GRE Vocabulary — Set 169

Set 169 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: feign, felicitate, flaunt, flinch, molt. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. feign · verb/feɪn/

   to pretend to be affected by a feeling, state, or injury

   She tried to feign interest in the dull lecture, but her yawns gave her away.

   Synonyms: pretend, simulate, affect

   Origin: Middle English 'feignen', from Old French 'feindre', from Latin 'fingere' meaning 'to shape, influence, feign'

2. felicitate · verb/fəˈlɪsɪteɪt/

   to congratulate or honor someone on a successful achievement

   We gathered to felicitate the team for their outstanding performance in the championship.

   Synonyms: congratulate, honor, commend

   Origin: From Latin 'felicitat-', the stem of 'felicitas', meaning 'happiness, success'.

3. flaunt · verb/flɔnt/

   to display something ostentatiously in order to provoke envy or admiration

   She loves to flaunt her wealth by driving the latest luxury car around town.

   Synonyms: show off, parade, boast

   Origin: Middle English, from the word 'flanten' meaning to move with a flapping motion, possibly of imitative origin.

4. flinch · verb/flɪntʃ/

   to make a quick movement away from something painful or shocking

   He didn't flinch when the doctor gave him the injection, showing remarkable bravery.

   Synonyms: shrink, recoil, start

   Origin: Middle English flinchen, from Old French flincher, of Germanic origin

5. molt · verb/moʊlt/

   to shed old feathers, skin, or exoskeleton to make way for new growth

   Every spring, many birds will molt their feathers to prepare for the upcoming nesting season.

   Synonyms: shed, slough, cast

   Origin: from Old English 'moltan', meaning 'to melt', referring to the shedding process.