GRE Vocab

anomaly

deviation from what is normal

equivocal

not easily understood or explained

lucid

clear and easily understood

precipitate

To cause (something) to happen quickly

Assuage

make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense

erudite

having or showing great knowledge or learning

Opaque

not able to be seen through; not easily understood

prodigal

(adj.) wastefully extravagant; lavishly or generously abundant; (n.) one who is wasteful and self-indulgent

Enigma

A person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand

Fervid

Intensely enthusiastic or passionate

Placate

To make less angry or hostile

Zeal

a strong feel of interest and enthusiasm that makes someone very eager or determined to do something

Abstain

To restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something

audacious

A willingness to take bold risks

desiccate

remove the moisture from

Laudable

Deserving praise and commendation

Pedant

a person who makes an excessive or inappropriate display of learning

Vacillate

waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive.

Adulterate

to make impure; to contaminate

Capricious

given to sudden changes of mood or behavior

Engender

to produce, cause, or bring about

Loquacious

(adj.) talkative, wordy; fond of talking

Ephemeral

lasting a very short time

Laconic

using few words

Enervate

(v.) to weaken or lessen the mental, moral, or physical vigor of; enfeeble, hamstring

Ingenuous

showing innocence or childlike simplicity

Misanthrope

a person who dislikes others

deride

to ridicule, laugh at with contempt

Obdurate

stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action

Garrulous

excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters

Prevaricate

to deliberately avoid the truth; to mislead