GRE vOCABS Ms

macerate

(v) To soften or break down (food or tissue) by soaking in a liquid.

machination

(n) A scheming or crafty action intended to accomplish some usually evil end.

maelstrom

(n) A powerful whirlpool in the sea or a situation resembling a whirlpool in turbulence.

magisterial

(adj) Having or showing great authority.

magnanimous

(adj) Generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person.

magnate

(n) An influential or wealthy person.

makeshift

(adj) Temporary and of low quality, used as a substitute.

malevolent

(adj) Having or showing a wish to do evil to others.

malfeasance

(n) Wrongdoing or misconduct, especially by a public official.

malign

(v) To speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner
(a) evil in nature or effect; malevolent

malinger

(v) To pretend to be sick in order to avoid work or duty.

malleable

(adj) Easily influenced or shaped; capable of being molded.

manacle

(n) A metal band, chain, or shackle for fastening someone's hands or ankles

(v) fetter (a person or a part of the body) with manacles

mandate

(n) An official order or commission to do something.

manifold

(adj) Many and varied; having many different forms or elements.

marginal

(adj) Minor or peripheral; not central or important.

marshal

(v) To arrange or assemble (a group of people, especially soldiers) in order; to gather together for a purpose

maudlin

(adj) Self-pityingly or excessively sentimental.

mawkish

(adj) Sentimental in a feeble or sickly way.

meager

(adj) Lacking in quantity or quality; insufficient.

meddle

(v) To interfere or intervene in a matter that is not one's concern.

meld

(v) To blend or combine.

mellifluous

(adj) (of a voice or words) sweet or musical; smoothly flowing; pleasant to hear.

melodramatic

(adj) Exaggerated in behavior or emotion; sensational.

mendacity

(n) The tendency to be untruthful or to lie.

mendicant

(n) A beggar, especially one who lives by begging.

menial

(adj) Lacking interest or dignity; relating to work that is regarded as servile.

mephitic

(adj) Having an offensive odor; noxious.

mercenary

(adj) Concerned primarily with making money at the expense of ethics.

mercurial

(adj) Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood.

meretricious

(adj) Attractive in a cheap or showy way; misleadingly attractive;
apparently attractive but having in reality no value or integrity (IE souvenir)

meteorological

(adj) Relating to the atmosphere and weather.

meticulous

(adj) Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.

mettle

(n) Courage and fortitude; the ability to cope well with difficulties.

miasma

(n) A highly unpleasant or unhealthy smell or vapor.

microcosm

(n) A small, representative system having analogies to a larger system.

milieu

(n) A person's social environment.

milquetoast

(n) A timid or submissive person

(a) feeble, insipid, or bland

mimetic

(adj) Relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting imitation.

minatory

(adj) Having a menacing or threatening quality.

minion

(n) A follower or underling of a powerful person.

misanthrope

(n) A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society.

miscreant

(n) A person who behaves badly or in a way that breaks the law.

miserly

(adj) A stingy or greedy person; unwilling to spend money;
(of a quantity) pitiably small or inadequate.

misnomer

(n) A wrong or inaccurate name or designation.

mitigate

(v) To make less severe, serious, or painful.

modicum

(n) A small quantity of a particular thing.

modish

(adj) In the fashion or style of the times.

monastic

(adj) Related to monks or the monastic life.

morass

(n) An area of muddy or boggy ground; a complicated or confused situation.

morbid

(adj) Characterized by an abnormal focus on disturbing and unpleasant subjects.

mordant

(adj) Having or showing a sharp or critical quality.

mores

(n) The essential or characteristic customs and conventions of a community.

moribund

(adj) In a state of decline or near death.

morose

(adj) Sullen and ill-tempered; gloomy.

motile

(adj) Capable of movement; moving or able to move.

motley

(adj) Made up of many different people or things, often incongruous or differing in type; varied.

multifaceted

(adj) Having many facets or aspects.

mundane

(adj) Lacking interest or excitement; dull.

munificent

(adj) More generous than is usual or expected.

myopic

(adj) Lacking foresight or intellectual insight; near sighted

myriad

(n) A countless or extremely great number.