(GRE) vocab and idioms 2
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Created by:
acastonguay on May 28, 2012
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53 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 'On the Dot' | on time |
| reproach | scold |
| evanescent | momentary |
| tantamount | similar to |
| egregious | unique in a bad way |
| impunity | exception from punishment |
| flagrant | obviously offensive or wrong |
| clandestine | secret |
| nebulous | unclear, vague |
| omnivorous | taking over, or taking in everything (an omnivorous reader) |
| precedent | model to be followed |
| omnipotent | all knowing |
| 'Sword of Damocles' | a precarious situation |
| rudimentary | basic level |
| throng (n) | crowd of people or animals |
| pretext | a false reason or justification for something |
| accosted | approached forcefully |
| mammoth | colossal, huge |
| havoc | great destruction |
| sinecure (n) | a job with little work |
| overt | done openly, apparent |
| relegate | to send to an inferior position |
| repulse | to drive back by force |
| bias | prejudice in favor or against something |
| prejudice | preconceived opinion not based on experience |
| racism | belief that one racial group is superior to another (that an entirety of one race may possess specific characteristics) |
| incisive | accurate, quick thinking |
| precipitate | cause to happen suddenly (usu. undesirable) |
| impetuous | impulsive, done without care |
| foment | instigate or stir up |
| 'Hit the nail on the head' | say something exactly right |
| occult | mysterious, magical practices or phenomena |
| abjure | to renounce (to give up a claim) |
| slovenly | careless, sloppily |
| penitent | regretful |
| quarry | something that is hunted |
| deter | prevent or discourage |
| 'Out of one's depth' | over your head |
| allay | to sooth or alleviate |
| 'Under one's wing' | guided, to be in their care |
| redolent | filled with a smell |
| disparate | different, not comparable |
| inane | silly or stupid |
| rampant | wide spread |
| admonish | warn firmly (strongly advise) |
| paucity | shortage, scarcity |
| 'Pass the buck' | shift responsibility |
| 'Take down a peg' | lower/diminish someone |
| 'Stock in trade' | carry on business |
| 'Lionize a person' | treat as an idol |
| pernicious | having a harmful effect, fatal |
| ethics | moral principals |
| acrimonious | harsh, bitter (usu. during a speech) |
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