GRE Vocabulary — Set 188

Set 188 of GRE Vocabulary covers 5 words: pucker, putrefy, quaff, quash, quenching. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. pucker · verb/ˈpʌkər/

   to gather or contract into wrinkles or folds

   As the lemon juice touched her tongue, her lips began to pucker in response to the sour taste.

   Synonyms: wrinkle, crumple, furrow

   Origin: The word 'pucker' likely originates from the Middle English word 'poukar', which means to gather or contract, probably derived from Old Norse 'pukkr' which means to fold or crease.

2. putrefy · verb/ˈpjuː.trɪ.faɪ/

   to decay or rot, producing a foul smell

   The smell of the putrefying meat wafted through the air, making everyone gag.

   Synonyms: decay, rot, decompose

   Origin: from Latin 'putrefacere', which combines 'putris' (rotten) and 'facere' (to make)

3. quaff · verb/kwɑf/

   to drink deeply and heartily

   After a long day on the trail, we decided to quaff a few frothy mugs of ale by the campfire.

   Synonyms: guzzle, swig, sip

   Origin: The word 'quaff' originates from the early 16th century, derived from the Middle Dutch term 'quaffen,' meaning to drink deeply.

4. quash · verb/kwɑːʃ/

   to suppress or extinguish something forcibly

   The government attempted to quash the protests by enforcing strict curfews and restricting public gatherings.

   Synonyms: suppress, extinguish, nullify

   Origin: Middle English quashen, from Old French 'quasser' meaning to break, which comes from Latin 'quassare' meaning to shake or shatter.

5. quenching · noun/kwɛnʧɪŋ/

   the act of cooling something rapidly by immersion in water or another liquid

   The blacksmith completed the quenching of the hot metal by plunging it into the water bath, ensuring it hardened quickly.

   Synonyms: cooling, chilling, immersion

   Origin: Middle English 'quenchen' from Old English 'cwencan' meaning to quench or extinguish.