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6000 GRE words

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GRE 6000 - Set 14

(308 words)
WordPOSDefinition
ostracize
verb
To exclude someone from a group or society
oust
verb
To remove from a position or place
outcast
noun
A person who is rejected or shunned by society or a group.
outfit
noun
A set of clothes worn together
outgoing
adj.
Friendly and socially confident
outlandish
adj.
Strikingly unusual or bizarre
outlaw
noun
A person who has broken the law and is hiding to avoid punishment
outlook
noun
A person's point of view or general attitude towards life.
outmoded
adj.
No longer in style or use; not modern
outrage
noun
A powerful feeling of shock and anger
outskirts
noun
The outer areas of a city or town
outspoken
adj.
Expressing opinions openly and without hesitation
outstrip
verb
To exceed or surpass
outwit
verb
To defeat or trick by being more clever
ovation
noun
Enthusiastic and prolonged applause from an audience
overbearing
adj.
Domineering or controlling in an unpleasant way
overblown
adj.
Exaggerated or inflated beyond the truth
oversee
verb
To supervise or manage an activity or task to ensure it is done correctly.
overshadow
verb
To make something less important or noticeable by being more prominent or impressive
overt
adj.
Done openly and not hidden.
overthrow
verb
To remove from power, especially by force
overture
noun
An introductory part, especially of a musical work
overturn
verb
To reverse a decision or ruling
overweening
adj.
Excessively confident or proud
overwhelm
verb
To overpower or crush emotionally or physically
overwrought
adj.
Extremely agitated or upset
ovoid
adj.
Having an egg-like shape
pachyderm
noun
A large, thick-skinned mammal
pacifist
noun
A person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable.
pacify
verb
To calm someone who is angry or upset
pacity
noun
The state of being opaque or not transparent
paddock
noun
A small enclosed field or area where animals are kept.
padre
noun
A male parent
paean
noun
A song or expression of praise
painstaking
adj.
Requiring or characterized by great care and effort
palatable
adj.
Having a pleasant taste
palate
noun
The roof of the mouth
palatial
adj.
Resembling a palace in being spacious and splendid
palaver
noun
Prolonged and idle discussion
paleontology
noun
The scientific study of fossils and ancient life forms
palette
noun
A thin board or slab on which an artist lays and mixes colors
palimpsest
noun
A manuscript or piece of writing material on which later writing has been superimposed on effaced earlier writing.
pall
noun
A cloth spread over a coffin or a feeling of gloom
pallet
noun
A flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift or other jacking device.
palliate
verb
To make a disease or its symptoms less severe without removing the cause
palliation
noun
Relief of pain without dealing with the cause
pallid
adj.
Lacking color or brightness
palm
noun
The inner surface of the hand between the wrist and the fingers.
palpable
adj.
So intense as to seem almost tangible
palpitate
verb
To beat rapidly or strongly, often due to excitement or anxiety
paltry
adj.
Very small or too small in amount
pan
noun
A shallow, wide, open container for cooking
panacea
noun
A solution for all problems or difficulties
panache
noun
Distinctive and stylish flair
pandemic
noun
A disease outbreak affecting a large number of people across a wide area
pandemonium
noun
Wild and noisy disorder or confusion
pander
verb
To satisfy or indulge someone's desires, often in a negative or degrading way
panegyric
noun
A formal public speech or written verse that praises someone or something
pang
noun
A sudden sharp feeling of pain or emotion
panoply
noun
A complete or impressive collection of things
panorama
noun
A wide and unobstructed view of an extensive area.
panoramic
adj.
Providing a wide view of an area in all directions.
pantomime
noun
A type of performance using gestures and body movements without words
papyrus
noun
A plant used in ancient times for making a writing material
parable
noun
A simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.
paradigm
noun
A typical example or pattern of something
paradigmatic
adj.
Serving as a typical example or pattern
paradox
noun
A statement or situation that seems contradictory or impossible, but may be true
paradoxical
adj.
Seemingly contradictory or opposed to common sense, yet possibly true
paragon
noun
A person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality
parallel
adj.
Being an equal distance apart everywhere and never meeting
parallelism
noun
The state of being similar or corresponding in some way
parameter
noun
A limit or boundary that defines the scope of a process or activity.
paramount
adj.
Most important or significant
paramour
noun
A lover, especially in a secret or illicit relationship
paranoia
noun
An irrational and persistent feeling of being persecuted or targeted.
paranoiac
adj.
Exhibiting extreme and irrational distrust or suspicion
parapet
noun
A low protective wall along the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony.
paraphernalia
noun
Equipment or items used for a particular activity
paraphrase
verb
To express the same message in different words
parasite
noun
An organism that lives on or in another organism and benefits by deriving nutrients at the host's expense
parched
adj.
Extremely dry due to intense heat or lack of water.
parchment
noun
A material made from animal skin used for writing
pare
verb
To trim by cutting away the outer edges
paregoric
noun
A medicine that soothes pain
parenthetical
adj.
Relating to or inserted as a parenthesis
pariah
noun
A person who is rejected by society or a social group
parish
noun
A local church community
parity
noun
Equality, especially in status or pay
parlance
noun
A particular way of speaking or using words, especially common to a particular job or interest group.
parley
noun
A discussion or conference, especially between enemies under a truce to discuss terms.
parlous
adj.
Full of danger or uncertainty
parochial
adj.
Having a limited or narrow outlook or scope
parody
noun
An imitation of a work that exaggerates its features for comic effect.
paroxysm
noun
A sudden and intense expression of emotion or activity
parquet
noun
Flooring made of wooden blocks arranged in a geometric pattern
parricide
noun
The act of killing one's parent or a close relative
parry
verb
To ward off a weapon or attack, especially with a countermove
parsimonious
adj.
Unwilling to spend money or use resources
parsimony
noun
Extreme unwillingness to spend money or use resources
partial
adj.
Not complete or whole
partiality
noun
An unfair tendency to favor one person or group over others
partisan
noun
A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person
partition
noun
A division into parts
parturition
noun
The act of giving birth
parvenu
noun
A person who has recently gained wealth or status but lacks the social acceptance or sophistication associated with it
pass off
verb
To present something falsely
passage
noun
A way through which one can pass
passe
adj.
Out of date
passive
adj.
Accepting or allowing what happens without active response
paste
verb
To insert copied or cut material
pastiche
noun
An artistic work that imitates the style of another work, artist, or period.
pastoral
adj.
Relating to the countryside or rural life
pastry
noun
A dough made of flour, water, and fat that is baked and used as a base for baked goods
patent
noun
A government authority or license giving a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.
pathetic
adj.
Arousing pity, especially through vulnerability or sadness.
pathogenic
adj.
Capable of causing disease
pathological
adj.
Relating to or caused by disease
pathos
noun
A quality that evokes pity or sadness
patina
noun
A green or brown film on the surface of bronze or similar metals, produced by oxidation over a long period.
patois
noun
A regional dialect that differs from the standard language
patriarch
noun
A male leader or head of a family or group
patrician
noun
A person of high social rank or nobility
patricide
noun
The act of killing one's own father.
patrimony
noun
Property inherited from one's father or male ancestor
patronize
verb
To treat someone with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority
patronizing
adj.
Displaying a superior attitude
paucity
noun
A small or insufficient quantity or amount
pauper
noun
A person who is very poor
peccadillo
noun
A minor fault or sin
peculate
verb
To embezzle or steal money, especially public funds or from one's employer
peculation
noun
The act of embezzling or stealing money, especially public funds
peculiar
adj.
Strange or odd; unusual
pecuniary
adj.
Relating to money
pedagogical
adj.
Related to teaching or education
pedagogue
noun
A teacher or educator
pedagogy
noun
The method and practice of teaching
pedant
noun
A person who is excessively concerned with minor details or rules
pedantic
adj.
Overly concerned with minor details or rules
peddle
verb
To sell goods, often by traveling from place to place
pedestal
noun
A base or support on which something stands
pedestrian
noun
A person walking rather than traveling in a vehicle
pediatrician
noun
A doctor specializing in the care of children
pedigree
noun
Ancestral line or lineage
pediment
noun
A triangular upper part of the front of a building, typically above a portico.
peer
verb
To look keenly or with difficulty at something
peerless
adj.
Having no equal; unmatched
peevish
adj.
Easily irritated or annoyed
pejorative
adj.
Expressing disapproval or belittlement
pelf
noun
Money, especially when gained in a dishonest or dishonorable way
pell-mell
adv.
In a confused, rushed, or disorderly manner
pellucid
adj.
Clear and easy to understand
pen
noun
A writing instrument
penance
noun
A voluntary act to show sorrow or repentance for wrongdoing
penchant
noun
A strong liking or preference for something
pendant
noun
A piece of jewelry that hangs from a chain worn around the neck
pendent
adj.
Hanging down or suspended
pending
adj.
Awaiting decision or settlement
pendulous
adj.
Hanging down loosely
penetrate
verb
To pass into or through something
penitent
adj.
Feeling or showing regret for wrongdoing
pennate
adj.
Having a feather-like or wing-like arrangement
penology
noun
Study of prison management and criminal rehabilitation
penry
noun
A small enclosure or pen
pensive
adj.
Engaged in deep or serious thought
penultimate
adj.
Next to last in a sequence
penumbra
noun
The partially shaded outer region of a shadow
penurious
adj.
Extremely poor or lacking money
penury
noun
Extreme poverty
peon
noun
A laborer with little control or authority
per se
adv.
By itself or in itself
perceive
verb
To become aware of something through the senses
perceptive
adj.
Having or showing insight and understanding
percipient
adj.
Having a good understanding of things; insightful
percussion
noun
Musical instruments that produce sound by being struck or shaken
perdition
noun
A state of eternal punishment and damnation
peregrinate
verb
To travel or wander around from place to place.
peregrination
noun
A long journey or period of wandering
peremptory
adj.
Insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a brusque or imperious way.
perennial
adj.
Lasting or existing for a long or apparently infinite time; enduring or continually recurring
perfidios
adj.
Deceitful and untrustworthy.
perfidious
adj.
Deceitful and untrustworthy
perfidy
noun
Deceitfulness and untrustworthiness
perfnctory
adj.
Done without care or interest
perforate
verb
To make a hole or series of holes in something.
perforce
adv.
By necessity or force of circumstance
perfunctory
adj.
Done with minimal effort or reflection
perigee
noun
The point in the orbit of the moon or a satellite at which it is nearest to the earth.
perilous
adj.
Full of danger or risk
perimeter
noun
The continuous line forming the boundary of a closed geometric figure.
peripatetic
adj.
Traveling from place to place, often for work
peripheral
adj.
Relating to or situated on the edge or outer part of something
periphery
noun
The outer limits or edge of an area or object
perish
verb
To die, especially in a violent or sudden way
peristyle
noun
A row of columns surrounding a space within a building such as a courtyard or garden.
perjury
noun
The act of lying under oath
perk
noun
A benefit or advantage
permeable
adj.
Allowing liquids or gases to pass through
permeate
verb
To spread throughout something
permissive
adj.
Allowing or characterized by great or excessive freedom of behavior.
pernicious
adj.
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way
peroration
noun
The concluding part of a speech, often intended to inspire enthusiasm
perpetrate
verb
To carry out or commit a harmful, illegal, or immoral action
perpetual
adj.
Continuing forever or for a very long time without stopping
perpetuate
verb
To make something continue indefinitely
perquisite
noun
A benefit or privilege that comes with a job or position
perseverance
noun
Continued effort to achieve something despite difficulties or delay
persevere
verb
To continue doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
persiflage
noun
Light and playful banter
persist
verb
To continue firmly or obstinately
personable
adj.
Having a pleasant appearance and manner
personify
verb
To give human characteristics to something non-human
perspicacious
adj.
Having keen insight and understanding
perspicacity
noun
The ability to notice and understand things that are not obvious
perspicuity
noun
Clarity and ease of understanding
perspicuous
adj.
Clearly expressed and easily understood
pert
adj.
Lively and confident
pertinacious
adj.
Holding firmly to an opinion or course of action
pertinent
adj.
Relevant or applicable to a particular matter
perturb
verb
To disturb or unsettle
perturbation
noun
A disturbance or change that affects a system, often causing it to deviate from its usual state.
perusal
noun
The act of reading or examining something carefully
peruse
verb
To read something thoroughly
pervade
verb
To spread through all parts of something
pervasive
adj.
Spreading widely throughout an area or group
pervasive
adj.
Spreading widely throughout an area or group
perverse
adj.
Deliberately behaving in an unreasonable or unacceptable way
perversion
noun
A distortion or corruption of something from its original state or meaning
perversity
noun
Deliberate and stubborn resistance to guidance or discipline
pervert
verb
To alter something from its original course or meaning to a distortion or corruption.
pervious
adj.
Allowing water or other substances to pass through
pessimism
noun
A tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen.
pestilent
adj.
Harmful or destructive to crops or livestock
pestilential
adj.
Harmful or destructive, often like a disease
pestle
noun
A tool used for crushing or grinding substances in a mortar.
petrify
verb
To turn into stone
pettifog
verb
To argue over trivial matters
petty
adj.
Of little importance; trivial
petulant
adj.
Easily irritated or annoyed
phalanx
noun
A closely packed group
phantasmagorical
adj.
Having a fantastic or deceptive appearance, as something in a dream or created by the imagination
pharisaical
adj.
Hypocritically self-righteous
pharisee
noun
A member of an ancient Jewish sect known for strict observance of traditional and written law
phenomena
noun
Observable events or occurrences
phenomenon
noun
An observable event or occurrence
phial
noun
A small container, typically cylindrical, used to hold liquids.
philander
verb
To engage in casual romantic or sexual relationships with multiple partners.
philanderer
noun
A person who engages in casual romantic or sexual relationships with multiple partners.
philanthropist
noun
A person who seeks to promote the welfare of others, especially by donating money to good causes
philanthropy
noun
The act of giving money and help to people who are poor or in need
philatelist
noun
A person who collects and studies postage stamps
philistine
noun
A person who is indifferent to culture and the arts
philology
noun
The study of language in written historical sources
philosophical
adj.
Relating to the study of fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence
phlegmatic
adj.
Having an unemotional and calm disposition
phobia
noun
An intense fear of something
phoenix
noun
A mythical bird that is reborn from its ashes after burning.
phony
adj.
Not genuine; fake
phylum
noun
A primary category in the classification of organisms, ranking above class and below kingdom.
physiognomy
noun
The supposed art of judging character from facial features
physiological
adj.
Relating to the way in which a living organism or bodily part functions
picaresque
adj.
Relating to a style of fiction that depicts the adventures of a roguish hero.
picayune
adj.
Of little value or importance
piebald
adj.
Having irregular patches of two colors, typically black and white.
piecemeal
adj.
Characterized by unsystematic partial measures taken over time.
pied
adj.
Having patches of two or more colors
piety
noun
Devotion to religious duties and practices
pigment
noun
A substance that provides color to materials
pilfer
verb
To steal small amounts or things of little value
pillage
verb
To rob using violence, especially in wartime
pillory
verb
To publicly criticize or ridicule
pinch
verb
To squeeze tightly between fingers
pine
noun
A type of evergreen tree with needles and cones
pinion
verb
To restrain or immobilize someone by binding their arms.
pinnace
noun
A small boat, typically with sails or oars, used for communication between a ship and the shore.
pinnacle
noun
The highest point of development or achievement
pious
adj.
Deeply religious
pious
adj.
Deeply religious
piquant
adj.
Having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavor
pique
verb
To stimulate interest or curiosity
pirate
noun
A person who attacks and robs ships at sea.
piscatorial
adj.
Related to fishing or fishermen
pitfall
noun
A hidden or unsuspected danger or difficulty.
pith
noun
The essential or central part
pithy
adj.
Concise and forcefully expressive
pittance
noun
A very small or inadequate amount of money
pivotal
adj.
Of crucial importance in relation to the development or success of something.
placate
verb
To calm someone down or make them less angry
placebo
noun
A substance with no therapeutic effect given to a patient in place of a real medication
placid
adj.
Calm and peaceful, with little movement or activity
plagiarism
noun
The act of using someone else's work or ideas without giving them proper credit.
plagiarize
verb
To copy someone else's work and present it as your own
plaintive
adj.
Expressing sorrow or melancholy
plait
noun
A braid, especially of hair or straw.
plane
noun
A flat surface on which a straight line joining any two points on it would wholly lie.
plangent
adj.
Having a loud, mournful sound
plaster
noun
A mixture used for coating walls and ceilings
plastic
noun
A synthetic material made from polymers that can be molded.
plasticity
noun
Ability to be shaped or molded
platitude
noun
A remark or statement that is overused and lacks originality
platonic
adj.
Relating to a relationship marked by the absence of romance or physical attraction
plaudit
noun
Enthusiastic approval or praise
plaudits
noun
Praise or approval
plausible
adj.
Seeming probable or reasonable, but not necessarily true
plead
verb
To make an urgent, emotional statement or request for something.
plebeian
adj.
Relating to the common people; lacking refinement
plebian
adj.
Relating to the common people
plebiscite
noun
A direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal