cognizance, conceit, concession, conflagration, conifer: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from GRE Vocabulary set 156. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. cognizance · noun/ˈkɑɡ.nɪ.zəns/

   awareness or knowledge of something

   The committee took cognizance of the public's concerns before making their decision.

   Synonyms: awareness, recognition, understanding

   Origin: From Middle English 'cognisance', derived from Old French 'cognizance', from Latin 'cognoscere' meaning 'to know'.

2. conceit · noun/kənˈsit/

   an excessively favorable opinion of one's own ability or worth

   His constant bragging about his accomplishments revealed a sense of conceit that made him difficult to be around.

   Synonyms: vanity, arrogance, egotism

   Origin: from Latin 'concapere' meaning 'to seize or take together'; the term evolved through Middle French 'conceit'.

3. concession · noun/kənˈsɛʃ.ən/

   a thing that is granted in response to a demand

   The company made a significant concession in the negotiations to reach a deal with the labor union.

   Synonyms: allowance, grant, concessionaire

   Origin: Derived from Latin 'concessio', meaning a yielding or granting.

4. conflagration · noun/ˌkɑnfləˈɡreɪʃən/

   a large and destructive fire

   The firefighters struggled to contain the raging conflagration that consumed the entire forest, leaving behind a charred landscape.

   Synonyms: blaze, inferno, firestorm

   Origin: from Latin 'conflagrationem', which means 'a burning up', from 'conflagrare' (to blaze up, burn up)

5. conifer · noun/ˈkɑː.nɪ.fər/

   a type of tree or shrub that bears cones and evergreen needlelike or scale-like leaves

   The towering conifers in the forest are a vital habitat for many species of wildlife.

   Synonyms: evergreen, fir, pine

   Origin: Derived from Latin 'conifer' meaning 'cone-bearing', from 'conus' (cone) and 'ferre' (to bear)