GRE Word List Q

quack charlatan; impostor
quadruped four-footed animal; ADJ. CF. biped
quaff drink with zest; drink with relish(zest; hearty enjoyment); CF. sip
quagmire bog; marsh; soft, wet, boggy land; predicament; complex or dangerous situation from which it is difficult to free oneself
quail cower; shrink back in fear; lose heart
quaint odd in an old-fashioned way; odd; old-fashioned; picturesque
qualified limited; restricted; V. qualify: limit the meaning of; modify
qualify reach a necessary standard; limit the meaning of something stated
qualms uneasy feelings; misgivings; uneasy fears especially about matters of conscience; Ex. I have no qualms about giving this assignment to Helen.
quandary dilemma; state of uncertainty; Ex. She is in a quandary about whether to go.
quarantine isolation of a person, place, or ship to prevent spread of infection; V: isolate in quarantine
quarry dig into (to get stone); N: mine;
quash crush; suppress; squash; subdue; annul; Ex. quash a rebellion/the decision of the low court
quay dock; wharf; pier; landing place (for boats)
queasy experiencing nausea; nauseated; easily nauseated; squeamish; Ex. feel a little queasy
queer strange; eccentric; deviating from the normal
quell suppress; put an end to; put down forcibly; extinguish; quiet; Ex. “Army Quells Rebellion'’ in newspaper; CF. kill
quench assuage or satisfy (thrust); slake; douse or extinguish; put out; suppress
querulous given to complaining; complaining; fretful; whining
query inquiry; question; V.
queue line (of waiting people or vehicles)
quibble minor objection or complaint; V: raise minor objections; carp; cavil
quicksilver mercury
quiescent dormant; temporarily inactive; at rest; N. quiescence
quietude tranquillity; calmness
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.
quirk sudden sharp turn or twist; startling twist; caprice; idiosyncrasy; peculiarity of behavior; Ex. by a quirk of fate
quisling traitor who aids invaders; CF. Vidkun Quisling
quiver tremble; shake; N.
quixotic idealistic but impractical; CF. Don Quixote
quizzical curious; suggesting puzzlement (without saying); questioning; teasing; mocking; bantering; Ex. quizzical glance
quorum minimal number of members necessary to conduct a meeting
quotidian daily; commonplace; customary; Ex. quotidian routine