Computer-Based General Test
Structure of the Computer-Based General Test

The computer-based General Test contains four sections, one of which is an unidentified pretest section that can appear in any position in the test after the analytical writing section. Questions in the pretest section are being tested for possible use in future tests and answers will not count toward your scores. An identified research section that is not scored may also be included and this section would always appear in the final section of the test. Questions in the research section are included for the purpose of ETS research and answers will not count toward your scores.

Total testing time is up to 3 1/4 hours, not including the research section. The directions at the beginning of each section specify the total number of questions in the section and the time allowed for the section. The analytical writing section will always be first. For the Issue task, two topics will be presented and you will choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead, one topic will be presented. The verbal and quantitative sections may appear in any order, including an unidentified verbal or quantitative pretest section. Treat each section presented during your test as if it counts.
Typical Computer-Based GRE General Test
Section Number of Questions Time
Analytical Writing 1 Issue task* 45 min.
1 Argument task* 30 min.
Verbal 30 30 min.
Quantitative 28 45 min.
Pretest** Varies Varies
Research*** Varies Varies

* For the Issue task, two essay topics will be presented and you will choose one. The Argument task does not present a choice of topics; instead one topic will be presented.

** An unidentified verbal or quantitative pretest section may be included and may appear in any order after the analytical writing section. It is not counted as part of your score.

*** An identified research section that is not scored may be included and it will always be at the end of the test.
Modified Versions of Verbal and Quantitative Questions

The test you take may include questions that are modified versions of published questions or of questions you have already seen on an earlier section of the test. Some modifications are substantial; others are less apparent. Thus, even if a question appears to be similar to a question you have already seen, it may in fact be a different question and may also have a different correct answer. You can be assured of doing your best on the test you take by paying careful attention to the wording of each question as it appears in your test.

The GRE Program is currently investigating the feasibility of reusing questions that have been published in GRE practice materials. As part of that investigation, you may see questions from these materials on a test you take.
How Does the Computer-Based General Test Work?

Analytical Writing Section

The 2 writing tasks are delivered on the computer, and you must word process your responses.

For the Issue task, you will be able to choose 1 of 2 essay topics selected by the computer from the pool of topics.

The Argument task does not offer a choice of topics; the computer will present you with a single topic selected from the topic pool.

The testing software uses an elementary word processor developed by ETS so that individuals familiar with a specific commercial word processing software do not have an advantage or disadvantage. The software contains the following functionalities: inserting text, deleting text, cut and paste, undoing the previous action, and scrolling. Tools such as a spelling checker and grammar checker are not available in the software, in large part to maintain fairness with those examinees who handwrite essays at paper-based administrations.

Verbal and Quantitative Sections

The verbal and quantitative sections of the General Test are adaptive tests; that is, they are tailored to your performance level and provide precise information about your abilities using fewer test questions than traditional paper-based tests. At the start of each section, you are presented with test questions of middle difficulty. As you answer each question, the computer scores that question and uses that information, as well as your responses to any preceding questions and information about the test design, to determine which question is presented next. As long as you respond correctly to each question, questions of increased difficulty typically will be presented. When you respond incorrectly, the computer typically will present you with questions of lesser difficulty. Your next question will be the one that best reflects both your previous performance and the requirements of the test design. This means that different test takers will be given different questions.

Because the computer scores each question before selecting the next one, you must answer each question when it is presented. For this reason, once you answer a question and move on to another, you cannot go back and change your answer. The computer has already incorporated both your answer and requirements of the test design into its selection of the next question for you.

Each computer-based test section meets preestablished specifications, including the types of questions asked and the subject matter presented. The statistical characteristics of the questions answered correctly and incorrectly, including the difficulty levels, are taken into account in the calculation of the score. Therefore, it is appropriate to compare scores of different test takers even though they received different questions.

ETS has conducted research studies indicating that verbal and quantitative scores on the computer-based General Test are comparable to verbal and quantitative scores earned on the paper-based General Test.
On the Test Day

Report to the test center at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment for check-in procedures. If you arrive late, you may not be admitted and your test fee will be forfeited. Plan to be at the test center up to 4 hours.

What to take to the test center:

* your authorization voucher if you registered by mail
* acceptable and valid identification with signature and photo

At the test center:

* Dress so that you can adapt to any room temperature.
* Test centers do not have large waiting areas. Friends or relatives who accompany you to the test center will not be permitted to wait in the test center or be in contact with you while you are taking the test. Except for ETS-authorized observers, visitors are not allowed in the testing room while testing is in progress.
* ID verification at the test center may include thumbprinting, photographing, videotaping, or other form of electronic ID confirmation. If you refuse to participate, you will not be permitted to test and you will forfeit your test fee. This is in addition to the requirement that you must present acceptable and valid identification.
* Other than ID, personal items are not allowed in the testing room. Before the test, you will be assigned a locker or receive instructions from test center staff regarding where you must deposit items such as cell phones, pagers, handbags, and study materials (cell phones are not permitted on the writing surface). You may also be asked to empty your pockets. Storage space is limited, so plan accordingly. You may not have access to your personal items during the test or break.
* Test centers assume no responsibility for candidates’ personal belongings.
* The test administrator/supervisor will assign you a seat.
* On occasion, weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the test administrator’s or ETS’s control may require a delayed start or the rescheduling of your test appointment. In the event that a technical problem at the test center makes it necessary to cancel your test session, or if it is later determined that your scores could not be reported, you will be offered the opportunity to schedule another test appointment free of charge or receive a full refund of the original test fee. In addition, you may seek reimbursement from ETS for reasonable and documented expenses associated with traveling to the test center, even though technical problems are generally not the fault of ETS. To request reimbursement, contact ETS with the following information within 30 days of your original appointment: your name, date of birth, mailing address, daytime telephone number, e-mail address, original test date and registration or CBT appointment number, and a brief description of what occurred at the test center. All reimbursements will be made in U.S. dollars.

Test Center Procedures and Regulations

The following procedures and regulations apply during the entire test session, which begins at sign-in, ends at sign-out, and includes breaks.

* If you requested and received an authorization voucher from ETS, you must take it with you to the test center.
* You will be required to write (not print) and sign a confidentiality statement at the test center. If you do not complete and sign the statement, you cannot test and your fees will NOT be refunded.
* You will be required to sign the test center log before and after the test session and any time you leave or enter the testing room.
* The administrator will provide you with scratch paper that may be replaced after you have used all pages of the scratch paper initially given to you. You may not take your own scratch paper to the test, nor may you remove scratch paper from the testing room at any time. Scratch paper is provided to assist test takers in working out problems and for appropriate note taking during timed sections of the test. Scratch paper should NOT be used during untimed sections or during breaks.
* If you need to leave your seat at any time other than the break, raise your hand; timing of the section will not stop.
* If at any time during the test you have a problem with your computer, or for any reason need the administrator, raise your hand.
* Testing premises are subject to videotaping.
* The GRE General Test includes an optional 10-minute break after the analytical writing section. This break time cannot be exceeded.
* The maximum time allotted for the tutorial and/or other untimed sections prior to the test is 30 minutes. The purpose of the tutorial and/or other untimed sections prior to the test is to become familiar with the computer functions and other important information that will make your computer-based test experience as convenient as possible. The time you spend on the tutorial and/or other untimed sections should not be used for any other purpose. You may not use scratch paper during this time. Infractions will be reported to ETS, and the test administrator is authorized to dismiss you from the test administration if you fail to follow the test administrator’s directions.

Although tests are administered under strict supervision and security measures, testing irregularities may sometimes occur. Please contact us as soon as possible to report any observed behavior that may lead to an invalid score — for example, someone copying from another test taker, taking a test for someone else, having access to test questions before the exam, or using notes or unauthorized aids. All information will be held in strictest confidence.

Phone: 1-800-353-8570 (United States only)
Fax: 1-609-406-9709
E-mail/Internet: TSReturns@ets.org



Dismissal From A Test Center

A test administrator/supervisor is authorized to dismiss you from a test session and/or your scores may be canceled by ETS for violations such as, but not limited to, the following:

* attempting to take the test for someone else or having someone else take the test for you
* failing to provide acceptable identification
* obtaining improper access to the test, a part of the test, or information about the test
* using a telephone or cellular phone during the test session or during breaks
* using any aids in connection with the test, such as: mechanical pencils, pens, pagers, beepers, calculators, watch calculators, books, pamphlets, notes, rulers, highlighter pens, stereos or radios with headphones, telephones, cell phones, watch alarms (including those with flashing lights or alarm sounds), stop watches, dictionaries, translators, and any hand-held electronic or photographic devices.
* creating a disturbance (disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated; the test administrator/supervisor has sole discretion in determining what constitutes disruptive behavior)
* attempting to give or receive assistance —or otherwise communicate in any manner with another person about the content of the test during the administration, during breaks, or after the test.
* removing or attempting to remove test content from the test center. Under no circumstances may test content or any part of the test content be removed, reproduced, and/or disclosed by any means (e.g., hard copy, verbally, electronically) to any person or entity.
* tampering with a computer
* attempting to remove scratch paper from the computer-based testing room or using scratch paper during untimed sections of the test or during breaks
* bringing a weapon or firearm into the test center
* bringing food, drink, or tobacco into the testing room
* leaving the test center vicinity during the test session or during breaks
* leaving the testing room without permission
* taking excessive or extended unscheduled breaks during the test session. Test center supervisors are required to strictly monitor unscheduled breaks and report test takers who take excessive or extended breaks.
* referring to, looking through, or working on any test, or test section, when not authorized to do so, or working after time has been called
* failing to follow any of the test administration regulations contained in the Bulletin, given by the test administrator/supervisor, or specified in any test materials

ETS reserves the right to take all action —including, but not limited to, barring you from future testing and/or canceling your scores—for failure to comply with test administration regulations or the test administrator/supervisor’s directions. If your scores are canceled, they will not be reported, and your fees will not be refunded.
Test-Taking Strategies

We strongly urge you to carefully review the following information as you prepare for your test and before you arrive at the test center. It could help improve your performance on the test.

Become familiar with the test before test day. It is always best to know as much as possible about what to expect before you arrive at the test center. Thoroughly read this section of our Web site to learn about the purpose of the test, the content of the questions, test day procedures, and test preparation strategies and materials.

Once you know what to expect on your test, it’s time to practice. Review the free POWERPREP software sent to you upon registration. For additional practice, try answering the free, interactive sample questions or download the Math Review (in PDF format) or the full-length paper-based GRE Practice General Test (in PDF format).

For the analytical writing section, the software will give you advice about how to write effective essays for the Issue and Argument tasks. It will also let you practice writing essay responses under simulated testing conditions. For the verbal and quantitative sections, you should try to answer some sample questions to become familiar with the question format.
Analytical Writing Section

Writing tasks will be delivered on the computer, and you must word process your responses.

Issue Task

The Issue task gives you considerable latitude in the way you respond to the claim made about a given issue. To prepare for this task, try asking yourself the following questions as you review the published list of Issue topics. Practice writing responses on several of the topics, keeping to the 45-minute limit.

* What does the statement mean? What does it imply? What, precisely, is the central issue?
* Do I agree with all or with any part of the statement? Why or why not?
* Is the statement valid only in certain circumstances.
* Do I need to explain how I interpret certain terms or concepts used in the statement?
* If I take a certain position on the issue, what reasons support my position?
* What examples — either hypothetical or drawn from my readings or direct experiences — could I use to illustrate those reasons and advance my point of view? Which examples are most compelling?
* What reasons might someone use to refute or undermine my position? How should I acknowledge or defend against those views?

Argument Task

Because the Argument task is constrained by the line of reasoning in the argument presented to you, be sure to read and analyze the argument carefully. Try asking yourself the following questions as you review the list of published Argument topics, and practice writing responses to several of the topics within the 30-minute time limit.

* What claims, conclusions, and underlying assumptions does the argument make?
* What alternative explanations and counterexamples can I think of?
* What additional evidence might weaken or strengthen the claims?
* What changes in the argument would make the reasoning more sound?

Verbal and Quantitative Sections
IMPORTANT NOTE: Test-taking strategies appropriate for the verbal and quantitative sections of the computer-based General Test are different from those that are appropriate for taking the verbal and quantitative sections of the paper-based General Test. Be sure to follow the appropriate strategies for the testing format in which you will be testing. Computer-based testing strategies should not be used if you take the paper-based test.

* Try to practice test questions under timed conditions so that you get used to the pace of the test. For example, if there are 30 questions in a section and you have a total of 30 minutes to complete the section, give yourself an average of 1 minute to complete each question. When you are practicing, keep your time in mind and remember that if you spend too much time on one question, you will have less time to spend on others.
* Use the computer tutorial to your advantage. The tutorial is included in the GRE POWERPREP software that will be sent to you when you register. The tutorial will let you try out the functions of the computer (e.g., the mouse, the scroll bar) that you will need to use during the test.

When you arrive at the test center on the test day, you will have the opportunity to complete an untimed computer tutorial before the actual test begins. You can spend up to 30 minutes on the tutorial and other untimed sections to become familiar and comfortable with the computer before you start the timed sections of the test.

Once the test is under way, you can always click on “Help” to review the directions or a summary of the tutorial again, but be aware that this will count against your allotted time for that section of the test.

Some questions, graphs, or passages are too large to appear completely on the computer screen. In these cases a “scroll bar” appears to the right of the material and the word “Beginning” appears on the information line at the top of the screen. These are your cues to scroll for more information.

Pace yourself throughout the test — You want to finish!

* Use the resources available for test practicing (test preparation books, software) to become familiar with the test and test instructions before you get to the test center.
* Read the directions carefully before you begin. The directions at the beginning of each test section give you the total number of questions in that section as well as total time allotted for that section.
* Try to budget enough time for each question so that you will be able to complete the test without having to rush at the end of each section. Keep in mind the average amount of time you may want to spend per question.
* Once you start the test, an on-screen clock display will continuously count down the remaining time. You can hide this display if you want, but it is a good idea to check the clock periodically to monitor your progress. The clock will automatically alert you when 5 minutes remain in the allotted time for that section.
* Use your time wisely. Read each question carefully to determine exactly what is being asked. Eliminate the wrong answers and select the best choice. Don’t let yourself get stuck on a tough question and lose time. Keep moving through the test and try to finish each section.
* You may want to use the one-minute break between test sections to replenish your supply of scratch paper. After the analytical writing section, an on-screen message will tell you a 10-minute break is available. Section timing will not stop if you take an unscheduled break.

Know the rules.

* Computer-adaptive tests require that you answer every question in the order it is presented. You can’t skip a question and go back. The computer selects the next question you see from a large pool of available questions based upon your previous responses.
* Click on the appropriate answer. Answer each question by clicking on the oval next to your answer choice or by clicking on any part of the text of that answer choice. Complete your answer by clicking on “Next” and then “Answer Confirm.” You can change your answer any time before confirming it by clicking on a different answer choice.
* Understand the implications of exiting a section or quitting the test. Once you exit a section, you cannot return to it. Click on the “Test Quit” box at the bottom of your screen only if you decide to end your testing session. If you quit the test, you will not receive a score for any section, even for sections you have already completed. If you click on “Section Exit” or “Test Quit” by mistake, you will be given the opportunity to reverse or confirm your decision.

You may take the computer-based General Test once per calendar month up to 5 times in a 12-month period. This applies even if you ended your testing session by clicking on “Test Quit ” or canceled your scores after completing the test.

Understand how the test is scored.

* Computer-adaptive tests are scored differently than most paper and pencil tests. Your score on the computer-adaptive test depends on a combination of such factors as
o the number of questions you answered within the allotted time
o your performance on questions answered throughout the test
o the statistical characteristics (including difficulty level) of questions answered throughout the test.

Don’t panic if you don’t know an answer.

* Don’t spend too much time on any one question. The last thing you want to do is waste a lot of valuable time on any one question. If, after you’ve given it a reasonable amount of thought, you don’t know the answer, eliminate as many answer choices as possible and then select and confirm the answer you think is best. Keep going and aim to complete the test.
* If you are running out of time at the end of a section, make every effort to complete the test. Data indicate that most test takers get higher scores if they finish the test. In fact, based on analyses of test takers, a majority of test takers will score higher if they finish the test than if they do not attempt to answer all of the questions. There is a chance that guessing at the end of the test can seriously lower your score. The best strategy is to pace yourself so that you have time to consider each test question, and won’t have to guess.

Test Development Process

The General Test is composed of questions formulated by specialists in various fields. Each question is reviewed by several independent critics and revised if necessary. New questions are pretested in actual tests under standard testing conditions.

Questions appearing in a test for the first time are analyzed for usefulness and potential weaknesses; they are not used in computing scores. Questions that perform satisfactorily become part of a pool from which new editions of the General Test are assembled at a future date.

After questions for a new edition of a General Test have been assembled, they are reviewed by other subject matter experts and test specialists from inside and outside ETS. Individual test questions and the test as a whole are reviewed to eliminate material considered to be potentially offensive, inappropriate for major subgroups of the test-taking population, or serving to perpetuate any negative attitude concerning these subgroups.

The extensive procedure described above has been developed to ensure that every question in the General Test is appropriate and useful and that the combination of questions is satisfactory. Even so, the appraisal continues until after the new edition has been administered and subjected to a rigorous statistical analysis, before scores are reported, to see whether each question yields the expected statistical results.

This analysis could provide information that suggests that a particular question is ambiguous, requires knowledge beyond the scope of the test, or is inappropriate for the total group or for a particular subgroup of test takers. Answers to questions found to have such flaws are not used in computing scores.


Scoring Process

Scores will be based on one section each of verbal and quantitative, and two analytical writing tasks.

Analytical Writing Section

A single score is reported for the analytical writing section. Each essay receives a score from 2 trained readers using 6-point holistic scale. In holistic scoring, readers are trained to assign scores on the basis of the overall quality of a response to the assigned task. If the 2 assigned scores differ by more than 1 point on the scale, the discrepancy is adjudicated by a third, very experienced, reader. Otherwise, the scores from the 2 readings of an essay are averaged. The final scores on the 2 essays are then averaged and rounded up to the nearest half-point interval (e.g., 3.0, 3.5). If no essay response is given for either of the 2 tasks in this section, an NS (No Score) is reported for the section. If any essay response is provided for only one of the 2 writing tasks, the task for which no essay response is provided will receive a score of zero.

The primary emphasis in scoring the analytical writing section is on your critical thinking and analytical writing skills rather than on grammar and mechanics. Additional scoring information is provided in the POWERPREP software and in the interpretive leaflet enclosed with your score report.

During the scoring process, your essay responses on the analytical writing section will be reviewed by ETS essay-similarity-detection software and by experienced essay readers. See Independent Intellectual Activity.

Verbal and Quantitative Sections

You will receive a test score on every section (except unidentified pretest sections and/or research sections), regardless of the number of questions answered, even if time expires before you answer all the questions. However, if you answer no questions at all in a section, that section will be reported as a No Score (NS).

Your score on each section of the test will depend on the number of questions answered in the time allotted, as well as on your performance on the questions given. Because both of these sections are computer adaptive, the questions given are selected to reflect both your performance on preceding questions and the requirements of the test design. Test design factors that influence which questions are presented include:

* the statistical characteristics (including the difficulty level) of those questions already answered
* the required variety of question types
* the appropriate coverage of content

Scores Reported on the General Test

Three scores are reported:

* a verbal score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments,
* a quantitative score reported on a 200-800 score scale, in 10-point increments, and
* an analytical writing score reported on 0-6 score scale, in half-point increments.

If you answer no questions at all in a section (analytical writing, verbal, or quantitative), that section will be reported as a No Score (NS).

Descriptions of the analytical writing abilities characteristic of particular score levels are available in the interpretive leaflet enclosed with your score report, and in the Guide to the Use of GRE Scores.
Canceling Your Scores

At the end of the test, before you view your scores, you will have the option to cancel your scores. This is the only time your scores can be canceled. Canceled scores cannot be reinstated, and no refund will be issued.

Institutions will not receive any information about your canceled scores or about any previous scores you may have on file.
Reporting Your Scores

You can view unofficial verbal and quantitative scores at the test center; however, because of the essay scoring process, you will not receive your analytical writing score at that time. Official verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing scores will be sent to you and score recipients within 10 to 15 days after you take the test. Printed score reports are not available at the test center.

At the end of the test, if you choose to report your scores, you may request that they be sent to as many as 4 graduate institutions or fellowship sponsors at no additional charge. If an institution is not listed, ask the test center administrator for the appropriate form to indicate unlisted institutions. Complete the form and turn it in before you leave the test center. The form will not be accepted after you leave the test center. If you do not select institutions on the test day, you will be required to pay US$15 per recipient to have the scores sent at a later date.

Test centers cannot provide printed copies of score reports.
Retaking the Test

You may take the General Test (computer-based and/or paper-based) only once per calendar month and no more than 5 times in any 12-month period. This applies even if you canceled your scores on a test taken previously.

GRE GENERAL WORD LIST





abacus frame with balls for calculating

abate to lessen, to subside

abdication giving up control, authority

abdomen stomach and bowels

aberration straying away from what is normal

abeyance suspended action

abhor to hate, to detest

abide be faithful to; endure

abjure promise or swear to give up

abraded rubbed off, worn away by friction

abrasion rubbing, scraping, wearing off

abrogate repeal or annul by authority

abscond to go away suddenly (to avoid arrest)

abstruse difficult to comprehend; obscure

abundant plentiful

abut border on

abysmal bottomless, extreme

acarpous effete, no longer fertile, worn out

accentuate give more force or attention to

acclaimed welcomed with shouts and approval

accolade praise, approval

accretion the growing of separate things into one

acquiesce in agree (without protest)

acquisition smth acquired, acquiring

adamant kind of stone; inflexible

adhere remain faithful, stick fast to

adhesion adhering, support

adjacent lying near, next

admonitory containing warning

adorn add beauty; decorate

adulteration making unpure, poorer in quality

affinity close connection, relationship

aggravate make worse; irritate

agile active, quick-moving

ail trouble; be ill

alacrity eager and cheerful readiness

alienate estrange

allegiance duty, support, loyalty

alleviate make (pain) easier to bear

alloy to debase by mixing with something inferior

aloof reserved, indifferent

amalgamate mix, combine, unite societies

ambidextrous able to use the left hand or the right equally well

ambiguous doubtful, uncertain

ambivalent having both of two contrary meanings

ameliorate improve, make better

amendment improving

amicable friendly

amortize end (a debt) by setting aside money

amplify make large or fuller, increase the strength

animosity strong dislike

annul put an end to

anticlimax sudden fall

antidote medicine used against a poison or a disease

antithetical direct opposing

apartheid brutal racial discrimination

apathetic indifference

aplomb self-confidence

apostate one who abandons long-held religious or political convictions

apotheosis deification, glorification to godliness

appease make quiet or calm

apprehensive grasping, understanding; fear, unhappy feeling about future

apprise give notice to, inform

approbation approval

appropriate take for one’s own use, acquire, set aside

apropos appropriate to the situation; apt

apt well-suited, quick-witted

arabesque a complex, ornate design

arabesque whimsical

arbitrate decide by arbitration

arboreal of connected with trees

ardently with full of ardor

ardor enthusiasm

arduous steep, difficult ascent; laborious

argot jargon, slang

arrant in the highest degree

arrogance proud, superior manner of behaviour

articulate speak distinctly, connect by joints

ascend go or come up

ascent the act of ascending

ascertain get to know

ascetic practicing self-denial, austere, stark

ascribe consider to be the origin of or belonging to

asperity roughness, harshness, ill temper, irritability

aspersion slander

assail with attack violently

asset valuable quality, smth that has money value

assiduous diligent, hard-working, sedulous

assuage make smth (pain, desire) less

assumption smth supposed but not proved

asterisk the mark * (e.g.. omitted letters)

astringent substance that shrinks

astute clever; quick at seeing to get an advantage

atonement repayment; death of Jesus

attenuate make thin. weaken, enervate

audacious daring, foolishly bold, impudent

augury omen, sign

august majestic, venerable

auspice protection or support, patronage

auspicious favorable, successful, prosperous

austere severely moral and strict; simple and plain

auxiliary helping, supporting

aver affirm, assert, prove, justify

aversion strong dislike

avid eager, greedy

avow admit. Declare openly

baleful harmful, ominous, causing evil

balk obstacle; purposely to get on the way of

balloon swell out like balloon

balm sweet-smelling oil; consolation

banal uninteresting

band flat, thin strip of material; range of frequencies

bane cause of injury, poison, source of harm

baneful causing harm or ruin, pernicious, destructive

barrage artificial obstacle built across a river

barren not good enough, unable to have young ones, without value

bask in enjoy warmth and light

bazaar market

be irreconcilable cannot be brought into harmony

beatify to bless, make happy, or ascribe a virtue to

bedizen to adorn, especially in a cheap, showy manner

belie contradict, give a false impression

belittle cause to seem unimportant

bellicose belligerent, pugnacious, warlike

belligerent (person, nation) waging war

belligerently waging war

bend cause smth to be out of a straight line

benefactor person who has given help

benevolence wish or activity in doing good

benign kind and gentle; mild (climate)

bequest arrangement to give smth at death

berate scold sharply

bereft rob or dispossess of smth (material)

bewilder puzzle, confuse

biased prejudice

bigot stubborn, narrow-minded person

bilge bulge, the protuberance of a cask

blandishment flattery, coaxing

blandness polite manner, comforting, uninteresting

blatant noisy and rough

blithe cheerful, casual, carefree

blithe gay and joyous

blueprint plan, scheme, photographic print

blunt plain, not troubling to be polite

boggle be alarmed, hesitate, amazed

bogus sham, counterfeit, not genuine

boisterous loud, noisy, rough, lacking restraint

bolster give greatly needed support

boorish crude, offensive, rude

braid strands of hair woven together, smth edging sloth

brash hasty, rush; cheeky, saucy

brass yellow metal (mixing copper and zinc)

brazen made of brass

breach opening, broken place, breaking

brisk active, lively

brisket breast of an animal

brittle easily broken

broach bring up, announce, begin to talk about

brook to tolerate, endure

buoyant able to float; light-hearted

burgeon grow forth, send out buds

burnish to polish, rub to a shine

bust run out of money

cabal a scheme or plot, a group of plotters

cadge to beg, to get by begging

calipers metal supports attached to the legs, measuring instrument

calumniate to slander, present false accusal

calumny slander, aspersion

candid frank, straight-forward

canvass discuss thoroughly; sort of touting

capricious fickle, whimsical, given to change, unpredictable

castigate to chastise, correct by punishing

castigation severe punishment

casual happening by chance, careless

catalyst substance that causes speeding up

caustic biting, sarcastic

censure expression of blame or disapproval; a rebuke

census official counting of the population

centurion leader of a unit of 100 soldiers

chary cautious, wary

chastened corrected, punished

chastisement punishment

chauvinist a blindly devoted patriot

chisel steel tool for shaping materials

churl bad-tempered person

cite give as an example

clamor shout, complain with a lot of noise

cleanse make pure, thoroughly clean

cling to resist separation

clot half-solid lump formed from liquid

cloture closing, device (in Parliament) to end a debate by voting

coalescing coming together and uniting into one substance

coax get smb to do smth by kindness

coddle treat with care and tenderness

coerce compel, to force to make obedient

coeval of the same period, coexisting

cogent strong, convincing

cogitate think deeply, mediate

cognition knowing, awareness (emotionless)

cognizant being fully aware of

coherent sticking together

colander bowl-shaped vessel with many holes used to drain off water

collaborate work in partnership

collusion secret agreement for a deceitful purpose

combustion process of burning

commemorate keep the memory of

commend praise

commendable worthy of praise

commingle mingle together

commuter person who travels regularly

complacently with self-satisfaction

complaisance tending to comply, obliging, willingness to please

comply act in accordance

compound mix or combine

comprise be composed of

compunction feeling of regret for one’s action

conceal hide, keep secret

conceit over-high opinion of, too much pride

conciliatory reconciling, soothing, comforting, mollifying

concord agreement or harmony

concur agree in opinion, happen together

condense increase in density, strength, make laconic

condone forgive

congeal make or become stiff and solid

conjoin to join together

connoisseur a person with good judgement (e.g.. in art)

connotation suggestion in addition to

consent give agreement or permission

consequential pompous, self important

consolation consoling or being consoled

console give comfort or sympathy to

conspicuous easily seen; remarkable

consternation surprise and fear, dismay

constrict make tight or smaller

consume get to the end of

contemn to scorn or despise

contentious argumentative, pugnacious, combative, quarrelsome

contiguous touching, neighboring, near

contrite filled with deep sorrow for wrongdoing

contumacious insubordinate, rebellious

conundrum a riddle, dilemma, enigma

conviction convincing; firm belief

convoke call together, summon

convoluted complicated; coiled, twisted

cord twisted strands

cordial warm and sincere

cordon line (of police acting as a guard)

corporeal physical; of or for the body

correlate have a mutual relation

corroboration additional, strengthening evidence

countenance to favor or approve of

counterfeit forgery

countervail counterbalance

covert disguised

covetous eagerly desirous

cower crouch; shrink back

craven cowardly

crease line made by crushing; white line on the ground in cricket

credulity too great a readiness to believe things

credulous ready to believe things

crush press, lose shape, subdue, overwhelm

cryptic secret, with a hidden meaning

cumbersome burdensome, heavy and awkward to carry

curmudgeon bad-tempered person

curriculum course of study

cursory quick, hurried

curtail make shorter then was planned

cynic person who see no good in anything

dart quick movement; missile in darts

daunt intimidate, make fearful

dawdler person who is slow; waste of time

dearth shortage

debacle a breakup, overthrow, sudden disaster

decorous polite, decent

decorum propriety, properness

decree order given by authority

decry disapprove of

defer postpone; give way (to show respect)

deference respect

deferential showing respect

defiance open disobedience or resistance

deflect turn aside

defy resist openly

degrade reduce in rank or status

delineate to portray, depict, sketch out

deluge great flood, heavy rush of water

demagogue person appealing not to reasons

demur to hesitate, raise objections

denigrate blacken, belittle, sully, defame

denouement an outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot

denounce give information against

dent hollow, depression mad by a blow

deplete use until none remains

deposition dethronement, depositing

deprave make morally bad; corrupt

deprecate protest against, express disapproval of

dereliction deserting and leaving to fall into ruins

derision ridicule, mockery, deriding

derivative derived, not original or primitive

derivative unoriginal, obtained from another source

derogatory insulting; tending to damage

descry catch sight of, see smth in the distance

desiccant substance used to absorb moisture

desiccate to dry up, dehydrate

desuetude cessation of use; disuse

desultory aimless, haphazard, digressing at random

detach separate

deter discourage, hinder

detraction slandering, verbal attack, aspersion

detumescence diminishing or lessening of swelling

deviance being different in moral standards (from normal)

dexterity skill (esp. in handling)

dexterous clever, skillful with hands

diaphanous transparent, gauzy

diatribe bitter and violent attack in words

dictate order

diffidence shyness

diffident lacking in self-confidence

dilate speak comprehensively, become wider, large

dilatory causing delay, procrastinating

disabuse to undeceive, correct a false impression

disallow refuse to allow or accept as a correct

discern see with an effort but clearly

discomfit confuse, embarrass

discomfit to defeat, put down

disconcert upset the self-possession of

discountenance refuse to approve of

discourse speech, lecture,

discredit refuse to believe

disdain look on with contempt

disencumber free from encumbrance

disheveled untidy

disingenuous sophisticated, artful, trying to deceive, cunning

disinter dig up from the earth

dislodge move, force from the place occupied

dismal sad, gloomy, miserable

disparate essentially different

dispassionate free from passion

dissemble speak or behave so as to hide smth (in mind)

disseminate distribute (esp. ideas)

dissent have a different opinion, refuse to assent

dissipation going away, dispersing

dissolution disintegration, looseness in morals

distinct easily heard, seen, understood, clearly marked

distorted pulled out of the usual shape, give a false account of

distraught distracted, violently upset in mind

distress great pain; cause discomfort

divergence getting farther apart from a point

diverse of different kinds

divestiture taking off, getting rid of, giving up

divulge make known smth secret

doggerel trivial, poorly constructed verse

dogmatic positive, certain, arbitrary, without room for discussion

dogmatism being dogmatic

dolt stupid fellow

dormant in a state of inactivity but awaiting development

dote show much fondness, center one’s attention

drone male bee, person who isn’t self-employed

drowsiness feeling sleepy, half asleep

dubious feeling doubt

dud no use person, smth that fails

dulcet melodious, harmonious

dupe cheat, make a fool of

duplicity deliberate deception

duress threats to compel smb

dwarf person or smb much below the usual size

dynamo a generator, something that produces electric current

earthenware dishes made of baked clay

ebullience exuberance, outburst of feeling

ebullient overflowing with enthusiasm; showing excitement

ecumenical representing the whole Christian world

edacious voracious, devouring

eddy circular or spiral movement (e.g.. of wind)

effete infertile, worn out, weak

efficacy production of a desired result

effluvia outflow in a stream of particles; a noxious odor or vapor

effrontery boldness, impudence, arrogance

egress way out, exit

elaborate worked out with much care in great detail

elate stimulate

elation high-spirits

electorate all the electors

elegy a lament, a melancholy composition

elicit draw out

eloquence fluent speaking; skillful use of language

emaciate make thin and weak

embellish make beautiful

embezzle use in a wrong way for one’s own benefit

emergence emerging

emote stir up, excite

empirical relying on experiment

encapsulate enclose in capsule

encomium warm or glowing praise; eulogy, panegyric

encumbrance burden; things that get on the way of

endearing making dear or liked

endemic epidemic

endemic prevailing in a specific area

endorse write one’s name on the back of

enduring lasting

enervate weaken, deprive of strength, attenuate

engender cause, produce, give rise to

engrave impress deeply

engrossing taken up all the time or attention; writing in large or formal

engulf swallow up

enigma smth that is puzzling

enmity hatred; being an enemy

enormity excessive wickedness; evilness

enormousness great size

entangle put into difficulties

entreat ask earnestly

enzyme catalyst

epicure food lover, a connoisseur of food

epicurean devoted to pleasure (sensuous enjoyment)

epistle letter

epithet adjective

epitome brief summary; representative example; a typical model

equable steady, regular

equanimity calmness of temperament

equilibrium state of being balanced

equipoise equal distribution of weight; equilibrium

equivocal having a double or doubtful meaning; suspicious

equivocate try to deceive by equivocal language

eradicate get rid of; pull up by the roots

erasure erasing, removing all traces

erode wear away, eat into

erratic irregular in behavior or opinion

erudite learned, scholarly

escalate increase, develop

esoteric abstruse; intended only for a small circle of

espouse marry; give one’s support to

eulogy formal praise; panegyric

euphoria elation; state of pleasant excitement

euthanasia easy and painless death

evaluating finding out the value

evaporate change into vapor, disappear, die

evince to show clearly, to indicate

evoke call up, bring out

evolve unfold, develop naturally and gradually

excoriate to flay, strip off the skin; to denounce sharply

excoriation severe criticism

exculpate free from blame

exculpate to clear from a charge of guilt

exert but forth; bring into use

exertion instance of exerting

exhaustive complete, thorough

exigency emergency, an urgent situation

exonerate free; clear

exoneration set smb clear, free (e.g.. from blame)

exorbitant much too high or great

expatiate to roam, wander freely

expedient likely to be useful for a purpose

expiation ending; expiring

exploit brilliant achievement; develop; use selfishly

expostulate argue earnestly to dissuade, correct, or protest

expurgate to remove obscenity, purify, censor

exscind to cut out, cut away

exsert thrust out, push forth

extant still in existence

extensive far-reaching

extenuate reduce the strength of, lessen seriousness, partially excuse

extinct no longer active

extirpate to destroy, exterminate, cut out, exscind

extol praise highly

extort obtain by threats, violence

extralegal outside the law

extricable that can be freed

extrovert cheerful person

exuberance state of growing vigorously; being full of life

facetious humorous, funny, jocular

facile easily done

facilitate make easy (e.g.. a process of smth)

fallacious based on error

fallacy false or mistaken belief

fatuous without sense, foolish self-satisfaction

faucet device for controlling the outflow of a liquid

fawn young deer, try to win smb’s favor

feckless futile, irresponsible, inefficient

feckless lacking purpose or vitality; ineffective; careless

fecund fertile

feint pretend

felicitous apt; suitably expressed, well chosen, apropos

felon person guilty of murder

ferment substance; become excited

ferocity savage cruelty

ferret discover by searching; search

fertile producing much, full of ideas

fertilize make fertile or productive

fervid intense, zealous

fervid showing earnest feeling

fervor warmth of feelings; earnestness

fetter to shackle, put in chains

feud bitter quarrel over a long period of time

fidelity loyalty, accuracy

fidget move restlessly, make nervous

figurehead carved image on the prow of a ship

finesse delicate way of dealing with a situation

finical too fussy about food, clothing, etc.

finicky finical

finite limited, having bounds

fission splitting or division (esp. of cells)

fixate stare at

flamboyant brightly colored, florid

flammable having tendency to burst into flames

flaunting show off complacently

flaw crack, lessen value

flax pale yellow (hair); a plant

fledged able to fly, trained, experienced

fleet number of ships, quick-moving

fleeting passing quickly

flexibility easily bent without braking

flinch draw, move back, wince

florid very much ornamented; naturally red (e.g.. of face)

floridness ruddiness; heavily decorated; ornateness

flout reject, mock, to go against (as in going against tradition)

fluster make nervous or confused

foible defect of character (a person is wrongly proud)

foil prevent from carrying out; contrast

foment put smth warm (to lessen the pain)

foppish like a man who pays too much attention to his clothes

forbear refrain from, be patient; ancestor

forbearance patience, willingness to wait

ford shallow place in a river (to cross)

forestall prevent by taking action in advance, preempt

forfeit suffer the loss of smth

forge workshop for the shaping of metal; to shape metal; lead

forgery counterfeit

forswear renounce, disallow, repudiate

fortify strengthen

fortuitous happening by chance

foster nurture, care for

fragile easily injured, broken or destroyed

fragrant sweet-smelling

franchise special right given by authority

frantic wildly excited with joy, pain, anxiety

frenetic frantic, frenzied

fret worry; irritation; wear away

friction the rubbing of one thing against another, difference of opinion

fringe edge; ornamental border; part of hair over the forehead

froward intractable, not willing to yield or comply, stubborn

frugal careful, economical

fulminate berate, vituperate, to thunder out, to explode

fulmination bitter protest

fulsome disgusting, offensive due to excessiveness

gainsay to deny, declare false, to oppose

gambol quick, playful jumping

garment article of clothing

garner to gather and save; to store up

garrulity talkativeness

garrulous too talkative

gaucherie socially awkward, tactless behavior

germane relevant; pertinent to

gist the point, general sense

glean gather facts in small quantities

glib ready and smooth but not sincere

gloat over look at with selfish delight

glut supply to much, fill to excess

gnaw waste away; bite steadily

goad smth urging a person to action

gossamer soft, light, delicate material

gouge tool for cutting grooves in wood

grace favor

grave serious, requiring consideration

gregarious living in societies; liking the company

grievance cause for complaint or protest

grievous causing grief or pain; serious, dire, grave

grimace twisted expression of a face

grind crush, polish

grooves long channel in the surface, habitual way of living

grovel crawl, humble oneself

guile deceit, cunning

guileless straight-forward, candid

gull cheat, deceive

gullible easily gulled

gust outburst of feeling; sudden rain, wind, fire, etc.

hack cut roughly; hired horse

hallow to make holy; consecrate

hamper basket with a lid, prevent free movement or activity

hapless unlucky, unfortunate

harangue a long, passionate speech

harbinger smth or smb that foretells the coming of

harrow to distress, create stress or torment

harsh rough, cruel, stern

haughty arrogant; conceited

haven harbor, safety place

heed pay attention; notice

heinous odious (of crime)

heresy belief contrary to what is generally accepted

hermetic sealed by fusion

heterogeneous made up of different kinds

hew make by hard work; cut (by striking)

hirsute hairy, shaggy

hoax mischievous trick played on smb for a joke

hoi polloi the masses; the rabble

hollow not soled, with hole

holster leather case for a pistol

hone stone used for sharpening tools

hoodwink trick, mislead

hospitable liking to give hospitality

hubris arrogant pride

hurdle light frame, fence to be jumped over

husk worthless outside part of anything

hypocrisy falsely making oneself appear to be good

iconoclast person who attacks popular beliefs

iconoclastic attacking cherished beliefs

idiosyncrasy personal mannerism

idolatrous worshipping idols

idolatry excessive admiration of

idyll a carefree episode or experience

ignoble dishonorable, common, undignified

ignominious shameful, dishonorable, undignified, disgraceful

illicit unlawful, forbidden

illusory deceptive; an illusion

imbroglio complicated and embarrassing situation

immaculate pure, faultless

immerse absorb; put under the surface of

imminent likely to come or happen soon

immutable that cannot be changed

impair worsen, diminish in value

impaired damaged, weakened

impassive unmoved; feeling no sign of passion

impecunious having little or no money

impede hinder; get in the way of

impediment smth that hinders (e.g. stammer)

impending imminent, being about to happen, expected

imperative urgent, essential

imperious commanding, haughty, arrogant

imperviousness haughty, arrogant, commanding

impermeable that cannot be permeated

imperturbable calm; not capable of being excited

impervious not allowing to pass through (of materials)

imperviousness arrogance, commanding presence, overbearingness

impetuous having sudden energy, impulsive, thrusting ahead, forceful

impiety lack of reverence or dutifulness

implacable incapable of being placated, unpleasable

implausibility incredibility

implicate show that smb has a share

implicit implied though not plainly expressed

implosion collapse; bursting inward

imply make a suggestion

importune beg urgently; solicit (of a prostitute)

imprecation an invocation of evil; a curse

impromptu without preparation

impudence being rash, indiscreet

impudent rash, indiscreet

impugned challenged, to be doubted

impute to attribute to a cause or source, ascribe

inadvertent not paying proper attention

inane silly, senseless

inasmuch since, because

incense make angry

incessant often repeated, continual

inchoate not yet fully formed, rudimentary, elementary

incise engrave, make a cut in

incite stir up, rouse

inclined directing the mind in a certain direction

incoherently not consistently, unclearly

incongruous out of place, not in harmony or agreement

incorrigibility cannot be cured or corrected

incredulous skeptical, unwilling to believe

inculcate fix firmly by repetition

incumbents official duties

incursion a raid, a sudden attack

indefatigability not easily exhaustible; tirelessness

indelible that cannot be rubbed out

indelicate immodest; lacking in refinement

indigence poverty

indigenous native

indistinct not easily heard, seen, clearly marked

indolence laziness

indomitable not easily discouraged or subdued

indulge gratify, give way to, satisfy; allow oneself

indulgent inclined to indulge

ineffable to great to be described in words

ineluctable certain, inevitable

inept unskillful; said or done at the wrong time

infertile not fertile, barren

inflame become red, angry

inflammatory tending to inflame

infuriate fill with fury or rage

infuse put, pour, fill

ingenuous naive, young, artless, frank, honest, sincere

ingest take in by swallowing

inherent existing as a natural part

inhibit hinder, restrain

inimical harmful or friendly

inimitable defying imitation, unmatchable

innocuous causing no harm

inscrutable incapable of being discovered or understood

insensible unconscious, unresponsive, unaffected

insinuate suggest unpleasantly; make a way for smth gently

insipid without taste or flavor

insouciant unconcerned, carefree

insularity narrow-mindedness, isolated

insurrection rising of people to open resistance to

interdict prohibit, forbid

interim as an installment

intersperse place here and there

intervene come between; interfere to change the result

intractable unruly, refractory, stubborn

intransigence unwillingness to compromise, stubbornness, intractability

intransigent uncompromising

intrepid fearless, brave, undaunted

introspection examining one’s own thoughts and feelings

inundate flood; cover by overflowing

inured accustomed to, adapted

invective abusive language, curses

inveigh to attack verbally, denounce, deprecate

inveterate deep-rooted. long-established

involute complex

irascible irritable, easily angered

irate angry

ire anger

irksome tiresome

irrelevant not relevant, not connected

irresolute hesitating; undecided

irrevocable final and unalterable

itinerary plan for a journey, details or records of a route

itinerate to travel from place to place, to peregrinate

jabber talk excitedly; utter rapidly

jeopardize put in danger

jibe gibe, make fun of

jocular meant as a joke

judicious sound in judgment; wise

knit draw together, unite firmly

labyrinthine to entangle the state of affairs

lachrymose causing tears, tearful

lackluster (of eyes) dull

laconic brief, to the point, terse

lag go too slow

lament show, feel great sorrow

lassitude weariness, tiredness

latent present but not yet active, developed or visible

laudatory expressing or giving praise

lavish giving or producing freely, liberally or generously

leakage the process of leaking

legacy smth handed down from ancestors

libel statement that damages reputation

liberality free giving; generosity

libertine immoral person

lien legal claim until a debt on it is repaid

limn paint, portray

limp lacking strength, walking unevenly

lithe bending, twisting

loll rest, to sit or stand in a lazy way; hang (dog’s tongue)

loquacious talkative, garrulous

lubricant substance that makes work easier

lubricate put oil to make work easily

lubricious lewd, wanton, greasy, slippery

lucubrate write in scholarly fashion

luculent easily understood, lucid, clear

lugubrious mournful, excessively sad

lull become quiet or less active

luminary star, light-giving body

lustrous being bright, polished

macabre gruesome, suggesting death

machination plot, scheme (esp. evil)

maladroit tactless, clumsy

malapropism misuse of a word (for one that resembles it)

malevolence wishing to do evil

malign injurious, speak ill of smb, tell lie

malinger to fake illness or injury, in order to shirk a duty

malleable yielding; easily shaped; moldable; adapting

manacle chains for the hands or feet

martial brave, of associated with war

massacre cruel killing of a large number of people

matriculation be admitted, enter a university as a student

mature come to full development, to a state ready for use

maudlin sentimental in a silly or tearful way

maverick rebel, nonconformist

mellifluous sweetly flowing

mendacious false

mendacity dishonesty

mendicant a beggar

mercurial quick, changeable in character, fleeting

meretricious attractive on the surface but of little value

mesmerize hypnotize

meticulous giving great attention to details

mettle quality of endurance or courage

mettlesome courageous, high-spirited

middling fairly good but not very good

minatory menacing, threatening

mince pronounce or speak affectedly, euphemize

misanthrope person who hates mankind

mischievous harmful, causing mischief

miser person who loves wealth and spends little

misogynist one who hates women/females

missile smth that is thrown or shot

mitigate make less severe or painful

moderation quality of being limited, not extreme

mollify make calmer or quieter

molt moult, lose hair, feathers before new growing

morbid diseased, unhealthy (e.g.. about ideas)

morose ill-tempered, unsocial

mortuary place where dead bodies are taken to be kept until burial

multifarious varied, motley, greatly diversified

mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual; commonplace, everyday

myriad very great number

nadir lowest, weakest point

nascent coming into existence, emerging

nebulous cloud-like; hazy; vague; indistinct

negligent taking too little care

neophyte person who has been converted to a belief

nexus a connection, tie, or link

nibble show some inclination to accept (an offer)

nice precise, sensitive to subtleness

noisome offensive, disgusting (smell)

nonchalant not having interest

nonplused greatly surprised

nostrum a quack remedy, an untested cure

notion nominal, token

noxious harmful

nullify make void and null

numb without ability to feel or move

numbness without ability to move a finger

obdurate hardened and unrepenting; stubborn, inflexible

obfuscate to darken, make obscure, muddle

oblivious unaware, having no memory

obloquy abusively detractive language, sharp criticism, vituperation

obsequious too eager to obey or serve

obsolete no longer used

obstreperous noisy, loud

obtain to be established, accepted, or customary

obtrusive projecting, prominent, undesirably noticeable

obviate to make unnecessary, get rid of

occluded blocked up

occult hidden, concealed, beyond comprehension

odious repulsive, hateful

odium contempt, dislike, aversion

odor smell; favor; reputation

officious too eager or ready to help, offer advice

onerous needing effort, burdensome

opprobrious showing scorn or reproach

ossify to turn to bone; to settle rigidly into an idea

ostensible seeming, appearing as such, professed

ostentation display to obtain admiration or envy

ostentatious fond of showing ostentation

ostracism shut out from society, refuse to meet, talk

ostrich fast-running bird unable to fly

outset start

overhaul examine thoroughly to learn about the condition

overweening presumptuously arrogant, overbearing, immoderate, being a jerk

overwhelm weigh down, submerge

paean song of praise or triumph

palate roof of the mouth; sense of taste

palatial magnificent

palliate lessen the severity of

palliate to make something appear less serious, to alleviate, to gloss over

palpability can be felt, touched, understood

palpitate tremble, beat rapidly and irregularly

panegyric formal praise, eulogy

paradigm a model, example, or pattern

parenthesis sentence within another one, smth separated

pariah an outcast, a rejected and despised person

parsimonious too economical, miserly

partisan one-sided, committed to a party, biased or prejudiced

patron regular customer; person who gives support

paucity scarcity, a lacking of

peccadillo small sin; small weakness in one’s character

pedantic bookish, showing off learning

pedestrian commonplace, trite, unremarkable

pellucid transparent, easy to understand

penchant strong inclination, a liking

penitent feeling or showing regret

penury extreme poverty

peregrination traveling about, wandering

peremptory urgent, imperative, unchallengeable, ending debate

perennial lasting for a long time (e.g.. a year)

perfidious treacherous, faithless

perfidy treachery; breaking of faith

perfunctory done as a duty without care

perilous dangerous

peripatetic wandering

perish be destroyed; decay

perjury willful false statement, unlawful act

permeate spread into every part of

pernicious harmful, injurious

perpetrate be guilty; commit (a crime)

persevere keep on steadily, continue

personable pleasing in appearance, attractive

perspicacity quick judging and understanding

pertain belong as a part, have reference

pest destructive thing or a person who is nuisance

petrified taken away power (to think, feel, act)

petrify to make hard, rocklike

petrous like a rock, hard, stony

petulant unreasonably impatient

philistine a smug ignorant person; one who lacks knowledge

phlegmatic calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional

picaresque involving clever rogues or adventurers

pied of mixed colors

pinch be too tight, take between the thumb and finger

pious dutiful to parents; devoted to religion

piquant agreeably pungent, stimulating

pique hurt the pride or self-respect, stir (curiosity)

pitfall covered hole as a trap, unsuspected danger

pith essential part, force, soft liquid substance

pivotal of great importance (others depend on it)

placate soothe, pacify, calm

plaintive mournful, melancholy, sorrowful

plaque flat metal on a wall as a memorial

platitude a trite or banal statement; unoriginality

plea request

plead address a court of law as an advocate

plethora glut

pliant pliable, easily bent, shaped or twisted

plod continue doing smth without resting

pluck pull the feathers off, pick (e.g.. flowers)

plumb get to the root of

plummet fall, plunge, steeply

plunge move quickly, suddenly and with force

poignant deeply moving; keen

poise be ready, be balanced, self-possession

polemical controversial, argued

ponderous heavy, bulky, dull

portent omen; marvelous; threatening

poseur someone taking on airs to impress others; a phony

posture state, attitude; adopt a vain

poverty state of being poor

pragmatic practical, favoring utility

precarious uncertain, risky, dangerous

precept moral instruction

precepts rules establishing standards of conduct

precipitate throw smth violently down from a height

preclude prevent, make impossible

precursory preliminary, anticipating

predilection special liking, mental preference

predominate have more power than others

preempt obtain by preemption or in advance

premature doing or happening smth before the right time

preponderance greatness in number, strength, weight

presage warning sign

preternatural not normal or usual

prevalent common

prevaricate to equivocate, to stray from the truth

prim neat; formal

pristine primitive, unspoiled, pure, as in earlier times, unadulterated

probity uprightness, incorruptibility, principle

proclivity inclination

procrastination keeping on putting off

prodigal wasteful, reckless with money

prodigious enormous, wonderful

profane worldly, having contempt for God

profligate wasteful, prodigal, licentious, extravagant

profundity depth

proliferate grow, reproduce by rapid multification

prolix tiring because too long

prone prostrate; inclined to (undesirable things)

propagation increasing the number, spreading, extending

propinquity nearness in time or place, affinity of nature

propitiate do smth to take away the anger of

propitiatory conciliatory, appeasing, mitigating

propitious auspicious, presenting favorable circumstances

prosaic everyday, mundane, commonplace, trite, pedestrian

proscribe denounce as dangerous

protracted prolonged

provident frugal; looking to the future

provisional of the present time only

provoke make angry; vax

prudence careful forethought

prudish easily shocked, excessively modest

prune dried plum, silly person

pry get smth; inquire too curiously

pugnacious fond of, in the habit of fighting

punch strike with the fist; tool for cutting holes; alc. drink

punctilious precise, paying attention to trivialities

pundit pedant, authority on a subject

pungency sharpness; stinging quality

purvey provide, supply

pusillanimous cowardly, craven

pyre large pile of wood for burning

quack person dishonestly claiming to smth

quaff drink deeply

quail lose courage, turn frightened

qualm feeling of doubt, temporary feeling of sickness

quell suppress, subdue

quibble try to avoid by sophistication

quiescent at rest, dormant, torpid

quirk habit or action peculiar to smb or smth

quixotic generous, unselfish

quotidian banal; everyday

rabble mob, crowd; the lower classes of populace

raconteur person who tells anecdotes

radiant bright, shining

raffish low, vulgar, base, tawdry

rail at find fault, utter reproaches

ramify to be divided or subdivided; to branch out

rancorous feeling bitterness, spitefulness

rant use extravagant language

rapacious greedy (esp for money)

rarefy to make thin, to make less dense, to purify or refine

reactionary opposing progress

rebuff snub

recalcitrant disobedient

recant take back as being false; give up

recast cast or fashion anew

recidivism relapse into antisocial or criminal behavior

reciprocity granting of privileges in return for similar

recitals a number of, performance of music

recluse person who lives alone and avoids people

recompense make payment to; reward, punish

reconcile settle a quarrel; restore peace

recondite little known; abstruse

recourse smth turned to for help

recreancy cowardice, a cowardly giving up

recuperate become strong after illness, loss, exhaustion

redeem get back by payment; compensate

redemptive serving to redeem

redoubtable formidable, causing fear

refine make or become pure, cultural

refractory stubborn, unmanageable, untractable

refulgent shining, brilliant

regale to delight or entertain; to feast

regicide crime of killing a king

reiterate say or do again several times

rejuvenation becoming young in nature or appearance

relapse fall back again

relinquish give up

reluctant unwilling or disinclined

remonstrate to protest, object

render deliver, provide, represent

renovate restore smth to better condition

renowned celebrated, famous

rent regular payment for the use of smth, division or split

repast meal

repine at be discontented with

reproach scold, upbraid

reprobate person hardened in sin; one devoid of decency

repudiate disown, refuse to accept or pay

repulsive causing a feeling of disgust

requite repay, give in return

resigned unresisting, submissive

resilience quality of quickly recovering the original shape

resolve determine

resort to frequently visit

restive refusing to move; reluctant to be controlled

resurrect bring back into use

resuscitation coming back to consciousness

retard check, hinder

reticent reserved, untalkative, silent, taciturn

revere have deep respect for

rift split, crack, dissension

rivet fix, take up, secure; metal pin

roll call calling of names

rope thick strong cord made by twisting

rotund rich and deep; plump and round

rubric heading, title, or category

ruffian violent, cruel man

sagacious having sound judgment; perceptive, wise; like a sage

salacious obscene

salient prominent, protruding, conspicuous, highly relevant

salubrious healthful

salutary remedial, wholesome, causing improvement

sanctimony self-righteousness, hypocritical, with false piety

sanction approval (by authority); penalty

sanguine cheerful, confident, optimistic

sanity health of mind; soundness of judgement

sap weaken

sate satiate

satiate satisfy fully

saturnine gloomy, dark, sullen, morose

savant person of great learning

savor taste, flavor smth

sawdust tiny bits of wood

scabbard sheath for the blade

scent smell (esp pleasant)

scribble write hastily

scurvy mean, contemptible

seal piece of wax, lead, etc stamped on the document

secular material (not spiritual); living outside monasteries

sedulous persevering

seminal like a seed; constituting a source, originative

sententious short and pithy, full of maxims/proverbs

sequence succession, connected line of

serrated having a toothed edge

serration having a toothed edge

servile like a slave, lacking independence

severance severing

shaft arrow or spear, smth long and narrow

shallow little depth; not earnest

shard piece of broken earthenware

sheath cover for the blade of a weapon or a tool

shove push

shrewd astute; showing sound judgement

shrill sharp, piercing

shun keep away from; avoid

shunt send from one track to another; lay aside; evade discussion

sidestep step to one side

sinuous winding, undulating, serpentine

skiff small boat

skit short piece of humorous writing

slack sluggish; dull; not tight

slake to assuage, to satisfy, allay

slate king of blue-grey stone; propose; criticize

sluggard lazy, slow-moving person

soar rise, fly high

sober self-controlled

sobriety quality or condition of being sober

sodden soaked, saturated

soggy heavy with water

solvent of the power of forming a solution

somatic of the body

soot black powder in smoke

sophisticated complex, subtle, refined

sophistry fallacious reasoning, faulty logic

sophomoric self-assured though immature, affected, bombastic, overblown

sordid wretched, comfortless, contemptible

spear weapon with a metal point on a long shaft

specious illogical, of questionable truth or merit

splenetic bad-tempered, irritable

splice join (two ends)

sponge porous rubber for washing; live at once expense

spurious false, counterfeit

spurn have nothing to do; reject or refuse

squalid foul, filthy

squander spend wastefully

stanch to stop the flow of a fluid

steeply rising or falling sharply

stentorian extremely loud and powerful

stickler person who insists on importance of smth

stigma mark of shame or disgrace

stigmatize describe smb scornfully

sting smth sharp

stingy spending, using unwillingly

stint to be thrifty, to set limits

stipulate state or put forward as a necessary condition

stolid showing no emotion; impassive

strands smth twisted together into a rope, line of development

stray wander, lose one’s way

streak long, thin; move very fast

striated striped, grooved, or banded

stride walk with long steps

strut a supporting bar

stygian hence, dark, gloomy

stymie to hinder, obstruct, or block

subdue overcome, bring under control

sublime extreme; astounding

submerge put under water, liquid, sink out of sight

suborn induce by bribery or smth to commit perjury

subpoena written order requiring a person to appear in a low court

subsume include under a rule

succor assistance, relief in time of distress

suffice be enough

sullied to be stained or discredited

summarily briefly; without delay

sumptuous magnificent

sundry various, miscellaneous, separate

supercilious disdainful; characterized by haughty scorn

superfluous more then is needed or wanted

superimpose put smth on the top

supersede take the place of

supine lying on the back; slow to act, passive

suppliant asking humbly, beseeching

supplicate make a humble petition to

suppress prevent from being known; put an end to

surfeit satiate, feed to fulness or to excess

susceptibility sensitiveness

sustain keep from falling; maintain; suffer; give a decision

sycophant person who flatter to the rich and powerful

synopsis summary or outline

taciturn untalkative, silent

talon claw of a bird of prey

tamp tap or drive down by repeated light blows

tamper interfere with

tangential suddenly changeable

tarnished lost brightness

taunt contemptuous reproach, hurtful remark

taut tightly stretched

tautology a repetition, a redundancy

tawdry cheap, gaudy, showy, tacky

tease annoy; puzzling question

tedious tiresome

teetotal oppose to alcohol

temerity boldness, brashness, intrepidness

temperance abstinence from alcohol, self-control, moderation

temperate showing self-control

tenacity firmness, persistency, adhesiveness, tending to hang on

tenuous insubstantial, flimsy, weak

terse brief and to the point

thrift care, economy, thriving, prosperous

timid shy, easily frightened

timorous fearful, timid, afraid

tolerable fairly good

tonic smth giving strength or energy

topple be unsteady and overturn

torment severe pain or suffering

torpid sleeping, sluggish, lethargic, dormant

tortuous full of twists and bends

tout person who worries others to buy smth, to use his service

touting act as tout

toy think not seriously, handle absent-mindedly

tractable easily controlled or guided

transgress break, go beyond (a limit)

transient temporary, fleeting

transitory brief

trenchant forceful, effective, vigorous; extremely perceptive, incisive

trend tendency, general direction

trepidation alarm, excited state of mind

trifling unimportant

trite not new

truculence aggressiveness, ferocity

trudge walk heavily

turbid muddy, having the sediment stirred up

turbulence being uncontrolled, violent

turgid excessively ornate; swollen or bloated

turmoil trouble, disturbance

turpitude wickedness, shamefulness

tyro tiro, beginner

ulterior situated beyond

umbrage offense, resentment

uncouth rough, awkward

underbid make a lower bid then smb else

undermine weaken gradually, at the base, make smth under

undulate to move in wavelike fashion, fluctuate

unencumbered easy-going, trifle

unfeigned not pretended, sincere

unscathed unharmed, unhurt

untoward unfortunate, inconvenient

upbraid scold, reproach

urbane elegant, refined in manners

vacillation being uncertain, hesitating

vagary strange act or idea

vain without use, result; conceited

valiant brave

valorous brave

vanquish conquer

vapor stim, mist

veer change direction

venal ready to do smth dishonest

veneer surface appearance covering the true nature

veneration regard with deep respect

veracity truth

verisimilitude appearing true or real

veritable real, rightly named

verve spirit, vigor, enthusiasm

vex annoy, distress, trouble

vigilance watchfulness, self-appointed group who maintain order

vigilant member of a vigilance committee

vigorous strong, energetic

vilify slander, say evil things

vindictive having a desire to revenge

virago a loud, domineering woman; a scold or nag

visceral of the internal organs of the body

vitiate lower the quality; weaken the strength

vituperate curse, abuse in words

vivacious lively, high-spirited

volatile changeable, inconstant, fickle, unstable, explosive

volubility fluency, verbosity, easy use of spoken language

voluble fluent

voluminous occupying much space

waft scent, waving movement; carry lightly through

wag merry person

wage payment, carry on, engage in (war)

warmonger person who stirs up war

warp become bent

warrant authority, written order, guarantee

wary cautious

weave make (threads) into cloth

weigh measure hoe heavy smth is

welter turmoil; a bewildering jumble

wend to go, proceed

whimsical full of odd and fanciful ideas

wince show bodily or mental pain

woo try to win

yarn tale, story; fibers for knitting