gre set 14

acquiesce

accept something reluctantly but without protest.

adroit

clever or skilful.

amend

1. make minor changes to (a text, piece of legislation, etc.) in order to make it fairer or more accurate, or to reflect changing circumstances.

2. improve the texture or fertility of (soil).

animus

1. hostility or ill feeling.

2. motivation to do something.

apologist

a person who offers an argument in defence of something controversial.

astringent

1. causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues.

2. (of taste or smell) slightly acidic or bitter.

3. sharp or severe in manner or style.

collaborate

produced by or involving two or more parties working together.

competent

having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something successfully.

correlate

have a mutual relationship or connection, in which one thing affects or depends on another.

deride

express contempt for; ridicule.

dictate

1. state or order authoritatively.

2. say or read aloud (words to be typed, written down, or recorded on tape).

discreet

careful and prudent in one's speech or actions, especially in order to keep something confidential or to avoid embarrassment.

divorced

separate or dissociate (something) from something else, typically with an undesirable effect.

elitist

relating to or supporting the view that a society or system should be led by an elite.

exacting

making great demands on one's skill, attention, or other resources.

flummoxed

bewildered or perplexed.

fruitful

producing good or helpful results; productive.

inborn

existing from birth.

polymath

a person of wide knowledge or learning.

reticent

not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily.

stringent

(of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting.

subservient

prepared to obey others unquestioningly.

surreptitious

kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.

tantalizing

tormenting or teasing with the sight or promise of something unobtainable.

tantamount

equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as.

torpor

a state of physical or mental inactivity; lethargy.

trenchant

vigorous or incisive in expression or style.

umbrage

offence or annoyance.

versatile

able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities.

wayward

difficult to control or predict because of wilful or perverse behaviour.