GRE Vocabulary — Set 154

Set 154 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: captor, cavern, cessation, clot, coagulant. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. captor · noun/ˈkæptər/

   one that captures or holds another against their will

   The victim managed to escape from her captor after being held in captivity for several days.

   Synonyms: abductor, kidnapper, captor

   Origin: from Middle English 'capter', from Old French 'captor', from Latin 'captor', from 'capere' meaning 'to seize or take'.

2. cavern · noun/ˈkæv.ɚn/

   a large cave or underground chamber

   The explorers ventured deep into the dark cavern, eager to uncover its hidden secrets.

   Synonyms: cave, grotto, hollow

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French 'caverne', from Latin 'caverna', from 'cavus' meaning 'hollow'.

3. cessation · noun/səˈseɪʃən/

   the process of ending or being brought to an end

   The cessation of hostilities was welcomed by both sides as a necessary step toward peace.

   Synonyms: termination, conclusion, discontinuation

   Origin: from Latin 'cessatio', meaning 'a stopping, ceasing', from 'cessare', meaning 'to cease'.

4. clot · noun/klɑt/

   a thick mass of coagulated liquid, especially blood

   The doctor explained that a clot can form in the bloodstream if there is an injury to a blood vessel.

   Synonyms: clump, coagulate, lump

   Origin: Middle English 'clot', from Old English 'clott' meaning 'a lump or clot'.

5. coagulant · noun/koʊˈæɡjələnt/

   a substance that promotes the coagulation or clumping of particles in a liquid

   The laboratory added a coagulant agent to the blood sample to facilitate the clotting process.

   Synonyms: coagulant agent, clotting agent, thickener

   Origin: The word 'coagulant' comes from the Latin 'coagulans', the present participle of 'coagulare', meaning 'to curdle or coagulate'.