Class 4 GRE Vocabulary

Homogenous/Homogeneous Of a similar kind Ex: The class was fairly homogeneous, since almost all of the students were senior engineering majors. From Greek to Latin: homo (same) gene (kind/type) Similar: Consistent standardized uniform unvarying

Laconic Using few words Ex: Similar: Terse concise taciturn pithy She was a laconic poet who built her reputation on using words as sparingly as possible. From Greek: lakonia (area of Greece) Similar: Terse concise taciturn pithy

Laudable Worthy of praise Ex: Similar: The police officer’s efforts to uphold justice and protect citizens were laudable. From Latin: laus (praise, glory, renown) Similar: Commendable praise-worthy

Loquacious Excessively talkative Ex: Similar: She was naturally loquacious, which was a problem in most of her high school classes. From Latin: loqui (to speak) Similar: Garrulous effusive verbose

Mitigate To soften; to lessen Ex: Similar: A judge may mitigate a sentence if she decides that person committed a crime out of need. From Latin: mitigatus (calm, soothe) Similar: Mollify alleviate assuage Ease moderate

Pedant One pays more attention to rules and learning than is necessary Ex: The graduate instructor’s tedious and excessive commentaries in class soon gave her a reputation as a pedant. From Greek: pedagog (to teach children) Similar: Book worm scholar

Pragmatic Concerned with practical matters Ex: Similar: While daydreaming gamblers think they can get rich by frequenting casinos, pragmatic gamblers realize that the odds are heavily stacked against them. From Greek: pragma (a fact) Similar: Rational realistic

Propriety Correct behavior; obedience to rules and customs Ex: The aristocracy maintained a high level of propriety, adhering to even the most minor social rules. From Latin: proprius (to own) Similar: Decency decorum modesty seemliness

Vacillate To be indecisive; to sway physically Ex: Similar: The customer held up the line as he vacillated between ordering chocolate chip or mint chocolate chip ice cream. From Latin: vacillatum (to sway, waver) Similar: Dither oscillate falter waver Fluctuate flip-flop

Volatile Lively or explosive; easily aroused or changeable Ex: His volatile temper made it difficult to predict how he would react to a situation. From Latin: volatilis (flying) Similar: Capricious erratic temperamental