Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter A

antiseptic substance that prevents infection in a wound Neem has many antiseptic properties antithesis contrast; direct opposite of or to; ADJ. antithetic or antithetical That seems to be an antithetical statement antler bony growth on the head of a deer The antlers of deer have great commercial value anvil iron block used in hammering out metals A hammer has an anvil apathy lack of caring; indifference; lack of concern or interest in important matters He was sunk in apathy after his failure ape imitate or mimic (a persons behavior or manner) Kids ape their senior aperture opening; hole; adjustable opening in a camera that limits the amount of light The camera has an aperture apex tip; summit; climax; highest point Guru Dutt reached an apex of success in the late 50s aphasia loss of speech due to injury or illness The lady is dedicated to teaching students suffering from aphasia aphorism pithy maxim or saying; ADJ. aphoristic The aphorism Make hay while the sun shines holds good for all students apiary a place where bees are kept He has substantial knowledge of apiaries

apiculture bee-keeping Apiculture is one of the viable businesses in India apiarist person who keeps bees He is an apiarist by profession aplomb poise; composure in difficult situations; assurance; self-confidence He carries himself in aplomb apocalyptic prophetic; pertaining to revelations especially of disaster; N. apocalypse The predictions of Nostradamus were apocalyptic apocryphal (of a story) widely believed but untrue Mythology deals in apocryphal stories <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> <![endif]> apogee highest point; the point farthest from the earth; OPP. perigee

The golden age of American sail, which began with the fast clipper ships in 1848, reached its apogee in the Gold Rush years (Los Angeles Times)
apolitical having an aversion or lack of concern for political affairs Being born into a political family she remained apolitical apologist one who writes in defense of a cause or institution; N. apologia An apology to poetry was written by Sir Philip Sydney apoplexy stroke; loss of consciousness caused by too much blood in the brain His unconsciousness was later suggested as apoplexy apostate one who abandons his religious faith or political beliefs; N. apostasy She declared herself an apostate apothecary druggist; pharmacist The play introduces the hero as an apothecary apothegm(apothegm) pithy, compact saying Brevity is the soul of wit is an apothegm apotheosis

elevation to godhood; an ideal example of something In the last chapter of R.K Narayans Guide, the heros apotheosis dominates the plot of the play appall dismay; shock deeply It was an appalling piece of news apparition ghost; phantom Hamlets father appears as an apparition, in the play Hamlet appease pacify or soothe; she appeased a crying baby appellation name; title They must institute some persons under the appellation of magistrates. Hume append attach, fixed, supplemented The key is appended to the book application diligent attention; diligence; V. apply oneself Application of mind is necessary to understand a concept apposite appropriate; fitting The students were asked to select the apposite meaning appraise estimate value of; N. appraisal Her salary has been appraised just two months of her joining the company appreciate be thankful for; increase in worth; be thoroughly conscious of; ADJ. appreciable: enough to be felt; Ex. appreciable difference The students were appreciated for participating in the quiz apprehend arrest (a criminal); dread; perceive; N. apprehension The criminal was apprehended apprehensive fearful; discerning The parents were apprehensive about the Schools summer program apprise inform The director wanted to be apprised on the situation

approbation approval Many . . . joined in a loud hum of approbation. Macaulay appropriate acquire; take possession of for ones own use without permission; set aside for a particular purpose; allocate; CF. misappropriate I feel that the funds are appropriated appurtenances subordinate possessions; something added to a more important thing The old lady collected all her appurtenances and left apropos with reference to; regarding; Remarks apropos (of) the present situation aptitude fitness; talent The aptitude test is conducted to select the best students aquiline curved; hooked; of or like an eagle; The protagonist in the movie has an aquiline nose arable fit for growing crops Acres of arable land in India is left uncultivated arbiter person with power to decide a matter in dispute; judge who is in a position ot make influential judgments; He is deputed as the supreme arbiter of fashion in beachwear arbitrary unreasonable or capricious; random; tyrannical Hitler was an arbitrary ruler arbitrate act as judge (at the request of both sides) Management and labor agreed to arbitrate their remaining differences . arboretum place where different trees and shrubs are studied and exhibited The students were taken to an arboretum arboreal of or living in trees Monkeys are arboreal arcade a covered passageway usually lined with shops Shops arcaded the narrow street

Read more: http://learnwordlist.com/grevocabulary/barron%e2%80%99s-gre-word-listvocabulary-test-prep-letter-a/2009/05/14/high-score-word-gre-test-listfree#ixzz19w0dHcwD arcane esoteric; secret; mysterious; known only to the initiated; Ex. arcane ritual That was an arcane process closed to the uninitiated listener archaeology study of artifacts and relics of early mankind Dr. Zahir Abbas is a famous archeologist archaic antiquated; no longer used; belonging to the past In India : a wounded civilization V.S.Naipaul suggests Indians to come out of archaic memories archetype prototype; primitive pattern Hes an archetype of a successful entrepreneur archchief; first; Ex. Archbishop Satan was once an arch angel archipelago group of closely located islands Darwin conducted his research on Galapagos an archipelago archives public records; place where public records are kept All government records are archived ardor heat; passion; zeal; ADJ. ardent The students demonstrated exemplary ardor during the competition arduous hard; strenuous Its going to be an arduous work argot slang; speech spoken by only a small group of people Primitive African languages are characterized as argot aria operatic solo; a song sung by one person in an opera or oratorio An aria is an air song arid (of land) dry; barren; unproductive Most of the land in Rajasthan is arid aristocracy hereditary nobility; privileged class; government by nobility; N. aristocrat

In the Senate Right not our quest in this, I will protest them To all the world, no aristocracy. B. Jonson armada fleet of warships The Invincible Armada of Philip II of Spain (1588) aromatic fragrant; having a sweet smell; N. aroma: strong pleasant smell Sage is an aromatic herb arraign charge in court; indict He was arraigned for bribery array marshal; draw up in order; arrange in order; clothe splendidly; adorn; N: fine clothes; ordered group; The troops stood in battle array arrears being in debt; money that should have been paid; work that should have been done She got all her arrears cleared arrhythmic lacking rhythm or regularity; N. arrhythmia Her song rendition was arrhythmic arrogance pride; haughtiness; ADJ. arrogant: unpleasantly self-important (with a strong confidence in ones own importance and a lack of respect for other people) Her arrogant attitude brought her no friends arroyo gully; narrow channel formed by rainwater Arroyos usually have relatively flat floors and are flanked by steep sides consisting of unconsolidated sediments artery blood-vessel; CF. vein The renal artery gets vein to the kidney from the heart articulate effective; distinct; expressing ideas clearly; having clear sounds; having joints; Ex. articulate speech; V: express thoughts and feeling clearly; pronounce clearly; unite by joints His speech was articulate arsenal storage place for military equipment The new models of guns are in the arsenal artifacts object made by human beings, either hand-made or mass-produced These artifacts are exorbitantly prized

artifice deception; trickery He won over through artifice artisan a manually skilled worker Artisans are paid less artless without guile; open and honest The bride appeared artless ascendancy controlling influence; position of controlling influence; CF. in the ascendant Germany only awaits trade revival to gain an immense mercantile ascendancy ascertain find out for certain; make certain We are trying to ascertain the facts ascetic practicing self-denial; avoiding physical pleasures and comforts; austere Buddhist monks lead an ascetic life ascribe refer; attribute; assign She ascribed her success to her mother aseptic preventing infection; having a cleansing effect Turmeric is an aseptic ashen ash-colored; deadly pale She chose an ashen dress for the wedding asinine stupid; imbecile, idiotic He made asinine remarks askance with a sideways or indirect look (with disapproval or destruct) He looks askance at the villain askew crookedly; slanted; at an angle His askew hat drew attention asperity sharpness; roughness; severity (of temper or weather) The asperities of a Russian winter are tough to define aspersion slanderous remark; The public cast aspersions on the politician aspirant seeker after position or status

She is an aspirant of truth aspire seek to attain (position or status); long for He aspires to become president assail assault, to attack To assail ones opponent with slander assay analyze (to discover what materials are present); evaluate (soil or ore) She was called to assay the situation assent agree; accept; N. assessment Assenting to his demands, I did as I was told assert state strongly or positively; demand recognition of (rights, claims, etc.); make a claim to (by forceful action); One should assert ones independence assiduous diligent, hard working She is an assiduous student assimilate absorb; take (food) into the body and digest it; understand (knowledge) completely and be able to use properly; cause to become homogeneous (the people of a country or race in the ways of behaving or thinking) The food has to be completely assimilated assuage make less severe; ease or lessen (pain); satisfy (hunger); soothe (anger) Her talk assuages suffering assumption something taken for granted; the taking over or taking possession of; She has an assumption of power assurance firm statement that something is certainly true; promise or pledge; certainty; confidence in ones own ability; self-confidence In spite of all his assurances, he did not come back asteroid small planet An asteroid is a minor planet astigmatism eye defect which prevents proper focus; OP. stigmatism She suffers from astigmatism astral relating to the stars A star is an astral body

astringent binding; causing contraction (stopping bleeding); harsh or severe; stringent; That was astringent criticism Astronomical enormously large or extensive The prize he quotes usually is astronomical astute wise; shrewd; keen; seeing quickly something that is to ones advantage The new manager is astute asunder into parts; apart; V. sunder Lightning split the old oak tree asunder asylum place of refuge or shelter; protection (religious or political) He sought asylum in the church asymmetric not identical on both sides of a dividing central line Most faces are asymmetric atavism resemblance to remote ancestors rather than to parents; reversion to an earlier type; throwback; ADJ. atavistic Atavism is a kind of mutation atheistic denying the existence of God; N. atheism He flaunted his atheistic beliefs atone make amends for; pay for; Ex. atone for He atoned his sins atrocity brutal deed; ADJ. atrocious It was not easy for her to live with his atrocities atrophy wasting away; V: weaken and lose flesh and muscle (through lack of blood or lack of use) The children in the famine hit region are atrophied attentive alert and watchful; listening carefully; paying attention; considerate; thoughtful; politely helpful; Ex. attentive audience; He was attentive to the old lady attenuate make thin; weaken The drought attenuated the river to a narrow channel

attest testify; bear witness All the documents have to be attested attribute essential quality; V: ascribe; explain She attributes her success to hard work attrition rubbing away by friction; gradual decrease in numbers or strength; reduction in the work force without firing employees; wearing away of opposition by means of harassment It was a war of attrition atypical not normal; not typical a flower atypical of the species audacious daring; bold; N. audacity an audacious vision of the citys bright future audit examination of accounts of a business; official examination; V. An energy audit can suggest ways to reduce home fuel bills augment increase; add to Her hard work augmented their family prosperity augury omen; prophecy; sign of coming events; V. augur: predict; foretell; be a sign of (something in future) He resigned himself . . . with a docility that gave little augury of his future greatness august impressive; majestic An august performance of a religious drama aureole suns corona; halo; bright circle of light An aureole is a halo auroral pertaining to the aurora borealis; CF. aurora australis auspicious favoring success; giving signs of future success; Cf. auspices The sight of albatross is auspicious

austere forbiddingly stern; ascetic; without comfort or enjoyment; severely simple and unornamented; Ex. a monks austere life; One cannot describe the austere grandeur of the cathedral authenticate prove genuine The documents need to be authenticated authoritarian subordinating the individual to the state; completely dominating anothers will; Ex. authoritarian regime/father authoritative having the weight of authority; regarded as providing knowledge that can be trusted; reliable; peremptory and dictatorial; The advanced Oxford learners is an authoritative dictionary autocratic having absolute unchecked power; dictatorial; N. autocrat, autocracy India was under the autocratic rule of the British automaton mechanism that imitates actions of humans; machine that works by itself A Robot is an automaton autonomous self-governing; N. autonomy The University is an autonomous body autopsy examination of a dead body; postmortem; V. The autopsy revealed that the death was a murder auxiliary offering or providing help; additional or subsidiary; N: helper; assistant The part time job offers some auxiliary benefits avalanche great mass of falling snow and ice An avalanche is a great visual to watch avarice greediness for wealth His avarice to amass wealth stooped his stature among his relatives avenge take vengeance for something or on behalf of someone He swore to avenge his brother Aver state confidently; declare as true It is sufficient that the very fact hath its foundation in truth, as I do seriously aver is the case. Fielding

averse reluctant; disinclined; not liking or opposed; He is averse to men doing the house work aversion firm dislike He has an aversion for films avert prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought); An accident was averted by his quick thinking aviary enclosure for birds; large cage The zoo has an aviary avid greedy; extremely eager for; Ex. avid learner; N. avidity He is an avid reader of Shakespeare avocation secondary or minor occupation He conducts workshops as an avocation avow declare openly; N. avowal She avowed that she is going to avenge her husbands death avuncular of or like an uncle Kids have an avuncular affection for the lone man awe solemn wonder; feeling of respect mixed with wonder and fear; V: fill with awe; ADJ. awesome The paintings at Louver put us in awe awful terrible; very bad The sight of the slum was awful awl pointed tool used for piercing An awl is used for piercing leather awry distorted; crooked; bent Our plans have gone awry axiom self-evident truth requiring no proof The principles of Universe are axiomatic azure sky blue Birds fly in the azure skies over the azure oceans

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter B

babble chatter idly or foolishly; make continuous sounds like water running gently over rounded stone; N Children babble before speaking regularly bacchanalian drunken Hes often found in a bacchanalian status bacchanal noisy party with a lot of drinking The bacchanal party disturbed us the whole night bacchanalia the ancient Roman festival in honor of Bacchus Bacchanalia was the festival of the ancient Romans badger pester; annoy continually with demands; persuade by asking again and again The children badgered me into taking them into the cinema; N: a kind of mountain animal badinage teasing conversation; banter; joking talk The brides friends engaged her in a badinage baffle frustrate; perplex She baffled the politician with pertinent questions bait harass; tease; torment; Ex. badger baiting; N: food or other lure used to catch fish or trap animals Employees were lured with the bait of annual bonuses baleful evil; malignant in intent or effect; deadly; having a malign influence; portending evil; ominous; threatening; He cast upon the princess a baleful look balk stop short, as if faced with an obstacle, and refuse to continue; foil; stop or get in the way of; frustrate They were balked from proceeding further ballast heavy substance used to add stability or weight; V. supply with ballast The ballast of a steady income

balm something that relieves pain; oily liquid with a pleasant smell from trees The Egyptians preserved the dead bodies using a certain kind of balm balmy soft and mild (of air); fragrant A balmy breeze elevated my thoughts banal hackneyed; commonplace; trite; lacking originality; clich The story had a banal plot bandy discuss lightly or glibly; discuss in a frivolous manner; exchange (words) heatedly; quarrel Bandy words with a foe bane poison; cause of ruin; ADJ. baneful: harmful; poisonous Gambling was the bane of his existence bantering joking talk; good-naturedly ridiculing; N.V. banter The boys were bantering among themselves barb sharp projection from fishhook, arrow, or other object; openly cutting remark It was a barb of a comment bard poet William Shakespeare, the bard barefaced shameless and noticeable; blatant; bold; unconcealed; having no covering on the face That was a barefaced lie baroque highly ornate His speech was affected and baroque barrage barrier laid down by artillery fire; overwhelming profusion; large number of questions or statement It was a barrage of criticism barrister counselor-at-law or lawyer in the higher court of law; CF. bar Mahatma Gandhi was a Barrister barterer trader; V. barter: trade; exchange good for other goods rather than money He is a barterer, not a normal human bask luxuriate; take pleasure in warmth She basked in the glory of her husband bastion stronghold; something seen as a source of protection; He serves as the last bastion of male chauvinism bate let down; lessen the force of; moderate; restrain He spoke to her with bated breath bauble trinket; cheap jewel; trifle

Mannequins are adorned with baubles bawdy indecent; obscene; about sex in a rude funny way; CF. bawd He despises such bawdy conversation beatific giving or showing bliss; blissful She has a beatific smile bliss complete happiness; ADJ. blissful Ignorance is bliss beatitude blessedness; state of great happiness beatitude any of the declarations of blessedness made by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount bedizen dress with vulgar finery Remnants of tapestried hangings . . . and shreds of pictures with which he had bedizened his tatters. Sir W. Scott bedraggle wet thoroughly; ADJ. bedraggled: draggled The beggar maid was in a bedraggled condition beeline direct quick route The minute he came home he made a beeline for the refrigerator befuddle confuse thoroughly Last month saw politicians befuddling the public with campaign promises beget father; become the father of; produce; give rise to Money begets money begrudge envy; give or allow unwillingly; grudge We shouldnt begrudge him his success beguile deceive; mislead or delude; cheat; pass time pleasantly; charm or attract She has a beguiling smile behemoth huge creature; something of monstrous size or power The armys new tank is a behemoth beholden obligated; indebted; owing thanks; obliged or indebted from gratitude She is a woman beholden to none behoove (behove) be suited to; be incumbent upon; be right and necessary It behooves one to do. belabor harp on; dwell on tediously; explain or go over excessively or to a ridiculous degree; assail verbally; beat severely; attack physically He kept belaboring the point long after we had agreed belated delayed

I sent him belated birthday greetings beleaguer besiege or attack (with an army); harass; beset The wail of famine in beleaguered towns. Longfellow belie contradict; give a false impression; disguise The poor sales belied our high hopes belittle disparage; depreciate He belittles his wife in public bellicose warlike The situation became bellicose belligerent quarrelsome Our new neighbor is belligerent bemoan lament; moan for; express sorrow or disapproval of He bemoaned his mothers demise bemused confused; lost in thought; preoccupied He seems to be bemused benediction blessing His refusal was a benediction to her benefactor gift giver; patron; person who does good or who gives money for a good purpose He is her sole benefactor beneficent kindly; doing good God is the most beneficent beneficial helpful; useful; advantageous Their association turned out to be mutually beneficial beneficiary person entitled to benefits or proceeds of an insurance policy or will His daughter is his sole beneficiary benefit advantage; anything that brings help, advantage, or profit; money provided by the government to the people; fund-raising public entertainment; Ex. unemployment benefit; V: receive benefits; be beneficial to; give benefits He tries to benefit from the situation whatsoever benevolent generous; charitable; having a wish to do good Benevolence is in their blood benign kindly; favorable; not malignant (disease);

The tumor was diagnosed to be benign benison blessing The childs a benison bent determined;; N: natural talent or inclination He is bent on advancing in the business bequeath leave to someone by means of a will; hand down in his will; N. bequest She bequeathed her half of the company to her niece berate scold strongly She berated him in public bereavement state of being deprived of something valuable or beloved; state of being bereaved or bereft It would take time for him to come out of bereavement bereft deprived of (something valuable); lacking Her departure left him bereft berserk mad with violent anger; frenzied; madly excited The celebrity went berserk at the journalists comments

Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter C

cabal small group of persons secretly united to promote their own interests By cursed cabals of women. Dryden cache hiding place; V She hid her jewelry in a little cache in the cellar cacophonous discordant; inharmonious; N. cacophony: unpleasant mixture of loud sounds The student groups created a cacophony cadaver corpse; dead human body Thats the pace where cadavers are kept cadaverous like a corpse; pale He almost became cadaverous cadence rhythmic rise and fall (of words or sounds); beat; regular beat of sound; rhythm The water pipes twirled to the cadence of the music cajole persuade by praise or false promise; coax; wheedle The mother cajoled her kid to eat coax persuade by flattery

The vain glorious Prince was coaxed frequently by his subjects calamity disaster; misery He was suffering from a greater mental calamity calculated deliberately planned; likely His talk sounds rather calculated caldron(cauldron) large kettle The milk was stored in a caldron caliber ability; quality; diameter of the inside of a round cylinder; Ex. work of very high caliber Caliber and not recommendation works in his office calligraphy beautiful writing; excellent penmanship A calligraphy of Arabic verses can be found in the Taj callous hardened; unfeeling; without sympathy for the sufferings of others; unkind Hardships made the young man callous callus area of thick hard skin Heavy work callused his hands callow youthful; immature; inexperienced Her callow nature attracted one and all instantly calorific heat-producing; N. calorie Carbohydrates have a greater calorific value calumny malicious misrepresentation; slander It was shard to bear such calumny camaraderie good-fellowship; CF. comrade The President advocated the concept of camaraderie cameo shell or jewel carved in relief; stars special appearance in a minor role in a film He started accepting cameo roles in films canard unfounded false rumor; exaggerated false report The old man was usually found propagating canards candor frankness; open honesty; ADJ. candid The candor with which she speaks is remarkable canine related to dogs; doglike Wolf belongs to the family of canines canker any ulcerous sore; ulcer; any evil; CF. cancer A canker should not be ignored canny shrewd in money matters; thrifty Her mother-in-law is both canny and cruel

cant insincere speech or expression of piety; jargon of thieves; special words used by a particular group of people The cant of the fashion industry cantankerous ill-humored; irritable Her cantankerous nature kept friends away from her cantata story set to music to be sung by a chorus (shorter than an oratorio) A cantata is a choral composition canter slow gallop; V. CF. trot The horse was kicked to a canter canto division of a long poem Dantes Divine Comedy has several cantos canvass determine or seek opinions, votes, etc.; go through (a region) to solicit votes or orders; conduct a survey; N Congress scrupulous canvassing yielded rich dividends in the elections capacious spacious The rooms not capacious capacity mental or physical ability; role; position or duty; ability to accommodate In my capacity as president I am not going to bear bribery capillary having a very fine bore; resembling a hair; fine and slender; It was a capillary attraction capitulate surrender; give up all resistance The terrorist finally capitulated caprice whim; sudden change of mind without any real cause With the caprice of a despotic king, he alternated between kindness and cruelty capricious unpredictable; fickle He seems to be rather capricious caption title; chapter heading; text under illustration The caption of the book doesnt go with the content captious faultfinding; too critical It was hard for him to work under a captious boss carafe glass water bottle; decanter A carafe was used for serving wine carapace shell covering the back (of a turtle, tortoise, crab, etc.) The carapace of a turtle has great commercial value carat(karat) unit of weight for precious stones; measure of the purity of gold Gold that is 50 percent pure is 12 karat

carcinogenic causing cancer; N. carcinogen Tobacco is carcinogenic in nature cardinal chief; most important; N: priest; cardinal number: number that shows quantity rather than order Achieving peace was his cardinal objective cardiologist doctor specializing in ailments of the heart A cardiologist specializes in heart related diseases careen lurch; sway from side to side; move with irregular swinging movement; stagger The barn was careening a little career ones job, profession He sought a career as a lawyer caricature distortion; burlesque He specializes in sketching caricatures carillon a set of bells (often in a tower) capable of being played The wild carillon of bells shook up the town carnage destruction of life; slaughter; killing of large numbers of people or animals The carnage unleashed by Hitler was unpardonable carnal fleshly; sensual; concerning the desires of the body An ascetic is one who has no carnal desires carnivorous meat-eating; N. carnivore; CF. herbivore A lion is a carnivore carousal drunken revel; V. carouse He danced in carousal carping petty criticism; fault-finding; fretful complaining; quibble Her carping irritated her friends carrion rotting flesh of a dead body Vulture feeds on carrion cartographer map-maker He is a professional cartographer cascade small waterfall Children played near the cascade caste one of the hereditary classes in Hindu society; social stratification; prestige caste based differentiation is still prevalent in India

castigation punishment; severe criticism or disapproval He was subjected to unbearable castigation casualty serious or fatal accident; person killed or wounded in an accident or battle The World War II witnessed several casualties casual happening by chance; irregular; occasional; informal; showing or feeling little interest; Ex. casual reader/labor/remark Hes a casual reader cataclysm deluge; upheaval; earthquake; violent and sudden event or change He reached his destiny despite cataclysmic rain catalyst agent which brings about a chemical change while it remains unaffected and unchanged; CF. catalysis The Ferric ions are effective catalysts catapult slingshot; hurling machine; V: fire from catapult The change of job catapulted him to success and fame cataract great waterfall; eye abnormality (causing a gradual loss of eyesight) Cataracts attracted the nature poet, Wordsworth catastrophe calamity ; disaster The blind prophet predicted a catastrophe catcall shout of disapproval or displeasure (made at the theater or a sports match) The catcalls restricted us from paying attention catechism book for religious instruction in question-and-answer form; religious instruction by question and answer; V. catechize the core of the catechism of the antinuclear left, the notion that the threat to peace is technological, not political (George F. Will) categorical without exceptions; made without any doubt in mind; unqualified; absolute The students were requested to do a categorical analysis catharsis purging or cleansing of any passage of the body; purging and weakening of strong emotions as a result of experiencing a dramatic work of art The catharsis in King Oedipus sees him blinding himself cathartic purgative; medicine that causes the bowels to empty; ADJ. The medicine had a cathartic effect catholic (of likings and interests) universal; general; broad; including many different parts; wideranging liberal; Ex. catholic opinions/tastes She belongs to the catholic order caucus private meeting of a group of people in a political party to select officers or determine policy The Caucus club of Boston caulk(calk) make watertight (by blocking up cracks as in a ship)

The bottle was caulked causal implying a cause-and-effect relationship; N. causality A causal relationship between scarcity of goods and higher prices cauterize burn (a wound or snakebite, etc.) with hot iron or caustic substance to stop bleeding and prevent infection In earlier days wounds were cauterized cavalcade procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages; parade; CF. cavalry The cavalcade was a visual treat cavalier casual and offhand; arrogant; N: knight His cavalier attitude made him unpopular cavil quibble; make frivolous objections; find fault unnecessarily Some women cavil over anything and everything cede yield (title or territory) to (esp. after losing a war); surrender formally; N. cession The troops were commanded to cede celerity speed; rapidity The machine works with a remarkable celerity celestial heavenly Her beauty is celestial censor (in ancient Rome) overseer of morals (also taking the census); person who eliminates inappropriate matter; V Most of the movie was censored censorious severely critical A censorious critique perturbed her censure blame; criticize; express strong disapproval; N: severe criticism; strong disapproval He wants a censure free life centaur mythical figure, half man and half horse Centaurs do not exist centigrade denoting a widely used temperature scale (basically same as Celsius) Temperature is measured on a centigrade scale centrifugal radiating; departing from the center Centrifugal forces pull the earth towards the center of the solar system centrifuge machine that separates substances by whirling them A centrifuge is used in almost all the houses centripetal tending toward the center Centripetal forces retain the earth within the orbit centurion Roman army officer (commanding a company of about 100 soldiers)

Hector was also a centurion cerebral pertaining to the brain or intellect; intellectual rather than emotional; CF. cerebrum Pragmatism dwells in the cerebral part of the brain cerebration thought; working of the brain After a deep cerebration he spoke out his plans ceremonious marked by formality; extremely formal and polite; CF. ceremony: conventional social courtesy He walked ceremoniously certitude certainty She loved him in absolute certitude cessation stoppage The commander called for cessation of troops chafe warm by rubbing; make sore by rubbing; N Her palms were chaffed chaff worthless products of an endeavor; husk(outer seed cover) separated from grain; separate the wheat from the chaff chaffing bantering; joking Their chaffing was loud and offensive chagrin annoyance and disappointment; vexation (caused by humiliation or injured pride) The rejection of his proposal chagrined him deeply chalice goblet; consecrated cup The chalice is considered sacred chameleon lizard that changes color in different situations Chameleons are found rarely these days champion support militantly; fight for; N: person who fights for or supports strongly (a principle, movement, person, etc.) She championed the cause of womens development championship position of champion; defense or support; competition held to determine a champion The girl could not participate in championship chaotic in utter disorder The market place is absolutely chaotic charisma divine gift; great popular charm or appeal; magnetism Her charisma drew the crowds charlatan quack; pretender to knowledge (esp. in medicine) That doctor is a charlatan chary cautious; unwilling to take risks; sparing or restrained about giving; OP. bold

He is both chary and pessimistic chase ornament a metal surface by indenting; follow rapidly to catch The police chased the notorious criminal chasm abyss; very deep crack He was saved from falling into a chasm chassis framework and working parts of an automobile; framework to which components are attached The chassis of the flyover was laid chaste morally pure; virginal; abstaining from illicit sexual acts; modest; simple (of a style of writing); not highly decorated; austere She is a chaste woman chasten discipline; punish in order to correct; CF. castigate She appreciated being chastened chastise punish as by beating; criticize severely He was chastised a bit more than required chauvinist blindly devoted patriot; zealous adherent of a group, cause, or sex; ADJ. chauvinistic; CF. chauvinism; Nicolas Chauvin Chauvinism is a mental disorder check stop motion; curb or restrain The program has to be implemented with checks checkered (chequered) marked by great changes in fortune; with many changes of fortune; CF. checked: having a pattern of squares The floor is checkered cherubic angelic; innocent-looking; N. cherub; CF. seraph: winged angel of the highest order Mythical tales show cherubs pruning beautiful women chicanery trickery; deception She was a victim of chicanery chide scold; rebuke (someone who has done wrong) The child was chided in front of everyone chimerical fantastically improbable; highly unrealistic; N. chimera: unreal fancy; fire-breathing female creature She lives in a chimerical world chisel swindle or cheat; N: wedge like tool for cutting She was chiseled of her fund s chip lose a small piece from the surface or edge; N: small piece broken off something; CF. French fry; Potato chip/crisp I love potato chips

chivalrous courteous; faithful; brave; N. chivalry She is a chivalrous woman choleric hot-tempered; bad-tempered; irritable; easily angered; CF. cholera All the employees were afraid o their choleric boss choreography art of representing dances in written symbols; arrangement of dances Choreography of the movie is remarkable chore daily domestic task (such as cleaning, cooking, and shopping); unpleasant task I am fed up with these monotonous chores chortle chuckle with delight; N. The woman chortled at the news chuckle laugh quietly She chuckled at her husbands remarks chronic long established as a disease The disease was diagnosed to be chronic chronicle report; record (in chronological order) The news spread like wild fire by the chronicles churlish boorish; rude; N. churl: boor; yahoo His churlish attitude was condemned ciliated having minute hairs; CF. cilium; CF. cilia: eyelash The animals body is ciliated cipher nonentity; worthless person or thing; zero; secret code; V He is nothing but a cipher circlet small ring; band of gold, silver, jewel, etc. (worn on the head, arms, or neck as decoration) The pageant winner was adorned with a circlet circuitous roundabout I hate his circuitous arguments circuit closed circular line around an area; circumference; regularly repeated journey from place to place The place has a circuit circumlocution indirect or roundabout expression (by using an unnecessarily large number of words esp. when trying to avoid answering a difficult question directly) He confuses his audience with his circumlocutions circumscribe limit; confine; draw a line around She circumscribed herself to her family circumspect prudent; cautious; acting after careful thought He was called for his circumspect analysis

circumvent outwit; defeat by behaving more cleverly; outsmart; baffle; avoid; get around He circumvents his rivals cistern reservoir or water tank Water has been preserved in cisterns citadel fortress The citadel was a strong one cite quote; commend He was cited for bravery in an official record civil having to do with citizens; not military or religious; courteous and polite; Ex. married in a civil ceremony; Ex. civil strife/disorder/law; N. civility; CF. civic Civil laws of this country are rather stringent clairvoyant having foresight; fortuneteller; N. clairvoyance She became popular for her clairvoyance clamber climb by crawling with difficulties; scramble The thief clambered the huge walls of the fort

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter D

dabble work at in a no serious fashion; splash around; move noisily in a liquid Hes not working, hes just dabbling dais raised platform for speakers or other important people The dais was ornately decorated for the Chief Guest dally trifle with; toy with; treat without the necessary seriousness; procrastinate; waste time You dally with time now, you repent later dank damp; unpleasantly wet The cellar was dank dapper neat and trim (in appearance); (of small men) neat in appearance and quick in movements; neat; spry The hero looks dapper in the designer wear

dappled spotted The dog had a dappled skin daub smear (as with paint); cover with something sticky; He daubed his clothes with mud daunt intimidate; frighten; discourage; dishearten The warden daunts the children dauntless bold; fearless She has a dauntless disposition dawdle loiter; hang around; waste time doing nothing The boy just dawdled his way through the vacation deadlock standstill resulting from the opposition of two unrelenting forces; stalemate The situation is held in a deadlock deadpan wooden; impassive; with no show of feeling; with an expressionless face He is such a deadpan, I hate talking to him dearth scarcity Theres no dearth of talent in India debacle sudden disastrous downfall or defeat; complete disaster Some famous political parties tasted debacle in the recent elections debase degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N. debasement They debased the value of dollar debauch corrupt morally; seduce from virtue; N. debauchery: wild behavior (with sex and alcohol) His honesty was debauched by the prospect of easy money debilitate weaken (esp. through heat, hunger, illness); enfeeble The obnoxious summer heat debilitated her spirits debonair (of men) friendly, charming, and fashionably dressed; aiming to please; CF. of good disposition Hes a debonair gentleman debris rubble; wreckage; scattered remains of something broken or destroyed The golden idol was recovered from the debris debunk expose as false, exaggerated, worthless, etc.; ridicule The politician was debunked publicly debutante young woman making formal entrance into society As a debutante the young lady lacked proper presentation skills debut debut; first public appearance; formal presentation of a young woman to society That was her debut movie

decadence decay; fall to a lower level (of morality, civilization, or art); ADJ. decadent Social decadence marked the Victorian era decant pour off gently (wine or liquid) The wine was decanted into a cauldron decapitate behead She decapitated a sunflower decelerate slow down He decelerates the bobsled when he nears a curve deciduous falling off at a specific season or stage of growth as of leaves It is a deciduous tree that sheds its leaves decimate kill (usually one out of ten or every tenth man); destroy or kill a large part of The virus decimated a chunk of the populace decipher decode; CF. indecipherable The code was hard to decipher declivity downward slope The trekkers were cautioned about the declivity dcollet (of a dress) having a low-cut neckline; CF. dcollet: low neckline (on a dress) The dcollet comes for a grand price decree authoritative order; edict; judgment of a court of law; V: order or judge by decree That was a presidential decree decomposition decay; V. decompose: decay; break and separate into simple parts Decomposed debris serves as manure decorum propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners; appropriateness of behavior or conduct The students were advised to conduct themselves in decorum decoy lure or bait; V They decoyed the ducks to an area right in front of the blind decrepitude state of collapse or weakness caused by illness or old age Decrepitude annihilated all his earning potential decry express strong disapproval of; condemn openly (something dangerous to the public); disparage; The students decried the violence of modern films deducible derived by reasoning; V. deduce: infer; derive by reasoning The formula is deducible deface mar; disfigure The chemical has potential to deface ones appearance

defame harm someones reputation; malign; speak evil of; slander; N. defamation; ADJ. defamatory Her intention was to defame her in-laws default failure to act; failure to perform a task or be present; V They lost their best client by sheer default defeatist resigned to defeat or failure; accepting defeat or failure as a natural outcome; N. CF. defeatism She opted for defeatist ways defection desertion His defection to East Germany was regarded as treasonable defect shortcoming; V: desert (in order to join the opposite one) She tried to hide the defects of her child defer give in respectfully; submit; delay till later; exempt temporarily; N. deferment; CF. show respect, comply with, courteous We all defer to him in these matters defiance refusal to yield; resistance; V. defy; ADJ. defiant His refusal amounted to defiance defile pollute; make filthy or dirty; corrupt morally; profane; desecrate; N: narrow passage or gorge through mountains The holy Ganges is defiled by her devotees definitive most reliable; authoritative and complete; that cannot be improved; conclusive; decisive; definite That was a definitive decision by the Supreme Court deflect turn aside; turn away from a straight course The river deflects after a few miles defoliate destroy leaves; deprive of leaves (by the use of chemicals); N. defoliant The tree defoliates every winter defray provide for the payment of; undertake the payment of; pay His father defrayed his monthly expenditure defrock strip a priest or minister of church authority; unfrock The priest stood defrocked deft neat; skillful The performance was deft defunct dead; no longer in use or existence The account is defunct degenerate become worse in quality; deteriorate; ADJ: having become worse; It is a degenerate species

degradation humiliation; debasement; degeneration; V. degrade: debase; disgrace; degenerate; reduce (something) in worth; demote (someone); reduce in rank He was put through extreme degradation dishonor disgrace; N. ADJ. dishonorable He dishonored his wife publicly dehydrate remove water from; dry out Dehydration is a laborious process deify turn into a god; make a god of; idolize; Ex. Kings were deified; CF. deity Public no longer deifies celebrities deign condescend; stoop The President would not deign to discuss the matter with us delete erase; strike out She deliberately deleted all the important files deleterious harmful The chemical has deleterious effects deliberate consider; ponder; ADJ: done on purpose; slow The crew deliberated over the theory for a while delineate portray; depict; sketch; describe; N. delineation She delineated the state of Uttar Pradesh on the map with a red pencil delirium mental disorder marked by confusion; uncontrolled excitement; ADJ. delirious The drug induces a state of delirium delta flat plain of mud or sand between branches of a river The delta is a fertile land delude deceive The executive deluded the customers to buying the product deluge flood; rush; V She had to retrieve his application from a deluge of similar ones delusion false belief; hallucination; deluding; Ex. delusions of grandeur; She no longer survives under the delusion that he loves her delusive deceptive; likely to delude; misleading; raising vain hope Keep away from those delusive promises delve dig; search deeply; investigate Police wants to delve deeper into the case demagogue person who appeals to peoples prejudice; false leader of people; CF. demagoguery He was once a demagogue, who people no longer respect

demean disgrace; humiliate; debase in dignity; behave She demeaned herself by accepting the dowry demeanor behavior; bearing He has a suave demeanor demented insane She seems to be demented demise death His mothers demise disturbed him demographic related to population balance; N. demography: statistical study of human population He insisted on a demographic data demolition destruction; V. demolish The demolition of mosque triggered communal violence demoniac(demoniacal) fiendish; cruel; N. demon: evil supernatural being; devil He has a demoniac demeanor demur object (because of doubts, scruples); raise an objection (showing qualms); hesitate We all demur at the idea of working on Sunday demure (of a woman or child) grave; quiet and serious; coy; pretending to be demure Her demure manners attracted him denigrate blacken; defame The malevolent politician tried to denigrate Muslims to gain quick recognition denizen (animal, person, or plant) inhabitant or resident of a particular place; regular visitor They are the denizens of a local pub denotation meaning; distinguishing by name; V. denote: indicate; refer to directly; mean; CF. connotation Poodle is the denotation for a certain breed of dog denouement final outcome; final development of the plot of a play or other literary work; the end of a story when everything is explained Catastrophe is a synonym of denouement denounce condemn; criticize; N. denunciation All the suggestions of the opposition were denounced depict portray The protagonist of the play is depicted as a mafia goon deplete reduce; exhaust Pollution depletes the ozone layer deplore regret; express sorrow and severe disapproval for something bad; Ex. deplore their violent

behavior; ADJ. deplorable: very bad; deserving severe disapproval; They survived in deplorable living conditions deploy spread out (troops) in an extended though shallow battle line; distribute (persons or forces) systematically or strategically Military forces were deployed in various parts of the city depose dethrone; remove from office; give a deposition; testify He was deposed owing to his immoral conduct deposition testimony under oath; deposing; dethroning Deposition of the documents with the Library of Congress depravity extreme corruption; wickedness; V. deprave He was castigated for his depravity deprecate express disapproval of; deplore; protest against; belittle; ADJ. deprecatory He made acerbic deprecatory comments depreciate lessen in value; belittle; represent as of little value The value of dollar depreciated depredation plundering; destruction [Carnegie Hall has] withstood the wear and tear of enthusiastic music lovers and the normal depredations of time deranged insane He got deranged owing to extreme familial pressures derelict negligent; (of someone) neglectful of duty; (of something) deserted by an owner; abandoned; N: abandoned property; homeless or vagrant person The derelict car had military arms dereliction neglect of duty; abandonment He got suspended owing to dereliction of duties deride ridicule; treat with contempt; make fun of; OP. respect The films plot was derided by the critics derivative unoriginal; obtained from another source It is a derivative prose style derivation deriving; origin or source of something The derivation of the word dermatologist one who studies the skin and its diseases Mr. Sanjay is a noted Dermatologist derogatory expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. derogate: detract; disparage It was hard to bear his derogatory comments descry catch sight of (something distant) The lookout descried land

desiccate dry up The pickle is desiccated desolate (of a place) deserted; unpopulated; (of a person) lonely; forlorn; joyless She was kept in a desolate place desperado reckless, desperate outlaw He was a born desperado desperate having lost all hope; despairing; reckless and violent because of loss of hope or despair; undertaken as a last resort Her ways have become desperate despise look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful; ADJ. despicable: contemptible He was despised for his lifestyle despoil plunder; sack The burglars despoiled the village despondent without hope and courage; depressed; gloomy; N. despondency: loss of hope with gloom; dejection

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter E

earthy unrefined; coarse; of earth; Ex. earthy remarks; OP. ethereal The heroine was liked for her earthy looks earthly of this earth; terrestrial; worldly; not divine; possible Theres no earthly reason for this ebb (of the tide) recede; lessen; diminish; N. OP. flow: rise of tide His life is gradually ebbing ebullient showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm; boiling; N. ebullience; N. ebullition: state of boiling Girls of that age usually are ebullient eccentric irregular; odd; unconventional; whimsical; bizarre; not concentric His behavior was rather eccentric

ecclesiastic ecclesiastical; pertaining to the church; N: minister; priest; cleric; clergyman He belonged to the ecclesiastical order eclectic selective; composed of elements drawn from disparate sources; selecting individual elements from a variety of sources; N. eclecticism The research was an eclectic one eclipse darken; extinguish; outshine; surpass; cause an eclipse He cast an eclipse over her talents ecliptic path of the sun and the planets The planet runs in an ecliptic path ecologist person concerned with the interrelationship between living organisms and their environment; person concerned with the detrimental effects of human civilization on the environment; CF. ecology She is a noted ecologist ecosystem ecological community together with its environment An aquarium is an artificial ecosystem economy efficiency or conciseness in using something; thrifty management of resources He has no economy of words ecstasy rapture; very strong feeling of joy and happiness; any overpowering emotion; ADJ. ecstatic: causing or experiencing ecstasy The crowd was in utter ecstasy at the performance of the rock star eddy swirling current of water, air, etc.; V The boat was caught in an eddy edict decree (especially one issued by a sovereign); official command We can still find the rock edicts pertaining to the Gupta Dynasty edify instruct; correct morally religious paintings that edify the viewer edifice building (of imposing size) The ancient Mexicans constructed stone edifices eerie weird; causing fear because strange An eerie midnight howl efface rub out; remove the surface of She tried to efface his memories effectual able to produce a desired effect; valid The process seems to be effectual effective effectual; producing a strong response; striking; in operation; in effect; Ex. effective speech/photograph He made an effective speech

effectuate effect; produce; achieve To effectuate a reconciliation effeminate having womanly traits He has an effeminate approach emasculate weaken; castrate The marathon emasculated him effervescence inner excitement or exuberance; showing high spirits; emitting bubbles forming inside; bubbling from fermentation or carbonation; ADJ. effervescent; V. effervesce She became instantly popular for her effervescence effete having lost ones original power; barren; worn out; exhausted an effete political force efficacy power to produce desired effect; ADJ. efficacious: effectual He works with an unusual efficacy effigy dummy; likeness of a person made of wood, paper, or stone; Ex. burn an effigy of the President effluvium noxious(harmful) smell <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> <![endif]> Effluvium has noxious vapor effrontery rudeness without any sense of shame; shameless boldness; presumptuousness; nerve; cheek His effrontery disgusted his peers effulgent shining brightly; brilliant That star has an unusual effulgence effusion pouring forth; unrestrained outpouring of feeling; V. effuse: pour out; ADJ. effusive: pouring forth; gushing The effusion has noxious vapors egoism excessive interest in ones self; belief that one should be interested in ones self rather than in others; selfishness; ADJ. egoistic, egoistical Egoism ostracized him from his kin ego ones opinion of oneself; self-esteem He is extremely egoistic egregious notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking He is an egregious liar egress exit; opening for going out; act of going out; OP. ingress Gates of burning adamant, Barred over us, prohibit all egress. Milton elaboration addition of details; intricacy

The matter requires elaboration elaborate work out carefully; add more detail or information; ADJ The creative director wanted an elaborate setting elated filled with excited joy and pride; overjoyed; in high spirits; joyful and proud; Ex. elated crowd; V. elate; N. elation The elated child pummeled in joy elegy poem or song expressing lamentation (for the dead); ADJ. elegiac An elegy is a mournful poem elicit draw out fact or information (by discussion or from someone) The police tried to elicit maximum information elixir cure-all; panacea; something invigorating Her daughters happiness is like an elixir to her ellipsis omission of words from a text; mark used to indicate an omission (when the meaning can be understood without them); PL. ellipses elliptical elliptic; oval; of an ellipse; containing an ellipsis; ambiguous either purposely or because key words have been left out The path of an orbit is elliptical eloquence expressiveness; persuasive speech; ADJ. eloquent: movingly expressive; expressing ideas well so that the hearers can be influenced A speaker needs to demonstrate eloquence elucidate explain; make clear; clarify; enlighten; CF. lucid The process needs further elucidation elusive evasive; not frank; baffling; hard to grasp, catch, or understand; V. elude: escape from; escape the understanding or grasp of; Ex. elude the hunter His name eludes me elysian relating to paradise; blissful He tries to give his family elysian comforts emaciated thin and wasted (from hunger or illness) The workers look emaciated emanate issue forth; come out Tranquility emanates from the place emancipate set free; liberate The women refuges were emancipated embargo ban on commerce or other activity embargo on arms shipments embark commence; go on board a boat; begin a journey stopped to embark passengers

embed(imbed) enclose; place in something; fix firmly in a surrounding mass Thick cotton padding embedded the precious vase in its box embellish adorn; ornament; enhance as a story (by adding fictitious details) The plot of the story was unnecessarily embellished embezzlement taking for ones own use in violation of trust; stealing (of money placed in ones care) The CEO of the company embezzled a million dollars. emblazon ornament richly (a shield or flag); N. emblazonment The walls were . . . emblazoned with legends in commemoration of the illustrious pair. Prescott embody give a bodily form to; incorporate; include He is an embodiment of truth and honesty emboss produce a design in raised relief; decorate with a raised design The whole buoy was embossed with barnacles (Herman Melville) embrace hug; clasp with the arms; adopt or espouse; accept readily; encircle; include; Ex. embrace the cause/socialism; Ex. all-embracing; CF. brace; CF. bracelet She embraced her son in joy encircle surround Troops encircled the mansion embroider decorate with needlework; ornament (a story) with fancy or fictitious details; embellish The ends of the tapestry were embroidered with a rich silk thread embroil throw into confusion; involve in strife, dispute, or quarrel; entangle; CF. imbroglio Avoid . . . any step that may embroil us with Great Britain (Alexander Hamilton) embryonic undeveloped; rudimentary; N. embryo: organism in the early stage of development It is not easy to determine the sex of the fetus in its embryonic stage emend correct (usually a text); N. emendation: correction of errors; improvement The mistakes were emended emetic substance causing vomiting; ADJ They induced in the patient an emetic eminent rising above others; high; lofty; distinguished; Ex. eminent position He was an eminent scholar emissary agent (sent on a mission to represent another); messenger The emissary was rather diplomatic emollient soothing or softening remedy (for the skin); ADJ. An emollient gives a soothing relief emolument salary; payment for an office; compensation He was offered a handsome emolument

empathy ability to identify with anothers feelings, ideas, etc.; identification with and understanding of anothers feelings; V. empathize; CF. sympathy She empathized with her bereaved colleague empirical based on experience The research focuses on empirical findings emulate imitate; rival; try to equal or excel (through imitation) Children try to emulate their peers enamored in love; Narcissus was enamored of his own beauty encipher encode; convert a message into code; put into cipher The program has to be enciphered enclave territory enclosed within an alien land The enclave might be a hide out for the terrorists encomiastic praising; eulogistic; N. encomium: very high praise; eulogy I am vexed with his encomiastic words encompass surround; include; His activities encompass publishing and computers encroachment gradual intrusion; V. encroach: take anothers possessions or right gradually or stealthily; intrude; Ex. encroach on/upon I resent all these encroachments on my valuable time encumber burden; N. encumbrance She is encumbered by her own family endearment fond word or act; expression of affection To murmur endearments endear make beloved;; ADJ. dear: loved; cherished; high-priced Endear her to everyone endemic prevailing among a specific group of people or in a specific area or country; peculiar to a particular region or people; CF. pandemic Malaria is an endemic disease endorse approve; support; write ones signature on the back of; N. endorsement; CF. dorsal The project was endorsed endue provide with some quality; endow Hamlet endued the character of a madman enduring lasting; surviving; V. endure: bear (pain or suffering) for a long time; remain alive (in spite of difficulties); last; survive Their relation was an enduring one

energize invigorate; give energy to; make forceful and active His performance energized the audience enervate weaken; take away energy from Hot sun enervated their spirits enfranchise admit to the rights of citizenship (especially the right to vote); CF. franchise engage attract; employ; hire; pledge oneself; confront; fight; enter into confliction; interlock; lock together; participate; N. engagement: agreement to marry; arrangement to meet someone or to do something; battle The students were engaged in pot painting engaging charming; attractive She has engaging looks engaged employed; busy; betrothed; involved in conflict She was actively engaged with the firm engender cause; produce; give rise to Hatred engenders violence engross occupy fully; absorb She was totally engrossed in her research work enhance increase; make greater (as in value, reputation, or usefulness); improve The new job enhanced his earning potential enigma puzzle; mystery; ADJ. enigmatic: obscure; puzzling His nature is enigmatic enjoin command; order; forbid The doctor enjoined a strict diet enmity ill will; hatred; hostility Their enmity lasted for years ennui boredom; listlessness and dissatisfaction resulting from lack of interest; CF. annoy Children suffer from ennui during vacations enormity hugeness (in a bad sense); excessive wickedness; Ex. enormity of the crime; ADJ. enormous The enormity of the project intimidated them enrapture please intensely; fill with rapture and delight The childs performance enraptured the audience ensconce settle comfortably; place comfortably (in a secure place) He ensconced in a seat beside his mother

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vocabulary-test-prep-letter-e/2009/05/22/high-score-word-gre-test-listfree#ixzz19w1rcg85

Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter F

fabricate build; lie; make up (a story) in order to deceive; CF. fabric: underlying structure; Ex. fabric of society He fabricated the whole story faade front or face (of building); superficial or false appearance The faade of the building has to be varnished facet small plane surface (of a gem(precious stone)); a side You have ignored a very important facet of the story facetious joking (often inappropriately); unserious; humorous He made a facetious comment facile easily accomplished; ready or fluent; superficial; not deep; Ex. facile speaker; N. facility: ability to do something easily and well; ease in doing resulting from skill or aptitude; something that facilitates an action; amenity; Ex. with great facility Facile solution to a complex problem facilitate help bring about; make less difficult Political agreements that facilitated troop withdrawals facsimile copy The advocate was given facsimiles of original documents faction party; clique (within a large group); dissension That seems to be a terrorist faction factious inclined to form factions; causing dissension A factious group was trying to undermine the government factitious artificial; produced artificially; sham; false; He shed factitious tears factotum handyman; person who does all kinds of work; CF. do everything He is a factotum of the college faculty mental or bodily powers; teaching staff Her faculties started deteriorating fallacious false; based on a fallacy; misleading; N. fallacy: false idea or notion; false reasoning; Ex. popular fallacy; Ex. fallacy of the argument Her arguments sound fallacious

fallible liable to err Humans are only fallible falsify make (something written) false by changing He falsified the history of his family to conceal his humble origins fallow (of land) plowed but not sowed (to improve the quality); uncultivated My creative energies have lain fallow this year falter hesitate; weaken in purpose or action; walk or move unsteadily through weakness; N She approached the criminal with faltering steps fanaticism excessive zeal; extreme devotion to a belief or cause; N. fanatic; ADJ. fanatic Fanaticism is not very healthy fancied imagined; unreal She fancied a carefree life fancier breeder or dealer of animals; one who has a special interest, as for raising specific plant or animal He is a fancier by profession fanciful whimsical; visionary; imaginary; produced by imagination; Ex. fanciful scheme He usually ignored her fanciful ideas fanfare call by bugles or trumpets; showy display A fanfare is a spectacular public display farce broad comedy; mockery; humorous play full of silly things happening; ADJ. farcical He specialized in writing farce comedies fastidious difficult to please; squeamish; fussy; finicky Students have become fastidious fatalism belief that events are determined by forces or fates beyond ones control; ADJ. fatalistic; CF. fatal: causing death Religions are based on fatalism fathom comprehend; investigate; determine the depth of; N. unit of measurement for the depth of water It was hard to fathom his knowledge fathomless too deep to be measured or understood; unfathomable She had fathomless love for him fatuous smugly and unconsciously foolish; inane; silly; N. fatuity, fatuousness That was a fatuous conversation fauna animals of a period or region; CF. flora She specializes in the fauna of Africa

fawning courting favor by cringing and flattering; V. fawn: exhibit affection as a dog; seek favor or attention by obsequiousness The minister was fawned by his henchmen faze disconcert; dismay; embarrass The worst insults cannot faze him feasible practical; able to be carried out; practicable They could not offer a feasible solution to the problem febrile feverish Febrile action fecundity fertility; fruitfulness; ADJ. fecund: very productive of crops or young Fecundity of imagination fertile producing many young, fruits, or seeds; (of land) producing good crops; V. fertilize The deltas are the most fertile lands fruitful producing results; profitable; prolific; producing in abundance They were looking forward to a fruitful result feign pretend The child feigned illness feint trick; shift; sham blow; feigned attack to draw away defensive action; V. His air of approval was a feint to conceal his real motives felicitous (of a word or remark) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen The chairmans felicitous anecdote set everyone at ease felicity happiness; appropriateness (of a remark, choice, etc.); quality of being felicitous The many felicities of the poem feline of a member of the cat family; N. The model has feline features fell cruel; (of a disease) deadly To fell a moose felon person convicted of a grave crime; CF. felony: serious crime He is a felon feral (of an animal) not domestic; wild A pack of feral dogs roaming the woods ferment agitation; commotion(noisy and excited activity); unrest (of a political kind); V. produce by fermentation; undergo fermentation; cause (a state of trouble) Curd undergoes the process of fermentation ferret drive or hunt out of hiding; hunt with ferrets; drive out (as from a hiding place); expel;

uncover or discover by searching; N. small fierce animal which catches rats and rabbits by going into their holes Ferret out the secret fervent ardent; zealous; hot He made a fervent speech fervor glowing ardor; intensity of feeling; quality of being fervent or fervid; zeal; intense heat The students performed with lot of fervor fester rankle; produce irritation or resentment; (of a cut or wound) generate pus or rot; His insult festered in my mind for days. festive joyous; celebratory; relating to a feast or festival It was a festive occasion for them fete honor at a festival; celebrate or honor with a feast; N. (outdoor) festival or feast; CF. feast The college hosted a fete fetid malodorous; foul The food produced a fetid odor foul very bad or disagreeable; very dirty; Ex. foul smell/flavor/temper/language/air/deed/weather/means; N. act against the rules; V. make or become foul; commit a foul The meat produced foul smell fetish (fetich) object believed to have spiritual powers; object of excessive attention or reverence; CF. fetishism She had fetish for saints fetter shackle; restrict the freedom of; N. chain or shackle for the foot of a prisoner; CF. foot He fettered her creativity fiasco total failure; CF. bottle The new venture turned out to be a fiasco fiat command; arbitrary order; Ex. presidential fiat; CF. let it be done The army generals fiat fickle changeable (in affections or friendship); faithless He seems to be fickle minded fictitious imaginary; non-existent; purposely invented to deceive; untrue; Ex. fictitious name/boyfriend; CF. fictional It is a fictitious story fidelity loyalty; accuracy figment invention; something invented; imaginary thing; Its nothing but a figment of your imagination figurative not literal but metaphorical; using a figure(impression) of speech

A hyperbole is figurative speech figure written symbols; number; amount represented in numbers; outline or silhouette of a thing or human body; person (well-known); impression; diagram; pattern; group in a dance; Ex. figure of speech; V. calculate with numbers; adorn with figures; appear; consider; My name did not figure in the list. figurine small ornamental statuette(very small statue) The figurine was made of gold filch steal (things of small value) She had a penchant to filch things filial pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; filial respect filibuster block legislation or prevent action in a lawmaking body by making very slow long speeches; N; freebooter To use a filibuster against freebooter pirate or plunderer who makes war in order to grow rich A freebooter is a pirate filigree delicate ornamental lacelike metalwork A filigree of frost filing particle removed by a file Magnet attracts iron filings finale conclusion; concluding part The finale was a grand one finesse delicate skill; V: handle with finesse Exceptional diplomatic finesse finicky too particular; fussy; difficult to please; too concerned with unimportant details or quality She is extremely finicky about her food finite limited The situation has finite possibilities firebrand piece of burning wood; hothead; troublemaker; person who stirs up trouble She is a firebrand politician fissure crevice; crack The blast was because of the fissure fitful spasmodic; intermittent; irregular His mood is fitful fit sudden outburst of an illness or feeling; convulsion caused by epilepsy She suffers from fits

flaccid flabby; lacking firmness; weak flaccid muscles flag droop; grow feeble; decline in vigor or strength; ADJ. flagging; CF. unflagging The audiences spirits were flagged by the end of the day flagrant conspicuously wicked, bad, or offensive; blatant; outrageous His intentions are flagrant flail beat with or as if with a flail; move wildly; thresh grain by hand; strike or slap; toss about; N: threshing tool consisting of a stick swinging from the end of a long handle A flail is a threshing tool flair talent She has flair for English flamboyant ornate; highly elaborate; richly colored; ostentatious; showy; CF. flame His flamboyant manners attracted all flaunt display ostentatiously; Honey, if youve got it, flaunt it ! flay strip off skin; plunder; remove the skin from; criticize harshly With her nails shell flay thy wolfish visage. Shak fleck spot; mark with flecks; N: small mark or spot Theres not a single fleck on her face fledgling(fledgeling) inexperienced; N: young bird that has acquired wing feathers and is learning to fly; inexperienced person Hes a fledgling poet fleece wool coat of a sheep; V: shear the fleece from; rob by a trick; swindle; plunder The sheeps fleece was as white as snow flick light stroke as with a whip; V: move with a light quick blow; strike with a light quick blow (as from a whip); Flick the switch flicker burn unsteadily or fitfully; move waveringly; N: brief sensation; Ex. flicker of excitement Flickering movement or light flutter (of a bird with large wings) wave (the wings) lightly, rapidly, and irregularly; vibrate rapidly or erratically; fly by waving quickly; flitter; N. The bird fluttered in the air flinch hesitate; shrink back (in fear of something unpleasant) She did not flinch in the face of danger. flippant lacking proper seriousness; N. flippancy I could not bear her flippant remarks about death

flip send (something) spinning, often into the air, by striking with a light quick blow; turn over She flipped the keys into the air flit fly; fly or move lightly or quickly; dart lightly; pass swiftly by; A bee flitting from flower to flower floe flat mass of floating ice Floe is a flat mass of flowing ice flora plants of a region or era The flora of England florescence condition or period of flowering She was awestruck at the exuberant fluorescence florid ruddy; (of a complexion) reddish; flowery; very ornate; CF. rose It was a florid decoration flush redden; blush; flow suddenly and abundantly; wash out by a rapid brief flow of water; N: reddish tinge; blush; brief rush; rush of strong feeling; ADJ: having surfaces in the same plane; even; blushing One could see a flush of pride on her face flowery full of flowers; full of ornate expressions It was a flowery talk flotsam drifting wreckage The flotsam of the city slums in medieval Europe flounder struggle and thrash about; proceed clumsily or falter (as in water, mud, snow, etc.); proceed in confusion He saw the child floundering about in the water flourish grow well; prosper; make sweeping gestures; wave; brandish; N: showy movement or gesture; embellishment or ornamentation (esp. in handwriting) The trees flourished in the sun. flout reject; mock; show contempt for; scorn The citizens flouted the rules fluctuate waver; shift; rise and fall as if in waves; change or vary irregularly His speech fluctuated fluency smoothness of speech; ADJ. fluent He made a fluent speech fluke unlikely occurrence; stroke of fortune; accidental stroke of good luck; ADJ. fluky It was by fluke she won fluster confuse; make nervous and confused; N The accused tried to fluster the judges

fluted having vertical parallel grooves (as in a pillar); V. flute: make long parallel inward curves in; N. flute: long rounded groove incised on the shaft of a column The pillars stand fluted flux flowing; series of changes; fluctuation; The decision was still in a state of flux fodder coarse food for cattle, horses, etc.; feed for livestock; CF. food His words were fodder for thought foible small weakness of character; slight fault; CF. feeble Thats just a foible foil contrast; one that by contrast enhances the distinctive characteristics of another She tried to foil his plans foist insert improperly; impose upon another by coercion; palm off; pass off as genuine or worthy; CF. fist to foist inferior merchandise on a customer foliage masses of leaves; CF. defoliate The dragon lizard hides in foliage foment stir up; incite; instigate; promote the growth of (something evil or unpleasant) She fomented his wicked ideas foolhardy rash; reckless; foolishly daring He became infamous for his foolhardy behavior foppish vain about dress and appearance; N. fop: man who takes too much interest in his clothes and appearance His foppish style amused one and all

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter G

gadfly animal-biting fly; irritating person Oh my God hes such a gadfly gaffe social blunder

The excursion had in his eyes been a monstrous gaffe, a breach of sensibility and good taste (Mary McCarthy) gainsay deny I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. Luke xxi. 15 gait manner of walking or running; speed The project went forward at a steady gait galaxy large isolated system of stars, such as the Milky Way; collection of brilliant personalities Its believed now that the galaxy now has many black holes gale windstorm; gust of wind; emotional outburst (laughter, tears); A gale of laughter gall bitterness of feeling; nerve; effrontery; CF. gall bladder Her arrogant replies gall me galleon large three-masted sailing ship The crew proceeded in a galleon galley low ship with sails (rowed along by slaves) The slaves escaped in a galley galvanize stimulate or shock by an electric current; stimulate by shock; shock into action; stir up; coat with rust-resistant zinc by using electricity Issues that once galvanized the electorate fade into irrelevance (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.) galvanic of the production of electricity by the action of an acid on a metal; having the effect of an electric shock; Ex. galvanic cell; galvanic effect; CF. Luigi Galvani gambit opening in chess in which a piece is sacrificed; action made to produce a future advantage An opening move made in the chess game is the gambit gambol romp; skip about; leap about playfully; frolic; N. Kids gambol and run gamely in a spirited manner; with courage; He fought gamely against a superior boxer gamut entire range gape open widely; open the mouth wide; stare wonderingly with the mouth open; CF. agape The public stood agape at the ghastly site garbled mixed up; jumbled; distorted; V. garble: mix up or distort (a message) to such an extent as to make misleading or unintelligible She garbled the entire plan gargantuan huge; enormous; gigantic; CF. the hero of Gargantua and Pantagruel That was a gargantuan construction

gargoyle waterspout carved in grotesque figures on a building The gargoyle was dysfunctional garish overbright in color; unpleasantly bright; gaudy She looked garish wearing a heavy make-up garner gather; store up; amass She garnered her spirits before talking to him garnish decorate; add a garnish to; decorate (food or drink) with small items such as lemon slices; N. Cooks garnish the food before serving garrulous loquacious; wordy; talkative; N. garrulity Mrs. Bennet was a garrulous woman gastronomy art and science of preparing and serving good food; CF. gastronome The science of good eating is gastronomy gauche clumsy (in social behavior); coarse and uncouth His gauche mannerisms upset her gaudy flashy; showy The decoration was rather gaudy gild cover with a thin layer of gold After that wonderful meal, serving a fancy dessert would be gilding the lily gaunt lean and angular; thin and bony; emaciated; barren A gaunt, windswept landscape gavel hammer like tool; mallet(wooden hammer) used by a presiding officer or an auctioneer; V. The auctioneer hit the gavel thrice gawk stare foolishly; look in open-mouthed awe The public gawked at the heroine gazette official periodical publication; newspaper A change of identity has to be announced in a gazette genealogy record of descent; lineage; ancestry; study of ancestry The various species of Darwins finches form a closely knit genealogy generality vague statement; general statement which is not detailed; quality of being general; greater part; most; Generality of people generate cause; produce; create His cantankerous nature generates quarrels generic characteristic of an entire class or species; of a genus Cola and shuttle are generic terms

genus division of animals or plants, below a family and above a species Lactobacillus belongs to the genus bacterium genesis beginning; origin The origin and genesis of poor Sterlings club. Carlyle geniality cheerfulness; kindliness; sympathy; ADJ. genial: cheerful and good-tempered She has a genial disposition genre particular variety of art or literature Milton belongs to the genre of epic poetry genteel well-bred; elegant; striving to convey an appearance of refinement His genteel mannerisms made him famous gentility those of gentle birth; high social class; refinement; quality of being genteel She belongs to gentility gentry people of standing(rank or position); people of good family or high social position; class of people just below nobility Only gentry is allowed into the temple gentle kindly; soft; mild; of good family A gentle old lady genuflect bend the knee as in worship They genuflect at the sight of the queen germane pertinent; bearing upon(having connection with) the case at hand; appropriate We have to concentrate upon more germane matters germinal pertaining to a germ; creative; Its a germinal idea germ earliest form of an organism; seed or bud; something that may develop into something larger or more important; microbe The blood samples indicate the presence of disease causing germs germinate cause to sprout; sprout The meeting germinated greater trouble gerontocracy Gerontocracy is the government ruled by old people gerontology study of the sociological phenomena associated with old age Anthropology also deals in gerontology geriatrics medical treatment and care of old age She specializes in geriatrics gerrymander change voting district lines in order to favor a political party; N. CF. Elbridge Gerry + (sala)mander To subject (a state, county, etc.) to a gerrymander

gestate evolve as in prenatal growth; N. gestation: period of development from conception until birth The elephant gestates the longest gesticulation motion; gesture; V. gesticulate: make gestures (while speaking) His gesticulations animated the speech he made ghastly horrible; terrifying; resembling ghosts; CF. aghast The explosion was ghastly gibberish nonsense; nonsensical or unintelligible talk or writing; babbling What they speak sounds gibberish gibe mock; make jeering remarks; N: jeering remarks She gibes at her seniors giddy light-hearted; not serious; frivolous; dizzy; causing dizziness; Ex. giddy youth; Ex. giddy climb/height That height causes giddiness gingerly very carefully; ADJ. She gingerly walked through the muddy lane girth distance around something; circumference The girth of a tree typically determines its age gist essence; main point; substance I did get the gist of his speech glacial like a glacier; of an ice age; extremely cold; Ex. glacial epoch; CF. iceberg Glaciers pose a potential threat to the ships glaring (of something bad) highly conspicuous; harshly bright; shining intensely and blindingly The glaring sun almost blinded her glaze cover with a thin and shiny surface; apply a glaze to; N: thin, smooth, shiny coating (as for pottery); Ex. unglazed pottery A glazed wheelbarrow glean gather leavings; gather grain left behind by reapers; gather bit by bit (facts or information) often with difficulty She gleaned essence from what he spoke glib fluent (with insincerity or superficiality); facile; slick A glib anchor glimmer shine erratically; twinkle; N: dim or unsteady light; faint indication; A glimmer of hope was still left glitter shine brightly with flashing points of light; Ex. glittering diamond ring; N: sparkling light; attractiveness; glamour; Ex. glitter of the sun on the waves All that glitters is not gold

glamour compelling charm; ADJ. glamorous A wife is not a glamorous concept gloat express evil satisfaction; look at or think about with evil satisfaction; view malevolently The thief gloated over the stolen jewels. gloss over explain away with the intention of deceiving or hiding faults She glosses over her sons mistakes glossary brief explanation of words used in the text For further clarification please run through the glossary glossy smooth and shining; N. gloss: shiny brightness on a surface; superficially attractive appearance; She enchants one and all with a gloss of good manners glower scowl; glare; look or stare angrily The girl glowered at the eve teaser glut overstock; fill beyond capacity (with food); fill to excess; N: oversupply The store room has a glut of supplies glutinous sticky; viscous; gluey The mixture became glutinous glutton someone who eats too much; ADJ. gluttonous: given to gluttony; greedy; CF. gluttony: habit of eating too much A glutton as he is, he also became obese gnarled twisted The proposition seems to be rather gnarled gnome dwarf; underground spirit who guards treasure hoards Gnomes followed the princess goad urge on; drive with a goad; cause (someone) to do something by continued annoyance; N: sharp-pointed stick for driving cattle; stimulus; CF. annoy continually They goaded him into doing it by saying he was a coward gorge narrow canyon; steep rocky cleft; ravine (made by a stream which runs through it) They squeezed their way through the gorge gorge stuff oneself (with food); glut; CF. Her hunger made her to gorge food, all that was available gorgeous: dazzlingly beautiful She is both ravishing and gorgeous gory bloody; N. gore: blood (from a wound) Its a gory tale of chauvinism gossamer sheer; very light; like cobwebs; N: soft and sheer fabric; cobweb

A gossamer fabric gouge tear out; cut out (as if with a gouge); N: chisel for cutting out hollow areas in wood King Oedipus gouged his eyes out in repentance gourmand epicure; person who takes excessive pleasure in food and drink Bheema was a gourmand gourmet connoisseur of food and drink; epicure (same as gourmand) graduated arranged by degrees (of height, difficulty, etc.) She graduated with an excellent percentile granary storehouse for grain India is a granary of grains grandeur impressiveness; stateliness; majesty The grandeur of the palace is exemplary grandiloquent (of a person or speech) using high sounding or important-sounding language; pompous; bombastic People got used to his grandiloquent speech grandiose affectedly grand; pretentious; high-flown; ridiculously exaggerated; impressive; great in size or scope; grand; No one supported his grandiose ideas granulate form into grains or granules; N. granule: grain or particle The tablet is granulated graphic pertaining to the art of delineating; vividly described The film became popular for the graphics graphite black form of carbon used in lead pencils Graphite is one extensively used minerals grapple wrestle; come to grips with; take hold of and struggle with; She had to grapple with the circumstances grate make a harsh noise; have an unpleasant effect; shred by rubbing against a rough surface; Ex. grated cheese N: framework of metal bars to hold fuel in a fireplace The cheese is grated and sprinkled over the bread gratify please; satisfy; Ex. gratify a desire The poor peoples desires were gratified by the philanthropic politician gratis free; without charge; ADJ. gratuitous given freely; unwarranted; uncalled for; done without good reason; He made a gratuitous comment gravity seriousness; ADJ. grave

He did not understand the gravity of the situation gregarious sociable; (of an animal) tending to form a group He is a gregarious individual grievance cause of complaint; complaint Complaints are filed in the grievance cell grill question severely; cook on a grill; broil; N: cooking surface of parallel metal bars The criminal was grilled by the FBI grim causing great fear; unrelenting; determined in spite of fear; He wore a grim smile grimace facial distortion to show feeling such as pain, disgust, etc; V. The pain pulled a grimace over her face grisly ghastly; horrifying; The police recovered the grisly remains of the bodies groom man employed to take care of horses; V: make neat and trim; clean and brush (an animal) The school grooms young men and women grotesque fantastic; comically hideous; strange and unnatural (causing fear or amusement) She made grotesque comments grotto small cavern They unwind in a grotto grouse complain; fuss; grumble; grouch; N: plump chicken like game bird She groused at her parents grumble complain; mutter discontentedly; grouch; N. The old lady grumbled in annoyance grovel crawl or creep on ground; remain prostrate; behave in a servile manner The man groveled through the cave grudging unwilling; reluctant; stingy(giving reluctantly) The employees wrote grudgingly against the companys policies gruel thin liquid porridge The gruel was simmered grueling exhausting; It was a grueling marathon race gruesome grisly; horrible A gruesome and ghastly incident gruff rough-mannered; (of a voice) rough; hoarse A gruff talk

grunt utter a deep guttural sound (as a pig does); N A pig grunts guffaw boisterous laughter; V. The audience guffawed at the comedians performance guile deceit; duplicity; wiliness; cunning; He persuaded her by guile guileless without deceit She is guileless guise outward appearance; costume; She has come in a new guise gull trick; deceive; hoodwink; N: person who is easily tricked; dupe He was gulled into buying the product gullible easily deceived Young girls are gullible gustatory affecting or relating to the sense of taste The aroma produced a gustatory effect gusto eager enjoyment; zest; enthusiasm They performed in gusto gusty windy The weather today is gusty gust strong abrupt rush of wind; V. CF. bluster The door shut aloud owing to a gust of wind guy cable or chain attached to something that needs to be braced or steadied; CF. guide The object was secured with a guy gyroscope apparatus used to maintain balance, ascertain direction, etc. A gyroscope is used to maintain equilibrium

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter H

habituate accustom or familiarize; addict He got habituated to that culture hackles hairs on back and neck, especially of a dog Make someones hackles rise hackneyed commonplace; trite The hackneyed plot bored the audience to the hilt haggard wasted away; gaunt; Haggard faces of the rescued miners haggle argue about prices (in an attempt to bargain) Women haggled in the market relentlessly halcyon calm; peaceful; Those were the halcyon days of his youth hale healthy The child looks hale and healthy hail frozen rain drop; V: salute or greet; precipitate hail A ferocious Hailstorm almost deluged the village hallowed blessed; consecrated; Ex. hallowed ground; V. hallow: set apart as holy our hallowed political institutions hallucination delusion; false idea; false perception of objects with a compelling sense of their reality; objects so perceived; V. hallucinate; ADJ. hallucinatory The drug causes hallucination halting hesitant; faltering; not fluent; Ex. halting steps/voice; V. halt: proceed or act with uncertainty; falter; hesitate; waver; stop The boy walked in halting steps hamper obstruct; prevent the free movement of Illiteracy hampers the progress of a country hap chance; luck haphazard random; by chance; happening in an unplanned manner; Ex. haphazard growth of the town His behavior looks rather haphazard hapless unfortunate; luckless Hapless youth; hapless maid. Dryden harangue long, passionate, and vehement speech; V Gray-headed men and grave, with warriors mixed, Assemble, and harangues are heard. Milton harass annoy by repeated attacks The prisoners were brutally harassed

harbinger forerunner (which foreshadows what is to come) Black clouds are the harbingers of rain harbor give protection (by giving food and shelter); provide a refuge for; hide; keep in mind (thoughts or feelings); Ex. harbor a grudge/criminal; N: place of shelter; refuge She harbors unnecessary hatred towards some people habitat natural home of a plant or animal; CF. habitation An aquarium is an artificial habitat hardy (of people or animals) sturdy; robust; (of plants) able to stand inclement(stormy) weather It was hard for us to cope with the hardy weather harping tiresome dwelling on a subject; V. harp: dwell on(think or speak a lot about) tediously He was always harping on the importance of taking vitamin supplements harrowing agonizing; distressing; traumatic; V. harrow: break up and level (soil) with a harrow; inflict great distress on; agonize; N: farming machine to break up the earth The farm land is broken up and leveled with a harrow harry harass, annoy, torment (by repeated attacks); raid The prisoner was harried to death hatch deck opening; lid covering a deck opening; V: emerge from an egg; produce (young) from an egg The egg takes usually three weeks to hatch haughtiness pride; arrogance; ADJ. haughty His haughtiness made him unpopular haunt (of a spirit) visit (a place); come to mind continually; visit (a place) regularly; frequent; Ex. haunted house; Ex. haunted by his last words; N: place much frequented The villagers say that the place is haunted haven place of safety; refuge; harbor; Ex. tax haven A haven for refugees havoc widespread damage; disorder; chaos The false news spread havoc hazardous dangerous It is hazardous to work in a nuclear plant hazy slightly obscure; misty; unclear; N. haze: light mist or smoke; confused state of mind Her comments were rather hazy headlong hasty; rash; headfirst; ADV She plunged headlong into the water headstrong willful; stubborn; unyielding; determined to have ones own way; CF. no excessive She is a headstrong executive

heckler person who verbally harasses others; V. heckle: verbally harass as with gibes (by interrupting a speaker or speech) Her mother-in-law is such a heckler hedonist one who believes that pleasure is the sole aim in life; CF. hedonism: practice of living ones life purely for pleasure Many Indian kings of the yore sought hedonistic pleasures heedless not noticing; disregarding She was heedless of the imminent danger heed pay attention to; N: close attention The teacher asked her students to pay heed hegemony dominance especially of one nation over others World is under the American hegemony heinous atrocious; wicked; hatefully bad; It was a heinous crime helm steering wheel of a ship; position of control He was the helm of affairs herbivorous grain-eating; CF. herbivore Giraffe is herbivorous heresy opinion contrary to popular belief; opinion contrary to accepted religion; ADJ. heretical; CF. heretic Joan was considered a heretic hermetic sealed by fusion so as to be airtight; airtight A hermetically sealed container hermetic concerning alchemy or magic; obscure and mysterious; occult The hermetic lived in woods hermitage home of a hermit Sita lived in Valmikis hermitage herpetologist one who studies reptiles; CF. herpetology: branch of zoology that deals with reptiles and amphibians He is a world-renowned herpetologist heterodox (of beliefs) against accepted opinion; unorthodox; unconventional These days people harbor heterodox beliefs heterogeneous dissimilar; mixed; not homogeneous; consisting of dissimilar elements or plants A solution is a heterogeneous mixture hew cut to pieces with ax or sword; chop; N. The wood was hewed

heyday time of greatest success or power; prime She is in the heydays of her life hiatus gap; pause; gap or interruption in space or time; break Scholars attempted to account for the hiatus in the medieval manuscript hibernal wintry; wintery; of or like winter The weather is hibernal hibernate sleep throughout the winter; N. hibernation Many animals hibernate during winters hierarchy arrangement by rank or standing; authoritarian body divided into ranks; body of persons having authority The organization has a well defined hierarchy hieroglyphic picture writing; ADJ. Hieroglyphics paved way for the modern languages hilarity boisterous mirth(merriment; laughter); ADJ. hilarious: full of laughter His hilarity keeps the surroundings happy and energetic hindmost furthest behind; farthest to the rear hindrance block; obstacle; V. hinder Diffidence is a potential hindrance to her career hinterlands back country; inner part of a country; OP. foreland The tribes reside in the hinterlands hireling one who serves for hire (usually used contemptuously); one who works solely for compensation Hes a hireling politician hirsute hairy; having a lot of hair Cynical and hirsute in his behavior. Life of A. Wood histrionic theatrical; excessively dramatic or emotional; affected; of actors or acting; N. histrionics: histrionic behavior Cut out the histrionicswe know youre not really mad historic important in history; Many historic battles were fought for spreading Christianity historical connected with history; based on events in history (whether regarded as important or not) Many monuments in the city are historical hoard stockpile; accumulate for future use; N: supply stored for future use To hoard food during a shortage hoary white with age The old man has become hoary

hoax trick which makes someone take action; practical joke; Ex. hoax mail; V. The hoax call created panic in the office holocaust destruction by fire; CF. burnt whole; CF. Holocaust Israel emerged from the Holocaust and is defined in relation to that catastrophe (Emanuel Litvinoff) holster leather pistol case (that hangs on a belt around the waist) The robber put back the pistol into the holster homage honor; tribute; great respect; Ex. pay/do homage to In her speech she paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru homeostasis tendency of a system or organism to maintain relative stability or internal equilibrium; CF. homeo-: constant; Ex. homeotherm homespun domestic; made at home; spun or woven at home; simple and ordinary; Its a homespun philosophy homily sermon; tedious moralizing lecture; serious warning; ADJ. homiletic As I have heard my father Deal out in his long homilies. Byron homogeneous of the same kind; uniform in composition throughout x2y3 is a homogeneous expression of degree 5 hone sharpen (a tool); N: whetstone for sharpening a tool The students were suggested to hone their skills hoodwink deceive; delude We will blind and hoodwink him. Shak horde crowd; swarm A horde of tourists gathered near the monumental tombs hortatory encouraging; exhort; marked by exhortation; CF. exhort He made a hortatory speech horticultural pertaining to cultivation of gardens; N. horticulture: science or art of cultivating fruits, vegetables, or ornamental plants; CF. agriculture: science or art of farming or growing crops He earned a lot in the horticultural domain hostility unfriendliness; hatred; enmity; ADJ. hostile The hostility between the families grew hovel shack; small wretched house The old couple lived in a hovel hut crude dwelling; shack Many poor Indians spend a lifetime in huts hubbub confused uproar; loud noise; din The massive crowds created a hubbub

hubris arrogance; excessive self-conceit Hubris was the fatal flaw of the protagonist hue color; aspect Opinions of every hue hue and cry outcry; loud cry or clamor; strong protest There was a lot of hue and cry against the new rule humane marked by kindness or consideration; kind and compassionate; humanitarian He had a humane attitude humanitarian one devoted to the promotion of human welfare; CF. humanism The culprit was set free on humanitarian grounds humdrum dull; monotonous I want to get rid of this humdrum humid damp; humidity The atmosphere today has been humid humility humbleness of spirit She was known for her humility humble of low rank or position; modest; having a low opinion of oneself and a high opinion of others; unassuming; not proud; V. humiliate: make humble; cause to feel ashamed or to lose the respect of others The couple led a humble life hummock small hill; hillock There was a dilapidated temple on the hummock humus substance or rich soil formed by decaying vegetable matter; CF. soil Plants grow well in humus rich soils hurtle crash; rush; move with great speed; A hurtling runaway train husband use sparingly; conserve; save Husband ones energy husbandry frugality; thrift; economy; agriculture; farming; He works in the department of animal husbandry hybrid mongrel; mixed breed; V. hybridize The wheat available is of a hybrid variety hydrophobia fear of water; rabies Hydrophobia is a dangerous disease hygiene science and practice of the promotion and preservation of health; ADJ. hygienic: showing careful attention to cleanness (to prevent disease);

Lack of hygienic conditions marked the place hyperbole exaggeration; overstatement; ADJ. hyperbolic: of hyperbole; of a hyperbola Hyperbole is a figurative speech hypercritical excessively exacting; too critical (without noticing good qualities) His analysis is hypercritical hypochondriac person unduly worried about his health; worrier without cause about illness; ADJ. CF. hypochondria: neurosis that one is or is becoming ill; CF. abdomen Alexander Pope was a hypochondriac hypothetical based on assumptions or hypotheses; supposed; N. hypothesis The Finance Minister refused to discuss hypotheticals with the reporters

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter I

ichthyology study of fish; CF. ichthyo-: fish Disciplines like Ichthyology are not often preferred by students icon(ikon) religious image; idol; image or representation The young political leader is considered the youth icon iconoclastic attacking cherished traditions; N. iconoclast: one who attacks traditional ideas; one who destroys sacred images The young rebel was an iconoclast ideology system of ideas characteristic of a group or culture He follows the Gandhian ideology idiom expression whose meaning as a whole differs from the meanings of its individual words; distinctive style (of expression); ADJ. idiomatic The idiom of the modern popular music idiosyncrasy individual trait usually odd in nature; behavioral peculiarity; eccentricity; attitude, behavior, or opinion peculiar to a person; anything highly individual or eccentric; ADJ. idiosyncratic He makes idiosyncratic gestures while speaking idolatry worship of idols; excessive admiration or devotion; ADJ. idolatrous The clan is obsessed with idolatry

idyllic charmingly carefree; simple and happy The village presented an idyllic scene Idyll short poem idealizing rural life; simple happy period of life (in the country); scene from such a time Its an idyll of two young lovers igneous produced by fire; of fire; volcanic; (of rocks) formed from lava; Mostly meteorites are igneous ignite kindle; light; catch fire or set fire to Her talks usually ignite fights ignoble unworthy; not noble; dishonorable; Not to mention an ignoble deed ignominy deep disgrace; shame or dishonor; ADJ. ignominious; She lowered her head in ignominy illicit illegal They supplied cocaine illicitly illimitable infinite; limitless The galaxy has illimitable wonders illuminate brighten; clear up or make understandable; enlighten; enable to understand; Her remarks were illuminating illusion misleading vision or visual image; false idea or belief; CF. delusion She decided that she would not fall a prey to illusion illusive deceiving; based on illusion; causing illusion; deceptive His compliments sound illusive illusory illusive; deceptive; not real The spectacles create am illusory effect imbalance lack of balance or symmetry; disproportion There was some imbalance in the situation imbecility weakness of mind; state of being an imbecile; N. imbecile: stupid person; fool His imbecility was hard to contain imbibe drink in The students imbibed the concepts thoroughly imbroglio complicated situation (as in a play); painful or complex misunderstanding (as in a play); entanglement; confused mass (as of papers); V. embroil Wrestling to free itself from the baleful imbroglio. Carlyle imbue saturate(soak thoroughly); fill To imbue someone with bitter feelings

immaculate spotless; flawless; absolutely clean The temples surroundings were immaculate imminent impending; near at hand Shes unaware of the imminent danger immobility state of being immovable The auto strike marked immobility immolate offer or kill as a sacrifice (by fire) The worker threatened to immolate himself immune resistant to; free or exempt from; N. immunity She has become immune to negative comments immure imprison; shut up in confinement; CF. wall The girl was immured for three days immutable unchangeable law is immutable impair injure; hurt; damage The accident impaired her auditory faculties impale pierce (with a sharp point); His skin was impaled by the spear impalpable imperceptible(not easily understood); intangible; OP. palpable: tangible; easily perceptible Those occult concepts are impalpable impartial not biased; fair; N. impartiality A teacher has to be impartial impart grant a share of; make known; They sent the news to impart impassable not able to be traveled or crossed The jungle is impassable impasse predicament(dangerous condition) from which there is no escape; situation allowing for no further progress They reached an impasse in the negotiations. impassive without feeling; expressionless; imperturbable; stoical; He usually wears an impassive expression impeach charge (a public official) with crime in office; raise doubts about; indict The President was impeached impeccable faultless She has an impeccable character

impecunious without money His impecunious condition was at worst impede hide; retard or obstruct the progress of; block Diffidence impeded her career growth impediment hindrance; stumbling-block; speech defect preventing clear articulation; Ex. speech impediment He suffers from a speech impediment impel drive or force onward; drive to take action; urge to action The students were impelled to perform well in the exams impenetrable not able to be pierced or entered; beyond understanding; impossible to understand; The mystery seems to be impenetrable impenitent not repentant An impenitent soul imperative absolutely necessary; that must be done; critically important; expressing command; N: something that must be done It is imperative that all the employees sign the register imperceptible unnoticeable; impossible to perceive; undetectable The error is imperceptible imperial like an emperor; related to an empire; CF. imperialism His imperial manners irritated one and all imperil put in danger The hijacker imperiled the lives of passengers imperious domineering; too commanding; haughty; CF. imperial/emperor The boy behaved imperiously impermeable impervious; not permitting passage through its substance; impossible to permeate Hes is impermeably obstinate impertinent insolent; rude; not pertinent; N. impertinence He impertinent answers made her lose during the interview imperturbable unshakably calm; placid His peace of mind is imperturbable impervious impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed; incapable of being affected (in ones opinions); The cell wall is impervious to water/criticism impetuous violent; hasty; rash; impulsive; without careful thought; That was an impetuous decision impetus moving force; momentum; force of a moving body; incentive; stimulus; impulse

She had no impetus to work impiety irreverence; lack of respect for God or piety Those impieties for which they are now visited. Shak impinge infringe; encroach; influence; touch; collide with; The effects are impinging on every aspect of our lives. impious irreverent It is impious to speak loudly in the temple implacable incapable of being pacified; impossible to appease; Her grief is implacable implausible unlikely (to be true); unbelievable Her reasons are implausible implement put into effect; enforce; carry out; supply with tools; Ex. implement the plan/suggestion; N: tool or instrument The plan was implemented implicate incriminate; involve incriminatingly; show to be involved (in a crime); Ex. implicate someone in the crime The criminal was implicated implication something hinted at or suggested; implying; implicating The implication was understood by all the members present implicit understood but not stated; implied; unquestioning and complete; Ex. implicit trust The meaning of a proverb is implicit implode burst inward; CF. vaccum tube A vacuole implodes implore beg The politician implored the villages to vote for him impolitic not wise; not expedient; not politic It is impolitic to comment on the results now imponderable weightless; that cannot undergo precise evaluation; CF. pound She made an imponderable speech import significance; importance; meaning The speech had much import importunate urging; always demanding; troublesomely urgent or persistent Hes an importunate job seeker imposture assuming a false identity; masquerade; CF. impostor From new legends and fill the world with follies and impostures. Johnson impotent weak; ineffective; lacking in physical strength or power

His plans sound rather impotent imprecation curse; swearword The saint cast an imprecation over the obsessed lady impregnable invulnerable; impossible to capture or enter by force; It was an impregnable fort impromptu without previous preparation; off the cuff(end of a sleeve); on the spur of the moment The students were suggested to make an impromptu speech impropriety improperness; unsuitableness Her attitude demonstrated gross impropriety improvident thriftless; not providing for the future His lifestyle was improvident improvise compose on the spur of the moment The project was improvised in the lab imprudent lacking caution; not prudent; injudicious She was blamed for her imprudent behavior impudence impertinence; insolence Children passing through that phase of life are impudent impugn dispute or contradict (often in an insulting way); attack as false or questionable; challenge; gainsay; CF. fight The audience impugned the judge impuissance powerlessness; feebleness Their own impuissance and weakness. Holland impunity freedom from punishment or harm Heaven, though slow to wrath, Is never with impunity defied. Cowper impute attribute; ascribe; charge; N. imputation The children imputed magical powers to the old woman inadvertently unintentionally; by oversight; carelessly The comment was made inadvertently inalienable not to be taken away; nontransferable; Those are inalienable rights inane silly; senseless; He made inane remarks inanimate lifeless; not animate He lay inanimate and supine inarticulate speechless; producing indistinct speech; not articulate; not expressing oneself clearly Overwhelmed by grief she made an inarticulate speech

inaugurate begin formally; install in office; induct into office by a formal ceremony; N. inauguration; ADJ. inaugural The new stadium was inaugurated incandescent strikingly bright; shining with intense heat; emitting visible light when heated; It is an incandescent light bulb incantation singing or chanting of magic spells; magical formula; (the saying of) words used in magic; CF. enchant The incantation evokes angels incapacitate disable; N. incapacity: lack of capacity The drug incapacitates body movements incarcerate imprison The criminal was incarcerated for a lifetime incarnate endowed with flesh; invested with bodily form; personified; Hes a devil incarnate incendiary arsonist; ADJ: causing fire; of arson; An incendiary bomb incense enrage; infuriate(make furious); make extremely angry; outrage; N: aromatic substance burned to produce a pleasant odor Her comments incensed public anger incentive spur; motive; something which encourages one to greater activity The executives were promised an incentive inception start; beginning The plan was shelved right at its inception incessant uninterrupted; unceasing The incessant rains caused lot many troubles inchoate (of desire, wish, plan) recently begun; not explicit; at the beginning of development; rudimentary; elementary; An embryo is an inchoate mass of cells incidence rate of occurrence; particular occurrence; The state witnessed a high incidence of infant mortality incidental not essential; minor; N: something incidental She met him incidentally incident event; event that causes a crisis The incident changed his life forever incinerate burn to ashes The tent was incinerated

incipient beginning; in an early stage The fetus is till in an incipient stage incisive (appreciatively) cutting; sharp; His incisive remarks were hard to bear incite arouse to action; goad; motivate; induce to exist; The politician intended to incite a riot inclement stormy; unkind; unmerciful; CF. clement The inclement weather posed a major problem incline slope; slant; Thats a steep incline inclusive tending to include all; all-inclusive; The price is inclusive of all additional charges incognito with identity concealed; using an assumed name; ADJ. Kings of the yore roamed around incognito incoherent unintelligible; muddled; unable to express ones thoughts in an orderly manner; illogical; lacking cohesion; not coherent He spoke incoherently incommodious not spacious; inconvenient The place seems to be incommodious incompatible inharmonious; N. incompatibility There was a profound incompatibility between the couple incongruity lack of harmony; absurdity; ADJ. incongruous: lacking in harmony; inappropriate The clans were incongruous inconsequential insignificant; unimportant Their comments are inconsequential inconsistency state of being self-contradictory; lack of uniformity or steadiness; ADJ. inconsistent: displaying a lack of consistency; erratic; contradictory; incompatible His behavior is marked with inconsistency incontinent lacking self-restraint; not continent; licentious Victorian era witnessed many incontinent people incontrovertible indisputable; impossible to dispute; not open to question; unquestionable The queens position is incontrovertible incorporate introduce something into a larger whole; include; embody; give material form to; ADJ. Changes have been incorporated incorporeal without a material body; insubstantial Saints have an incorporeal existence

incorrigible uncorrectable The defendant was incorrigible incredulity tendency to disbelief Of every species of incredulity, religious unbelief is the most irrational. Buckminster increment increase She was offered an increment

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter I

incriminate accuse of or implicate in a crime; serve as evidence against; cause to seem or make guilty of a crime; Ex. incriminating evidence He incriminated both men to the grand jury incrustation hard coating or crust; V. incrust: encrust; cover with a crust Theres an incrustation of salt on the window incubate hatch; warm (eggs) with the body to promote hatching; maintain at optimal environment conditions for development; be holding in ones body an infection which is going to develop into a disease; N. incubation; CF. incubation:disease The virus dwells in the stage of incubation incubus burden; very worrying problem; mental care; nightmare; male devil; CF. succubus Debt and usury is the incubus which weighs most heavily on the agricultural resources of Turkey. J. L. Farley inculcate teach (ideas or principles); instill The teachers inculcate virtue in the young incumbent obligatory; imposed as an obligation; currently holding an office; N: person who holds an office They are the incumbent officers of the club incur bring upon oneself She incurred upon her mothers wrath incursion temporary invasion; CF. excursion: short journey The students were taken on an incursion

indefatigable tireless; untiring; showing no sign of getting tired The teacher had an indefatigable spirit indelible not able to be erased She made an indelible impact over him indemnify make secure against damage or loss; compensate for damage or loss; CF. make uninjured The loss was indemnified indentation notch; deep recess; V. indent; CF. tooth The equipment has an indentation indenture bind as servant or apprentice to master; bind by indenture; N: contract binding one party into the service of another for a specified time (as between an apprentice and his master) The law is the best expositor of the gospel; they are like a pair of indentures: they answer in every part. C. Leslie indeterminate uncertain; not clearly fixed; indefinite A person of indeterminate age indicative suggestive; implying; serving to indicate His behavior indicative of mental disorder indices signs; indications; CF. index: something that reveals or indicates; sign; Ex. cost-of-living index Indices of a students potential indict charge; N. indictment The criminal was indicted indifferent unmoved or unconcerned by; having no interest in; mediocre; neither good nor bad He remained indifferent to her concerns indigence poverty They survived in abject indigence indigenous native; Thats a plant indigenous to the New World indignation anger at an injustice; Ex. righteous indignation; ADJ. indignant Hide thyself . . . until the indignation be overpast. Is. xxvi. 20 indignity treatment or situation that causes shame or loss of dignity, respect; offensive or insulting treatment; humiliating or degrading treatment; I suffered the indignity of having to say that in front of them. indiscriminate choosing at random; confused; not based on careful distinctions He is indiscriminate in his friendships indisputable too certain to be disputed; beyond doubt She was the indisputable winner

indissoluble permanent; impossible to dissolve or disintegrate Thats an indissoluble truth indolent lazy The boy became indolent during vacation indomitable unconquerable; unyielding She has an indomitable spirit indubitable unable to be doubted; which cannot be doubted; unquestionable His propositions are indubitable induce persuade; lead to do something; bring about; N. inducement That medicine will induce sleep. inductive pertaining to induction or proceeding from the specific to the general He believed in inductive reasoning induct place formally in office; install; admit as a member; initiate; N. induction: inducting; process of deriving general principles from particular facts The committee inducted her as president indulgent humoring; yielding; lenient; showing indulgence An indulgent conversation industrious diligent; hard-working; N. industry He was both industrious and diligent inebriated habitually intoxicated; drunk; N. inebriety Success inebriated her inebriate make drunk; intoxicate; N. intoxicated person The smell of poppies inebriates intoxicate make drunk; stimulate or excite; He will be intoxicated by all the money he might win ineffable unutterable; not to be uttered; taboo; that cannot be expressed in speech; indescribable; unspeakable; inexpressible; Ex. ineffable name/joy The names ineffable ineffectual not effective; not having a desired effect; weak Ineffectual angels ineluctable irresistible; not to be escaped; unavoidable Her ineluctable charms inept unsuited; inappropriate; lacking skill; incompetent; CF. inapt: (of statements or ideas) inappropriate He performed in an inept way inequity unfairness; ADJ. inequitable

Inequity marked his judgment inerrancy infallibility She strove for inerrancy inert inactive; lacking power to move; unable to move or act; Ex. chemically inert; N. inertia: state of being inert; force which keeps a thing in the position or state Helium is an inert gas inevitable unavoidable The results are inevitable inexorable relentless; unyielding; implacable; not capable of being changed by entreaty or efforts; The price rises have been inexorable infallible unerring; never making mistakes Her work is infallible infamous notoriously bad; notorious; well known for being bad; Ex. infamous behavior; N: infamy: infamous act; evil fame or reputation His behavior made him infamous infantile childish; infant like Infantile behavior infer deduce; conclude; N. inference We were unable to infer the essence of his speech infernal pertaining to hell; devilish; N. inferno: place of fiery heat or destruction The heat this summer is infernal infidel unbeliever (with respect to a particular religion) The infidel writer is a great enemy to society. V. Knox infiltrate pass into or through; penetrate or enter (an organization) sneakily; Infiltrate the troops into enemy territory infinitesimal very small There are infinitesimal vessels in the circulatory system infirmity weakness Infirmity of thought inflated exaggerated; pompous; enlarged (with air or gas) His narration is an inflated version influx flowing into Theres an influx of tourists to India infraction violation (of a rule or regulation); breach An infraction of the rules infringe violate (a law); encroach (the right of another person)

To infringe a copyright ingenious marked by inventive skill; clever; resourceful; N. ingenuity An ingenious press agent ingenuous naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated; candid The ingenuous village dwellers ingrained deeply established; firmly rooted; Ingrained dirt/prejudice ingrate ungrateful person (not expressing thanks) Hes an ingrateful person ingratiate become popular with; bring (oneself) in favor of another; Ex. ingratiate himself with the boss He ingratiated himself with all the guests inherent firmly established by nature or habit; intrinsic She has inherent generosity inhibit restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent; N. inhibition The membrane inhibits the flow of water inhibited (of a person) unable to express what one really feels His presence makes her feel inhibited inimical (of someone) unfriendly; hostile; (of something) harmful; detrimental; CF. enemy They were inimical to the guests inimitable matchless; not able to be imitated Her poetic style is inimitable

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter I

invalidate weaken; destroy; make invalid; nullify The cheque was invalidated because of overwriting invective abuse The world will be able to judge of his [Junius'] motives for writing such famous invectives. Sir W. Draper

inveigh denounce; utter censure or invective Inveigh against the evils of drink inveigle deceive; lead astray by deception; wheedle(cajole); He inveigled her into joining the club inverse opposite The recession hit the growing market inversely inveterate deep-rooted; habitual; CF. grow old He is an inveterate liar invidious designed to create ill will or envy; tending to rouse ill will or envy; Ex. invidious comparison invincible unconquerable She has an invincible spirit inviolable secure from corruption, attack, or violation(or profanation); unassailable He tried a third, a tough, well-chosen spear, The inviolable body stood sincere. Dryden invocation prayer for help (used in invoking); calling upon as a reference or support; act of invoking The whole poem is a prayer to Fortune, and the invocation is divided between the two deities. Addison invulnerable incapable of injury; impossible to damage or injure The mountain stands invulnerable iota very small quantity He does not give her an iota of importance irascible irritable; easily angered He has an irascible temper irate angry; CF. ire: anger; wrath An irate customer hurled money at the counter iridescent exhibiting rainbow like colors; Ex. iridescent oil slick; N. iridescence The stone had iridescent hues irksome annoying; tedious; V. irk: annoy An irksome child ironic expressing irony; occurring in an unexpected and contrary manner He made an ironic remark irreconcilable impossible to reconcile; incompatible; not able to be resolved The disputes were irreconcilable irrefutable indisputable; incontrovertible; undeniable His candidature is irrefutable irrelevant not applicable; unrelated

The matter was irrelevant irremediable incurable; uncorrectable; impossible to remedy An irremediable conduct irreparable not able to be corrected or repaired; impossible to repair His mothers loss was irreparable irrepressible unable to be restrained or held back; impossible to hold back Irrepressible idea irreproachable beyond reproach; blameless; impeccable His was an irreproachable conduct irresolute uncertain how to act; weak; lacking in resolution; indecisive; N. irresolution Hamlet was irresolute indecisive marked by indecision; inconclusive; An indecisive battle irretrievable impossible to recover or regain; CF. retrieve The files are irretrievable irreverence lack of proper respect or reverence; ADJ. irreverent His irreverence was obvious irrevocable unalterable; irreversible; impossible to revoke The rules of the institution are irrevocable isotope varying from of an element Carbon has many isotopic forms isthmus narrow neck of land connecting two larger bodies of land The Isthmus of Suez itinerant wandering; traveling from place to place (to perform work); Buddha was an itinerant preacher

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter J

jabber chatter rapidly or unintelligibly

I could not understand his jabber jab poke abruptly with something sharp; punch with short blows Afi jabbed at the pickles with his fork. jaded tired or uninterested by surfeit; fatigued; surfeited; worn out; wearied; I have a jaded appetite jargon language used by special group; technical terminology; gibberish; nonsensical or incoherent talk The medical jargon is hard to understand jaundiced yellowed; prejudiced (envious, hostile, or resentful) from long and disappointing experience of human affairs; He looks at the world with a jaundiced eye jaunt trip; short journey The CEO is on a jaunt jaunty cheerful and pleased with life; lighthearted; animated; easy and carefree; dapper in appearance; Ex. jaunty person/hat Hes a jaunty person jeopardize endanger; imperil; put at risk; N. jeopardy: danger White tigers are the jeopardized species jettison throw overboard (from a ship or plane) The bulk cargo was jettisoned into the sea jibe agree; be in harmony with; gibe The members jibed with the President jingoist extremely aggressive and militant patriot; warlike chauvinist; N. jingoism: extreme nationalism Jingoism is not very healthy jocose given to(having a tendency of) joking His jocose nature kept everybody lively jest playful remark or act; V. act or speak playfully The jester entertained the audience jocund merry A witty and jocund group jollity gaiety; cheerfulness; ADJ. jolly: merry; gay The jollity of the occasion was felt jostle shove; bump; push against (someone) rather roughly; They squeezed their way through jostled by the crowds jovial good-natured; merry; cheerful She is always in a jovial mood

jubilation rejoicing; great joy Their jubilation subsided when they lost the second game judicious sound on judgment; wise His judgment was always judicious juggernaut irresistible crushing force; overwhelming advancing force that crushes everything in its path It doesnt assume that people need necessarily remain passive when confronted by what appears to be the juggernaut of history (Christopher Lehmann-Haupt) jug pitcher; container for holding liquids The girl carried water in a jug juncture crisis; point in time; joining point; joint; act of joining It is hard to retreat at this juncture junket trip especially one taken for pleasure by an official at public expense The minister was enjoying a junket junta group of persons joined in political intrigue; cabal; group of military officers ruling a country after seizing power (by force) The junta does not understand the intricacies of politics jurisprudence science of law The talents of Abelard were not confined to theology, jurisprudence, philosophy. J. Warton jurisdiction right and power to apply the law; authority All islands to the northwest are his jurisdiction juridical of the law and its administration; CF. judicial: of courts of law; CF. judiciary His arrest was juridical juxtapose place side by side; CF. next The samples were juxtaposed

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter K

kaleidoscope tube in which patterns made by the reflection in mirrors of colored pieces of glass, etc. produce interesting symmetrical effects; series of changing events;

A kaleidoscope of European history ken range of knowledge To understand the topic is beyond ones ken kernel central or vital part; core; whole seed (as of corn) The kernel of the movie is the protagonists sacrifice killjoy grouch; spoilsport; one who intentionally spoils the pleasure of others A killjoy like he should never be invited to any party kindle start a fire; ignite; inspire; arouse The seminar kindled in him an interest for Artificial Intelligence kindred related; belonging to the same group; similar in nature or character; The dinosaurs and the lizards are kindred species kinetic producing motion; of motion The kinetic energy is the energy of body in motion kismet fate; destiny; Kismet is the Arabic word for fate. kleptomaniac person who has a compulsive desire to steal The kings wife was a kleptomaniac knave untrustworthy person; rogue; scoundrel; jack; N. knavery He is a knave to be trusted knead mix; work dough; mix and work into a uniform mass (with the hands); Knead the dough thoroughly knell tolling of a bell especially to indicate a funeral, disaster, etc.; sound of the funeral bell; V. Not worth a blessing nor a bell to knell for thee. Beau. & Fl knit contract into wrinkles; grow together; join together closely; make (a fabric or garment) by intertwining yarn or thread; Ex. knit the brow; The bones should knit together in a few weeks. knoll little round hill; hillock Theres a shrine on the knoll knotty intricate; difficult; tangled; CF. knot Thats a knotty problem kudos honor; glory; acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter L

labile likely to change; unstable; Ex. emotionally labile A labile compound laborious demanding much work or care; tedious He is doing a laborious job labyrinth maze They got into a labyrinth of problems laceration torn ragged wound; V. lacerate: tear (the skin as with broken glass); wound She stood in front of him bearing a lacerated soul lachrymose producing tears; tearful You should have seen his lachrymose visnomy. Lamb lackadaisical lacking interest or effort; lacking purpose or zest; lazy; halfhearted; languid That was a lackadaisical presentation lackluster lacking luster(shine; gloss); dull A lackluster eye laconic brief and to the point; using few words; terse He made a laconic speech laggard slow; sluggish; N: one who lags; straggler His laggardness irritates one and all lag move or develop more slowly; straggle She lagged behind the rest lagoon shallow body of water or lake near a sea; lake separated from a sea by sandbars or coral reefs The lagoons of Venice laity laypersons; laymen; persons not connected with the clergy A rising up of the laity against the sacerdotal caste. Macaulay layman man who is not a cleric; man who is nonprofessional She married a layman, against her parents wish lament grieve; express sorrow; N. lamentation Theres no use lamenting over the past lampoon ridicule; N: written attack ridiculing or satirizing a person, group, or institution Like her who missed her name in a lampoon, And grieved to find herself decayed so soon. Dryden

lancet small surgical tool for making incisions A lancet arch lance cut into; N: spear like weapon Pierce with a lance languid lacking energy or vitality; weary; sluggish; listless The excursion made her languid lank long and thin; Ex. Lank, gaunt, Abraham Lincoln The player has a lanky build lap take in food or drink with ones tongue; splash gently; Ex. waves lapping the shore; N: front area from the waist to the knees of a seated person She lapped it up all larceny theft; Ex. petit larceny He was kept in police custody for larceny larder pantry; place where food is kept The food was preserved in the larder largess generous gift (given to people who do not have enough) Fulfilled of largesse and of all grace. Chaucer lascivious lustful A lascivious gesture. lust intense sexual desire; intense eagerness; V. He has lust for power lassitude languor; weariness; listlessness The pleasant lassitude of the warm summer afternoon latent present but not yet noticeable or active; dormant; hidden; N. latency; CF. potential Her latent ability remained undiscovered lateral of or coming from the side A lateral move latitude freedom from narrow limitations He allowed his children a fair amount of latitude laud praise; N. ADJ. laudable: praiseworthy; ADJ. laudatory: expressing praise So do well and thou shalt have laud of the same. Tyndals lavish liberal; wasteful; generous or wasteful in giving or using; abundant; profuse; great; Ex. decorated lavishly; V. give in abundance They spend lavishly lax careless; negligent; not paying enough attention; Theirs is a lax service

leaven add leaven to; cause to rise or grow lighter; enliven; N: agent, such as yeast, that causes dough to rise (by fermentation); element that lightens or enlivens With these and the like deceivable doctrines, he leavens also his prayer. Milton lechery gross lewdness; lustfulness; ADJ. lecherous; N. lecher: lecherous man A lecherous act lectern reading desk or stand for a public speaker The bible was placed on a lectern leery (of someone) suspicious; wary; cautious He was leery of aggressive salespeople leeway room to move; margin; latitude; Theres no leeway for the deadline legacy gift made by a will; something handed down from an ancestor The legacy of ancient Rome legend explanatory list of symbols on a map Legend on the map legerdemain sleight(dexterity) of hand; CF. light of hand He has a financial legerdemain leniency mildness; permissiveness; ADJ. lenient: not severe in judgment or punishment She gave her children a lot of leniency leonine like a lion His leonine manners appealed to her lethal deadly Its a lethal weapon lethargic drowsy; dull; N. lethargy: state of sluggishness and inactivity The drug makes you feel lethargic levee earthen or stone embankment to prevent flooding; CF. raise To levee a treacherous stream levitate rise and float in the air (especially by magical means); CF. light The magician levitates a table levity lack of seriousness or steadiness; frivolity; lightness of manner He never employed his omnipotence out of levity. Calamy levy impose (a fine); collect (a payment); impose or collect (a tax); The government levied a tax on tobacco lexicographer compiler of a dictionary; CF. lexicography: work of compiling a dictionary Jonathan Swift was also a lexicographer

liability drawback; handicap; debts; obligation; responsibility; condition of being liable; ADJ. liable: likely; responsible (for paying) His lack of education is his biggest liability liaison contact that keeps parties in communication; communication between groups; one that maintains communication; go-between; secret love affair; V. liaise: keep a connection He served as the Presidents liaison with Congress libel defamatory written statement; act of writing something that smears a persons character; V. ADJ. libelous Whats this but libeling against the senate? Shak libertine debauched person; dissolute or licentious person; rou\e; CF. free Like a puffed and reckless libertine, Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads. Shak libretto text of an opera or oratorio; CF. book A libretto is a musical composition licentious amoral; lewd and lascivious; unrestrained Licentious wickedness. Shak license official or legal permission; latitude of action or speech; excessive freedom that causes harm or damage; V. He holds a license to kill lien legal claim or right on a property He holds a lien to her property ligneous like wood The table looks ligneous lilliputian extremely small; CF. Lilliput in Gullivers Travels Although a Lilliputian he demonstrates exemplary courage limber flexible; supple; pliable; V. To limber up before the game limbo region near heaven or hell where certain souls are kept; prison (slang); Ex. Purgatory and Limbo My youthful hopes are in the limbo of lost dreams limn draw; outline; describe; CF. line Let a painter carelessly limn out a million of faces, and you shall find them all different. Sir T. Browne limpid crystal clear The limpid glory of new born leaves lineage descent; ancestry Both the lineage and the certain sire From which I sprung, from me are hidden yet. Spenser lineaments features especially of the face; distinctive shape or contour of the face; CF. line

His fine lineaments made him the very image of his father linger loiter or dawdle; be slow in leaving; delay going; continue or persist; be slow to disappear The smell lingered for days. linguistic pertaining to language She wants to specialize in linguistic studies lionize treat (a person) as a celebrity The celebrity was lionized liquidate settle accounts; pay off (a debt); clear up; eliminate; kill or abolish His debts were liquidated list tilt (as of a ship); lean over (to one side) She lists over the ladder listless lacking in spirit or energy; languid Hot summers made him listless litany supplicatory prayer; prayer in which the priest calls out and the people replies in the same words We heard the whole litany of their complaints litigation lawsuit; N. litigant: one party in a lawsuit; V. litigate The litigation was hard to resolve litotes understatement for emphasis; Ex. not bad(=pretty good) This is no small problem is litotes livid lead-colored; black and blue (as from a bruise); ashen; enraged; extremely angry Fear turned his cheeks livid for a moment loath reluctant; unwilling; disinclined; Romeo and Juliet were both loath for him to go. loathe detest; ADJ. loathsome: arousing loathing; offensive A loathsome smell lode metal-bearing vein(long deposit of an ore) Down that long, dark lode . . . he and his brother skated home in triumph. C. Kingsley lofty very high He reached lofty heights in his profession log record of a voyage or flight; record of day-to-day activities; section of a trunk; V. They had to log a days event loiter hang about/around; stand idly about; linger The young boy was loitering on the terrace loll lounge about The dog stood in the heat with his tongue lolling out of his mouth

lounge stand, sit, or lie in a lazy, relaxed way She lounged the day away longevity long life; long duration Our family is known for its longevity loom appear or take shape (usually in an enlarged, indistinct, or distorted form); N: apparatus for making thread into cloth The shadow of the gallows loomed threateningly lope gallop slowly He that lopes on the ropes. Middleton loquacious talkative; N. loquacity She is loquacious lout clumsy person; ADJ. loutish; CF. from countryside Hes such a lout lubricate apply a lubricant to; N. lubricant: substance that reduces friction Grease is an excellent lubricant lucid easily understood; clear; intelligible; N. lucidity His lucid explanation made the otherwise tough concepts easier lucrative profitable; producing wealth Agriculture is a lucrative business lucre money; profit; Dont run behind filthy lucre ludicrous laughable; ridiculous; trifling A ludicrous lack of efficiency lugubrious mournful; sorrowful The film has a lugubrious ending lull moment of calm; period of reduced activity; V: cause to become less active; cause to sleep or rest; Ex. lull the opponents into a false sense of security; CF. lullaby A lull in the rain lumber move heavily or clumsily; N: timber The bear lumbered through the woods lumen unit of light energy (one candles worth) Lumen is the unit of light energy luminary celebrity (in a specific field); dignitary; object that gives light (as a celestial body) She wished all the senior luminaries at the party luminous shining (esp. in the dark); issuing light Luminous paint/road signs

lunar pertaining to the moon The Egyptians believe in the Lunar Calendar lunatic insane; He resides permanently in a lunatic asylum lurid wild; sensational; graphic; gruesome; horrible; Lurid details of the murder lurk stealthily lie in waiting; slink; exist unperceived The watchman lurked in the lounge luscious pleasing to taste or smell; delicious She invited them over a luscious meal luster shine; gloss (of a polished surface) The scorching sun was mounted high, In all its luster, to the noonday sky. Addison lustrous shining; brilliant; Ex. lustrous hair Her hairs lustrous luxuriant abundant; growing healthily and in large amounts; excessively ornate; rich and splendid; fertile; Ex. luxuriant forests/prose; CF. luxurious, luxuriate The ponds facilitate luxuriant growth of alga

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter M

macabre gruesome; grisly; ghastly; CF. of death The macabre twists and turns of fate! morgue mortuary; place where bodies are kept before burial or cremation The dead body was preserved in a morgue mace ceremonial staff used as a symbol of authority; club like medieval weapon A mace symbolizes authority macerate soften by soaking in liquid; waste away; The powdered wood is macerated to make paper

machiavellian crafty; double-dealing; of the political doctrine of Machiavelli, which holds that craft and deceit are justified in pursuing political power She resorted to Machiavellian tactics in order to get professionally successful machinations evil schemes or plots; schemes or plots to achieve an evil end; V. machinate Tantri the Mantri was an expert in machinations maculated spotted; stained; CF. immaculate She could not pray to God with a maculated soul madrigal pastoral song; song for several singers without instruments Whose artful strains have oft delayed the huddling brook to hear his madrigal. Milton maelstrom violent whirlpool; violent or turbulent situation; CF. stream She had to pass through a maelstrom of complicated situations magisterial authoritative; imperious; commanding; of a magistrate; A magisterial study of Roman law magistrate official with power to administer the law She served as the state Magistrate magnanimity generosity; ADJ. magnanimous: generous The family is known for its magnanimity magnate person of prominence or influence; powerful or influential person (in business or industry); Ex. oil magnate He is a renowned business magnate magniloquent boastful; pompous The students are fed up with the teachers magniloquent speeches magnitude greatness (in size or extent); extent The magnitude of the problem is underestimated maim mutilate; injure lastingly; disable; cripple; Ex. maimed for life The terrorists maimed the body of the journalist mangle tear or cut to pieces; mutilate or disfigure; Those are the pictures of badly mangled bodies maladroit clumsy; not skillful; awkward; bungling She shouldnt have entrusted the work to a maladroit like him malady illness Mental malady is tough to cope with malaise uneasiness; vague feeling of ill health (without any particular pain or appearance of disease) One year after the crash, the markets remain mired in a deep malaise (New York Times) malapropism comic misuse of a word; CF. Mrs. Malaprop Untimely and inappropriate use of word is malapropism

malcontent person dissatisfied with existing state of affairs; discontented person; ADJ: discontented She was malcontent with the state of affairs around her malediction curse No malediction falls from his tongue. Longfellow malefactor evildoer; criminal She trusted a malefactor malevolent wishing evil; exhibiting ill will; N. malevolence Her losses in life made her malevolent malfeasance wrongdoing; misconduct (by a public official) He invested a great time in malfeasance malicious hateful; spiteful; expressing malice; N. malice: desire to harm others; spite Her intentions were malicious malign speak evil of; bad-mouth(criticize spitefully); defame; ADJ: harmful; Ex. malign influence They tried to malign an honorable man malignant tending to cause death; highly injurious; aggressively malevolent; Ex. malignant tumor The virus is malignant malingerer one who feigns illness to escape duty; V. malinger: feign illness to avoid work He has been a malingerer since his childhood malleable (of a metal) capable of being shaped by pounding(beating); pliable; (of someone) impressionable(easily influenced); easily controlled; tractable Most of the metals are malleable and ductile malodorous foul-smelling The gas of Hydrogen Sulphide is malodorous mammal vertebrate animal whose female suckles its young Platypus is a mammal mammoth gigantic; enormous A mammoth crowd came to see the celebrity manacle restrain; handcuff; N. She was unable to let free those circumstantial manacles mandate order; charge; authoritative command; power to govern another country; power to given to a government; region under administration; V: give a mandate to; place under a mandate; Thats a mandated territory mandatory obligatory; compulsory; of a mandate It is mandatory upon students to be in time mangy shabby; wretched; suffering from mange; of bad appearance

mange skin disease (esp. of domestic animals) marked by loss of hair Domestic animals suffer from a disease called mange maniacal raging mad; insane; N. maniac: insane person; CF. mania: disorder of the mind; intense enthusiasm The terrorists behavior was maniacal manifest evident; visible; obvious; V: show plainly Dreams should necessarily manifest in action manifesto public declaration of principles; statement of policy The partys manifesto was appealing manifold many in number or kind; numerous; varied There are manifold benefits of consuming vegetarian food manipulate operate with ones hands; control or play upon (people, forces, etc.) artfully; maneuver; Ex. how to manipulate publicity and men; ADJ. manipulative She manipulated her actions with dexterity mannered affected; not natural That was a mannered way of speech mannerism distinctive behavioral trait; affected style in art (according to a set of styles) Her mannerisms were awkward manumit emancipate; free from slavery or bondage The slaves were manumitted marital pertaining to marriage The application seeks marital status maritime bordering on(adjacent to) the sea; nautical; of the ships or the sea Thats a Maritime Province marked noticeable; targeted for vengeance or attack Theres a marked improvement in the patients condition marred damaged; disfigured; V. mar: spoil; disfigure The chemical mars facial features marshal put in order; guide ceremoniously to the correct place; She was ordered to marshal the children into the museum marsupial one of a family of mammals that nurse their offspring in a pouch(pocket of skin or leather); CF. kangaroo, opossum, wombat Kangaroo belongs to the order of Marsupials martial warlike; of war; Its a martial law

martinet strict disciplinarian; person who demands total obedience to rules and orders; CF. Jean Martinet The hostel warden is a martinet martyr one who voluntarily suffers death for his or her religion or cause; great sufferer; Hes a martyr to his rheumatism masochist person who enjoys his own pain; CF. masochism Masochism is a psychological disorder masticate chew The bovine family members masticate thoroughly materialism preoccupation with physical comforts and things; excessive regard for worldly concerns (rather than spiritual matters) The irregular fears of a future state had been supplanted by the materialism of Epicurus. Buckminster maternal motherly; N. maternity: motherhood She basked in the warmth of maternal bliss matriarch woman who rules a family or larger social group She is the matriarch of her family matrix point of origin; array of numbers or algebraic symbols; mold or die; Hes lost in the matrix of Western civilization maudlin effusively sentimental Shes an ickly sickly sentimental maudlin maul handle roughly; batter; injure by beating; The celebrity was mauled by his overexcited fans mausoleum monumental tomb; large stately tomb; CF. Mausolos The Taj is a mausoleum mauve pale purple She wore a mauve colored dress maverick rebel; nonconformist (in a group) People are fed up with his maverick tactics mawkish mushy(sentimental) and gushy; icky-sticky sentimental; excessively and objectionably sentimental They objected his mawkish behavior maxim proverb; truth pithily stated mayhem injury to body; crime of willfully maiming or crippling a person; violent disorder; There was mayhem in the zoo meager scanty; inadequate

They earn meager wages Mealy mouthed indirect in speech (when something unpleasant must be said); hypocritical; evasive He made mealy mouthed comments meander wind or turn in its course; follow a winding or turning course; move aimlessly and idly The cattle meandered along the curvy path meddlesome interfering; V. meddle: interfere I somehow hate his meddlesome nature mediate settle a dispute through the services of an outsider; act as an intermediary; produce by mediating The government mediated a cease-fire mediocre ordinary; commonplace; neither good nor bad The performance was mediocre meditation reflection; thought; V. meditate She was found in a state of deep meditation medium element that is a creatures natural environment; nutrient setting in which microorganisms are cultivated; appropriate occupation or means of expression; channel of communication; compromise; middle position between extremes; intervening substance through which something else is transmitted Bacteria is cultured in a nutritive medium medley mixture The medley of songs is the best part of the album meek submissive; patient and long-suffering The residents of the village seem to be week megalomania mania for doing grandiose things; mental disorder characterized by delusions of wealth, power, or importance His objectives are megalomaniacal melancholy gloomy; morose; blue; N. ADJ. melancholic; CF. melancholia Keats poems generally trigger melancholy melee fight There was a melee in the market place mellifluous (of words or a voice) sweetly or smoothly flowing; melodious; having a pleasant tune She spoke mellifluously memento token; reminder of the past; keepsake; A memento of your visit memorialize commemorate The celebrations memorialized the leader menagerie collection of wild animals on exhibition; zoo

The menageries is a place where wild animals are kept mendacious lying; habitually dishonest; N. mendacity He lost his repute because of his mendacious nature mendicant beggar; ADJ: living as a beggar Buddha led a life of a mendicant menial suitable for servants; lowly; mean; N: someone who does menial work (esp. servant in a house) They do menial jobs mentor counselor; teacher The mentor advised the students effectively mercantile concerning trade or merchants You are not aware of the mercantile laws of the country mercenary motivated solely by money or gain; N. He works purely for mercenary benefits mercurial capricious; quick and changing; fickle; containing the element mercury; Ex. mercurial temper; CF. mood He has a mercurial temper meretricious flashy; tawdry; attractive on the surface but of no real value; The argument seemed to be meretricious merger combination (of two business corporations); act of merging The two IT giants merged mesmerize hypnotize; N. mesmerism; CF. Franz Mesmer His speech mesmerized the audience metallurgical pertaining to the art of removing metals from ores; N. metallurgy: science that deals with extracting metals from ores He deals in metallurgy and the metallurgical operations are hard to understand metamorphosis change of form; Ex. metamorphosis of caterpillar to butterfly; V. metamorphose: change by metamorphosis The transformation of egg into adult is metamorphosis metaphor implied comparison; CF. simile The beauty of poetry depends on the proper use of metaphor metaphysical pertaining to speculative philosophy; of metaphysics; N. metaphysics: branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality Donne was a metaphysical poet mete measure; distribute; administer; Mete out justice meteoric like a meteor; swift; momentarily brilliant;

He shot a meteoric rise to fame methodical systematic; N. method: systematic method of procedure Research seeks a methodical scientific analysis meticulous excessively careful (with great attention to detail); painstaking; scrupulous The students found the meticulously designed course interesting metropolis large city

The mother city; the chief city of a kingdom, state, or country.

[Edinburgh] gray metropolis of the North. Tennyson mettle courage (to continue bravely in spite of difficulties); spirit; ADJ. mettlesome She has the mettle to face her ruthless husband

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter M

miasma swamp gas; heavy vaporous atmosphere often emanating from decaying matter; pervasive corrupting influence; noxious atmosphere or influence The miasma in the political circles is often felt microcosm small representative world; world in miniature She belongs to the microcosm of English society miniature small model; small painting; ADJ: small She bought a miniature of Abraham Lincoln migrant changing its habitat; wandering; Ex. migrant birds/workers; N: one that migrates Parakeet is a migrant bird milieu social environment; means of expression; Ex. feel out of ones milieu; His proper milieu is watercolor militant combative; bellicose; N. Militant forces surrounded the fort militate work against; CF. serve as a soldier Militate against the chances of promotion

millennium thousand-year period (as in the New Testament); hoped-for period of happiness and prosperity All the students participated in the millennium celebrations mimicry imitation Mimicry is an other name for camouflage mime pantomime(act without dialogue); mimicry; mimer; V: mimic; pantomime She mimed for a glass of water minatory menacing; threatening The presence of mosquitoes is minatory mincing affectedly dainty(delicate); V. mince: cut (esp. meat) into very small pieces; walk with exaggerated primness; walk in an unnatural way, taking little short steps; The actor minced across the stage minion servile dependent; obsequious follower For most of his life he lived life of a minion minuscule(miniscule) extremely small He managed to get a minuscule performance in the play minute extremely small; CF. minutes: official record of the proceedings at a meeting The minutes of the meeting were registered minutiae petty or trivial details; CF. minutia She never paid attention to minutiae mirage unreal reflection; optical illusion She knew she was chasing a mirage mire entangle; stick in swampy ground; stick or sink in mire; N: bog; deep mud; The car was sucked deeper into the mire mirth merriment; laughter Their mirth over the success was obvious misadventure mischance; ill luck; He met an untimely death by misadventure misanthrope one who hates mankind; misanthropist The misanthrope led a secluded life misapprehension error; misunderstanding; V. misapprehend The fight was because of misapprehension miscellaneous made up of a variety of parts She made a list of miscellaneous items mischance ill luck It was sheer mischance that she lost the trophy

misconstrue interpret incorrectly; misinterpret; misjudge The lady tried to misconstrue the entire thing miscreant wretch; wrongdoer; villain; Ex. kindness to the miscreant; CF. believe The miscreants looted the bank misdemeanor minor crime; misdeed; wrongdoing He was kept in remand for a misdemeanor misconduct immoral behavior; bad management; V. The youth was punished for misconduct miserly stingy; mean Mr. Scrooge was a miserly man misgivings doubts She had misgivings on his ideas mishap unfortunate accident The mishap took lives of 65 people misnomer wrong or improper name; incorrect designation Doctress is a misnomer misogamy hatred of marriage Being a misogamist he led the life of a bachelor misogynist hater of woman; CF. misogyny He was a misogynist missile object to be thrown or projected America bombarded Iraq with missiles missive letter; written statement; CF. sent She sent the officials a missive stating her reasons for being absent mite very small object or insect-like creature; small coin Mites populated the wooden planks mitigate appease; moderate; make or become less in force or intensity The drug mitigated the pain mnemonic pertaining to memory; assisting the memory; N: device, such as as formula or rhyme, used as a mnemonic aid Mnemonics aid in vocabulary learning mobile movable; not fixed; N. mobility She loved the mobile nature of her job mock ridicule; deride; imitate often in derision Students mocked at the inefficient lecturer

mode prevailing style; current fashion; manner; way of doing something; Ex. in the latest mode; She preferred a simple mode of life modicum limited quantity; small amount He does not have a modicum of sense modish fashionable; conforming to the current fashion The couple is modish modulate tone down in intensity; change the intensity or tone of; regulate; change from one musical key to another; Modulate from E to G mogul powerful person; Ex. oil moguls; CF. Mogol, Moghul; CF. Mongolian He is the mogul of breweries industry molecule the smallest particle (one or more atoms) of a substance that has all the properties of that substance Water has associated Hydrogen and Oxygen molecules mollify soothe an angry person His mother can only mollify him mollycoddle pamper; coddle; baby; indulge excessively The infant was mollycoddled by its parents molt(moult) periodically shed or cast off hairs or feathers (for replacement by a new growth) Snakes and birds moult molten melted; Ex. molten lava Molten lava had flown ferociously from Vesuvius momentous very important; N. moment; CF. momentary The argument sounds momentous momentum quantity of motion of a moving body; impetus; moving force His presentation gained momentum at conclusion monarchy government under a single ruler Monarchy has its own intrinsic difficulties monastic related to monks or monasteries; removed from worldly concerns They all belong to a monastic order monetary pertaining to money She works for monetary benefits monochromatic having only one color The monochromatic white light splits into seven colors when it passes through a prism monogram design composed of one or more initials of a name; V. The monogram was in gold

monograph scholarly article Students were advised to read the monograph monolithic solidly uniform; unchangeable; unyielding; N. monolith: large block of stone Many inscriptions on monoliths can be found in North India monotheism belief in one God Many religions of the west propagate monotheism monotony sameness leading to boredom; monotonousness; ADJ. monotonous; CF. monotone The job often makes her suffer from monotony monumental massive; impressively large; built as a monument The Taj is a monumental tomb moodiness fits of depression or gloom; ADJ. moody: given to changeable moods; subject to periods of depression; gloomy CF. mood: state of mind or emotion Hes a moody person moratorium legal delay of payment or action; The government declared moratorium on the building of new houses morbid given to unwholesome or unhealthy thought; moody; characteristic of disease; She has a morbid curiosity mordant biting; sarcastic; stinging; (apprec.) incisive; cutting; Ex. mordant pen/wit He made mordant comments at her mores conventions; moral standards; moral customs She was a strict follower of mores moribund dying; at the point of death; CF. death The partys ideologies have become moribund morose ill-humored; sullen; sullenly melancholy His morose perceptions irritated one and all mortify humiliate by embarrassing excessively; shame; punish the flesh; discipline (ones body) by self-denial; Ex. mortify the flesh; CF. cause to die Ex. mortified by her blunder mosaic picture made of small colorful inlaid tiles; ADJ. The mosaic pattern looks very attractive mote small speck (esp. of dust) She did not understand a mote of what he said motif theme; recurrent thematic element in a musical or literary work; single or repeated pattern; figure The motif of the music is pathos

motility ability to move spontaneously; ADJ. motile: moving spontaneously Atoms are motile motley multi-colored (as of a garment worn by a jester); mixed; heterogeneous; CF. A motley garment worn by a jester motto brief statement used to express a principle The employees are supposed to abide by the motto of the company mottled blotched in coloring; spotted; Ex. mottled face; V. mottle: mark with blotches of different colors Her mottled face mountebank charlatan; boastful pretender Mr. Hugo is a mountebank muddle confuse; mix up confusedly; N: state of confusion The liar muddled up the entire story muggy (of weather) warm and damp The weather seems to be muggy mulct defraud a person of something; swindle; Mulct the boy of his legacy multifarious varied; greatly diversified; Children are involved in multifarious activities multilingual having many languages; fluent in several languages India is a multilingual country multiplicity state of being numerous or multiple; large number; ADJ. multiple: of more than one element Multiplicity of details mundane worldly as opposed to spiritual; everyday; of the ordinary; Ex. mundane existence; CF. world Many of us lead mundane lives munificent very generous in giving; N. munificience He is a munificent benefactor mural wall painting The Chinese specialized in mural paintings murky dark and gloomy; thick with fog; vague; Ex. murky night/fog; N. murk: partial or complete darkness; gloom The plot of the story is murky muse ponder at length; N: source of inspiration (esp. of a poet) Students mused over the theory musky having the odor of musk; N. musk: odorous substance secreted by an Asian deer The cloth has a musky odor

muster gather; assemble (troops); Ex. muster up ones strength for the ordeal; N. She mustered courage to speak to her father musty stale (in odor or taste); spoiled by age; CF. moist The canvas became musty muted silent; muffled; toned down; Muted traffic noise mute silent; without speech; not pronounced; unable to speak; N: one who is incapable of speech; V: soften the sound, color, shade of She muted the colors on the screen mutilate maim; injure lastingly; deprive of a limb or an essential part Amputation is clinical mutilation mutinous unruly; rebellious; Ex. mutinous teenagers; N. mutiny: open rebellion; CF. mutineer The mutinous crowd protested the new law myopic nearsighted; lacking foresight; N. myopia The myopic youth do not understand the adverse effects of drugs myriad very large number; ADJ. CF. ten thousand It becomes difficult to choose from myriad career options

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter N

nadir lowest point; point on the celestial sphere diametrically opposite the zenith She was perhaps experiencing the nadir of her career naivety quality of being unsophisticated; simplicity; artlessness; gullibility; ADJ. naive(na\ive): ingenuous; lacking worldliness; simple; credulous The village girls naivety caught everyones attention narcissist conceited person; N. narcissism; CF. narcissus

The film star is an absolute narcissist narrative related to telling a story; N: narrated account; story; V. narrate: tell (a story); CF. narration The Mahabharata is a narrative in an epic style nascent incipient; coming into being or existence; She developed a nascent ability in music natation swimming The girl took part in the national natation championships natty neatly or smartly dressed; dapper; smart; A natty dresser nauseate cause to become sick; fill with disgust; fill nausea The smell made her feel nauseatic nautical pertaining to ships or navigation They were measuring the nautical miles of the sea route navigable (of a body of water) wide and deep enough to allow ships to pass through; (of a ship or aircraft) able to be steered The route is navigable nebulous vague; hazy; cloudy; of a nebula His propositions sound nebulous necromancy black magic; sorcery; dealings with the dead; art that professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead so as to predict the future; CF. necromancer; CF. necro+divination; CF. necro-: death; Ex. Necropolis Dr.Faustus specializes in necromancy in order to enjoy worldly pleasures

nefarious very wicked A nefarious liar negate cancel out; nullify; cause to have no effect; deny; N. negation The jury negated the alibis statements negligence neglect; failure to take reasonable care; ADJ. negligent: neglectful; lax; not taking enough care She failed owing to sheer negligence negligible so small, trifling, or unimportant as to be easily disregarded The mistake is negligible nemesis someone seeking revenge; source of downfall or ruin; CF. Nemesis He was not a human being- a nemesis neologism new or newly coined word or phrase English lexicon allows neologism neophyte recent convert; new member of a religious group; beginner; CF. plant The Chief Minister is a neophyte of Christianity nepotism favoritism (to a relative); CF. nephew Irrational nepotism for a few spoiled all her relations nether lower; Ex. nether garments/regions The nether regions of the world are still unexplored nettle irritate; annoy; vex; ADJ. nettlesome The children nettled their uncle

nexus connection The Ministers obnoxious nexus with the underworld is known to the public nib beak(bill); pen point The ink over flows because of the defective nib nicety precision; accuracy; minute distinction or difference; Ex. to a nicety: exactly; precisely; She could not distinguish between niceties niggardly meanly stingy; parsimonious; N. niggard: stingy person Uncle Srooge was a niggardly person niggle spend too much time on minor points (esp. when finding fault); find fault; Do not niggle over unnecessary details nihilist one who considers traditional beliefs to be groundless and existence meaningless; absolute skeptic; revolutionary terrorist; CF. nihilism: belief that nothing has meaning or value; belief that destruction of existing political or social institutions is necessary for future improvement He is a nihilist and any discussion with him would yield nothing nip snip off; stop somethings growth or development; bite; make numb with cold; Ex. nip the plan; Ex. fingers nipped by the extreme chill A guard dog nipped the postman nirvana in Buddhist teachings, the ideal state in which the individual loses himself in the attainment of an impersonal beatitude Nirvana is salvation of the soul nocturnal done or active at night; Ex. nocturnal animals/raids; CF. nocturne A civet cat is a nocturnal animal

noisome foul smelling; very unpleasant; unwholesome The noisome odor made her feel bilious nomadic wandering; N. nomad: tribe who migrates from place to place Many tribes in Africa lead a nomadic life nomenclature terminology(system of specialized words); system of names or naming things The nomenclature of mineralogy nominal in name only; of a name; trifling; (of a sum of money) very small; CF. nominate: propose as a candidate; appoint The fees is nominal nonchalance indifference; lack of concern; composure; ADJ. nonchalant: unconcerned; cool; indifferent; He has a nonchalant attitude to his debts noncommittal neutral; refusing commitment to a particular opinion; unpledged; undecided He is noncommittal to any relationship nondescript indistinctive; ordinary; ordinary-looking; Hes a nondescript fellow in a crowd nonentity person of no importance; nonexistence A nonentity like him need not be considered nonplus put at a loss; bring to a halt by confusion; perplex; CF. no more He has been nonplused by Mr. Drys desiring him to tell what it was that he endeavored to prove. Spectator nostalgia homesickness; longing for the past; Ex. nostalgia for the clothes of 1920s; ADJ. nostalgic

The novel triggers nostalgia nostrum questionable medicine; quack medicine; CF. our (remedy) The incentives of agitators, the arts of impostors and the nostrums of quacks. Brougham notable conspicuous; worthy of note; remarkable; important; distinguished; noted The point he made is notable notoriety disrepute; ill fame He has a craze for notoriety nova star that suddenly becomes much brighter and then returns to its original brightness A small nova appeared in 1881 novelty something new; newness; ADJ. novel: new; original He brought novelty to literature novice beginner He is a novice in politics noxious harmful; CF. obnoxious Opium has noxious effects nuance shade of slight difference in meaning or color; subtle distinction The nuances of economics nubile marriageable; of marriageable age; CF. connubial The major has a nubile daughter nugatory worthless; futile

They indulged in a nugatory discussion nullify make invalid; make null; invalidate The judge nullified the defendants claims numismatist person who collects coins; N. numismatics: study or collection of money, coins, and medals He is a renowned numismatist nuptial related to marriage or the wedding ceremony; N. nuptials: wedding ceremony This is the season of nuptials nurture nourish; feed; educate; rear; care for while it is growing or developing; foster; cultivate; N: something that nourishes; rearing Kids in the country are nurtured to become terrorists nutrient nourishing substance; ADJ: providing nourishment Vitamins are important nutrients for the development of the body nutrition process of nourishing or being nourished; CF. malnutrition Poor nutrition made the children weak nourishment something that nourishes; food Learn to seek the nourishment of their souls. Hooker

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter O

oaf stupid awkward person; CF. elf Theres no use talking to an oaf like him obdurate stubborn; refusing to change ones belief Her father is obdurate and does not let anyone decide obeisance bow (to show respect and obedience) Obeisance is a sign of respect obelisk tall column tapering(becoming gradually narrower toward the end) and ending in a pyramid An obelisk resembles a shaft obese excessively fat; N. obesity She is obese and has to go for a crash diet program obfuscate confuse; muddle; cause confusion; make needlessly complex; make so confused as to be difficult to understand The notorious employee obfuscated official funds obituary death notice (esp. in a newspaper); ADJ. I was shocked to see his mothers photo in the obituary page of the newspaper objective not influenced by emotions; fair; N: goal; aim She had no future objectives obligatory binding; required; compulsory; V. oblige: constrain; make grateful; do a favor; accommodate Filling the application form is obligatory oblique indirect; slanting (deviating from the perpendicular or from a straight line); He made an oblique reference obliterate destroy completely; wipe out; The missiles obliterated the village oblivion obscurity; condition of being completely forgotten; forgetfulness He is a former politician now in oblivion. oblivious inattentive or unmindful; unaware; wholly absorbed; forgetful(having the habit of forgetting) It was hard for the teacher to deal with the oblivious student obloquy slander; disgrace; infamy I have had enough obloquy for one lifetime (Anthony Eden). obnoxious offensive; disagreeable; Ex. obnoxious smell She paid no heed to his obnoxious remarks obscure dark; vague; unclear; not well known; Ex. obscure meaning/village; V: darken; cover; make unclear; Ex. obscure the moon/meaning He was a poor, obscure peasant obsequious slavishly attentive; servile; full of servile compliance; sycophantic Politicians are served by obsequious henchmen

obsequy funeral ceremony All the literary luminaries attended the eminent poets obsequy obsessive related to thinking about something constantly; of an obsession; preoccupying; N. obsession: compulsive preoccupation with a fixed idea; compulsive idea; V. obsess: preoccupy the mind of excessively The plot of the story obsessed him obsidian black volcanic rock Obsidian is a volcanic glass similar to granite obsolete outmoded; no longer used The dysfunctional machine lies obsolete obstetrician physician specializing in delivery(assisting in giving birth) of babies; N. obstetrics; CF. midwife She is one of the famous obstetricians of the city obstinate stubborn; hard to control or treat; Ex. obstinate cough; N. obstinacy Its no use talking to that obstinate idiot obstreperous boisterous; noisy and uncontrollable The teacher found it difficult to manage the obstreperous class obtrude push (oneself or ones ideas) forward or intrude; impose (oneself or ones ideas) on others; butt in; stick out or extrude; thrust out; Ex. obtrude A on B; ADJ. obtrusive; N. obtrusion; CF. unobtrusive I dont like the way he obtrudes obtuse blunt; not sharp; stupid; slow in understanding The crowd seems to be obtuse obviate make unnecessary; get rid of; They took pride in obviating the need occident the West Spirituality is narrated differently by the Occident occlude shut; close; obstruct A blood clot occluded an artery. occult mysterious; secret; supernatural; beyond human comprehension; CF. mysterious to human ?; OP. bare She has penchant for occult oculist physician who specializes in treatment of the eyes He is an Oculist by profession odious arousing strong dislike; hateful(causing hatred); vile The plot of the movie is odious odium detestation; quality of being odious; hatefulness; disrepute (resulting from hateful conduct)

She demonstrates her odium for the subject openly odoriferous giving off an odor Mexican spices are odoriferous odyssey long, eventful, adventurous journey It was an odyssey of discovery offensive attacking; insulting; distasteful; V. offend: violate; hurt the feelings of; N. offense: offending; violating of a moral or social code; crime; attack; Ex. first offense The chemical generates an offensive odor offhand casual; done without prior thought or preparation She made an offhand comment officious meddlesome; excessively pushy in offering ones services; overly eager in offering unwanted services or advices; An officious bellboy ogle look at amorously; make eyes at; Old men ogling young girls olfactory concerning the sense of smell Olfactory lobes help in smell identification oligarchy government by a privileged few All oligarchies, wherein a few men domineer, do what they list. Burton ominous threatening; of an evil omen The atmosphere turned ominous omnipotent all-powerful; having unlimited power Only God is omnipotent omnipresent universally present; ubiquitous Atoms are omnipresent omniscient all-knowing An omniscient sage omnivorous eating both plant and animal food; devouring everything Ants are omnivorous onerous burdensome The task seems to be onerous onomatopoeia words formed in imitation of natural sounds Onomatopoeia is one of the figures of speech onslaught vicious assault; fierce attack; An unexpected onslaught of the enemy onus burden; responsibility

The onus lies on the managers head opalescent iridescent; lustrous; like an opal; N. opalescence An opalescent stone opaque dark; not transparent; N. opacity The problem remains opaque despite explanations. opiate medicine to induce sleep or deaden pain; something that relieves emotions or causes inaction; sleep-producing drug containing opium The drug opiates opportune timely; well-chosen She spoke during an opportune moment opportunist individual who sacrifices principles for expediency by taking advantage of circumstances; N. opportunism She is an opportunist opprobrium infamy; disgrace arising from shameful conduct; vilification(slander); scorn; contempt; ADJ. opprobrious: expressing contempt; shameful or infamous It was hard to take the opprobrium hurled against him optician maker and seller of eyeglasses The optician supplies the best glasses optimist person who looks on the bright side; N. optimism Being an optimist he never spoke negatively on anything optimum most favorable; optimal; N: most favorable condition The Doctors predicted optimum chances of his survival optional not compulsory; left to ones choice; N. option: act of choosing; choice; freedom or power to choose; something available as a choice; Ex. have no option; Ex. two options I have no option but to yield opulence extreme wealth; luxuriousness; abundance; ADJ. opulent: possessing great wealth; abundant The opulent indo-gangetic plane opus work (esp. musical composition); Ex. magnum opus: masterpiece; CF. opera The Paradise Lost is the Magnum Opus of Milton oracular of an oracle; prophetic; uttered as if with divine authority; mysterious or ambiguous; hard to understand; N. oracle: wiser person; prophecy made by an oracle His speech is usually oracular orator public speaker Ralph Waldo Emerson was a great orator oratorio dramatic poem set to music; long musical work with singing but without acting; CF. cantata The artist specializes in oratorio

ordain decree or command; grant holy orders; predestine; install as a minister, priest, or rabbi; N. ordainment; CF. ordination To ordain a new type of government ordeal severe trial or affliction; difficult experience; trial(test of patience or endurance); affliction Joan of Arc was put through an ordeal ordinance decree; authoritative order The Mayor issued an ordinance against excessive horn blowing. orgy wild drunken revelry; unrestrained indulgence in an activity; Ex. orgy of shopping An orgy of spending orient get ones bearings; adjust; make familiar with a situation; orientate The new recruits were orientated the by the department heads orifice mouth like opening; small opening (esp. to a cavern or passage of the body); CF. mouth The orifice generated poisonous fumes ornate excessively or elaborately decorated The ornate exteriors of the fort ornithologist scientific student of birds; N. ornithology: scientific study of birds Dr. Salim Ali was the world famous ornithologist orthodox traditional; (of someone) conservative in belief; adhering to an established doctrine The girl belongs to an orthodox Brahmin family orthography correct spelling; CF. ortho-: straight; correct; Ex. Orthodontics He did an MPhil in orthography oscillate vibrate pendulum like; waver A pendulum oscillates osseous made of bone; bony The remnant was discovered to be osseous ossify change or harden into bone; become hard and unchanging in ones ideas An ossified thought process ostensible apparent; appearing as such; professed(pretended); pretended; Theres an ostensible purpose of the expedition ostentatious showy; trying to attract attention; pretentious; N. ostentation: showy display An ostentatious Marwadi wedding ostracize banish from a group; exclude from public favor; ban; His friends ostracized him oust expel; drive out; force out; N. ouster: ousting He was ousted from his position

outlandish bizzare; peculiar; unconventional Some musicians dress up in an outlandish style outmoded no longer in fashion or use; no longer stylish; old-fashioned This hair style is outmoded outskirts fringes; outer borders (as of a city); They live on the outskirts of Boston outspoken candid; blunt An outspoken speech outstrip outrun; surpass; outdo This car can outstrip the local train outwit outsmart; defeat by behaving more cleverly The girl outwits her seniors ovation enthusiastic applause The speech received a standing ovation overbearing bossy; domineering and arrogant; decisively important; Ex. overbearing manner/importance; V. overbear: dominate It was hard to bear her overbearing nature overt open to view; public; not secret; CF. covert Mistakes are both overt and covert overweening arrogant; presumptuous His overweening attitude comes between his career growth overwrought nervous or excited; extremely agitated; hysterical; wrought-up; CF. wrought: made or done He has an overwrought personality ovoid egg-shaped; CF. ovum; CF. ovulate An ovoid body

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter P

pachyderm thick-skinned animal

Elephant is a pachyderm pacifist one opposed to force; antimilitarist; ADJ. N. pacifism: opposition to war as a means of resolving disputes Jesus was a pacifist pacify soothe; make calm or quiet; subdue; bring peace to She pacified her agonized daughter paean song of praise or joy Paeans celebrating the victory painstaking taking pains; showing hard work; taking great care; very careful and through A painstaking, laborious job palatable agreeable; pleasing to the taste The child found the drug palatable palate roof of the mouth; sense of the taste Her palate scalded when she sipped hot tea palatial of or suitable for a palace; magnificent A palatial complex paleontology study of prehistoric life or fossils; CF. paleo-: ancient or prehistoric; Ex. paleography: study of ancient written documents A paleontologist is one who studies fossils palette board on which painter mixes pigments(coloring matters) A lush but uneven musical palette palimpsest parchment or piece of writing material used for second time after original writing has been erased A palimpsest is similar to parchment parchment writing material made from the skin of a sheep or goat The incantation was written on a parchment pall become boring; grow tiresome The story grew pall pallet small poor bed; Ex. straw pallet The poor girl slept on a straw pallet palliate ease pain (without curing); make less severe or offensive (a crime or illness) The drug palliates pain pallid pale; wan; She has a pallid complexion palpable tangible; (of something bad) easily perceptible; obvious That was a palpable blunder

palpitate throb; beat rapidly; flutter; tremble Her heart began to palpitate paltry insignificant; petty; trifling; contemptible; Ex. paltry sum; CF. trash She works for paltry wages pan criticize harshly The couples reconciliation just didnt pan out panacea cure-all; remedy for all diseases Olive oil was once considered panacea panache flair; manner of doing things without any difficulty (causing admiration); flamboyance; bunch of feathers (on a helmet) He spoke with great panache pandemic widespread; affecting the majority of people; Swine flu is a pandemic disease pandemonium wild tumult(commotion); wild noisy disorder; CF. Paradise Lost The class was an utter pandemonium pander cater to (the low desires of others) The film directors these days pander to the lowliest of customers panegyric formal praise; encomium I dont deserve such panegyrics. panoramic denoting an unobstructed and comprehensive view; N. panorama: unbroken view of a wide area A panoramic view of the mountains pantomime acting without dialogue; V. The couple pantomimed papyrus ancient paper made from stem of papyrus plant The puzzle was scribbled on a papyrus parable short simple story teaching a moral Children learn from parables paradigm model; example that serves as a model; pattern; list of all the inflectional forms of a word The paradigms and patterns of all things. Cudworth paradox something apparently contradictory in nature (that may nonetheless be true); statement that looks false but is actually correct Grim humor is a paradox paragon model of perfection; Shes a paragon of virtue parallelism state of being parallel; similarity; analogy

A close parallelism of thought and incident. T. Warton parameter limit; independent variable; Ex. parameters of the problem Please decide within the parameters of the budget paramount foremost in importance; supreme; CF. para-: beyond; above; Paranormal holds his paramount interest paramour illicit lover The seducer appeared with dauntless front, accompanied by his paramour Macaulay paranoia psychosis marked by delusions of grandeur or persecution; N: ADJ: paranoid, paranoiac He suffers from paranoia paraphernalia equipment; odds and ends used in a particular activity; personal belongings; Ex. photographic paraphernalia; CF. married womans property exclusive of her dowry He has with him the photographic paraphernalia paraphrase restate a passage in ones own words while retaining thought of author; N: restatement of a text in other words The teacher told the students to paraphrase the poem parasite animal or plant living on another; toady; sycophant; CF. para-: beside Fungus is a parasite parched extremely dry; very thirsty; V. parch: make or become extremely dry (by exposure to heat) Her throat parched of extreme thirst pariah social outcast; Mariah the pariah parity equality; close resemblance; CF. disparate There is no parity between the groups parlance language; manner of speaking; idiom; Ex. in legal/common parlance They communicated in legal parlance parley conference (between opponents); CF. speak The parley went on for hours parochial narrow in scope or outlook; provincial; related to parishes A parochial outlook towards life parish area in the care of a single priest and served by one main church The parish of the priest parody humorous imitation; spoof; takeoff; travesty; V. The parody became an instant success paroxysm fit or attack of pain, laughter, rage; sudden outburst The returning paroxysms of diffidence and despair. South parquet floor made of wood strips inlaid in a mosaic like matter; CF. strip: long narrow piece

The parquet was hard to tread on parry ward off a blow; deflect He parried the unwelcome question very skillfully parsimony stinginess; excessive frugality; ADJ. parsimonious A parsimonious family partial incomplete; favoring one side over another; having a liking for something She left the work partial partiality state of being partial; inclination; favorable bias; special fondness; preference partiality in his judgment is evident partisan one-sided; prejudiced; committed to a party (with dislike of any others); N: strong supporter of a party; guerrilla A partisan attitude parvenu upstart; newly rich person Resembling a parvenu partition divide into parts The partition of India and Pakistan rose communal unrest passive not active; acted upon; receiving an action without acting in return; accepting without resistance A passive group of learners pastiche imitation of anothers style in musical composition or in writing; work of art openly imitating the works of other artists A pastiche of Monalisa pastoral rural; of rural life; idyllic; of a pastor He specializes in pastoral poetry patent obvious; easily seen; open for the public to read; of or protected by a patent; Patent to everyone pathetic causing sadness, compassion, pity; touching A pathetic ending of the story pathological pertaining to disease; N. pathology: study of disease He works in a pathological laboratory pathos tender sorrow; pity; quality in art or literature that produces these feelings One can feel the pathos that runs through the novel patina green crust on old bronze works or copper; tone slowly taken by varnished painting The patina on the bronze statue spoiled the look patois local or provincial dialect It is difficult to understand the patois of Essex

patriarch father and ruler of a family or tribe Indian families are patriarchal patrician noble; aristocratic; N: person of high rank; aristocrat; CF. member of the governing classes in ancient Rome; CF. plebian A man of the patrician order patronize support; act superior toward; treat in a condescending manner; be a customer of; N. patron: one that supports; regular customer; N. patronage; CF. boycott The king patronized the poets paucity scarcity; dearth Theres paucity of crude oil in the region pauper very poor person He led life of a pauper peccadillo slight offense or fault; CF. sin She had to pay for the peccadillo pecuniary pertaining to money Her question was on his pecuniary condition pedagogue teacher; CF. child leader A renowned pedagogue pedant scholar who overemphasizes book learning, trivial details of learning, or technicalities Students did not appreciate his pedantic ways pedestrian ordinary; dull; unimaginative(lacking in imagination); going on foot A pedestrian prose precinct division of a city for election or police purposes; precincts: space that surrounds a building; They were determining precincts of the college pedigree ancestry; lineage The pedigree of anthropoid apes pediatrician physician specializing in childrens diseases; N. pediatrics He is a renowned pediatrician peerless having no equal; incomparable A peerless contender pejorative (of a word or phrase) suggesting that someone is of little value; negative in connotation; having a belittling effect; Many women now considers housewife a pejorative expression, because it patronized them pell-mell in confusion; disorderly; A dash pell-mell

pellucid transparent; limpid(crystal clear); clear in meaning; easy to understand His explanation is pellucid penance self-imposed punishment for sin; One has to do penance for ones sins penchant strong inclination; strong liking (esp. for something that is disapproved of by other people); She has a penchant for fast cars pendant(pendent) hanging down from something; pending; N: ornament (hanging from a necklace etc.) She wore a diamond pendant pending not yet decided or settled; impending; Ex. pending decision; PREP. while awaiting; until; They delayed the decision pending his return penitent repentant; N A penitent soul pensive dreamily or deeply thoughtful; sadly thoughtful; thoughtful with a hint of sadness; contemplative; CF. think over She seems to be in a pensive mood penumbra partial shadow (in an eclipse); CF. almost shadow The First Amendment has a penumbra where privacy is protected from governmental intrusion (Joseph A. Califano, Jr.) penury extreme poverty; stinginess; ADJ. penurious: very poor; stingy Usury leads to penury peon landless agricultural worker; bond servant; menial worker; N. peonage An impecunious peon perceptive insightful; showing a good ability at perceiving and understanding; aware; wise; of perception He is a perceptive individual percussion striking one object against another sharply; Ex. percussion instrument; N: striking together of two bodies; sound caused by percussion Percussion came into vogue in the late 70s perdition damnation; complete ruin; hell His extravagance led him to perdition peregrination journey; V. peregrinate A two-decade long peregrination peremptory demanding and leaving no choice; imperative A peremptory decree/knock perennial something long-lasting; perennial plant; ADJ: lasting through the year or many years; lasting for a long time; enduring The Ganges is a perennial river

perfidious treacherous; disloyal; N. perfidy: treachery The perfidious cuckoo perforate pierce; put a hole through The perforated valve of the duct perfunctory done routinely and with little care; superficial; not thorough; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; Ex. perfunctory kiss A perfunctory kiss on the childs cheek perigee point of moons orbit when it is nearest the earth; CF. apogee A perigeal distance perimeter outer boundary; length of the outer boundary; circumference All that did not exist within the perimeter of her thought peripatetic walking about from place to place (to work); moving; A peripatetic school of philosophy peripheral of a periphery; marginal; outer; of minor importance; not central; A peripheral nerve/interest periphery outside edge especially of a round surface; perimeter The periphery of the town was measured perjury false testimony while under oath; V. perjure oneself: testify falsely under oath Perjury is legal offence permeable that can be permeated; penetrable; porous; allowing liquids or gas to pass through; V. permeate: spread or flow throughout; charge The cell membrane is permeable pernicious very harmful; deadly; very destructive; Ex. pernicious effect/anemia She is suffering from pernicious anemia peroration conclusion of an oration; perorating; V. perorate: conclude a speech; speak at great length The students knew that the speech has come to peroration perpetrate commit an offense; do (something wrong) He perpetrated against the law perpetual everlasting A perpetual gift of wise and motivating words perquisite(perk) any gain above stipulated salary The job also offers perquisites such as free meals and a car personable attractive (in personality or appearance) A personable friend perspicacious (of someone) having insight; penetrating; astute He is a perspicacious judge

perspicuity clearness of expression; freedom from ambiguity His speech was made in perspicuity perspicuous (of something) plainly expressed; easy to understand; Her comments were perspicuous pert (esp. of a girl or young woman) impertinent; forward; trim; jaunty; A pert young miss pertinacious holding tenaciously to an action; stubborn; persistent He held her wrist in a pertinacious grip pertinent suitable; to the point; relevant The topic chosen was not pertinent to the situation perturb disturb greatly His communication perturbed her greatly peruse read through with care; N. perusal The application was submitted for the officials perusal pervasive spread throughout; V. pervade: (of smells, ideas, feelings) spread throughout; charge; permeate A pervasive attempt perverse purposely continuing to do something wrong; stubbornly wrongheaded; perverted; directed away from what is right; wicked and unacceptable; Ex. perverse satisfaction Hannibal Lecter in a perverse mood pessimism belief that life is basically bad or evil; gloominess; tendency to take the gloomiest possible view of a situation His views have always been pessimistic pestilential(pestilent) causing plague; tending to cause death; baneful; N. pestilence: fatal epidemic disease (esp. bubonic plague) The virus is pestilential pestle tool for mashing or grinding substances in a hard bowl or mortar The pestle was made of marble petrify turn to stone; cause to become stone like; stun or paralyze The molten lava eventually petrifies petty trivial; unimportant; very small; small-minded; petty-minded They fought over petty things petulant touchy; peevish; ill-tempered A petulant child phalanx formation of infantry carrying overlapping shields and long spears; group of men packed together (for attack or defense) A phalanx of war soldiers

pharisaical pertaining to the Pharisees, who paid scrupulous attention to tradition; self-righteous; hypocritical A pharisaical order phenomena observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation; SG. phenomenon: observable fact; very unusual person, thing, or event; marvel; wonder; CF. phenomenons; ADJ. phenomenal: very unusual; extraordinary; of a phenomenon; She demonstrated phenomenal strength philanderer faithless lover; flirt She loved a philanderer philanthropist lover of mankind; doer of good; N. philanthropy Bill Gates is a note worthy philanthropist philatelist stamp-collector; N. philately: stamp collecting She bought rare stamps from the philatelist philistine narrow-minded person, uncultured and exclusively interested in material gain; uncultured person who is indifferent to artistic and cultural values; member of an ancient people in Palestine; OP. aesthete A rank philistine philology study of language or words Philology is one the credits in the course phlegmatic calm and unexcitable; not easily disturbed; CF. phlegm: sticky mucus produced in the respiratory tract He is both enigmatic and phlegmatic phobia morbid fear Phobia is a psychological disorder phoenix symbol of immortality or rebirth A phoenix rising from its ashes inspires her phylum major classification, second to kingdom, of plants and animals; category ranking below a kingdom and above a class; division Amoeba belongs to the phylum protozoa physiognomy face (as showing the character and the mind); art of judging human character from facial features He specializes in physiognomy physiological pertaining to the science of the function of living organisms; N. physiology A physiological disorder

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Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter P

piebald of different colors; mottled; spotted in different colors (esp. in black and white); Ex. piebald horse; CF. pie+bald A piebald horse piecemeal one part at a time; gradually; in stages; Read a novel piecemeal piety devoutness; reverence for God; ADJ. pious She has both piety and devoutness pigment coloring matter (usually powder to be mixed with water or oil) Chlorophyll is a plant pigment pillage plunder The barbarians pillaged every conquered city pillory punish by placing in a wooden frame or pillory; subject or expose to criticism and ridicule; N. The pillory of the critics was hard to bear pine long for; yearn; languish from longing or grief; decline She pined over the lost opportunity pinion restrain or immobilize by binding the wings or legs; N: birds wing Pinion a birds wings pinnacle peak; highest point; acme She rose to the pinnacle of fame pious devout; religious; N. piety She has earned a name owing to her pious deeds piquant pleasantly tart-tasting; spicy; pleasantly stimulating; I was placed in a piquant situation when my old enemy asked for my help pique irritation; resentment from wounded pride (eg. loss in a contest); V: provoke; arouse; annoy; cause to feel resentment; Occult piques her curiosity piscatorial pertaining to fishing; CF. Pisces A piscatorial painting pitfall hidden danger; concealed trap There was every chance of falling into the pitfall pith core or marrow; sponge like substance in the center of stems; essence; substance The pith is the most nutritious part of the plant

pithy concise and meaningful; substantial; meaty She is known for her pithy poems pittance small amount (of money); small allowance or wage The workers were paid a pittance pivotal of a pivot; central; critical; crucial He played a pivotal role in the family placate pacify; bring peace to; conciliate; appease Pain placates with time placebo harmless substance prescribed as a dummy pill The hypochondriac was given a placebo placid peaceful; calm; Ex. placid child/lake The placid lake was resort for many families plagiarize steal anothers ideas or writings and pass them off as ones own; Ex. ideas plagiarized from my article; N. plagiarism; CF. kidnap Copying and plagiarizing are two different things altogether plaintive expressing sorrow; mournful; She sang a plaintive song plait braid; interwine; interweave strands or lengths of; make by weaving strands together; Her mother plaited her hair plasticity ability to be molded; ADJ. plastic: capable of being shaped or molded; He spoke of a plastic material such as clay platitude trite remark; commonplace statement; ADJ. platitudinous The platitude of the films plot annoyed me platonic purely spiritual; theoretical; without sensual desire A platonic relation such as theirs plaudit praise; enthusiastic approval; round(succession or series) of applause; ADJ. plauditory; CF. applaud A plaudit of great words plausible conceivably true; having a show of truth but open to doubt; specious A plausible idea. plebeian common; vulgar; pertaining to the common people; N: common people in ancient Rome; CF. patrician A movie made for the plebeian plebiscite direct vote by the entire electorate (on an important issue) Plebiscite we have lately taken, in popular use, from the French. Fitzed. Hall plenary (of

adj. full, replete; complete, whole, entire; absolute, definite Read more: http://learnwordlist.com/grevocabulary/barron%e2%80%99s-gre-word-listvocabulary-test-prep-letter-p-2/2009/06/13/high-score-word-gre-test-listfree#ixzz19w4SqKn1

Barrons GRE Word List (Vocabulary) Test Prep- Letter Q

quack charlatan; impostor Hes no good doctor, hes a quack quadruped four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped A cow is a quadruped quaff drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment) He quaffed the drink hastily quagmire bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself He has to squeeze his way through the quagmire quail cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart The kitten quailed at the sight of a dog quaint odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque He dressed in a quaint way qualified limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify Hes qualified enough to analyze qualms uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen quandary dilemma; state of uncertainty She is in a quandary about whether to go. quarantine isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; The patient was isolated in quarantine quarry person or animal of pursuit; victim; object of a hunt; prey quarry dig into (to get stone); N: mine The police lost their quarry in the crowd quash crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court

quay dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats) The quay could not land all the boats queasy experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish I feel a little queasy quell suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet Army Quells Rebellion quench assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or extinguish; put out; suppress Her thirst for knowledge could not be quenched querulous given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining A querulous student query inquiry; question; V Her queries are generally genuine queue line (of waiting people or vehicles) The boy had to wait in a long queue quibble minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil She quibbles over petty things quiescent dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence The seeds of lotus lie quiescent for generations together quietude tranquility; calmness The quietude of the place is remarkable quintessence purest and highest embodiment; perfect example; apotheosis; most essential element; Ex. quintessence of wit; ADJ. quintessential; CF. fifth essence quip taunt; clever sarcastic remark; V. Her quipped at the right time quirk sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior By a quirk of fate quisling traitor who aids invaders; The Quisling made arrangements for the terrorists to stay quiver case for arrows He put back the arrow into the quiver quixotic idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote Her plans are usually quixotic quizzical curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; He gave a quizzical glance quorum minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting

The quorum has not formed yet quotidian daily; commonplace; customary Thats a monotonous quotidian routine

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probity n. honesty, integrity, truthfulness; fairness, uprightness, decency prodigy n. marvel, wonder, something extraordinary; genius, person with exceptional intelligence, exceptional talented child;; (Archaic) portentous sign indicating that something is about to take place echelon n. level, rank; ranking laudable adj. worthy of praise, worthy of honor, commendable instill v. introduce gradually, infuse; insert slowly in small amounts (also instil) shoddy adj. cheap, inferior, of poor quality; phony, imitative, fake n. cheap cloth made from recycled wool; clothing of inferior quality; phony item, something that is cheap belie v. hide; camouflage; represent something as different than it actually is; show to be false; behave in a manner that is not fitting (a station or position, from a traditional point of view); slander (Archaic); fill with lies resolution n. ruling, decision; solution, answer; analysis, breakdown n. decisiveness, determination; (Computer Graphics) level of detail on a computerized image (measured in dots per inch); level of detail provided by a television or computer screen (Electronics) scurry v. scamper, run or move quickly, scuttle n. quick run or movement, scamper, scuttle excoriate v. harshly criticize, denounce; remove the skin from trailblazer n. pioneer, vanguard, one who is making a break through con adv. against (a proposition, opinion, etc.) v. learn by heart, memorize; cheat, deceive n. deceit, swindle, fraud; convict, inmate reel n. spool, cylinder around which long flexible material is wound (such as thread, film, etc.) v. roll up, wind onto a spool; sway, falter, move unsteadily Early strikes leave Bangladesh reeling. Reckless Bangladesh crumble before lunch [09.11.11, 1st test bd vs pak]. specter n. spirit, ghost, phantom

apparition n. ghost, spirit, manifestation impart v. bestow, give, grant; disclose, reveal, divulge, tell intramural adj. within walls; occurring within a school or other institution; within the walls of an organ (Anatomy, Medicine) arthritis n. inflammation of the joints (Medicine) rob v. steal, plunder, illegally take property by force fuss v. raise a ruckus over something unimportant; worry, bother, harass n. excitement, confusion, commotion, noise; loud argument, quarrel crook n. thief (Slang); hook; rod with a curved end, shepherd's crook v. bend, curve; be bent, be curved warden n. jailer, official in charge of a prison; guardian, keeper; guard, protector; custodian, curator piss v. urinate, pee (Slang); anger, irritate (Slang) n. urine, pee, liquid excrement (Slang) turpentine n. oil and resin derived from certain coniferous trees; volatile pungent oil distilled from this mixture and often used as a solvent or paint thinner underbid v. give an offer that costs less, give a bid that is lower (e.g. lowest offer or tender) conjure v. implore, appeal; invoke, summon; perform magic, bewitch figment n. product of the imagination, notion; imaginary story obtuse adj. slow, foolish, stupid; blunt; of an angle between 90 and 180 degrees (Geometry); having blunt-tipped leaves (Botany) indictable adj. can be charged with a crime (Law) scam n. fraudulent act, deception, swindle drift v. float along with the current; wash away, carry away n. movement, direction, tendency; something which has accumulated due to the force of wind or water

stir v. make circular movements in a liquid with an object, agitate, mix; move, set in motion; arouse, awake, bestir; stimulate, provoke, incite; affect the emotions n. stirring movement; movement, motion; disturbance, confusion, agitation, excitement; prison (Slang) meticulous adj. pedantic, cautious concerning minute details; scrupulous pedantic adj. meticulous; strict, fussy; adhering strictly to information in books without using common sense toting n. taking of food by a servant from the employer's house tote v. carry, haul; carry a weapon (Slang) juxtapose v. place side by side (especially in order to compare) buff v. color a pale yellow n. skin of an ox; light yellow color; person who is very interested in or enthusiastic about a particular subject (i.e. history buff) adj. having a light yellow coloring; of or relating to a person who is very interested in or enthusiastic about a particular subject (i.e. history buff) shy v. move suddenly; draw away suddenly, recoil; throw quickly, fling, toss adj. bashful; timid, easily frightened; wary, distrustful; lacking, short, deficient n. sudden start; quick throw, sudden toss; experiment, attempt (Slang); taunt, jeer, sneer (Slang) salvation n. deliverance, redemption; act of saving, act of rescuing; savior, means of deliverance Salvation lay within. fella n. fellow, man, guy, chap (Informal) sedition n. provocation of dissent, act of promoting rebellion (especially against the government) ogolate capitulate v. give in, surrender recapitulate v. summarize, conclude, sum up synchronization n. act of synchronizing, act of causing to operate simultaneously sagacity n. wisdom, shrewdness, judiciousness, cleverness

in the wake of behind, following after In the wake of the incident, the officer-in-charge, Reaz Hossain, and a sub-inspector, Kamaruzzaman, of Sher-e-Banglanagar Police Station were suspended. unprecedented adj. without precedent, novel, unexampled, unparalleled rankle v. cause constant anger, persistently annoy or irritate I do enjoy it sometimes, but it rankles that I really don't have a personal life any more. grunge n. trash, junk, something of poor quality; style of rock music characterized by nihilistic lyrics; style of fashion associated with grunge musicians They beg, they hustle, they peddle, they scrounge and they grunge. lit adj. illuminated, made light; aflame Where do they go? Not to well-lit, warm and decorated homes, of course. They don't have proper accommodations, no bedroom, no bed, no kitchen and no washroom. nosedive v. dive; fall; skydive; decrease drastically The Dhaka stock index had nosedived 600 points before the just-introduced circuit breaker put a stop to trading on the two bourses. bourse n. stock exchange slump v. fall, collapse; droop, slouch; decline, decrease, deteriorate; sink down, settle n. recession, sudden decrease; drooping posture, slouch; collapse; period of time in which performance is poor sell-off a sale of assets, typically at a low price, carried out in order to dispose of them. chiefly North American a sale of shares, bonds, or commodities, especially one that causes a fall in price. Panic sell-offs by nervous investors triggered the slump, the quickest in the history of Bangladesh's capital market. vent v. give expression to (strong feelings or opinions); release air or gas; provide with a vent Angry investors took to the streets and vented their frustration on passing vehicles after the market was shut for the day. crunch v. munch, chew with the teeth; crush n. chewing with the teeth; sound made by crunching; pressured situation Market experts put the declining trend down to the liquidity crunch in the secondary market. But the situation has worsened for lack of confidence among investors. shrink n. psychiatrist (Slang); instance of contracting, instance of becoming smaller; flinching,

recoiling v. contract, become smaller, shrivel; flinch, recoil; decrease, diminish; make smaller, cause to shrink Angry investors said they had no option but to take to the streets to see their capital shrink in the last few days. portfolio n. briefcase, attache case; list of securities and stocks; position of a government minister; set of pieces of artistic work that display the ability of someone to a potential employer; photo portfolio, set of photos (pictures or drawings) bound in book form, set of photos placed loosely in a folder repatriate v. return to one's country of birth; send back to one's country of birth A tremendous pressure from some repatriated army officers had forced Ziaur Rahman to try and execute Colonel Abu Taher through a military tribunal in 1976, senior BNP leader Moudud Ahmed told the High Court yesterday. expatriate n. exile, one who lives in a foreign country adj. exiled, living in a foreign country v. banish, expel, deport, exile "After meeting the daily expenses, I have very little to save and send home while the helpers cannot save anything," added Samir, an expatriate from Gopalganj. summon v. convene, assemble; send for, request the presence of; order to appear before a court; demand; rouse, call forth When it came to sentencing Taher, all of the forty-six repatriated officers summoned by Zia to discuss the issue wanted he be hanged, the book says. ensue v. follow as a consequence of, happen as a result of offshoot n. shoot growing from the main stem; branch, derivative A conflict ensued as under the leadership of Col Taher, Gono Bahini [People's Army, an underground offshoot of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal in the early 70's] had killed many army officers, he said. gamble v. play games of chance, bet; take a risk, involve oneself in a risky undertaking n. betting of money on a game of chance, bet, wager; risky undertaking They gamble, public pays. epicentre n. point from which the waves of an earthquake originate; center, focal point (also epicenter) Even though Motijheel had been the epicentre, the rampage spread to neighbouring Paltan and as far as Dhanmondi and Mirpur. snarl v. growl angrily; make an irritated or hostile sound or remark, grumble; cause to become tangled; confuse, complicate; become tangled

n. tangle, knot; complicated or confused situation; angry growl; irritated or hostile sound or remark, grumble irate adj. angry, furious, incensed, enraged As irate investors clashed with police protesting another spell of share market crash yesterday, it was the common people who bore the brunt of the violence. rampage n. riotousness, wild or frenzied behavior v. run rampant, behave wildly, move about furiously Hundreds of commuters suffered because of huge traffic snarls caused by the rampage. thoroughfare n. highway, road, connecting pass disperse v. scatter, send out; be scattered Police dispersed the demonstrators. desert v. abandon, forsake; leave the army without permission He also said pedestrians and vehicles fled to nearby lanes deserting the thoroughfare. abstain v. avoid; refrain from "We told the company manager that we won't join work until a pay hike is declared," said carpenter Krishna Sutradhar adding, the manager threatened to send them back home if they continue to abstain from work. condemnable adj. censurable; reproachable, reprovable, punishable panicky adj. overcome with extreme fright, fearful, full of panic relentless adj. severe, harsh, unrelenting; inexorable; never-ceasing; that does not relent; unyielding Relentless fall of stock prices in the share market for the second week in a row has driven the investors so panicky that they have been resorting to violence and rowdy behaviour on the street. speculative adj. intellectual; theoretical; of or pertaining to speculation The fact of the matter is that being basically a speculative market, the investors will have to go by its own rules of the game. necessity n. essential; indispensability; obligation; need, requirement; poverty The necessity now is to think of long-term policies to bring stability in the stock market if they are to restore the investors' trust and continue to encourage fresh entrepreneurs in the country's fledgling capital market. fledgling n. young bird that cannot fly; inexperienced young person The first stage will continue till January 23 while the second will commence on January 28 after a four-day break.

avert v. prevent, avoid; turn away Engaging around 12,300 personnel from different law enforcement and intelligence agencies, a multi-tier security measure is in place in and around the venue to avert any possible threats and subversive activities. tout v. praise, highly recommend; scout race horses during training and to gain information that will aid in betting n. one who aggressively solicits business; one who scouts race horses in training in order to gain information to aid betting (British); ticket scalper, one who sells tickets for a price higher than face value (British) naively adv. in a naive manner, unsuspectingly, in manner which is not worldly-wise, gullibly; childishly, innocently, unsophisticated questionnaire n. document containing a list of questions to be answered referendum n. poll of an entire population, referral of a vote to the entire electorate Official results of the referendum in South Sudan will not be in for quite a while. guerrilla adj. pertaining to guerilla soldiers or their methods n. soldier who engages in irregular warfare (usually a member of a loosely organized band of soldiers which utilizes hit-and-run methods to fight the enemy) viable adj. capable of living; having a reasonable chance of succeeding, practical; having the ability to survive outside the uterus (of a fetus) grim adj. unyielding; stern, fierce; merciless, heartless, cruel; horrible, frightful consummate v. perfect, fulfill, complete adj. perfect; skilled, excellent, complete; of highest degree Dictators have got one-track minds and in their consummate greed for power they forget that other things are more important in life. erstwhile adv. formerly, previously adj. former Remember Saddam Hussein, the sovereign ruler of erstwhile Iraq? He once ruled a vast country, but could't find a place to hide besides a "spider hole" on a farm near Tikrit. Julius Caesar is the first recorded dictator in history, who was killed by conspiring friends. imminent adj. impending, forthcoming, about to happen, near, approaching (especially of an evil or dangerous event); projecting, overhanging despot n. tyrant, oppressor, dictator; (History) Byzantine or Roman emperor or prince

invader n. intruder; conqueror who occupies and plunders pretense n. feigning, pretending; impersonation; false show, false appearance; claim, assertion v. pretend, feign; impersonate; put on a false show, create a false appearance; claim wrongly, make a false assertion swagger v. strut, walk or move in an arrogant manner; behave in an arrogant and conceited manner, boast, brag futility n. uselessness; worthlessness; triviality, vanity; useless act strut v. walk in a pompous manner, swagger, walk proudly n. pompous walk or step, swagger; wooden or metal brace Saddam was all strut and fret signifying nothing but the futility of a life lived in false pretense. His swaggering show of might proved bogus when invaders took his country before he could so much as lift a finger against them! transient adj. temporary, impermanent n. provisional, temporary, impermanent deviant n. someone or something that deviates from the norm asunder adv. apart, into pieces, in shreds adj. separated over a wide area They kill, they rape, they plunder, and they take things asunder from blunder to blunder only to come full circle and lose their thunder. blunder v. make a stupid mistake; move back and forth in a clumsy manner, move blindly, grope n. gross error, stupid mistake overstay v. stay too long, outstay welcome They forcibly grab power and always overstay the welcome. solace n. consolation, relief from distress; source of comfort v. comfort, console, encourage; relieve, appease conspire v. plot against someone or something, secretly plan to do evil noose n. loop with a running knot; loop of rope used to hang people; knot v. catch with a noose; fasten with a running knot; hang with a noose fleeting adj. passing swiftly, transient, brief, temporary fleet v. move quickly, pass quickly

overbearing adj. pushy, bossy, domineering; arrogant overbear v. prevail over, overcome with weight or force; domineer, subdue; outweigh, have greater importance or bearing coup n. sudden successful stroke; revolution, takeover, overthrow jokingly adv. kiddingly, teasingly, in jest outcry n. scream; shout; protest concede v. admit; yield, give up enact v. legislate, ordain, decree; act out, perform stance n. physical position or bearing while standing; opinion recluse n. hermit, loner, one who lives in seclusion adj. living in seclusion, set apart from society v. take oneself out of a particular situation or position; set oneself apart, seclude oneself seclusion n. isolation, solitude; act of secluding; secluded place, isolated or private place pounce v. fall on, storm, invade; attack, seize, assault No sign has there been of any exchange of fire and not a hint has come of the 'associates' of the murdered men pouncing on the law enforcers. fertilization (Amer.) n. impregnation, insemination; act of enriching the soil by the addition of organic or chemical substances (also fertilisation) impregnation n. fertilization, act of making pregnant; infusion, permeation, saturation journo n. (British Informal) journalist razzmatazz n. loud or showy action or language designed to attract attention; razzle-dazzle; spunk, vim, energy, excitement, zing; deliberate ambiguous language, double-talk n. (Christianity) religious holiday celebrated on January 6th to commemorate the visit of the wise men (three kings) who followed the star to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Three Kings Day epiphany n. manifestation of a divine being; insight, grasp of reality by way of something; enlightening discovery hectic adj. feverish, consumptive; agitated, feverishly active, overly excited

misdemeanor n. small crime, petty crime; misdeed parse v. break a word into parts, analyze the grammatical structure of a sentence; analyze computer input n. division of input into small sections that are easy for a program to process (Computers) permeation n. penetration; pervasion; suffusion, propagation; diffusion, osmosis meticulous adj. pedantic, cautious concerning minute details; scrupulous pedantic adj. meticulous; strict, fussy; adhering strictly to information in books without using common sense scrupulous adj. conscientious, moral, adhering to ethical principles; meticulous, precise, strict, exact intercede v. plead or speak on behalf of another; mediate, arbitrate, intervene contender n. rival, competitor; applicant (for a position) philandering n. promiscuity, state of engaging in frequent sexual relations, licentiousness philander v. pursue, woo, court; flirt, coquet, gallivant dingy adj. dirty, grimy; gloomy, drab, shabby trespass v. commit the offense of damaging a person or his property or rights; unlawfully enter into another's territory, intrude; err or sin n. offense of damaging a person or his property or rights; unlawfully entry into another's territory, intrusion; err or sin exacerbate v. worsen, intensify, aggravate platonic adj. not sensual; spiritual; not dependent on anything meander v. walk about aimlessly; carry on in a leisurely way; wander, roam; ramble infatuation n. state of being infatuated, state of being captivated or obsessed by something or someone paranoid adj. of paranoia, characteristic of paranoia n. one who suffers from paranoia, person who suffers from delusions of persecution and distrust of others chauffeur v. work as the driver of a private vehicle; transport persons in a vehicle

captor n. one who captures, one who takes by force lovelorn adj. forsaken, rejected, jilted, pining or yearning for love hagiography n. writings on the lives of saints sumptuously adv. expensively, in a costly manner; with great magnificence, in a splendid manner, luxuriously Given the dearth of analytical film treatment of 1971, and over-representation of clumsy hagiography, audiences may feel unease that a well-funded, sumptuously lensed, international crew production sketches a romance that runs counter to the war's actual impact on Bengali women. undertone n. subdued sound, murmur, faint background noise; underlying feeling, connotation, suggestion; subdued tone of color But the undertone here, of sexual assault leading to social liberation, remains problematic. blurry adj. bleary, dim, smeared taboo adj. forbidden to use, forbidden to say, prohibited, banned n. prohibition, ban v. forbid, prohibit, ban I am not particularly worried by this film's taboo romance or friction with foundational histories. inscribe v. write on a surface; mark a surface with words; write a dedication (in a book); place on a list, enroll; draw one figure inside another (Geometry) translucent adj. transparent; partially clear, partly transparent; lucid; easily understandable; glowing serenade n. instrumental or vocal love song performed at night in the open air (esp. by a man under the window of the woman he desires); piece of music suitable for this type of performance v. sing a love song at night in the open air (especially under the window of a woman) jolt v. shove, push forcefully; jar, shake; shock mentally; hit, stun with a forceful blow; rudely interfere, interrupt; move jerkily frolic v. gambol, frisk, play, have fun; behave in a mischievous manner, play pranks ensemble n. troupe, group of performers; outfit, suit (of clothing) Watching Meherjaan, I could give it space as a counter-narrative project, whether I agree with it or not. But analysing it as pure cinema, I was jolted by the absurdist elements of the fairy tale screenplay. Meher plays out her love in soft-lit evening glow,

with translucent water frolics, multiple costume changes (the soldier even has a dhoti ensemble) and wandering baul serenades. delirium n. temporary mental disorder often caused by fevers or intoxication (characterized by hallucinations, delusions, excitement, etc.); overly excited state Once the lovers are found, the reactions are mellow and measured to the point of delirium. Even in peacetime, male aggression and macho swagger reacts aggressively, possessively and patronisingly to questions of "honour." But in 1971, in an extreme environment where reprisals against transgressive Bengalis were also the norm, the characters carry on as if Meherjaan has only been caught stealing peyara. Meyera ektu erokom korei... mellow adj. sweet; soft, ripe; made better with age; full, rich and pleasant; calm; content drugged, drunk v. soften; become soft; make gentle, calm; ripen, age conundrum n. puzzle, riddle, problem The film gives the audience a way out from the central conundrum. dainty adj. tasty, delicious; delicate, exquisite; finicky, fussy n. delicacy, something pleasing to the eye or the palate In 1997, in a review of Tareque and Catherine Masud's just-released Muktir Gaan, I recalled a scene with affection: "Troupe members try to teach the bird Bengali, starting with the ultra-dainty 'When evening comes slowly' couplet and ending with 'Joi Bangla!' The parrot fails to learn either the gentle lyrics or the street chant -- in real life, not everything happens on cue." couplet n. two rhyming lines of verse (Poetry) insinuation n. hint, allusion; subtle instilling; practice of gaining favor through indirect means adman n. person employed in advertising (Slang) The insinuation seemed to be that he was an "intelligence agency" plant. But I met the man many years later, and the reality was prosaic. Levin made his living as an adman, and brought his own equipment to the refugee camps. He filmed it as he saw it, no grand conspiracy there. irk v. annoy, bother, irritate; tire crucible n. pot for heating a substance (generally metal) at very high temperatures; difficult test or trial The film declares it is about "loving the other," although in a nation of a million others (Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Pahari, Bihari) this variation can only be privileged within the war's crucible. perverse adj. deviant, aberrant; distorted, perverted, falsified

transgression n. violation, crime Certainly the idea of trauma leading to a certain madness and social transgression has been explored elsewhere (as in Yasmine Kabir's A Certain Liberation). But the undertone here, of sexual assault leading to social liberation, remains problematic. secession n. withdrawal from an alliance or organization paterfamilias n. male head of a family; father of the family; male head of a tribe The story, and final execution by director Rubaiyat Hossain, is framed as a counternarrative of the war. The problem is that the basic narrative is still blurry in a global context. Two generations of Bhuttos have passed away without acknowledging the paterfamilias' role in the genocide. Western journalists routinely refer to 1971 as "the India-Pakistan war" and "secession." Indian intervention in the final weeks of 1971 is writ large over the entire nine months, rendering invisible the Bengali guerilla resistance, and obscuring war crimes. eccentric n. strange, odd, queer, unconventional n. strange or unusual person, odd character adj. strange, unusual, odd whip v. strike with a whip, lash, flog; cause to become frothy, beat (of egg whites, cream, etc.); snatch; move suddenly, jerk; defeat; bind The High Court, issued a sue moto rule, on Wednesday asking the local administration what steps were taken to save a minor girl Hena who was whipped to death in Shariatpur. holistic adj. of or pertaining to holism; focusing on the connection between parts of a whole; dealing with wholeness rather than focusing on its parts or different sides or viewpoints encephalitis n. inflammation of the brain Experts on Thursday clinically identified the unknown disease as Encephalitis that claimed five more lives in Lalmonirhat and Rangpur Wednesday night and Thursday. ransom n. redemption of a prisoner for a price; sum paid for the release of a prisoner v. release, liberate, free; pay money for the release of a prisoner Somali pirates threatened of killing 26 Bangladeshis on board hijacked MV Jahan Moni if owner of the ship fails to pay the ransom by Thursday. dilapidated adj. ramshackle, ruined, neglected, decaying, run down dilapidate v. bring to a ruinous condition through misuse or neglect, squander; fall into ruin or decay The government on Thursday asked the owners to make their dilapidated vehicles shine like new by February 10 ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

bearish adj. resembling a bear, ursine; (Economics) in a "bear market" condition, in a state of falling stock prices The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) maintained a bearish trend Thursday with the price indices dropping by around two and a half percent. aghast adj. shocked; horrified; alarmed, frightened lodging n. place to live; place where people stay for a short period of time, sleeping accommodation lodge v. live, reside; stay overnight; accommodate someone; rent a room to; contain; stick in, implant; become stuck in, become embedded; enter or file a complaint; deposit, entrust to skirmish v. dispute, squabble, argue; fight a minor battle, engage in a scrimmage n. dispute, squabble, spat; minor battle, minor fight, clash Accusing opposition leader Potentially counterproductive We are aghast at the news of lodging of a case by a public prosecutor on behalf of the government against the leader of the opposition Begum Khaleda Zia in connection with Monday's skirmishes between villagers and the law-enforcers in Munshiganj. What is particularly disquieting is accusing the opposition leader of inciting violence when she was not even there. lamentable adj. regrettable, unfortunate, deplorable; mournful, sad (rare) It all speaks of lamentable insensitivity of the ruling party towards the issues that affect the lives of the common people on the one hand, and utter disregard for the rudimentary sense of decency and ethics in a polity that we claim to be democratic. The ruling party should have known that in a democracy, it is only expected of the opposition that they would criticise the government's omissions and commissions, if any. And here was a case where, we think the government provided enough grounds for criticism by having undertaken a project with huge national implications without going through a proper environmental impact assessment and analysis. articulated adj. intelligible; divided into segments articulate v. express in an articulate manner equate v. consider to be equal; make into an equation; reduce to an average When environmentalists and local people themselves articulated their concerns that the project would affect their livelihoods, besides the ecology and environment. What was the opposition leader's fault in echoing public sentiments which by and large were

arrayed against the mega-project in Arial beel? How is one to equate criticism of a government's move with incitement to violence? We fail to understand. flimsy adj. delicate, thin; frail, fragile; insubstantial; poorly made or constructed n. thin paper, paper used for copies We think lodging a case against the opposition leader on at best a flimsy ground of incitement to violence would prove to be counterproductive. despotic adj. tyrannical, autocratic; of or pertaining to a despot or despotism democratisation n. process of becoming a democracy, establishment of democratic rule, acquisition of democratic values (alternate spelling for democratization) articulated adj. intelligible; divided into segments articulate v. express in an articulate manner And as for dialogues for reform with the Mubarrak government, we have hardly, if at all, come across that being openly articulated by the US administration, let alone making sure that reforms are implemented. (Egypt) pluralistic adj. pertaining to one who supports pluralism, of a supporter of preserving individual cultures dispensation n. distribution, apportionment, bestowal; permission, exception; privilege, exemption President Obama has perhaps expressed the sentiments of the US establishment that the voice of Egypt's youth is coming across loud and clear, and in deference to that the transition to a new chapter in Egypt's history should be peaceful. He has, in other words, called for establishing a pluralistic dispensation in Egypt. Before the US president his secretary of state had also spoken in similar vein, of addressing the legitimate aspirations of the people. prop v. lean against -, place against -; hold up, support I guess the writing on the placards sums up the feelings of all Egyptians smarting under dictatorial rule for the last three decades. But what it also expresses is the urge of the people for democracy and secular rule that have been suppressed in this country and in many others of the ME for over half a century by dictators, most of whom were directly propped up by US. cite v. quote; officially praise; summon to a court of law Citing municipality and by-elections in which the opposition BNP made better last month, she said the polls were free and fair. requisition n. demand, requirement; command, order; written order for goods or supplies; act of demanding, act of requiring v. require, demand; commission for use, demand the use of something

bigot n. person who is intolerant of differing ideas and beliefs, prejudiced person contravene v. violate, transgress, infringe redress v. dress again; correct a wrong, remedy an injustice; compensate, pay damages for an injustice or injury enact v. legislate, ordain, decree; act out, perform molestation n. annoyance, abuse, harassment; sexual harassment The story of the adolescent girl, Hena's' molestation at the hands of her elder relative followed by her cruel murder by her own people is a stark reminder of the darkness of superstition and bigotry in which our rural society is caught up. In actuality, the halfliterate village bigot whose fatwa was instrumental in murdering the hapless girl and the equally illiterate villagers who executed it, had hardly had any real understanding of the Islamic laws they claim to be championing. cognizance (Amer.) n. awareness, perceptiveness, recognition (also cognisance) whereabouts n. locality, location, place; place where something or someone is; surroundings; dwelling place conj. in which place?; near which place? adv. where?; near where? appalling adj. shocking, terrible, frightening, horrifying appall (appal) v. horrify, outrage, dismay The ongoing crackdown on civil society in the wake of the protests in Egypt is appalling. gauge n. standard of measure; device for measuring (pressure, amount, distance, etc.); standard by which something is judged, criterion; extent v. measure; evaluate, determine; estimate The self-correction is welcome as no prestige issue has been made out of it. Sheikh Hasina has described her government as a people's government. It is therefore only proper that every time a major move touching the lives of people is made, the first priority must be to gauge public opinion. Otherwise, there would be a spilling over of hurt feelings into violence as was experienced. miscarriage n. spontaneous abortion; failure to achieve the intended outcome Lifschultz, a former journalist of the Far Eastern Economic Review, termed Taher's execution a miscarriage of justice. descend v. go down; be handed down (from generation to generation); lower oneself morally Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has said he would like to resign immediately but fears the country would descend into chaos if he did so.

Commentary (04.01.2011)

A wise step back

Leadership is just as much about moving forward as it is about responding to criticisms Mahfuz Anam We congratulate Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her wisdom of bowing to public demand in removing the new airport site from Arial Beel area. Given our political culture, leaders often fall prey to their misplaced ego, and consider any criticism of their decision and change of course of any action taken by them to be insulting and a sign of weakness. In fact sycophants are known to feed on such ego-traps and advise their leaders NOT to bow to legitimate criticisms, saying that such a change of course will be interpreted as loss of power leading to all sorts of political repercussions. We had seen that happen too many times in the past and, frankly, we were afraid that the present PM would also fall into such a trap. Much to her credit and as a refreshing departure from such mindless and self defeating practice, Sheikh Hasina revealed that she has the self confidence and the maturity to see where wrong was done, and could quickly overturn an anti-people move. Leadership is not just being able to take bold decisions, but also being even bolder to correct it if serious wrong is discovered in it. We commend the PM for seeing her sycophants for what they are -- mere timeservers. In her press conference yesterday, the PM made a robust defence of her wish to build a modern airport, which will be now on the other side of the Padma River, the exact site to be selected after proper study. We concur with the prime minister that we need an airport of global standard, if Bangladesh is to emerge as a regional air hub. The air traffic globally, in Asia, and in Bangladesh will definitely grow. Already the growth is impressive. We must have a vision to be a part of that growth. But the timing of the decision to build such an airport cannot be based on either whims or consideration of prestige, political party dynamics or local economic benefit. It has been reported that the proposed airport will cost something to the tune of Tk 50,000 crore. This cost will escalate and reach gigantic proportion in the future. This will be far from a mean sum, and we must weigh its alternative use before we venture in the direction of an airport whose construction cannot be an immediate priority. We are sorry that acceptance of public opinion had to come in such an expensive manner, both in terms of a loss of life and property. As a further example of her wisdom and sagacity, the PM should now instruct that police action in that area should be strictly restricted only to those responsible for wanton vandalism, violence, and attack on police, and should be dealt with in a case by case basis. There should be total rejection of wholesale harassment of the general public.

As we have written yesterday, accusing the leader of the opposition of incitement, and lodging an FIR against her were totally misconceived steps which only helped to reinforce the impression that the ruling party was out to suppress the opposition at any cost. The case should be withdrawn immediately. Now that the airport decision has been changed, the PM must do a serious in-house investigation as to how such an improper decision was taken that led to a public outrage, and resistance of a scale rarely seen, causing huge embarrassment to the government and the PM. The Arial Beel incident has caused considerable loss of public goodwill for the government, and the PM owes herself, her government, and her party an explanation that will get to the bottom of this mess, and hopefully prevent similar decisions in the future. We think the PM should ask the following questions: -How was the site selected, and who were the people involved? -Was the civil aviation ministry, the line ministry whose responsibility it should be to select sites of airports, consulted at all? If not, then how could decisions about a new airport be taken and by whose authority? What does it say about the decision making process of this government? - On the technical side, had any prefeasibility or feasibility study (or study of any sort) been done before the site was chosen? If none, then how could a decision be taken on a subject which naturally entails a range of highly sophisticated studies, given the fact that a modern airport is a highly complex infrastructure whose technical facilities are among the most intertwined and advanced in the world. Was any such study done? Though the PM tried to give some answers to the above questions in her press conference yesterday, our impression is that most of it was for public consumption. For her own sake, she needs to dig far deeper to get to the truth which will reveal the weaknesses of decision making process within her government. In investigating the above, the PM will also discover, for whose benefit due process was set aside and the government and PM were forced into a situation that caused so much public anger, and the consequent loss of face for the party in power. We also want to point out how the name of Bangabandhu is sometimes used by vested quarters to advance their pet projects for very narrow commercial ends. Things are purportedly done to honour the Father of the Nation, but in reality insults his memory, as people find his name associated with unworthy institutions and projects. We think the prime minister should direct that the name of Bangabandhu can only be used with special clearance after due diligence. Let us all be wiser from the Arial Beel incident. Mega projects like airports, deep-sea ports, river dredging, etc should not be undertaken light heartedly. Decisions that affect livelihoods of people, especially those that involve confiscation of land, must involve indepth studies and should be undertaken only after people of the area have been given a

detailed explanation of why their lands are being taken. We saw in the army housing project how people reacted when their lands were being forcibly "purchased". As we have praised the PM for her wisdom of bowing to public will, so also we caution her about the decision making processes in many projects that involve big money. -----------------------------------------------------repercussion n. echo, reverberation, resonation; implication, indirect consequence whim n. fancy, caprice, notion, impulse; device for operating a hoisting rope in a mine wholesale adv. on a large scale; in large quantities; at a wholesale price adj. pertaining to or engaged in the sale of goods to retailers in mass quantities; being on a large scale; extensive n. sale of goods to retailers in mass quantities v. buy or sell in large quantities at a reduced price feasibility n. capability of being carried out, capability of being achieved; likelihood, probability diligence n. perseverance, industriousness entail v. intail, involve, cause; require; demand; set a limitation on who may inherit an estate or property n. legal limitation which determines who may inherit an estate or property; predetermined succession for a position or office bereaved adj. bereft, deprived, suffering from loss n. person or persons that mourns a loss bereave v. deprive; be deprived, suffer loss They also expressed shock at the death of the police official and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members. vested adj. guaranteed by law; permanently endowed, inalienable; clothed or robed (especially in ecclesiastical vestments) vest v. dress oneself or another (as with clerical garments); give authority and/or right of possession to someone (usually over an estate); grant certain rights or the control of something to a person or group of people confiscation n. seizure, taking away (property, money, etc.) aligning n. causing to fall into line or into position; adjustment, tuning align

v. arrange in a line; be arranged in a line; straighten The plan is believed to contain proposals for limiting wage increases, aligning retirement ages with life expectancy and introducing a "debt brake" to limit the size of deficit a member state can run. swan song final performance of a person's career; last piece of work of an artist or composer; last and most impressive composition of an artist and/or composer demur v. object, protest; hesitate n. hesitation; objection procure v. obtain, acquire, get; buy, purchase; pimp, obtain people to work as prostitutes arabesque n. intricate Arabic ornament; short fanciful piece (Music); ballet posture prowess n. valor, might, heroism; courage, bravery; superior combat skills, great combat ability; superior ability, excellent skill Wednesday's game will give Kohli a chance to show his prowess lower down the order, perhaps at No .6, a position where another contender, Suresh Raina, is considered a better bet. bolster v. support, strengthen, reinforce The batsmen had faltered against Australia on Sunday but will be bolstered by the return of Sachin Tendulkar against New Zealand. niggle v. be petty; trifle; make petty demands; nag, criticize Tendulkar had missed that warm-up game because of a niggle but will play on Wednesday, in what will be his third one-day match since his double-century against South Africa in Gwalior a year ago. interpretative adj. explanatory; clarifying; of or pertaining to interpretation Despite an apparent sanction of religion to fatwa purely as an interpretative medium for Islamic scholars, it has had nothing to do about faith but much about power relationships of class and gender, the enforce-ment of social conformity and the restriction of free-doms in our context. abettor n. one who aids or encourages someone to do something (especially something illegal) sensitisation (Brit.) n. process of making sensitive, process of causing sensitivity; condition of being sensitive; (Psychology) process of becoming very sensitive to particular situations or happenings (particularly emotional happenings or sentimental situations) We urge the government to take strict action against the instigators, perpetrators and abettors of fatwa crimes in order to put an end to such barbaric practices. We also urge the media and other social groups to aid in the dissemination of information about human rights, including the right to legal remedy together with sensitisation of the fact that fatwa is not law.

rendezvous n. agreement to meet at a particular time and place, appointment; meeting, encounter; meeting place v. meet at a particular time and place diva n. prima donna, great woman singer Three Bangladeshi divas -- Runa Laila, Sabina Yasmin and Momtaz -- will perform their respective songs at the beginning of the Bangladeshi segment. opulent adj. wealthy, rich, affluent; abundant, ample, bountiful, lavish splendour n. magnificence, pride, glory; glow, brightness (alternate spelling for splendor) Bangladesh Cricket Board has scripted the entire performance that features references to the Language Movement [of 1952]; the Liberation War [of 1971]; elements of patriotism; folk themed pieces representing idyllic Bangladesh; classical heritage [Kathak dance]; indigenous art forms and above all splendours of the opulent Bangladeshi culture. harness v. place a harness on a draft animal; control, rein, utilize, channel n. straps and other parts by which a draft animal is attached to a vehicle From the top floor, men tied on harnesses came down. Two batsmen, bowler, keeper, slip, umpire, cover, midwicket were all there. One man was pulled up suggesting a bowler running in to bowl. The ball was a laser pointer. In one over of "aerial cricket", they showed a forward-defensive, an lbw appeal, a scrambled single and overthrows, a play-and-a-miss, and a boundary.
"Information and communication technologies can be especially useful in promoting mother languages. We must harness the power of progress to protect diverse visions of the world and to promote all sources of knowledge and forms of expression. These are the threads that weave the tapestry of humanitys story. " Irina Bokova, Director-G...eneral of UNESCO Message for International Mother Language Day 2011

weave n. pattern or texture in which a cloth is woven v. knit, interlace; wind (between obstacles); be knit, be interlaced; embroider tapestry n. heavy woven cloth that is used as a decorative wall-hanging or as a cover for furniture yawn v. involuntarily open the mouth wide and inhale due to drowsiness or fatigue n. involuntary deep intake of air from drowsiness or fatigue involuntarily adv. in an unwilling manner, reluctantly; unconsciously, unintentionally; instinctively cringe v. flinch, shrink back, recoil (in surprise or fright); grovel shrink n. psychiatrist (Slang); instance of contracting, instance of becoming smaller; flinching,

recoiling v. contract, become smaller, shrivel; flinch, recoil; decrease, diminish; make smaller, cause to shrink croon v. sing softly, hum softly; comfort and pacify by singing softly; (Scottish) bellow, roar, yell Those who were not at the Bangabandhu National Stadium will never know just how successful and moving the opening ceremony of the 2011 World Cup was. Those who saw it on TV would have cringed at Sonu Nigam crooning an English inspirational song, Bryan Adams of all people being the top draw, recordings of Shankar-Ehsan-Loy's unremarkable theme song playing on loop, and the politicians inducing yawns with their speeches. mimic v. imitate, copy or resemble closely; imitate in an offensive manner, ape The crowd mimicked and made fun of one of them, another speaker gave two different figures for Bangladesh's population in half a minute, and ICC chief Sharad Pawar tried to speak Bangla but no one could make out a word of what he said. imposition n. burdensome requirement, something which one is compelled to do; tax; act of compelling another to fulfill an obligation; imposture, deception sitter n. person or thing that sits; bird that sits on eggs in order to hatch them; babysitter, one who supervises children while their parents are away; model, one who poses for an artist; easy task bizarre adj. strange, unusual, odd, outlandish impromptu adv. in an improvised manner, without advance preparation adj. spontaneous, improvised, spur-of-the-moment, done without advance preparation n. something which is done without preparation, something improvised (i.e. speech or musical performance) vet n. expert in the medical treatment of animals, animal doctor v. check, examine; medically examine an animal; practice veterinary medicine emeritus adj. (Latin) honorably discharged from a profession but retaining one's former job title (such as a professor emeritus), honorably retired or discharged from active assigned duties but retaining one's title of office (such as a prime minister, etc.) n. (Latin) person who retired from his position or profession but retains his former professional title (emeritus professor, emeritus minister) dissent v. disagree on, differ, dispute, oppose n. opposition, disagreement, discord, conflict excerpt n. extract, passage selected from a book or text, quotation v. take out a passage or phrase (from a book, text, etc.)

strand n. fibers or filaments twisted together to form a rope (or thread, yarn, etc.); string of pearls or beads; single fiber or filament; lock of hair; shore, beach, land alongside a body of water v. drive up onto the shore; be driven onto the shore; leave someone in a difficult situation; be stuck in a difficult situation Now, language is a crucial factor in building a democratic state. It transcends the distinctions of class. If we could establish the practice of Bangla in every sphere of life, the class distinction would have been reduced to some extent. We failed. As a consequence, the anticipated social transformation or revolution did not happen and the question of language remained. Take, for instance, our system of education: the three strands not only remained after '71 but also considerably deepened after it. Now we have more English medium schools, private universities and madrassahs than we had before '71. substantially adv. in a substantial manner, considerably, significantly egalitarian adj. pertaining to equal rights n. advocate of equal rights On the whole, the nationalism of the common people was (and always is) substantially different from the nationalism of the ruling class. As I have already mentioned, the common people aspired to make a more egalitarian state without linguistic barriers. In the works of [pure] literature, on the other hand, the issues were virtually absent with a few exceptions. An instructive phenomenon in literature is the growing lack of interest among writers for short stories. Most of the successful short stories (i.e. Maupassant, Rabindranath) shock and disturb the reader. Now, in order to explain why the impressive current of Bangla short stories is dying, we need to look at two defining factors: a) short novels or novellas are taking the place of short stories; b) writers are unwilling to devote their time and energy to short stories -- an art form that demands philosophical depth and a quality to shock or disturb the reader within the confines of a brief space. alienated adj. estranged, separated estranged adj. apart, separated (spouse, etc.); alienated, disaffected estrange v. alienate, cause hostility, disaffect; separate, keep away A quietly troubled young man returns home for his mother's funeral after being estranged from his family for a decade. (movie: Garden State (2004)) alienate v. confiscate, requisition; transfer property; cause alienation or estrangement; separate, isolate ambiance n. setting, mood; atmosphere

ripples n. consequences, series of repercussions ripple n. small wave, small undulation; small wave-like formation; rough finished surface; ice cream that has wavy lines of colored flavored syrup; tool in the shape of a comb used for removing seeds from a plant v. form small waves; cause to form into small waves; make a soft lapping noise; remove seeds from a plant using a tool in the shape of a comb This time the actress has been cast with young actor Arzu who created ripples with his debut film "Tumi Achho Hridoye". fury n. anger, wrath; wildness, madness; violence But in Ramallah, the veto drew fury and disappointment. arrogance n. haughtiness, pride, conceit "No to negotiations with Israeli settlements and American arrogance," one banner held by demonstrators read. nix v. deny; veto (Slang) resolution n. ruling, decision; solution, answer; analysis, breakdown n. decisiveness, determination; (Computer Graphics) level of detail on a computerized image (measured in dots per inch); level of detail provided by a television or computer screen (Electronics) Around 3,000 Palestinians gathered in the West Bank city of Ramallah yesterday to protest the US veto that nixed a Security Council resolution on Israeli settlements. massed adj. amassed; brought together in a mass; collected mass v. amass, collect; condense; assemble into one group; concentrate or be concentrated; throng, crowd The crowd massed in Manara Square, a central traffic circle in the West Bank city, waving banners and shouting slogans against the American administration. despicable adj. contemptible, nasty, abominable "Obama, you despicable man, we want self-determination!" shouted the demonstrators, many of them members of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party. settler n. person or thing that settles; one that inhabits a new region, colonist "We tell Obama that we are a people that doesn't bow to anyone," he said, before demonstrators interrupted with cries of "get out Obama, get out you settler." halt v. stop, pause; cause to stop; hesitate, be uncertain

n. temporary stop, standstill; break or pause in a march or journey adj. crippled, lame (Archaic) The resolution, drafted by the Palestinian leadership in an attempt to pressure Israel to halt settlement construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, was supported by all 14 other members of the Security Council. raid v. attack on, foray into, sudden incursion into n. sudden incursion, attack At least 15 Bangladeshi workers were injured in Libya on Monday as hundreds of rioters raided a South Korean-run construction site in the capital city of Tripoli. standoff n. tie, draw (as in a contest); something which acts as a counterbalance; act of remaining aloof, act of keeping one's distance; insulator (Electricity) The standoff ended around 5:00am, Baik said. expatriate n. exile, one who lives in a foreign country v. banish, expel, deport, exile Expatriates' welfare secretary Dr Zafar Ahmed Khan in Dhaka, meanwhile, said the ministry already instructed the Bangladesh embassy in Tripoli to take every measure to ensure safety of the Bangladeshi nationals. paranoia n. mental disorder characterized by delusions of persecution and suspicion of others exacerbate v. worsen, intensify, aggravate It is not only the forces of nature that determine the scale of a disaster. Poor governance can exacerbate the consequences. earnest adj. serious, sober; sincere, fervent, eager n. seriousness, industriousness Burma is another example. When the tropical storms begin in earnest, it is only the power elite who are safe. inferior n. person who ranks lower than another, subordinate adj. subordinate, of low rank; of lesser importance; near the bottom; poor in quality, substandard; located under or below pseudo pref. imitation, simulated; faked, false; fictitious, mock adj. simulated, pretend, seemingly; false, not genuine, mock discomfit v. confuse, perplex; frustrate or hinder; thwart grotesque adj. strange, weird, bizarre; distorted, deformed; ugly n. odd or ugly person or thing; work of art in the grotesque style snobbery n. arrogance, haughtiness, condescension

reciprocate v. give back, return, requite; return a favor, make a reciprocal action lingo n. language used by a certain group or class of people; foreign language (derogatory) Once a friend of Tagore's on his return from England came to see him. Most undesirably the new returnee started speaking in English. Discomfited by his pseudo-intellectual snobbery Tagore reciprocated with a pitying smile: "That you've forgotten Bengali is not regrettable. But unfortunately for you, you haven't learnt English quite well." We do not know what his friend told in reply, but we sure know that there are still a whole lot of mortals in the shadow of Tagore's snobbish friend. To speak the truth, they are far inferior to him. Tagore's friend knew English although not to an expected extent. But these guys today know neither good Bangla nor good English. They speak a weird lingo which is not fully English nor is fully Bangla. It is a grotesque mix of both. telltale n. one who reveals secrets, one who spreads rumors n. gossiper, informer, tattler, talebearer Although there are telltale signs of English influence on their writing, their language has not been infected by the germs of hybridity. sneer v. smile or look at in a scornful manner; express contempt for someone or something, mock, ridicule As far as linguistic abilities are concerned, Bangla is not a language to be sneered at. eccentric n. strange, odd, queer, unconventional n. strange or unusual person, odd character adj. strange, unusual, odd whim n. fancy, caprice, notion, impulse; device for operating a hoisting rope in a mine ingredient n. component, element; one of the substances which comprises a mixture callow adj. without feathers; inexperienced; very young Some callow youths may think Bangla unfit for their eccentric taste, and therefore may like to take the responsibility to raise its standard by oddly injecting English ingredients into it. But we do not want to indulge their every whim. erect v. raise, build, set up, establish Bangladesh has taken the problem of cyclone preparedness seriously. For example, cyclone-proof public buildings are being erected where the people can seek shelter. shoulder v. place on the shoulder; take on an obligation, carry a burden, take on responsibility; pave the way, create a path n. part of the body between the neck and the upper arm (in humans or animals); something which resembles a shoulder; area bordering a road

Here each country and international organisations such as the UN and the World Bank must shoulder their share of the burden. We must shift the focus of humanitarian aid from immediate relief and response to risk reduction and preparedness. solely adv. only, exclusively; merely Norway has already begun. Almost 10% of our humanitarian aid is used for prevention measures. This is not being done in the hope of favourable media coverage, but solely because such measures work. Preparedness saves lives and protects physical assets. Or as the proverb goes: It's better to be prepared than swift afterwards. torso n. body of a human being without the head or arms and legs; image or sculpture of a body lacking limbs or the head; something that is incomplete or mutilated mannequin n. dummy, model of a human figure on which clothing is displayed (especially in shops and window displays); model of a human figure used by tailors and dressmakers; clothes model; person whose work is to show clothes by wearing them From human torsos via mannequins to buildings, cricket fever has spread like wildfire. acclimatize (Amer.) v. adjust to a new environment; adapt oneself (also acclimatise) The world's number one all-rounder was also not ready to brand Ireland an underdog and the whispering was all around that Bangladesh will face a stiff challenge from the Irish side; not only because that they had a sweet memory against the Tigers in the last World Cup but also because they had acclimatized well with the subcontinent conditions. thumping adj. big, large; vast, huge, numerous thump v. strike with something heavy so as to produce a dull heavy sound; strike with such a sound, pound, knock; walk with heavy steps fist n. closed hand; hand (Slang); handwriting (Slang) Gaddafi, who just two days ago vowed in a televised address to crush the revolt and fight to the last, showed none of the fist-thumping rage of that speech. conciliatory adj. appeasing, disarming, pacifying This time, he spoke to state television by telephone without appearing in person, and his tone seemed more conciliatory. lionise (Brit.) v. treat a person like a celebrity; seek the company of celebrities; (British) visit interesting sites; show sights of a place to (also lionize) tellingly adv. effectively, strikingly, forcefully

That was no cricket!

High time for consistency To win a game is always exciting. To lose it is again to be expected, for that is the rule with games, indeed with life itself. But when the Bangladesh cricket team put itself and the rest of the nation through misery on Friday, it was not winning or losing we were

concerned with. It was something more. It was simple awareness of how much lower a team playing cricket on a global scale could go. To be washed out for a miserable fifty eight runs is deep embarrassment. On Friday, it was a whole country rendered immobile by images of Bangladesh's batsmen stepping on to the pitch and stepping off it in quick progression. It was not just bad cricket. It was no cricket at all. The moment is therefore upon us to call for a serious reassessment of the entire cricket scene in Bangladesh. On Friday we were convinced that calling a team Tigers when it is anything but is wrong, that wallowing in celebrations of rare triumphs (read the win over Ireland) is premature, that indulging batsmen and bowlers to the point of lionising them is something we should have waited for until an established pattern of performance emerged. These young men have disappointed us. Tellingly, when the captain informs us, perhaps without weighing the import of his words, that the future for our cricket could be even worse, it is time for the cricket authorities to weigh in with steps for remedy. To be sure, we do not at this stage expect our cricketers to take the world by storm. But those thousands of people who streamed into the stadium in Mirpur and the millions glued to television at home expecting to see some interesting, if not terribly exciting, cricket simply went through an experience that was as disturbing as it was bizarre. Our boys did not lose against the West Indies. They simply did not play. Epiphany n. (Christianity) religious holiday celebrated on January 6th to commemorate the visit of the wise men (three kings) who followed the star to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Three Kings Day epiphany n. manifestation of a divine being; insight, grasp of reality by way of something; enlightening discovery When a sports agent has a moral epiphany and is fired for expressing it, he decides to put his new philosophy to the test as an independent with the only athlete who stays with him. (Film: Jerry Maguire (1996)) unceremoniously adv. without ceremony; informally; discourteously; abruptly Yunus was unceremoniously relieved of his duties on Wednesday through a Bangladesh Bank letter sent to Grameen Bank Chairman Khondoker Muzammel Huq. tremor n. trembling, shudder, shock, shaking, vibration meticulous adj. pedantic, cautious concerning minute details; scrupulous After meticulous planning, they put up their fight against imperialism, after which, albeit for a short duration, Indian Republican Army, Chittagong Branch, as they called themselves, tasted freedom. They took Auxiliary Forces armoury, and cut telephone and telegraph wires. Master da took a military salute, and the National Flag was hoisted. callous adj. hard; unfeeling n. patch of hardened skin v. become hard, become roughened; make hard or rough, make callous

The first thing he talks about when he realises we are from India is about the recent Bollywood film on the Chittagong Uprising, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se. Why do they keep calling him Surjyo da, Surjyo da in the film? Dont they know nobody ever called him Surjyo da? He was always Master da. Just confirms how callous popular culture can be. How do you make a whole feature film on the revolution without consulting the only revolutionary alive? frail adj. fragile; flimsy; weak, slight, thin; feeble, infirm; weak natured Binod is 101 now, the last revolutionary alive among that group, mainly comprising students, who fought a battle that they knew would eventually claim their lives. He is as frail as can be imagined. Recently he has been to Kolkata for treatment. He struggles with high blood pressure, but still watches cricket, much to the chagrin of those who look after him. He struggles to talk, but likes to tell stories. Dadu we call him. Like a dadu, a grandfather, he has us sit around him and tells us of the people who fought for independence. He doesnt blink at all when he is talking. There are four of us there, and he looks into the eye of each, one by one, alternating, as he admits his memory plays tricks at times. insinuate v. hint, allude to; subtly instill; gain favor through indirect means calculatedly adv. intentionally, deliberately, in a premeditated manner A Ukrainian woman calculatedly insinuates herself into the life of an Italian family. (movie: The Unknown Woman (2006)) penitentiary adj. of returning to one's faith; dealing with the reform of prisoners n. jail, prison choir n. singing group, chorus septuagenarian n. person between the ages of 70 and 80 captor n. one who captures, one who takes by force sinister adj. evil, malicious; threatening, ominous, portending evil; left, on the left side An adventurous girl finds another world that is a strangely idealized version of her frustrating home, but it has sinister secrets. (movie: Coraline (2009)) prima ballerina head ballerina dancer ballerina n. female ballet dancer A young ballet dancer is torn between the man she loves and her pursuit to become a prima ballerina. (movie: The Red Shoes (1948)) trace v. follow; find; investigate; follow a program procedure proposition after proposition (Computers) n. sign, trail; appearance; harness

duffer n. failure, loser, incompetent person; clumsy person; dunce, person who is not intelligent; (Slang) something that is worthless or useless (Archaic); peddler of worthless goods stardom n. fame, state of being a star; professional performers as a group extortion n. blackmail, use of intimidation or force in order to obtain something (money, information, etc.) hoodlum n. thug, mobster, criminal, hooligan gainsay v. deny; dispute, contradict insofar adv. to such a degree, to such an extent pliant adj. flexible; bendable; easily influenced; easily molded or shaped reprisal n. injuries inflicted in response to injuries received; retaliation, revenge; use of force or political pressure to retaliate against another nation without officially going to war; retaliatory confiscation of property or capture of prisoners inextricably adv. in an inextricable manner; inescapably; unsolvably; in a complex manner offset v. compensate; balance; print with an offset printing press n. offshoot; outcome; compensation, counterbalance; printing method in which a printing plate transfers ink to a blanket which in turn transfers the ink to the paper (the plate does not directly touch the paper) impediment n. hindrance, obstacle, obstruction; physical defect which causes speech problems resort v. have recourse, utilize a source of help n. popular vacation site, place of recreation; source of help, source of protection pliant adj. flexible; bendable; easily influenced; easily molded or shaped in hot pursuit if you are in hot pursuit of someone or something, you are following closely behind them and trying hard to catch them in hot pursuit (of somebody/something) eagerly trying to get someone or something pay through the nose to pay too much for something.

Extortion hindering business

Urgent action needed

Despite government's claim that the law and order is now in a better shape, situation on the ground seems to be otherwise. The way hoodlums terrorised the Jatrabari area of the city in broad daylight on Monday by carrying out armed attack on a gas station and shooting an on-duty member of Ansar to death is an instance of where things have gone wrong. The irony is the ansar personnel in hot pursuit of the hoodlums, who hurled cocktails and fired indiscriminately at the scene of crime, were hardly a match for the well-armed gangsters. Surprisingly, despite alerting police of the existing threats, only three illequipped ansars were deployed to ensure security of the gas station at such a busy intersection of the city. In fact, the Jatrabari incident of Monday is not just an isolated one. Rather it is the tip of the iceberg insofar as criminality in the capital city is concerned. The criminal trade of extortion is now rampant especially in the older part of the city. The business people are so helpless against the tyranny of the extortionists that they dare not report to the police for fear reprisals. Shockingly, even cops allegedly advise the targeted business people to settle the matter with the criminals. It cannot be gainsaid that extortion in such a wide scale is a serious impediment to smooth functioning of trade and commerce. And the business people who fall victim to such criminal extortion are forced to either count loss or resort to marking up the prices of their goods and services to offset the loss. Needless to say, the ubiquitous parasites find more pliant victims among the traders in the kitchen market. The government should pay immediate attention to this particular form of crime that is causing business to suffer and consumers to pay through their noses. And it is not only business, it is also inextricably linked to social peace and citizens' security. Overall, it is a serious law and order issue. The government's law-enforcement agencies must remain above corruption and act decisively to combat the menace. dear adj. favorite, precious, beloved; costly, expensive Cigarettes and chewing tobacco will be dearer as tax on them have been increased. hefty adj. big, powerful; heavy, weighty envisage v. visualize, contemplate, imagine, picture The proposed budget envisages reforms in the existing taxation system and seeks to strengthen the National Board of Revenue further.

mull v. think over, ponder, contemplate, meditate; heat and spice for drinking (usually wine or cider) n. thin muslin fabric (Hindi); beach cliff (Scottish); period of deep thought headwind n. wind blowing opposite the course of a moving object (ship, airplane, etc.) burgeoning adj. that expands quickly; that develops quickly; that buds n. act of budding; bud, sprout, shoot burgeon v. bloom, blossom; expand In the face of macroeconomic headwinds arising from inflation and fiscal and external deficits, a large sized budget has been prepared to meet the burgeoning demand for spending. eschew v. avoid, keep away from endearment n. affection, fondness; esteem, regard tax holiday A tax holiday is a temporary reduction or elimination of a tax. Programs may be referred to as tax abatements, tax subsidies, tax holidays, or tax reduction programs. Governments usually create tax holidays as incentives for business investment. Tax holiday benefit for the sectors currently enjoying it will continue for another two years till June 2013, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said on Sunday. The national budget being the most important economic policy tool of a government, let us see how it is going to translate its policies, its political commitments and goals into decisions on what revenue target it has set, how it plans to raise it and how it plans to use these funds to meet the country's competing needs. formidable adj. frightening, causing fear; difficult, discouraging, intimidating; awesome; powerful Falling level of remittance due to political uncertainties in the Middle East, our major destinations of the migrant labour, rising level of inflation, especially caused by hike in food prices in the domestic as well as in the international market have posed another formidable challenge to fiscal management. necessitate v. make necessary, cause to be unavoidable; obligate, compel, force Of the budgeted amount, revenue is expected to bring Tk.1.2 trillion, of which Tk.920 billion or 75 per cent of the resources will come from revenue sources. It is certainly a significant leap forward in mobilising internal resources to meet national expenditures. Understandably, this has been further necessitated by ever dwindling flow of foreign aid. That makes challenges of meeting revenue target of the next fiscal a real challenge.

infuse v. instill, fill with, ingrain; inspire; steep in a liquid to extract certain ingredients devising n. making, act resulting in something coming to be devise v. plan, invent; bequeath property through a will In fact, to infuse more dynamism in agriculture and industry, the policy of pumping additional power into the grid and the assurance of devising an appropriate energy policy including that of coal, promotion of the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will, hopefully, contribute significantly to that end. Similarly, increased subsidy in agriculture at Tk 57 billion with and 70 per cent subsidy on food indicate the government's enhanced level of sensitivity to the issue. overshooting n. act or instance of missing the target; act or instance of shooting over something overshoot v. shoot over; miss the target The success in overshooting the revenue target in the current fiscal has encouraged the finance minister to go for an ambitious revenue target for the next fiscal year as well. However, continued high growth in revenue from an already high base will require substantial reforms in the revenue collection system. hurdle n. barrier which must be jumped by a horse or runner; obstacle; difficulty v. jump over a barrier; surmount an obstacle buck v. move rapidly and with violence; jump vertically legs stiff and back arched ; bet, gamble (Slang) n. male deer; male rabbit; dollar (Slang) adj. of the lowest level in a category A vetoing of the resolution by Russia will only scuttle hopes for change in Damascus. That should not happen. For President Assad, the important point must be that he cannot buck the winds of change blowing across the region. The survival of the regime will only push Syrians into dark uncertainty. It will also be a rude challenge to civilised norms of behaviour. A quick route out of the impasse must be found, one that will satisfy the people of Syria. dissenting adj. opposing, disagreeing, disputing dissent v. disagree on, differ, dispute, oppose The High Court delivered a dissenting order on bail for former BNP lawmaker Nasiruddin Ahmed Pintu in the Pilkhana carnage case. dispose v. control; arrange, put in order The regular bench of the Appellate Division on June 23 upheld the chamber judges order and asked the counsel for Pintu and the government to take steps for hearing and disposing the rule in the High Court.

stocktaking n. act of taking inventory; evaluation of a situation unmet adj. not fulfilled satisfactorily At one of the sessions of the summit, however, analysts have also spoken about the unmet promises and goals of poverty reduction set by South Asian leaders in the past. They have pointed out that though there has been fast growth in the region, inequality has increased; people continue to suffer from poverty, malnutrition and unemployment, especially in rural areas; and spending for social protection of poor and marginalised people is the lowest in the world. We, however, hope that the discussions held and recommendations made will not be limited to mere talk or even pen and paper and that they will be reflected through change in the region. Needless to say, this will depend largely on the governments and leaders of the nations. Let us hope that their political will and commitment to democracy and accountability will be matched by the pledges made at the summit. We hope that the next such summit will be a stocktaking of not promises unmet but on the lessons derived and knowledge gained from following up on recommendations of the just concluded one(Fourth South Asia Economic Summit), which will lead to qualitative change in the lives of the people of the region. extradite v. hand over to another nation or judicial authority (i.e. a fugitive, criminal, etc.) Assange to be extradited to Sweden: UK Court Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has failed in his appeal against extradition from the UK to Sweden over allegations of rape and sexual assault. morbidity n. unhealthiness; state of being diseased; gloominess, depression; state of being gruesome or repugnant Excitement builds up once more. And, with that, that certain sense of morbidity in us all. squabble v. quarrel, bicker over something of little value Politicians squabbled, a Commonwealth mediator flew in. Nothing happened, until March 1996. foreboding n. act of predicting a future event; sense of future misfortune or doom; sign, omen forebode v. predict, foretell; sense future misfortune or doom; prophesy Elections to the Chittagong mayoralty some years ago sent citizens into a state of foreboding about the results. non-partisan free from party affiliation, bias, or designation cajole v. persuade; tempt, entice, beguile; entrap "It's a big problem Political parties are manipulating the non-partisan local government elections," CEC Huda told reporters yesterday when his attention was drawn to Awami League's efforts to cajole one candidate out of the polls scheduled for October 30. He said Awami League's effort was "direct interference".

romp v. frolic, behave boisterously, play in a lively manner n. frolic, boisterous activity, lively play birdie n. little bird; shuttlecock; golf score bogey n. ghost, phantom, evil spirit; U.F.O.; cargo cart; unidentified aircraft (same as BOGY); score of one over par on a hole (in Golf) Siddikur romps at Johor. Siddikur birdied his opening two holes before making a huge 15 feet par save on the 15th hole. He added three more birdies against one bogey to trail the clubhouse leader by five shots at the 2 million US dollar event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour. notch v. groove; cut; make a notch in; score a point n. groove; V-shaped cut; level, degree (Informal); pass between two hills or mountains complacency n. contentment, serenity; state of being pleased with oneself pervasive adj. penetrating, infiltrating; spreading, extending; permeating, suffusing delinquency n. failure to perform a duty (pay a bill, etc.); violation of the law; felony high-up having a high position, having high rank emulate v. imitate, try to equal or excel, take after, copy Even after the laws are passed by parliament, there will still be no room for complacency. For the mere existence of a law does not guarantee its automatic application on the ground. Given our pervasive culture of tax delinquency even among government high-ups, the tax officials would hardly dare to approach the top notches in the administration for the purpose. So, the VVIPS should themselves come forward to enable the tax administration to perform their duty properly. emulate v. imitate, try to equal or excel, take after, copy evasion n. avoidance, dodging, escaping, avoiding Once public leaders and top administration people begin to set examples in breaking the unhealthy culture of tax evasion, that will leave a cumulative impact on the public in general. They will then be encouraged to emulate the government leaders and grow the habit of paying taxes. abetment n. act of aiding or encouraging someone to do something (especially something illegal) Offences perpetrated by Nizami, president of All Pakistan Islami Chhatra Sangha in 1971, cover imprisonment; abduction; confinement; torture; rape; genocide in Pabna and other regions, and abetment of and attempt or conspiracy to perform such acts.

nudge v. push slightly (especially with the elbow); prod to action by gentle pestering; move forward slowly, approach rein v. control, restrain; control an animal by pulling on the reins Govt. nudged into hiking energy prices. IMF suggests relief to troubled economy by reining in runaway subsidy. trade off exchange, replacing one thing with another; compromise, concession contain v. include, have within; restrain, keep under control "I think the trade-off that we have reached at this moment is because of the fast increasing subsidy cost. To contain these subsidies, I think the only way is gradual adjustment of prices," said Eteri Kvintradze, resident representative of IMF, at a press briefing in her Dhaka office. injected adj. forced in; filled with a substance which has been forced in inject v. force in by means of a syringe or other device; infuse, interject, introduce something new or different Kvintradze also said the high subsidy spending would leave the country with smaller fund to spend on social and annual development programmes because more and more public money will be injected to subsidy. "So, the trade-off is to gradually reduce subsidy to allow more room for social and annual development spending," she said. The IMF official said the gradual readjustment of prices has to come with the mitigation of sufferings of the most vulnerable. According to her, it is time to think about who sees the benefit of subsidy the most. If the most vulnerable group of the population can be separated, measures can be taken to mitigate the impact of high fuel and food prices on them. wildcat adj. rash, hasty; risky (e.g. of a venture); wild; illegal; uncontrolled; not on time (e.g. of a train) v. perform exploratory drilling; search (as for oil) n. any of various undomesticated black-striped felines; aggressive person; experimental drilling; daring business venture; locomotive without cars (Slang) The officials and employees of Dhaka City Corporation went for a wildcat work abstention for one hour Thursday to protest the decision to split DCC into two parts. The government has to strengthen the DCC organisationally to provide its dwellers with the best services, he opined. play off finish a competition; play another game Before registering the victory in an easy chase, Bangladesh bowlers restricted the USA to a paltry 78 runs. Player of the match Khadiza Tul Kubra continued her sensational form with the ball as she picked up four vital wickets for 20 runs. With all to play for, the chase was equally thrilling. Earlier on Tuesday, Bangladesh's dream of playing in the

Women's World Cup to be held in India in 2013 was shattered following a six-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in the play-off match at Mirpur. stance n. physical position or bearing while standing; opinion Bangladesh must strive for regional economic integration, improvement of tax administration and help create a thriving private sector for faster economic progress, said the head of UK's Department for International Development (DFID). He does not feel the donors are taking a hard-stance. "I think the donors are coming with the same set of concerns that we always had. Bangladesh has made an average rate of progress, and some concerns also remain. I do not think the concerns are changing really."
haywire adj. out of control, crazy (Slang) n. wire used to bundle hay

Mega projects may go haywire. Communications gets govt's all dream schemes in a mess. The dream projects in the communications sector are more or less stalled owing to fund crunch, wrong selection of bidder, inefficiency of the relevant ministry and inflexibility at the highest level.
plunge v. dive; gamble, wager; waste, squander; be thrown; push

The future of the $2.97 billion project had plunged into uncertainty as the prime minister took a long time to take action against the former communications minister.
bleak adj. cold; cheerless, gloomy; bare n. type of freshwater fish

Despite that the future of the Padma Bridge is bleak.

opt v. choose; prefer flack n. press agent, publicity agent, publicist; advertising, publicity; flak, antiaircraft fire; criticism, abuse v. promote, publicize, foster through advertising; act as a press agent, censure

The air force made a plea that the airfield be kept functional. The prime minister opted for the realignment of the metro rail's route along the parliament complex in line with the air force's suggestion, a move that drew huge flak from different technical experts. Now that the situation is going out of hand, the government has shifted the target toward starting the construction work by the end of its tenure subject to availability of funds. The 6.15 kilometre bridge will connect the south-western parts of the country with the capital and save numerous working hours along with reducing transport cost significantly.
ridden adj. penetrated, full; given to, controlled by, ruled by

Taking over as chief of a crisis-ridden communications ministry, Obaidul Quader yesterday said he had no intention of indulging in corruption and pledged to work sincerely through maintaining transparency.

deposition n. sworn testimony, testimony given under oath; dismissal, removal (from an office or position)

The International Crimes Tribunal yesterday recorded the first witness' deposition narrating how Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee and other collaborators helped the Pakistani occupation forces to commit atrocities and crimes against humanity in 1971.
spearhead v. lead, head, be at the front

He narrated how Sayedee spearheaded groups of collaborators to loot over 60 houses and shops, and how he ordered the killing of Bisha Bali, a Hindu resident of Umedpur village of Pirojpur. With no solution in sight, the Pakistani forces formed an anti-liberation force, comprised of collaborators, called the Peace Committee with Ghulam Azam, Gulzar AKM Yousuf and Khan Mohammad Afzal of Pirojpur among others, he (Hawlader) added.

spare adj. extra, reserve; surplus, superfluous; slim, lean, thin; meager, scanty v. be lenient with, handle gently; free from, release, save from; refrain from; save, conserve, use frugally; allow, grant, give; omit n. something kept in reserve, replacement part or surplus item set aside for future use (i.e. spare tire); knocking down of all pins with two bowls (Bowling)

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has warned climate talks that failure to overcome deadlock placed the world in peril, and begged countries to spare the endangered Kyoto Protocol.
plunging adj. deep, low-cut (about the neckline on a shirt or dress) plunge v. dive; gamble, wager; waste, squander; be thrown sorely adv. severely, badly, grievously; very much, extremely totem n. sacred emblem (symbol), representation of sacred object revered by clans and tribes taming n. act of domesticating; act of bringing into submission tame v. domesticate; subdue, master; restrain, control

Plunging into the debate, Ban called for Kyoto to be kept alive and scheduled meetings yesterday with the big players. "While Kyoto alone will not solve today's climate problems, it is a foundation to build on with important institutions. It provides the framework that markets sorely need. ... It is important that we do not create a vacuum." Kyoto's death would leave a toxic legacy among developing countries, which see the treaty as a totem of solidarity between rich and poor, and leave the UNFCCC with only a voluntary approach for taming carbon emissions.
Quo Vadis

(Latin) "'whither goest thou?", where are you going? Truth commission: Quo vadis?

erstwhile adv. formerly, previously adj. former

An officer of erstwhile BDR yesterday gave a Dhaka court an account of how BDR rebels shot their chief and 11 other senior officers during the 2009 BDR mutiny at the Pilkhana headquarters.
persecution n. oppression, torment, harassment

When looting, arson, massacre and brutal persecution aimed at erasing the existence of Bangladesh, the then East Pakistan, was encircling Bangalees, a ray of hope and support shone bright from a neighbour.
by then until that time

President Hu and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will step down from their Communist Party posts at the Congress in late 2012. But they will stick to their state and government jobs until early 2013. By then, the Chinese national parliament will vote in their successors.

09.07.12 invective n. curse, abusive words, insult

Before rushing into letting out a stream of invectives against the world's leading lender, wouldn't it have been better for the government to take the Bank's decision as a challenge and think out ways to face it?

jingoism n. radical patriotism, aggressive chauvinism, extreme nationalism

Whipping up ill-timed jingoism over a foreign loan will neither serve the basic purpose --construction of the Padma Bridge -- nor would it be able to draw sympathy from any quarter whether at home or abroad.

The government appears to have taken a rigid stand not to go for any compromise with the WB. It rather prefers to challenge the bank and wage a war against it. It is not sure whether the challenge is a verbal one born out of emotion as a face saving measure or a substantive one. What ever it might be people will have to pay heavily in either way for no fault of theirs. When emotion overrides pragmatism the outcome may be perilous. Sheikh Hasina would not read this article and Muhit including other ministers, advisers and MPs will only sing to the tune of Hasina when sycophancy dictates! We hope good sense will prevail and the government will opt for the judicious path to settle the matter with the WB amicably. Starting with a clean slate, it will be easier to start fresh negotiations with the Bank for PMPB credit. Don't we also have a share in the global lender's resources? The government leaders who have been firing a broadside at the WB would do well to keep in mind that China, the world's second biggest economy, and India, the second emerging economic giant, are still tied to WB funding for their projects in a big way. They can well afford to be very nationalistic, but have chosen not to be on questions of financial and economic relations with global financial institutions like WB in this era of economic diplomacy. And to isolate oneself in an ever-shrinking interconnected world is not also be a very feasible proposition. racketeer v. engage in organized crime (such as blackmail, bootlegging, smuggling, etc.) n. one who participates in organized crime, gangster; swindler, cheater Under the circumstances, we'd like the commerce minister to intensify monitoring of all the markets by employing special teams led by magistrates, and make examples of the racketeers. We think the assurances he gave in the parliament should immediately translate into action. racket n. loud noise, din; uproar, tumult; organized crime; deceptive act or scheme; profession, occupation; racket, light bat with an oval frame filled with netting (used in sports such as tennis, badminton, etc.) v. live wildly, participate in riotous activities That a racket of hoarders and retailers push up prices of certain food items before and during the month of Ramadan is not new for the consumers in Bangladesh. What is really

new, however, is that the commerce minister himself admitted to this despicable (shameful) trend a few days back. And we felt relieved when he warned all profitmongers involved with the racket of "stern action" and also assured us of having sent "14 teams to different markets to identify them" while replying to a lawmaker's query in the parliament on July 2. But in less than a week, we are dismayed to see a continuous increase of prices of onions, gram and lentils with the government apparently unable to do anything against the market manipulators. escort v. accompany, attend (in order to guide, protect, guard, etc.) n. person or group of persons who protect or guide; armed guard (of ships, planes, etc.); man who accompanies a woman (on a date, to a dance, etc.) A war crime victim on Monday told the International Crimes Tribunal-1 that he witnessed his family members to be murdered brutally in a raid of Pakistani Army escorted by BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury in the 1971 liberation war. sine die adv. without a date determined for a further meeting or hearing; indefinitely adjourned MC college closed sine die after clash. The Govt MC College in Sylhet was closed for an indefinite period on Monday following Sunday's violence between the activists of Bangladesh Chhatra League and Islami Chhatra Shibir. stray adj. lost, wandering, out of place; scattered, random, incidental v. wander off, leave the correct course; roam, meander; deviate from the norm, err; digress n. one that has strayed; domestic animal that is lost or wandering far from its home Stray tiger returns to Sundarbans. contraceptive n. device which is used to prevent conception The health minister identified lower rate of contraceptive prevalence, early marriage, and lower rate of adopting long and permanent contraceptive methods among the eligible couple as big challenges to population control. prop v. lean against -, place against -; hold up, support n. support, rest; column, beam that is used as a support; item used during a performance, stage accessory prop. (proposition) n. suggested plan, proposed scheme, suggested program; statement that can be considered as true or false (Logic); act of proposing, suggestion BCS Coaching is like a lifebuoy for whom who cannot swim well, a cycle who cannot run well, a weapon who cannot fight well, a walking stick who cannot walk well and an aid who cannot work alone- above all, just a prop (help) for those having shortcomings or time shortage; however, a good swimmer, runner, fighter, hiker etc does not need it. vociferously adv. loudly, noisily, clamorously

pasture v. graze, feed on grass in an open meadow n. grazing land, grassy area where livestock graze vengeance n. infliction of a punishment as a payback for an injury or a wrong, retribution, retaliation thanks to in gratitude towards, because of dawn on begin to understand; come to mind banditry n. work of bandits or outlaws When the government vociferously claims that the law and order situation is better than ever before, we find the realities on the ground presenting an entirely different picture. Criminalities are engulfing ever newer pastures with an increasing vengeance, the latest case in point being the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, thanks to an investigative staff item. The serious implications of such disruptions on the highway do not apparently dawn on the government. The foremost consequence of such banditry is increase in the cost of business which leads to depressing investments. delve v. go down deep, explore; seek information It's a special day for Bangladesh, giving the size of its population (150 million people), the ongoing growth of its population (2 million people are added every year) and having the world's highest population density (about 1,000 people per sq. km). But before we delve on these figure and it implications, let me start with a story; the true story of Rokeya. The only thing Rokeya regrets is that in Dhaka she doesn't find trees nor the laidback life that she had in the village. But that doesn't concern her all that much, because she knows that, thanks to her efforts, her children are going to have a better life. They will be educated and, God willing, she says, her daughter will be a doctor and her son a soldier! And all of this is thanks to her mother, who was able to teach her not to make the same mistakes she made. foreshadow v. indicate beforehand, portend, foretell avert v. prevent, avoid; turn away grievance n. complaint; resentment; wrong; injustice heed v. pay attention; listen The various associations have threatened to go on strike foreshadowing a business standstill, the government must do everything in its power to avert. Their grievance that no measures have been put in place despite constant reminders, need now to be heeded. ramification n. consequence, outcome of another event; branch, bough; act of branching out

This principal highway between the capital and the port city, with all its business and trade connectivity ramifications is being preyed on by hijackers, robbers and extortionists. They are making a killing. It is an easily manageable length of highway we are talking about and all that is needed is bringing the issue to the fore of our government's consciousness level and acting to match the concerns. stark adv. extremely, totally adj. extreme; bare, harsh, austere; blunt, plain impunity n. freedom from punishment The stark impunity stems from an acute lack or laxity of highway patrol. Where there is highway patrol or local arrangements for police surveillance these would get compromised, going by allegations of truckers and their associations. spate n. sudden outpouring; flood (British); sudden heavy rainstorm (British); epidemic; rash; rise in; increase in; wave Another death, another spate of violence. extinguish v. put out, quench; totally destroy, annihilate resentment n. feeling of ill-will, sense of bitterness, indignation, displeasure In the endless repetition of road tragedies, yet another young life was extinguished in the Mirpur area on Sunday as a bus ran over a college student while he was getting off the vehicle he was travelling by. Reportedly, what caused the anger in particular was the fact that the victim was made to get off the bus hurriedly by the helper. What followed was complete anarchy on the street which lasted several hours. Such deaths cannot be tolerated, and while one cannot question the resentment in the fellow students caused by the grief, we feel that what we saw happen following the unfortunate death was a senseless show of anger. And the unsuspected road users, who had nothing to do with the death or had any idea of what was going on, had to suffer indescribable misery. snarl v. growl angrily; make an irritated or hostile sound or remark, grumble; cause to become tangled; confuse, complicate; become tangled n. tangle, knot; complicated or confused situation; angry growl; irritated or hostile sound or remark, grumble The fellow students of the victim from Dhaka Commerce College, in order to avenge the death of their colleague, not only torched two buses including the killer bus, they also vandalised some 40 other vehicles and blockaded the road that created a tailback of several kilometres and traffic snarl that lasted for several hours. evince v. demonstrate, reveal, display While the students had every right to protest, and they should have done so peacefully, one wonders whether their way of protesting has done any good to their cause or evinced the sympathy of the public. On the contrary their action has received the deepest

contempt from the passers by. And if anything, their action has insulted the memory of the deceased. And this is what they students must understand. errant adj. straying, erring; roving, wandering, journeying; aimlessly moving from one place to another We feel that a thorough enquiry should be carried out and the errant persons, in this case the helper and the driver, who had managed to escape from the scene of occurrence, must be brought to book. And while nothing can recompense the loss of a son, the victim's family must be paid adequate compensation. lay stress on emphasize, stress, place an accent on vagary n. odd or unexpected action or idea Terming Bangladesh as among the most vulnerable countries to climate change, Dipu Moni laid stress on the engagement of the developed countries for effective action on adaptation and mitigation projects. She also touched upon the multiple challenges that Bangladesh and the island developing countries are facing due to climate vagaries.