GATE 1-2, Vocabulary 1-20

acropolis

(n) : the upper fortified part of an ancient Greek city (as Athens); also : a usually fortified height of a city or district elsewhere (as in Central America)

anarchy

(n) a : absence of government b : a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental

beseech

(tr. v) : 1 : to beg for urgently or anxiously 2 : to request earnestly : implore

consent

: 1 (int. v) : to give assent or approval : agree 2 (n) : compliance in or approval of what is done or proposed by another : acquiescence

effulgent

(adj) : radiantly splendid : brilliant

elegiac

(adj) : of, relating to, or comprising elegy or an elegy; especially : expressing sorrow often for something now past

expatiate

(int. v) : 1 : to move about freely or at will : wander 2 : to speak or write at length or in detail

filch

(tr. v) : to appropriate furtively or casually

intuitive

(adj) : known or perceived by intuition

labyrinth

(n) 1 : a place constructed of or full of intricate passageways and blind alleys : a maze 2 : something extremely complex or tortuous in structure, arrangement, or character

metaphysical

(adj) : of or relating to the transcendent or to a reality beyond what is perceptible to the senses b : supernatural

mortify

(tr. v) : to subdue or deaden (as the body or bodily appetites) especially by abstinence or self-inflicted pain or discomfort

ominous

(adj) : being or exhibiting an omen : portentous; especially : foreboding or foreshadowing evil : inauspicious

penitence

: the quality or state of experiencing sorrow for sins or faults

pilgrimage

(n) : a journey of a pilgrim; especially : one to a shrine or a sacred place

pretext

(n) : a purpose or motive alleged or an appearance assumed in order to cloak the real intention or state of affairs

progeny

(n) : a : descendants, children b : offspring of animals or plants

prowess

(n) : 1 : distinguished bravery; especially : military valor and skill 2 : extraordinary ability

sovereignty

(n) : a : supreme power especially over a body politic b : freedom from external control : autonomy

treble

(n) : 1 : the highest voice part in harmonic music : soprano 2 : a member of a family of instruments having the highest range