respite, amelioration, imbroglio, volition, pittance: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from GRE Vocabulary set 101. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. respite · noun/ˈrɛspaɪt/

   a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant

   After a long week of work, she finally took a much-needed respite from her hectic schedule.

   Synonyms: break, pause, relief

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'respit', from Latin 'respectus', meaning 'to regard' or 'to delay'

2. amelioration · noun/əˌmiːl.jəˈreɪʃən/

   the act of making something better or improving it

   The community initiated a program aimed at the amelioration of local living conditions through improved housing and sanitation.

   Synonyms: improvement, enhancement, betterment

   Origin: From the Latin 'ameliorare', meaning 'to make better'.

3. imbroglio · noun/ɪmˈbroʊlioʊ/

   a complicated or confusing situation

   The political imbroglio left the citizens more confused than ever about the upcoming elections.

   Synonyms: entanglement, confusion, mess

   Origin: Italian 'imbrogliare', meaning 'to entangle' or 'to confuse'

4. volition · noun/vəˈlɪʃən/

   the power of using one's will to make choices

   She made the decision of her own volition, rather than being influenced by others.

   Synonyms: will, choice, determination

   Origin: from Latin 'volitio', meaning 'a wishing, desire, or will', from 'volo', meaning 'I will' or 'I wish'

5. pittance · noun/ˈpɪtəns/

   a very small or inadequate amount of money

   Despite working long hours, he was only paid a pittance for his efforts, barely enough to cover his living expenses.

   Synonyms: meager amount, small sum, token payment

   Origin: Middle English 'pitance', from Old French 'pitance' meaning 'allowance' or 'ration', from Latin 'pietantia', meaning 'piety' or 'compassion'