; providing vague indications of something in advance

advert

(v) to give heed to (take serious notice/attention)

(v) to make a subversive or overt reference to advocate

(n) a person who stands for and/or pleads a case in a court of law

(v) to push for or recommend something; to argue in favor of

aerie

(n) a lofty nest of a bird of prey, such as an eagle or hawk

(n) a habitation of high attitude

aesthetic

(adj) relating to beauty or good taste

(n) a specialty in philosophy that relates to what is beautiful and how humans respond to art and beauty in the world

affable

(adj) exemplifying warmth and friendliness

(adj) gracious and mild

affected

(adj) experiencing an emotional impact

aggrandize

(v) to add details to; increase in power

(v) to make something appear exceedingly great or exalted

affiliation

(n) connection in terms of descent/from birth

affinity

(n) the force which attracts atoms and binds them together in the formation of a molecule

(n) a close connection marked by similarities

(adj) kinship by marriage or adoption

affray

(n) a noisy fight or quarrel

• the act of disturbing someone

• fear or fright

agape

(adj) mouth wide open in wonder or awe

(n) a religious meal shared as a sign of fellowship, love, and respect

aggregate

(n) gathered or having a tendency to gather in a mass or whole