SAT Words Set 1

• course - n. a connected series of events or actions or developments

• campaign - n. a series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end

• financial - j. involving money matters

• corporate - j. of or belonging to a corporation

• personal - j. concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

• foreign - j. relating to or originating in or characteristic of another place or part of the world

• similar - j. having close to the same characteristics

• editorial - n. an article giving opinions or perspectives

• technology - n. the practical application of science to commerce or industry

• conservative - j. avoiding excess

• difference - n. the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

• further - v. promote the growth of

• effect - n. a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

• account - v. furnish a justifying analysis or explanation

• network - n. an interconnected system of things or people

• minute - j. infinitely or immeasurably small

• version - n. something a little different from others of the same type

• expect - v. regard something as probable or likely

• reform - v. make changes for improvement in order to remove abuse and injustices

• opportunity - n. a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

• access - v. reach or gain access to

• opinion - n. a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty

• potential - j. existing in possibility

• professor - n. someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

• commission - n. a special group delegated to consider some matter

• material - j. concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

• complex - j. complicated in structure; consisting of interconnected parts

• benefit - n. something that aids or promotes well-being

• necessary - j. absolutely essential

• instance - n. an occurrence of something

• excellent - j. very good; of the highest quality

• positive - j. characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.

• annual - j. occurring or payable every year

• influence - n. a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

• effective - j. works well as a means or remedy

• forth - a. forward in time or order or degree

• consumer - n. a person who uses goods or services

• sentence - n. the period of time a prisoner is imprisoned

• accept - v. consider or hold as true

• significant - j. important in effect or meaning

• prudence - n. knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress

• ford - v. cross a river where it's shallow

• penalty - n. a punishment for a crime or offense

• confidence - n. a state of confident hopefulness that events will be favorable

• alternative - j. serving or used in place of another

• protection - n. the activity of protecting someone or something

• counsel - n. something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action

• intelligence - n. the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

• discussion - n. an exchange of views on some topic

• august - j. profoundly honored

SAT Words Set 2

• apparel - n. clothing in general

• judgment - n. the capacity to assess situations or circumstances shrewdly and to draw sound conclusions

• typical - j. exhibiting the qualities or characteristics that identify a group or kind or category

• prefer - v. like better; value more highly

• urban - j. located in or characteristic of a city or city life

• profile - n. an outline of something (especially a human face as seen from one side)

• appropriate - j. suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc

• option - n. one of a number of things from which only one can be chosen

• bomb - n. an explosive device fused to explode under specific conditions

• medicine - n. something that treats or prevents or alleviates the symptoms of disease

• principle - n. a basic truth or law or assumption

• massive - j. imposing in size or bulk or solidity

• intellectual - j. appealing to or using the intellect

• resort - v. have recourse to

• species - n. (biology) taxonomic group whose members can interbreed

• academic - j. associated with school or learning

• reaction - n. a response that reveals a person's feelings or attitude

• commitment - n. the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action

• contemporary - j. belonging to the present time

• recognize - v. detect with the senses

• invasion - n. any entry into an area not previously occupied

• unique - j. the single one of its kind

• bid - n. a formal proposal to buy at a specified price

• maintain - v. state or assert

• coalition - n. an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty

• dialogue - n. a discussion intended to produce an agreement

• minority - n. being or relating to the smaller in number of two parts

• competitive - j. involving competition or competitiveness

• analyst - n. someone who is skilled at analyzing data

• alcohol - n. a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent

• ridiculous - j. incongruous; absurd; nonsensical

• biography - n. an account of the series of events making up a person's life

• expense - n. money spent to perform work and usually reimbursed by an employer

• album - n. a book of blank pages with pockets or envelopes; for organizing photographs or stamp collections etc

• employee - n. a worker who is hired to perform a job

• literature - n. creative writing of recognized artistic value

• conspiracy - n. a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)

• philosophy - n. any personal belief about how to live or how to deal with a situation

• flag - n. emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design

• summary - n. a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form

• encourage - v. inspire with confidence; give hope or courage to

• rural - j. living in or characteristic of farming or country life

• permanent - j. continuing or enduring without marked change in status or condition or place

• collapse - v. break down, literally or metaphorically

• missile - n. a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives

• metal - n. any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids

• landscape - n. an expanse of scenery that can be seen in a single view

• episode - n. a brief section of a literary or dramatic work that forms part of a connected series

• desert - n. arid land with little or no vegetation

• enormous - j. extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

SAT Words Set 3

• lying - n. the deliberate act of deviating from the truth

• assets - n. anything of material value or usefulness that is owned by a person or company

• existence - n. everything that exists anywhere

• corruption - n. destroying someone's (or some group's) honesty or loyalty; undermining moral integrity

• affirmative - j. affirming or giving assent

• regional - j. related or limited to a particular region

• decent - j. socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

• broadcast - n. message that is transmitted by radio or television

• foster - v. promote the growth of

• affect - n. the conscious subjective aspect of feeling or emotion

• principal - n. the educator who has executive authority for a school

• radical - j. markedly new or introducing extreme change

• cabinet - n. persons appointed by a head of state to head executive departments of government and act as official advisers

• diversity - n. noticeable heterogeneity

• bureau - n. an administrative unit of government

• error - n. a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

• depression - n. a long-term economic state characterized by unemployment and low prices and low levels of trade and investment

• personality - n. the complex of all the attributes--behavioral, temperamental, emotional and mental--that characterize a unique individual

• harbor - v. hold back a thought or feeling about

• perform - v. carry out or perform an action

• renaissance - n. the period of European history at the close of the Middle Ages and the rise of the modern world; a cultural rebirth from the 14th through the middle of the 17th centuries

• alliance - n. a formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim

• prescription - n. written instructions from a physician or dentist to a druggist concerning the form and dosage of a drug to be issued to a given patient

• sophisticated - j. having or appealing to those having worldly knowledge and refinement

• prominent - j. having a quality that thrusts itself into attention

• discipline - n. a system of rules of conduct or method of practice

• incident - n. a public disturbance

• expansion - n. the act of increasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope

• ultimate - j. furthest or highest in degree or order; utmost or extreme

• consensus - n. agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole

• medieval - j. as if belonging to the Middle Ages; old-fashioned and unenlightened

• efficient - j. able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively

• document - n. writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

• participate - v. become a participant; be involved in

• apparent - j. clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

• plea - n. a humble request for help from someone in authority

• pleasant - j. affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

• pentagon - n. a five-sided polygon

• logic - n. the principles that guide reasoning within a given field or situation

• academy - n. a school for special training

• sensitive - j. responsive to physical stimuli

• elaborate - v. add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing

• parliament - n. a legislative assembly in certain countries

• ken - n. range of what one can know or understand

• eliminate - v. terminate, end, or take out

• discover - v. see for the first time; make a discovery

• legitimate - j. in accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles

• commentary - n. a written explanation or criticism or illustration that is added to a book or other textual material

• pundit - n. someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field

• expand - v. become larger in size or volume or quantity

SAT Words Set 4

• occasion - n. a vaguely specified social event

• comparison - n. the act of examining resemblances

• fundamental - j. being or involving basic facts or principles

• facility - n. something designed and created to serve a particular function and to afford a particular convenience or service

• evolution - n. a process in which something passes by degrees to a different stage (especially a more advanced or mature stage)

• incentive - n. a positive motivational influence

• visual - j. relating to or using sight

• monetary - j. relating to or involving money

• autonomous - j. existing as an independent entity

• legacy - n. (law) a gift of personal property by will

• equivalent - j. being essentially equal to something

• magnificent - j. characterized by grandeur

• collective - j. set up on the principle of collectivism or ownership and production by the workers involved usually under the supervision of a government

• casual - j. without or seeming to be without plan or method; offhand

• accurate - j. conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy

• judicial - j. belonging or appropriate to the office of a judge

• adjacent - j. having a common boundary or edge; abutting; touching

• extraordinary - j. beyond what is ordinary or usual; highly unusual or exceptional or remarkable

• heritage - n. practices that are handed down from the past by tradition

• narrative - n. a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

• transfer - v. move from one place to another

• naturally - a. according to nature; by natural means; without artificial help

• absence - n. the state of being absent

• conscious - j. knowing and perceiving; having awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts

• fiscal - j. involving financial matters

• integrity - n. moral soundness

• element - n. any of the more than 100 known substances (of which 92 occur naturally) that cannot be separated into simpler substances and that singly or in combination constitute all matter

• intervention - n. the act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute, etc.)

• mandatory - j. required by rule

• contribution - n. a voluntary gift (as of money or service or ideas) made to some worthwhile cause

• cynical - j. believing the worst of human nature and motives; having a sneering disbelief in e.g. selflessness of others

• temporary - j. not permanent; not lasting

• extensive - j. large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity

• phenomenon - n. any state or process known through the senses rather than by intuition or reasoning

• lifetime - n. the period during which something is functional (as between birth and death)

• pension - n. a regular payment to a person that is intended to allow them to subsist without working

• rapid - j. characterized by speed; moving with or capable of moving with high speed

• dignity - n. the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

• conviction - n. an unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence

• disagree - v. be of different opinions

• technique - n. skillfulness in the command of fundamentals deriving from practice and familiarity

• nevertheless - a. despite anything to the contrary (usually following a concession)

• tremendous - j. extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree

• opponent - n. a contestant that you are matched against

• metropolitan - j. relating to or characteristic of a densely populated urban area

• nomination - n. the condition of having been proposed as a suitable candidate for appointment or election

• emphasis - n. intensity or forcefulness of expression

• confident - j. having or marked by confidence or assurance

• personnel - n. persons collectively in the employ of a business

• tribune - n. a protector of the people

SAT Words Set 5

• inevitable - j. incapable of being avoided or prevented

• operate - v. handle and cause to function

• restore - v. bring back into original existence, use, function, or position

• transition - v. make or undergo a transition (from one state or system to another)

• subtle - j.  difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze

• consecutive - j. one after the other

• script - n. a written version of a play or other dramatic composition; used in preparing for a performance

• predict - v. make a prediction about; tell in advance

• investor - n. someone who commits capital in order to gain financial returns

• procedure - n. a process or series of acts especially of a practical or mechanical nature involved in a particular form of work

• profession - n. an occupation requiring special education (especially in the liberal arts or sciences)

• regime - n. the government or governing authority of a political unit

• advocate - v. speak, plead, or argue in favor of

• triple - v. increase threefold

• generate - v. bring into existence

• resistance - n. the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

• ambitious - j. having a strong desire for success or achievement

• partisan - n. an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity

• monopoly - n. (economics) a market in which there are many buyers but only one seller

• convenience - n. the quality of being useful and convenient

• tactics - n. the branch of military science dealing with detailed maneuvers to achieve objectives set by strategy

• defensive - j. attempting to justify or defend in speech or writing

• outrage - n. a feeling of righteous anger

• reluctant - j. not eager

• physics - n. the science of matter and energy and their interactions

• premise - v. set forth beforehand, often as an explanation

• tendency - n. a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect

• desperate - j. showing extreme urgency or intensity especially because of great need or desire

• exposure - n. vulnerability to the elements; to the action of heat or cold or wind or rain

• myth - n. a traditional story accepted as history; serves to explain the world view of a people

• orthodox - j. adhering to what is commonly accepted

• rhetoric - n. using language effectively to please or persuade

• denominator - n. the divisor of a fraction

• involve - v. engage as a participant

• marine - j. native to or inhabiting the sea

• depth - n. the attribute or quality of being deep, strong, or intense

• wherever - a. where in the world

• diplomatic - j. using or marked by tact in dealing with sensitive matters or people

• absurd - j. inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

• relevant - j. having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue

• distinction - n. a distinguishing difference

• apology - n. an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone

• refer - v. send or direct for treatment, information, or a decision

• irony - n. incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs

• progressive - j. favoring or promoting progress

• notorious - j. known widely and usually unfavorably

• extension - n. an addition to the length of something

• embrace - n. the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection)

• employer - n. a person or firm that employs workers

• insight - n. the clear (and often sudden) understanding of a complex situation

SAT Words Set 6

• soldier - n. an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

• formula - n. directions for making something

• emerge - v. come out into view, as from concealment

• ministry - n. a government department under the direction of a minister

• arrival - n. the act of arriving at a certain place

• deterrent - j. tending to deter

• comprehensive - j. broad in scope

• vulnerable - j. capable of being wounded or hurt

• logical - j. capable of thinking and expressing yourself in a clear and consistent manner

• secular - j. not concerned with or devoted to religion

• impose - v. compel to behave in a certain way

• distant - j. separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

• privilege - n. a special advantage or immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all

• veto - n. the power or right to prohibit or reject a proposed or intended act (especially the power of a chief executive to reject a bill passed by the legislature)

• significance - n. the quality of being important in effect or meaning

• sheer - j. complete and without restriction or qualification

• instant - n. a very short time

• pine - n. straight-grained white to yellowish tree

• ally - n. an associate who provides cooperation or assistance

• explicit - j. precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication

• alien - j. being or from or characteristic of another place or part of the world

• bass - n. the lowest adult male singing voice

• efficiency - n. skillfulness in avoiding wasted time and effort

• maintenance - n. activity involved in maintaining something in good working order

• perception - n. becoming aware of something via the senses

• superb - j. of surpassing excellence

• chaos - n. a state of extreme confusion and disorder

• excess - j. more than is needed, desired, or required

• generic - j. applicable to an entire class or group

• metric - j. based on the meter as a standard of measurement

• epic - j. very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary (especially in size or scale)

• dominant - j. exercising influence or control

• anxious - j. causing or fraught with or showing anxiety

• fleet - n. a group of warships organized as a tactical unit

• panic - n. an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

• influential - j. having or exercising influence or power

• resist - v. withstand the force of something

• accessible - j. easily obtained

• suspicious - j. openly distrustful and unwilling to confide

• protestant - j. of or relating to Protestants or Protestantism

• massacre - n. the savage and excessive killing of many people

• persuade - v. cause somebody to adopt a certain position, belief, or course of action; twist somebody's arm

• slight - n. a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)

• perspective - n. the appearance of things relative to one another as determined by their distance from the viewer

• legislative - j. relating to a legislature or composed of members of a legislature

• epidemic - n. a widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time

• peaceful - j. not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war

• transmission - n. the act of sending a message; causing a message to be transmitted

• acquire - v. come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

• consumption - n. the process of taking food into the body through the mouth

SAT Words Set 7

• sympathetic - j. expressing or feeling or resulting from sympathy or compassion or friendly fellow feelings; disposed toward

• diverse - j. many and different

• eligible - j. qualified for or allowed or worthy of being chosen

• gesture - n. motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling

• morality - n. concern with the distinction between good and evil or right and wrong; right or good conduct

• immigrant - n. a person who comes to a country where they were not born in order to settle there

• equity - n. the difference between the market value of a property and the claims held against it

• metaphor - n. a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

• exotic - j. strikingly strange or unusual

• momentum - n. an impelling force or strength

• comparable - j. able to be compared or worthy of comparison

• debut - v. appear for the first time in public

• intention - n. an act of intending; a volition that you intend to carry out

• variation - n. an artifact that deviates from a norm or standard

• precise - j. sharply exact or accurate or delimited

• optimism - n. a general disposition to expect the best in all things

• petty - j. contemptibly narrow in outlook

• mandate - n. an authorization to act given to a representative

• subsequent - j. following in time or order

• essence - n. the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work

• authentic - j. not counterfeit or copied

• sequence - n. serial arrangement in which things follow in logical order or a recurrent pattern

• successor - n. a person who follows next in order

• bureaucracy - n. non elected government officials

• anonymous - j. having no known name or identity or known source

• mechanics - n. the technical aspects of doing something

• violation - n. an act that disregards an agreement or a right

• outrageous - j. grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror

• perjury - n. criminal offense of making false statements under oath

• objective - j. undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena

• oral - j. of or relating to or affecting or for use in the mouth

• terminal - j. being or situated at an end

• assassination - n. murder of a public figure by surprise attack

• recover - v. get or find back; recover the use of

• operator - n. an agent that operates some apparatus or machine

• tenure - v. give life-time employment to

• explosion - n. the act of exploding or bursting

• necessity - n. anything indispensable

• equilibrium - n. a stable situation in which forces cancel one another

• prevention - n. the act of preventing

• conscience - n. a feeling of shame when you do something immoral

• acid - j. biting, sarcastic, or scornful

• ideology - n. an orientation that characterizes the thinking of a group or nation

• immune - j. (usually followed by 'to') not affected by a given influence

• unanimous - j. acting together as a single undiversified whole

• arrangement - n. an orderly grouping (of things or persons) considered as a unit; the result of arranging

• grief - n. something that causes great unhappiness

• emergence - n. the gradual beginning or coming forth

• plausible - j. apparently reasonable and valid, and truthful

• propaganda - n. information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause

SAT Words Set 8

• fabulous - j. extremely pleasing

• demonstrate - v. establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment

• enthusiastic - j. having or showing great excitement and interest

• exceed - v. be greater in scope or size than some standard

• grave - j. of great gravity or crucial import; requiring serious thought

• revelation - n. communication of knowledge to man by a divine or supernatural agency

• icon - n. a conventional religious painting in oil on a small wooden panel; venerated in the Eastern Church

• Madonna - n. the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

• preference - n. a strong liking

• irrelevant - j. having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue

• fray - v. wear away by rubbing

• rue - n. sadness associated with some wrong done or some disappointment

• defendant - n. a person or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law; the person being sued or accused

• acknowledge - v. declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

• alter - v. cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

• hypothesis - n. a tentative insight into the natural world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain certain facts or phenomena

• neutral - j. having no personal preference

• utility - n. the quality of being of practical use

• possession - n. the act of having and controlling property

• probe - v. question or examine thoroughly and closely

• conservatism - n. a political or theological orientation advocating the preservation of the best in society and opposing radical changes

• colleague - n. an associate that one works with

• refusal - n. the act of not accepting something that is offered

• productive - j. producing or capable of producing (especially abundantly)

• accuse - v. blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against

• determination - n. the quality of being determined to do or achieve something; firmness of purpose

• mileage - n. the ratio of the number of miles traveled to the number of gallons of gasoline burned; miles per gallon

• obtain - v. come into possession of

• flexible - j. able to flex; able to bend easily

• spectrum - n. a broad range of related objects or ideas or activities

• shallow - j. lacking depth of intellect or knowledge; concerned only with what is obvious

• dilemma - n. state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options

• scope - n. an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control

• portfolio - n. a set of pieces of creative work collected to be shown to potential customers or employers

• masterpiece - n. the most outstanding work of a creative artist or craftsman

• juvenile - j. of or relating to or characteristic of or appropriate for children or young people

• inexpensive - j. relatively low in price or charging low prices

• administrator - n. someone who manages a government agency or department

• inland - a. towards or into the interior of a region

• lucrative - j. producing a sizeable profit

• acquisition - n. something acquired or received

• liquor - n. an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

• skepticism - n. the disbelief in any claims of ultimate knowledge

• readily - a. without much difficulty

• altar - n. a raised structure on which gifts or sacrifices to a god are made

• unprecedented - j. having no previous example; novel

• makeup - n. the way in which someone or something is composed

• dominate - v. be in control

• leisure - n. time available for ease and relaxation

• exit - v. move out of or depart from

SAT Words Set 9

• parody - v. make a spoof of or make fun of

• felony - n. a serious crime (such as murder or arson)

• thesis - n. a formal paper advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree

• protective - j. intended or adapted to afford protection of some kind

• glimpse - n. a brief or incomplete view

• undermine - v. destroy property or hinder normal operations

• reign - v. have sovereign power

• accomplish - v. to gain with effort

• hale - j. exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health

• expertise - n. skillfulness by virtue of possessing special knowledge

• norm - n. a standard or model or pattern regarded as typical

• cardinal - j. serving as an essential component

• amateur - j. lacking professional skill or expertise

• critique - n. a serious examination and judgment of something

• dubious - j. open to doubt or suspicion

• humanitarian - n. someone devoted to the promotion of human welfare and to social reforms

• cynicism - n. a cynical feeling of distrust

• memorable - j. worth remembering

• prohibition - n. the action of prohibiting or inhibiting or forbidding (or an instance thereof)

• tolerance - n. willingness to recognize and respect the beliefs or practices of others

• martial - j. suggesting war or military life

• qualify - v. make fit or prepared

• autonomy - n. immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence

• forecast - n. a prediction about how something (as the weather) will develop

• testament - n. a profession of belief

• courtesy - n. a courteous or respectful or considerate act

• biology - n. the science that studies living organisms

• credible - j. appearing to merit belief or acceptance

• narrator - n. someone who tells a story

• disappear - v. become invisible or unnoticeable

• valid - j. well grounded in logic or truth or having legal force

• plead - v. appeal or request earnestly

• vacuum - n. a region that is devoid of matter

• liberalism - n. a political orientation that favors social progress by reform and by changing laws rather than by revolution

• advocacy - n. active support of an idea or cause etc.; especially the act of pleading or arguing for something

• abbey - n. a monastery ruled by an abbot

• monastery - n. the residence of a religious community

• grove - n. a small growth of trees without underbrush

• reckless - j. characterized by careless unconcern

• resource - n. a source of aid or support that may be drawn upon when needed

• descent - n. properties attributable to your ancestry

• nominee - n. a politician who is running for public office

• statute - n. an act passed by a legislative body

• advisory - n. an announcement that usually advises or warns the public of some threat

• endorse - v. be behind; approve of

• submission - n. something (manuscripts or architectural plans and models or estimates or works of art of all genres etc.) submitted for the judgment of others (as in a competition)

• naval - j. connected with or belonging to or used in a navy

• inclined - j. at an angle to the horizontal or vertical position

• butt - v. to strike, thrust or shove against

• enduring - j. patiently bearing continual wrongs or trouble

SAT Words Set 10

• irresponsible - j. showing lack of care for consequences

• excerpt - n. a passage selected from a larger work

• curriculum - n. an integrated course of academic studies

• confront - v. oppose, as in hostility or a competition

• sacrifice - v. kill or destroy

• symphony - n. a large orchestra; can perform symphonies

• landmark - n. the position of a prominent or well-known object in a particular landscape

• nude - n. without clothing (especially in the phrase 'in the nude')

• jurisdiction - n. (law) the right and power to interpret and apply the law

• obstruction - n. something that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted

• lavish - j. very generous

• hilarious - j. marked by or causing boisterous merriment or convulsive laughter

• pact - n. a written agreement between two states or sovereigns

• intensive - j. characterized by a high degree or intensity; often used as a combining form

• intervene - v. get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action, or through force or threat of force

• formidable - j. extremely impressive in strength or excellence

• miniature - j. being on a very small scale

• drought - n. a shortage of rainfall

• turmoil - n. a violent disturbance

• sober - v. become more realistic

• autobiography - n. a biography of yourself

• parish - n. a local church community

• preparation - n. the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

• detect - v. discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

• knit - n. needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine

• justification - n. something (such as a fact or circumstance) that shows an action to be reasonable or necessary

• severely - a. with sternness; in a severe manner

• tolerate - v. recognize and respect (rights and beliefs of others)

• antique - j. made in or typical of earlier times and valued for its age

• renowned - j. widely known and esteemed

• protagonist - n. the principal character in a work of fiction

• fetus - n. an unborn or unhatched vertebrate in the later stages of development showing the main recognizable features of the mature animal

• indigenous - j. originating where it is found

• municipal - j. relating to city government

• realism - n. the attribute of accepting the facts of life and favoring practicality and literal truth

• censure - n. harsh criticism or disapproval

• plunge - v. fall abruptly

• beneficial - j. promoting or enhancing well-being

• competent - j. properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient

• glorious - j. having great beauty and splendor

• exempt - v. grant relief or an exemption from a rule or requirement to

• earnest - j. characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

• vogue - n. the popular taste at a given time

• characteristic - n. a distinguishing quality

• competitor - n. the contestant you hope to defeat

• emphasize - v. to stress, single out as important

• parallel - j. being everywhere equidistant and not intersecting

• exploit - v. use or manipulate to one's advantage

• precedent - n. an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

• impulse - n. a sudden desire

SAT Words Set 11

• menace - v. act in a threatening manner

• improper - j. not suitable or right or appropriate

• chronic - j. being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering

• prediction - n. a statement made about the future

• prejudice - n. a partiality that prevents objective consideration of an issue or situation

• consistency - n. a harmonious uniformity or agreement among things or parts

• prone - j. having a tendency (to); often used in combination

• outright - a. without reservation or concealment

• rampant - j. unrestrained and violent

• playwright - n. someone who writes plays

• specialty - n. an asset of special worth or utility

• secondary - j. not of major importance

• reflection - n. the image of something as reflected by a mirror (or other reflective material)

• reminiscent - j. serving to bring to mind

• dissent - n. a difference of opinion

• exterior - n. the outer side or surface of something

• boycott - n. a group's refusal to have commercial dealings with some organization in protest against its policies

• arrange - v. put into a proper or systematic order

• cite - v. refer to for illustration or proof

• commodity - n. articles of commerce

• warrant - v. stand behind and guarantee the quality, accuracy, or condition of

• alley - n. a narrow street with walls on both sides

• redemption - n. (theology) the act of delivering from sin or saving from evil

• proceed - v. move ahead; travel onward in time or space

• accommodate - v. provide with something desired or needed

• composer - n. someone who composes music as a profession

• likelihood - n. the probability of a specified outcome

• implicit - j. implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something

• fragile - j. easily broken or damaged or destroyed

• allegiance - n. the loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)

• probation - n. (law) a way of dealing with offenders without imprisoning them; a defendant found guilty of a crime is released by the court without imprisonment subject to conditions imposed by the court

• anchor - v. fix firmly and stably

• crusade - v. exert oneself continuously, vigorously, or obtrusively to gain an end or engage in a crusade for a certain cause or person; be an advocate for

• gamble - v. take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

• lax - j. lacking in rigor or strictness

• continuous - j. continuing in time or space without interruption

• sensation - n. a perception associated with stimulation of a sensory organ

• gravity - n. a manner that is serious and solemn

• analogy - n. drawing a comparison in order to show a similarity in some respect

• bore - n. a person who evokes boredom

• imminent - j. close in time; about to occur

• dynamics - n. the branch of mechanics concerned with the forces that cause motions of bodies

• intricate - j. having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate

• assess - v. set or determine the amount of (a payment such as a fine)

• concede - v. admit (to a wrongdoing)

• brass - n. an alloy of copper and zinc

• suspension - n. an interruption in the intensity or amount of something

• inherent - j. in the nature of something though not readily apparent

• spectator - n. a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)

• collision - n. an accident resulting from violent impact of a moving object

SAT Words Set 12

• diplomacy - n. subtly skillful handling of a situation

• conversion - n. the act of changing from one use or function or purpose to another

• domain - n. territory over which rule or control is exercised

• premier - v. be performed for the first time

• donor - n. person who makes a gift of property

• vigorous - j. strong and active physically or mentally

• titanic - j. of great force or power

• theoretical - j. concerned with theories rather than their practical applications

• subsidiary - j. functioning in a supporting capacity

• provincial - j. characteristic of the provinces or their people

• aggression - n. violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked

• premature - j. too soon or too hasty

• imaginary - j. not based on fact; unreal

• volatile - j. liable to lead to sudden change or violence

• quarterly - a. in three month intervals

• hypocrisy - n. insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have

• abusive - j. characterized by physical or psychological maltreatment

• enhance - v. make better or more attractive

• immense - j. unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

• patron - n. someone who supports or champions something

• arbitrary - j. based on or subject to individual discretion or preference or sometimes impulse or caprice

• pioneer - v. open up and explore a new area

• poised - j. in full control of your faculties

• bumper - n. a mechanical device consisting of bars at either end of a vehicle to absorb shock and prevent serious damage

• socialist - j. advocating or following the socialist principles of state ownership

• competence - n. the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually

• heir - n. a person who is entitled by law or by the terms of a will to inherit the estate of another

• crush - v. to compress with violence, out of natural shape or condition

• investigator - n. a police officer who investigates crimes

• trivial - j. of little substance or significance

• potent - j. having a strong physiological or chemical effect

• dismal - j. causing dejection

• mentality - n. a habitual or characteristic mental attitude that determines how you will interpret and respond to situations

• myriad - n. a large indefinite number

• definite - j. known for certain

• predecessor - n. one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)

• revive - v. be brought back to life, consciousness, or strength

• spontaneous - j. said or done without having been planned or written in advance

• deter - v. try to prevent; show opposition to

• superficial - j. concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually

• militant - j. disposed to warfare or hard-line policies

• perennial - j. lasting an indefinitely long time; suggesting self-renewal

• formation - n. an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit

• inspector - n. a high ranking police officer

• machinery - n. machines or machine systems collectively

• hostility - n. violent action that is hostile and usually unprovoked

• primitive - j. belonging to an early stage of technical development; characterized by simplicity and (often) crudeness

• illusion - n. an erroneous mental representation

• accusation - n. an assertion that someone is guilty of a fault or offence

• incidentally - a. of a minor or subordinate nature

SAT Words Set 13

• refuge - n. a shelter from danger or hardship

• preservation - n. the activity of protecting something from loss or danger

• coincidence - n. the temporal property of two things happening at the same time

• feminine - j. associated with women and not with men

• rigorous - j. demanding strict attention to rules and procedures

• hollow - j. not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

• prevalent - j. most frequent or common

• decency - n. the quality of conforming to standards of propriety and morality

• vegetarian - n. eater of fruits and grains and nuts; someone who eats no meat or fish or (often) any animal products

• fidelity - n. the quality of being faithful

• deposition - n. (law) a pretrial interrogation of a witness; usually conducted in a lawyer's office

• ubiquitous - j. being present everywhere at once

• patriotism - n. love of country and willingness to sacrifice for it

• compassionate - j. showing or having compassion

• external - j. happening or arising or located outside or beyond some limits or especially surface

• diagnosis - n. identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon

• passive - j. lacking in energy or will

• census - n. a periodic count of the population

• literacy - n. the ability to read and write

• legitimacy - n. lawfulness by virtue of being authorized or in accordance with law

• apt - j. being of striking appropriateness and pertinence

• altitude - n. elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface

• catastrophe - n. an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

• overweight - n. the property of excessive fatness

• sequel - n. a part added to a book or play that continues and extends it

• avid - j. marked by active interest and enthusiasm

• mediocre - j. moderate to inferior in quality

• component - n. an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system

• entity - n. that which is perceived or known or inferred to have its own distinct existence (living or nonliving)

• frontier - n. a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country

• insufficient - j. of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement

• solar - j. relating to or derived from the sun or utilizing the energies of the sun

• decisive - j. characterized by decision and firmness

• paradox - n. (logic) a statement that contradicts itself

• gauge - n. a measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.

• unlimited - j. having no limits in range or scope

• handwriting - n. something written by hand

• extravagant - j. unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings

• hack - n. a mediocre and disdained writer

• bolster - v. support and strengthen

• ornate - j. marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details

• vista - n. the visual percept of a region

• inadequate - j. not sufficient to meet a need

• counterpart - n. a person or thing having the same function or characteristics as another

• substantive - j. having a firm basis in reality and being therefore important, meaningful, or considerable

• siege - n. the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

• domination - n. social control by dominating

• intimacy - n. close or warm friendship

• gigantic - j. so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth

• infamous - j. known widely and usually unfavorably

SAT Words Set 14

• seize - v. take hold of; grab

• junction - n. something that joins or connects

• magnitude - n. the property of relative size or extent (whether large or small)

• humane - j. marked or motivated by concern with the alleviation of suffering

• gist - n. the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

• taxation - n. the imposition of taxes; the practice of the government in levying taxes on the subjects of a state

• outbreak - n. a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition)

• interact - v. act together or towards others or with others

• speculate - v. consider in an idle or casual way and with an element of doubt or without sufficient reason to reach a conclusion

• arrogance - n. overbearing pride evidenced by a superior manner toward inferiors

• irrational - j. not consistent with or using reason

• hysteria - n. excessive or uncontrollable fear

• mentor - v. serve as a teacher or trusted counselor

• bogus - j. fraudulent; having a misleading appearance

• analyze - v. break down into components or essential features

• preposterous - j. incongruous; inviting ridicule

• brokerage - n. the business of a broker; charges a fee to arrange a contract between two parties

• contradiction - n. opposition between two conflicting forces or ideas

• compensate - v. make payment to; compensate

• fringe - n. a social group holding marginal or extreme views

• bleak - j. unpleasantly cold and damp

• tense - j. taut or rigid; stretched tight

• infinite - j. having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude

• explosive - n. a chemical substance that undergoes a rapid chemical change (with the production of gas) on being heated or struck

• pavilion - n. large and often sumptuous tent

• arrogant - j. having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride

• retrospective - j. concerned with or related to the past

• ludicrous - j. broadly or extravagantly humorous; resembling farce

• involuntary - j. not subject to the control of the will

• promenade - n. a public area set aside as a pedestrian walk

• ceremonial - j. marked by pomp or ceremony or formality

• observatory - n. a building designed and equipped to observe astronomical phenomena

• grotesque - j. distorted and unnatural in shape or size; abnormal and hideous

• translate - v. restate (words) from one language into another language

• despair - n. a state in which all hope is lost or absent

• coherent - j. marked by an orderly, logical, and aesthetically consistent relation of parts

• monarchy - n. an autocracy governed by a monarch who usually inherits the authority

• ambiguous - j. having more than one possible meaning

• dedication - n. complete and wholehearted fidelity

• prominence - n. relative importance

• scholarly - j. characteristic of learning or studying

• alternate - j. serving or used in place of another

• maze - n. complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

• aura - n. a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing

• specter - n. a ghostly appearing figure

• imply - v. express or state indirectly

• perceive - v. to become aware of or conscious of

• selective - j. characterized by very careful or fastidious choices

• dominance - n. the state that exists when one person or group has power over another

• reluctance - n. a certain degree of unwillingness

SAT Words Set 15

• diplomat - n. a person who deals tactfully with others

• transparent - j. transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity

• indifferent - j. showing no care or concern in attitude or action

• militia - n. civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army

• lifelong - j. continuing through life

• commute - n. a regular journey of some distance to and from your place of work

• convertible - j. designed to be changed from one use or form to another

• exclude - v. prevent from being included or considered or accepted

• absorb - v. assimilate or take in

• provoke - v. evoke or provoke to appear or occur

• collector - n. a person who collects things

• donate - v. give to a charity or good cause

• prophet - n. someone who speaks by divine inspiration; someone who is an interpreter of the will of God

• oversee - v. watch and direct

• magnet - n. (physics) a device that attracts iron and produces a magnetic field

• daring - n. the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger

• futile - j. producing no result or effect

• stature - n. high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement

• poignant - j. arousing emotions; touching

• stealth - n. avoiding detection by moving carefully

• auburn - j. (of hair) colored a moderate reddish-brown

• vertical - j. at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line

• usage - n. the act of using

• flourish - n. a showy gesture

• advent - n. arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)

• robust - j. sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction

• sinister - j. stemming from evil characteristics or forces; wicked or dishonorable

• physicist - n. a scientist trained in physics

• grandeur - n. the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand

• evangelical - j. relating to or being a Christian church believing in personal conversion and the inerrancy of the Bible especially the 4 Gospels

• penchant - n. a strong liking

• servitude - n. state of subjection to an owner or master or forced labor imposed as punishment

• consume - v. use up (resources or materials)

• precision - n. the quality of being reproducible in amount or performance

• knight - n. originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

• corps - n. a body of people associated together

• noisy - j. full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds

• insistence - n. the state of demanding notice or attention

• abundant - j. present in great quantity

• perpetual - j. continuing forever or indefinitely

• melodrama - n. an extravagant comedy in which action is more salient than characterization

• territorial - j. displaying territoriality; defending an area from intruders

• feasible - j. capable of being done with means at hand and circumstances as they are

• contributor - n. someone who contributes (or promises to contribute) a sum of money

• inconsistent - j. displaying a lack of consistency

• curator - n. the custodian of a collection (as a museum or library)

• facial - j. of or concerning the face

• resurrection - n. (New Testament) the rising of Christ on the third day after the Crucifixion

• tolerant - j. showing respect for the rights or opinions or practices of others

• marvel - v. be amazed at

SAT Words Set 16

• suspense - n. excited anticipation of an approaching climax

• obesity - n. more than average fatness

• pantheon - n. all the gods of a religion

• render - v. give or supply

• dismissal - n. the termination of someone's employment (leaving them free to depart)

• indulge - v. enjoy to excess

• pedestrian - j. lacking wit or imagination

• drastic - j. forceful and extreme and rigorous

• blaze - n. a strong flame that burns brightly

• eccentric - n. a person with an unusual or odd personality

• generosity - n. the trait of being willing to give your money or time

• pinch - n. a squeeze with the fingers

• pervasive - j. spreading or spread throughout

• dishonest - j. deceptive or fraudulent; disposed to cheat or defraud or deceive

• finale - n. the concluding part of any performance

• forte - n. an asset of special worth or utility

• asylum - n. a shelter from danger or hardship

• energetic - j. possessing or exerting or displaying energy

• uncommon - j. not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind

• demise - v. transfer by a lease or by a will

• disregard - n. willful lack of care and attention

• transplant - n. the act of removing something from one location and introducing it in another location

• psychic - j. outside the sphere of physical science

• homage - n. respectful deference

• sensibility - n. refined sensitivity to pleasurable or painful impressions

• cosmetic - j. serving an esthetic rather than a useful purpose

• proxy - n. a person authorized to act for another

• ambivalent - j. uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow

• banal - j. repeated too often; over familiar through overuse

• playful - j. full of fun and high spirits

• eclectic - j. selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas

• contradictory - j. unable for both to be true at the same time

• savage - v. criticize harshly or violently

• contentious - j. inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits

• minimize - v. make small or insignificant

• foil - n. anything that serves by contrast to call attention to another thing's good qualities

• ominous - j. threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

• defiance - n. a hostile challenge

• overhaul - v. make repairs, renovations, revisions or adjustments to

• cosmopolitan - j. of worldwide scope or applicability

• constituency - n. the body of voters who elect a representative for their area

• wholly - a. to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent ('whole' is often used informally for 'wholly')

• liable - j. held legally responsible

• recruit - v. cause to assemble or enlist in the military

• secrecy - n. the trait of keeping things secret

• ordeal - n. a severe or trying experience

• feudal - j. of or relating to or characteristic of feudalism

• mundane - j. concerned with the world or worldly matters; ordinary

• zeal - n. excessive fervor to do something or accomplish some end

• venerable - j. impressive by reason of age

SAT Words Set 17

• caucus - n. a closed political meeting

• explode - v. drive from the stage by noisy disapproval

• invoke - v. cite as an authority; resort to

• evoke - v. call to mind

• decay - n. the organic phenomenon of rotting

• enact - v. order by virtue of superior authority; decree

• theological - j. of or relating to or concerning the study of religion

• contender - n. the contestant you hope to defeat

• souvenir - n. a reminder of past events

• overthrow - n. the termination of a ruler or institution (especially by force)

• sergeant - n. any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal

• systematic - j. characterized by order and planning

• interim - n. the time between one event, process, or period and another

• integral - j. essential to completeness; lacking nothing

• articulate - j. expressing yourself easily or characterized by clear expressive language

• resistant - j. impervious to being affected

• meditation - n. continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature

• irresistible - j. impossible to resist; overpowering

• literal - j. avoiding embellishment or exaggeration (used for emphasis)

• phenomenal - j. exceedingly or unbelievably great

• flamboyant - j. marked by ostentation but often tasteless

• frivolous - j. not serious in content or attitude or behavior

• citadel - n. a stronghold into which people could go for shelter during a battle

• debacle - n. a sudden and violent collapse

• caliber - n. a degree or grade of excellence or worth

• accompany - v. go or travel along with

• persist - v. be persistent, refuse to stop

• contemplate - v. look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought

• theology - n. the rational and systematic study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truth

• designate - v. give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person)

• poetic - j. of or relating to poetry

• tangible - j. perceptible by the senses especially the sense of touch

• batter - n. a liquid or semiliquid mixture, as of flour, eggs, and milk, used in cooking

• faulty - j. characterized by errors; not agreeing with a model or not following established rules

• trinity - n. the union of the Father and Son and Holy Ghost in one Godhead

• rave - v. praise enthusiastically

• primer - n. an introductory textbook

• feud - n. a bitter quarrel between two parties

• slack - j. not tense or taut

• disdain - n. lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

• discourse - n. extended verbal expression in speech or writing

• incidence - n. the relative frequency of occurrence of something

• distress - n. extreme physical pain

• reproduction - n. the act of making copies

• resemblance - n. similarity in appearance or external or superficial details

• levy - v. impose and collect

• reconsider - v. consider again; give new consideration to; usually with a view to changing

• clumsy - j. not elegant or graceful in expression

• courageous - j. able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

• lapse - n. a break or intermission in the occurrence of something

SAT Words Set 18

• liking - n. a feeling of pleasure and enjoyment

• invincible - j. incapable of being overcome or subdued

• possess - v. have as an attribute, knowledge, or skill

• hazard - n. a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune

• excursion - n. a journey taken for pleasure

• inefficient - j. not producing desired results; wasteful

• abound - v. be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities

• partition - v. divide into parts, pieces, or sections

• retrospect - n. contemplation of things past

• embargo - n. a government order imposing a trade barrier

• obsolete - j. no longer in use

• immoral - j. not adhering to ethical or moral principles

• reliant - j. depending on another for support

• implausible - j. having a quality that provokes disbelief

• secession - n. formal separation from an alliance or federation

• encyclopedia - n. a reference work (often in several volumes) containing articles on various topics

• laureate - n. someone honored for great achievements; figuratively someone crowned with a laurel wreath

• socialism - n. a political theory advocating state ownership of industry

• intermediate - j. lying between two extremes in time or space or state

• tentative - j. unsettled in mind or opinion

• benign - j. not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive (especially of a tumor)

• incompetence - n. lack of physical or intellectual ability or qualifications

• authenticity - n. undisputed credibility

• woo - v. seek someone's favor

• acclaim - n. enthusiastic approval

• airy - j. not practical or realizable; speculative

• flop - n. a complete failure

• inventive - j. (used of persons or artifacts) marked by independence and creativity in thought or action

• metropolis - n. a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

• abstinence - n. practice of refraining from indulging an appetite especially alcohol

• lovable - j. having characteristics that attract love or affection

• frequency - n. the number of occurrences within a given time period

• participant - n. someone who takes part in an activity

• stimulate - v. cause to be alert and energetic

• faction - n. a dissenting clique

• recipient - n. a person who receives something

• commemorate - v. mark by some ceremony or observation

• authoritarian - n. a person who behaves in a tyrannical manner

• arcade - n. a covered passageway with shops and stalls on either side

• apartheid - n. a social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against people who are not Whites

• inconvenient - j. not suited to your comfort, purpose or needs

• austere - j. of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect

• extradition - n. the surrender of an accused or convicted person by one state or country to another (usually under the provisions of a statute or treaty)

• grandiose - j. impressive because of unnecessary largeness or grandeur; used to show disapproval

• caricature - n. a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect

• philharmonic - j. composing or characteristic of an orchestral group

• principled - j. based on or manifesting objectively defined standards of rightness or morality

• antichrist - n. the adversary of Christ (or Christianity) mentioned in the New Testament

• derive - v. come from

• surround - v. extend on all sides of simultaneously; encircle

SAT Words Set 19

• breach - n. an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification)

• concession - n. a point conceded or yielded

• suppress - v. reduce the incidence or severity of or stop

• promoter - n. someone who is an active supporter and advocate

• adverse - j. contrary to your interests or welfare

• theorist - n. someone who theorizes (especially in science or art)

• injunction - n. (law) a judicial remedy issued in order to prohibit a party from doing or continuing to do a certain activity

• resent - v. feel bitter or indignant about

• diversion - n. an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

• finite - j. bounded or limited in magnitude or spatial or temporal extent

• buffet - n. a meal set out on a buffet at which guests help themselves

• eminent - j. of imposing height; especially standing out above others

• doe - n. mature female of mammals of which the male is called 'buck'

• impending - j. close in time; about to occur

• influx - n. the process of flowing in

• disparity - n. inequality or difference in some respect

• emblem - n. a visible symbol representing an abstract idea

• repeal - n. cancel officially

• botanical - j. of or relating to plants or botany

• juicy - j. lucrative

• pivotal - j. being of crucial importance

• rustic - j. characteristic of the fields or country

• maneuver - v. act in order to achieve a certain goal

• archbishop - n. a bishop of highest rank

• divert - v. turn aside; turn away from

• vegetation - n. all the plant life in a particular region or period

• urgency - n. an urgent situation calling for prompt action

• foresee - v. act in advance of; deal with ahead of time

• discriminate - v. treat differently on the basis of sex or race

• frantic - j. excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion

• dismay - v. fill with apprehension or alarm; cause to be unpleasantly surprised

• maritime - j. relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen

• canon - n. a rule or especially body of rules or principles generally established as valid and fundamental in a field or art or philosophy

• emulate - v. imitate the function of (another system), as by modifying the hardware or the software

• stringent - j. demanding strict attention to rules and procedures

• mythology - n. myths collectively; the body of stories associated with a culture or institution or person

• abide - v. dwell; inhabit or live in

• hybrid - n. (genetics) an organism that is the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock; especially offspring produced by breeding plants or animals of different varieties or breeds or species

• distrust - v. regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in

• requisite - n. anything indispensable

• pretentious - j. making claim to or creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction

• pageant - n. a rich and spectacular ceremony

• confederate - j. united in a group or league

• pennant - n. a long flag; often tapering

• fervor - n. the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up

• unconscious - j. not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

• causal - j. involving or constituting a cause; causing

• decree - n. a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)

• morale - n. the spirit of a group that makes the members want the group to succeed

• galaxy - n. (astronomy) a collection of star systems; any of the billions of systems each having many stars and nebulae and dust

SAT Words Set 20

• conspicuous - j. obvious to the eye or mind

• imitation - n. something copied or derived from an original

• telescope - n. a magnifier of images of distant objects

• indefinitely - a. to an indefinite extent; for an indefinite time

• shrewd - j. marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

• contingent - j. possible but not certain to occur

• delicacy - n. something considered choice to eat

• motto - n. a favorite saying of a sect or political group

• ingenious - j. showing inventiveness and skill

• exuberant - j. joyously unrestrained

• truthful - j. expressing or given to expressing the truth

• lenient - j. not strict

• juror - n. someone who serves (or waits to be called to serve) on a jury

• apocalyptic - j. prophetic of devastation or ultimate doom

• somber - j. grave or even gloomy in character

• indicator - n. a device for showing the operating condition of some system

• seminar - n. any meeting for an exchange of ideas

• conceive - v. have the idea for

• reconcile - v. come to terms

• cereal - n. grass whose starchy grains are used as food: wheat; rice; rye; oats; maize; buckwheat; millet

• discomfort - n. the state of being tense and feeling pain

• maternal - j. relating to or derived from one's mother

• expectancy - n. something expected (as on the basis of a norm)

• discern - v. detect with the senses

• expressive - j. characterized by expression

• guise - n. an artful or simulated semblance

• adamant - j. impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason

• outcry - n. a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition

• belle - n. a young woman who is the most charming and beautiful of several rivals

• appease - v. make peace with

• inept - j. generally incompetent and ineffectual

• pristine - j. completely free from dirt or contamination

• hush - v. become quiet or still; fall silent

• esquire - n. a title of respect for a member of the English gentry ranking just below a knight; placed after the name

• sentinel - n. a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

• barring - n. the act of excluding someone by a negative vote or veto

• quake - v. shake with fast, tremulous movements

• misdemeanor - n. a crime less serious than a felony

• odor - n. the sensation that results when olfactory receptors in the nose are stimulated by particular chemicals in gaseous form

• sociology - n. the study and classification of human societies

• static - j. showing little if any change

• default - n. loss due to not showing up

• manifesto - n. a public declaration of intentions (as issued by a political party or government)

• verify - v. confirm the truth of

• genesis - n. the first book of the Old Testament: tells of Creation; Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel

• vitality - n. an energetic style

• transcript - n. something that has been transcribed; a written record (usually typewritten) of dictated or recorded speech

• muster - v. gather or bring together

• prolific - j. bearing in abundance especially offspring

• lament - v. regret strongly

SAT Words Set 21

• needy - j. demanding or needing attention, affection, or reassurance to an excessive degree

• disparate - j. fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind

• dogma - n. a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative

• stigma - n. a symbol of disgrace or infamy

• suggestive - j. tending to suggest something improper or indecent

• punitive - j. inflicting punishment

• reactionary - n. an extreme conservative; an opponent of progress or liberalism

• boon - n. a desirable state

• exuberance - n. joyful enthusiasm

• mausoleum - n. a large burial chamber, usually above ground

• repellent - j. serving or tending to repel

• subpoena - v. serve or summon with a subpoena

• misbehavior - n. improper or wicked or immoral behavior

• conceal - v. hold back; keep from being perceived by others

• exclusion - n. a deliberate act of omission

• corpse - n. the dead body of a human being

• amusement - n. a feeling of delight at being entertained

• superintendent - n. a person who directs and manages an organization

• microphone - n. device for converting sound waves into electrical energy

• disrupt - v. interfere in someone else's activity

• susceptible - j. (often followed by 'of' or 'to') yielding readily to or capable of

• dialect - n. the usage or vocabulary that is characteristic of a specific group of people

• ascent - n. an upward slope or grade (as in a road)

• maxim - n. a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits

• recourse - n. something or someone turned to for assistance or security

• troublesome - j. difficult to deal with

• stray - v. wander from a direct course or at random

• transcend - v. be greater in scope or size than some standard

• mastery - n. power to dominate or defeat

• orthodoxy - n. a belief or orientation agreeing with conventional standards

• syndicate - v. join together into an affiliation or syndicate

• outlaw - v. declare illegal; outlaw

• fanatic - n. a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause)

• overdose - v. dose too heavily

• antidote - n. a remedy that stops or controls the effects of a poison

• stint - n. an unbroken period of time during which you do something

• wag - n. a witty amusing person who makes jokes

• alcoholism - n. habitual intoxication; prolonged and excessive intake of alcoholic drinks

• madden - v. make mad

• obnoxious - j. causing disapproval or protest

• martyrdom - n. death that is imposed because of the person's adherence of a religious faith or cause

• parlor - n. reception room in an inn or club where visitors can be received

• acute - j. having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course

• evolve - v. undergo development or evolution

• ambulance - n. a vehicle that takes people to and from hospitals

• sterling - n. British money; especially the pound sterling as the basic monetary unit of the UK

• exhaust - v. use up the whole supply of

• presume - v. take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

• denounce - v. speak out against

• anguish - n. extreme distress of body or mind

• whereabouts - n. the general location where something is

SAT Words Set 22

• jargon - n. specialized technical terminology characteristic of a particular subject

• suppression - n. forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority

• derivative - j. resulting from or employing derivation

• caption - n. brief description accompanying an illustration

• metaphysical - j. without material form or substance

• immature - j. characteristic of a lack of maturity

• malicious - j. having the nature of or resulting from malice

• rebuke - n. an act or expression of criticism and censure

• mania - n. an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action

• prologue - n. an introduction to a play

• separatist - n. an advocate of secession or separation from a larger group (such as an established church or a national union)

• heinous - j. extremely wicked, deeply criminal

• highbrow - j. highly cultured or educated

• meager - j. deficient in amount or quality or extent

• duration - n. the period of time during which something continues

• ingredient - n. a component of a mixture or compound

• decorate - v. award a mark of honor, such as a medal, to

• reproduce - v. make a copy or equivalent of

• covenant - v. enter into a covenant or formal agreement

• sentiment - n. tender, romantic, or nostalgic feeling or emotion

• scent - n. an odor left in passing by which a person or animal can be traced

• clearance - n. permission to proceed

• mutation - n. (genetics) any event that changes genetic structure; any alteration in the inherited nucleic acid sequence of the genotype of an organism

• noticeable - j. capable of being detected

• incomplete - j. not complete or total; not completed

• mantle - n. the cloak as a symbol of authority

• evade - v. escape, either physically or mentally

• inaccurate - j. not exact

• liberate - v. grant freedom to; free from confinement

• prudent - j. careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment

• intellect - n. knowledge and intellectual ability

• apostle - n. (New Testament) one of the original 12 disciples chosen by Christ to preach his gospel

• barren - n. an uninhabited wilderness that is worthless for cultivation

• hideous - j. so extremely ugly as to be terrifying

• illegitimate - j. contrary to or forbidden by law

• cosmic - j. of or from or pertaining to or characteristic of the cosmos or universe

• exodus - n. a journey by a large group to escape from a hostile environment

• timid - j. showing fear and lack of confidence

• rash - j. ill-considered and risky

• eclipse - n. one celestial body obscures another

• mimic - v. imitate (a person or manner), especially for satirical effect

• imaginable - j. capable of being imagined

• hapless - j. deserving or inciting pity

• longevity - n. the property of being long-lived

• lurid - j. glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism

• pharmacy - n. the art and science of preparing and dispensing drugs and medicines,

• severance - n. a personal or social separation

• autopsy - n. an examination and dissection of a dead body to determine cause of death or the changes produced by disease

• lumber - v. move heavily or clumsily

• plagiarism - n. a piece of writing that has been copied from someone else and is presented as being your own work

SAT Words Set 23

• pontiff - n. the head of the Roman Catholic Church

• espy - v. catch sight of

• dissolve - v. pass into a solution

• continuity - n. uninterrupted connection or union

• nominal - j. insignificantly small; a matter of form only

• symmetry - n. balance or similarity among the parts of something

• simultaneous - j. occurring or operating at the same time

• abrupt - j. exceedingly sudden and unexpected

• replica - n. copy that is not the original; something that has been copied

• assassin - n. a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed

• tack - v. turn into the wind

• haze - n. atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility

• prophecy - n. knowledge of the future (usually said to be obtained from a divine source)

• propagate - v. transmit or cause to broaden or spread

• conscientious - j. characterized by extreme care and great effort

• sublime - j. worthy of adoration or reverence

• fiasco - n. a sudden and violent collapse

• fraudulent - j. intended to deceive

• Catholicism - n. the beliefs and practices of a Catholic Church

• divinity - n. any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force

• conjunction - n. something that joins or connects

• resumption - n. beginning again

• aversion - n. a feeling of intense dislike

• palpable - j. capable of being perceived; especially capable of being handled or touched or felt

• philanthropy - n. voluntary promotion of human welfare

• acquittal - n. a judgment of not guilty

• landlord - n. a landowner who leases to others

• casualty - n. someone injured or killed or captured or missing in a military engagement

• bacterium - n. single-celled or noncellular organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission

• liaison - n. a channel for communication between groups

• retention - n. the power of retaining and recalling past experience

• trait - n. a distinguishing feature of your personal nature

• pastoral - j. relating to shepherds or herdsmen or devoted to raising sheep or cattle

• rein - n. one of a pair of long straps (usually connected to the bit or the headpiece) used to control a horse

• paradigm - n. the generally accepted perspective of a particular discipline at a given time

• alleviate - v. provide physical relief, as from pain

• aerial - j. existing or living or growing or operating in the air

• outweigh - v. weigh more heavily

• ferret - v. search and discover through persistent investigation

• incompetent - j. not qualified or suited for a purpose

• intimidate - v. make timid or fearful

• topple - v. fall down, as if collapsing

• amplitude - n. (physics) the maximum displacement of a periodic wave

• eloquent - j. expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively

• prowess - n. a superior skill that you can learn by study and practice and observation

• lofty - j. having or displaying great dignity or nobility

• legislator - n. someone who makes or enacts laws

• bilingual - n. a person who speaks two languages fluently

• trajectory - n. the path followed by an object moving through space

• panorama - n. a picture (or series of pictures) representing a continuous scene

SAT Words Set 24

• ancestry - n. inherited properties shared with others of your bloodline

• devout - j. deeply religious

• pitiful - j. deserving or inciting pity

• thrift - n. extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily

• anthology - n. a collection of selected literary passages

• altruism - n. the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others

• indict - v. accuse formally of a crime

• fledgling - j. young and inexperienced

• thoroughbred - n. a pedigreed animal of unmixed lineage; used especially of horses

• hubris - n. overbearing pride or presumption

• clarify - v. make clear and (more) comprehensible

• comparative - j. estimated by comparison; not absolute or complete

• dwarf - n. a plant or animal that is atypically small

• safeguard - n. a precautionary measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.

• bodily - j. of or relating to or belonging to the body

• prototype - n. a standard or typical example

• ale - n. a general name for beer made with a top fermenting yeast; in some of the United States an ale is (by law) a brew of more than 4% alcohol by volume

• bitterness - n. a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will

• compliment - v. say something to someone that expresses praise

• introductory - j. serving as a base or starting point

• garrison - n. the troops who maintain and guard a fortified place

• lyric - n. the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number

• aristocracy - n. a privileged class holding hereditary titles

• oust - v. remove from a position or office

• resonance - n. echoing; having the character of a loud deep sound; the quality of being resonant

• pagan - n. a person who follows a polytheistic or pre-Christian religion (not a Christian or Muslim or Jew)

• expulsion - n. squeezing out by applying pressure

• insecure - j. lacking self-confidence or assurance

• meticulous - j. marked by extreme care in treatment of details

• indulgence - n. an inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires

• momentous - j. of very great significance

• anarchy - n. a state of lawlessness and disorder (usually resulting from a failure of government)

• sensual - j. sexually exciting or gratifying

• papacy - n. the government of the Roman Catholic Church

• rife - j. excessively abundant

• rebellious - j. resisting control or authority

• tenet - n. a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof

• candid - j. openly straightforward and direct without reserve or secretiveness

• fervent - j. characterized by intense emotion

• outpost - n. a military post stationed at a distance from the main body of troops

• righteousness - n. adhering to moral principles

• patriarch - n. the male head of family or tribe

• culinary - j. of or relating to or used in cooking

• conceit - n. the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride

• brazen - j. made of or resembling brass (as in color or hardness)

• visceral - j. obtained through intuition rather than from reasoning or observation

• variable - j. liable to or capable of change

• modification - n. the act of making something different (as e.g. the size of a garment)

• reassure - v. give or restore confidence in; cause to feel sure or certain

• accumulate - v. collect or gather

SAT Words Set 25

• nucleus - n. a part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction

• consolidate - v. bring together into a single whole or system

• conquer - v. overcome by conquest

• avert - v. turn away or aside

• equitable - j.  fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience

• persistence - n. the act of persisting or persevering; continuing or repeating behavior

• imperative - j. requiring attention or action

• embarrass - v. cause to be embarrassed; cause to feel self-conscious

• floral - j. relating to or associated with flowers

• limp - j. lacking in strength or firmness or resilience

• brook - n. a natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river)

• wry - j. bent to one side

• conducive - j. tending to bring about; being partly responsible for

• evasion - n. a statement that is not literally false but that cleverly avoids an unpleasant truth

• sanity - n. normal or sound powers of mind

• extremist - j. (used of opinions and actions) far beyond the norm

• caste - n. a social class separated from others by distinctions of hereditary rank or profession or wealth

• Parisian - j. of or relating to or characteristic of Paris or its inhabitants

• fallacy - n. a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning

• regimen - n. (medicine) a systematic plan for therapy (often including diet)

• comical - j. arousing or provoking laughter

• intransigence - n. the trait of being intransigent; stubbornly refusing to compromise

• tawdry - j. tastelessly showy

• lieu - n. the post or function properly or customarily occupied or served by another

• demeanor - n. (behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people

• initiate - v. bring into being

• isolate - v. place or set apart

• classify - v. declare unavailable, as for security reasons

• reservoir - n. a large or extra supply of something

• nuisance - n. (law) a broad legal concept including anything that disturbs the reasonable use of your property or endangers life and health or is offensive

• continuation - n. the act of continuing an activity without interruption

• adhere - v. follow through or carry out a plan without deviation

• trio - n. three performers or singers who perform together

• libel - v. print slanderous statements against

• polar - j. located at or near or coming from the earth's poles

• intrusion - n. entrance by force or without permission or welcome

• redeem - v. restore the honor or worth of

• trickle - v. run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream

• fuse - n. any igniter that is used to initiate the burning of a propellant

• protector - n. a person who cares for persons or property

• magnate - n. a very wealthy or powerful businessman

• intrigue - v. cause to be interested or curious

• apathy - n. an absence of emotion or enthusiasm

• impeccable - j. not capable of sin

• moderation - n. quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes

• tyranny - n. dominance through threat of punishment and violence

• operative - j. being in force or having or exerting force

• impotent - j. lacking power or ability

• vigilance - n. the process of paying close and continuous attention

• sordid - j. unethical or dishonest

SAT Words Set 26

• sumptuous - j. rich and superior in quality

• maverick - j. independent in behavior or thought

• exorbitant - j. greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation

• frenetic - j. excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion

• hyperbole - n. extravagant exaggeration

• indulgent - j. tolerant or lenient

• opulent - j. rich and superior in quality

• wily - j. marked by skill in deception

• whimsical - j. determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

• extortion - n. the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence)

• infidelity - n. the quality of being unfaithful

• balk - v. refuse to comply

• giddy - j. having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling

• narration - n. the act of giving an account describing incidents or a course of events

• artful - j. marked by skill in achieving a desired end especially with cunning or craft

• candor - n. the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech

• modify - v. make less severe or harsh or extreme

• facilitate - v. make easier

• embody - v. represent or express something abstract in tangible form

• stride - v. walk with long steps

• accelerate - v. move faster

• query - v. pose a question

• retrieve - v. go for and bring back

• exaggerate - v. to enlarge beyond bounds or the truth

• discard - n. getting rid something that is regarded as useless or undesirable

• invaluable - j. having incalculable monetary, intellectual, or spiritual worth

• novice - n. someone new to a field or activity

• archaeology - n. the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people and their cultures

• relish - n. vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

• plaque - n. a memorial made of brass

• quartet - n. four people considered as a unit

• relinquish - v. release or part with

• analogous - j. similar or equivalent in some respects though otherwise dissimilar

• brace - n. a support that steadies or strengthens something else

• acoustic - j. of or relating to the science of acoustics

• thwart - v. hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of

• unbearable - j. incapable of being put up with

• ghastly - j. shockingly repellent; inspiring horror

• treacherous - j. tending to betray

• oblivious - j. failing to keep in mind

• permissible - j. that may be permitted especially as according to rule

• foreman - n. a person who exercises control over workers

• tenor - j. of or close in range to the highest natural adult male voice

• extinct - j. no longer in existence; lost or especially having died out leaving no living representatives

• pious - j. having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity

• blatant - j. without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious

• ferocious - j. marked by extreme and violent energy

• euphoria - n. a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation

• pleasurable - j. affording satisfaction or pleasure

• predatory - j. living by preying on other animals especially by catching living prey

SAT Words Set 27

• dissertation - n. a treatise advancing a new point of view resulting from research; usually a requirement for an advanced academic degree

• seminal - j. containing seeds of later development

• barbaric - j. without civilizing influences

• evasive - j. deliberately vague or ambiguous

• genial - j. agreeable, conducive to comfort

• paralysis - n. loss of the ability to move a body part

• propriety - n. correct or appropriate behavior

• preamble - n. a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)

• genteel - j. marked by refinement in taste and manners

• incense - n. a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned

• curt - j. brief and to the point; effectively cut short

• caustic - n. any chemical substance that burns or destroys living tissue

• appellate - j. of or relating to or taking account of appeals (usually legal appeals)

• disingenuous - j. not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness

• decorum - n. propriety in manners and conduct

• impropriety - n. an indecent or improper act

• philanthropist - n. someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being

• instill - v. impart gradually

• interrupt - v. interfere in someone else's activity

• cling - v. hold on tightly or tenaciously

• transmit - v. send from one person or place to another

• occurrence - n. an instance of something occurring

• characterize - v. be characteristic of

• yarn - n. a fine cord of twisted fibers (of cotton or silk or wool or nylon etc.) used in sewing and weaving

• complement - v. make complete or perfect; supply what is wanting or form the complement to

• prevalence - n. the quality of prevailing generally; being widespread

• sermon - n. an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)

• anthropology - n. the social science that studies the origins and social relationships of human beings

• nurture - v. help develop, help grow

• incomprehensible - j. incapable of being explained or accounted for

• deplore - v. express strong disapproval of

• stationary - j. standing still

• festive - j. offering fun and gaiety

• prelude - n. music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera

• havoc - n. violent and needless disturbance

• heed - v. pay close attention to; give heed to

• culprit - n. someone who perpetrates wrongdoing

• refute - v. prove to be false or incorrect

• exhaustive - j. performed comprehensively and completely

• harmonious - j. existing together in harmony

• jagged - j. having a sharply uneven surface or outline

• financier - n. a person skilled in large scale financial transactions

• Elizabethan - j. of or relating to Elizabeth I of England or to the age in which she ruled as queen

• mockery - n. humorous or satirical mimicry

• pollen - n. the fine spores that contain male gametes and that are borne by an anther in a flowering plant

• craven - j. lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful

• innocuous - j. not causing disapproval

• ardent - j. characterized by strong enthusiasm

• monologue - n. a long utterance by one person (especially one that prevents others from participating in the conversation)

• placid - j. (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves

SAT Words Set 28

• rehabilitate - v. help to readapt, as to a former state of health or good repute

• underworld - n. (religion) the world of the dead

• conspirator - n. a member of a conspiracy

• surrogate - n. someone who takes the place of another person; substitute

• pernicious - j. working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way

• restitution - n. getting something back again

• seminary - n. a theological school for training ministers or priests or rabbis

• clarion - j. loud and clear

• alto - n. the highest adult male singing voice

• egregious - j. conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible

• filibuster - n. (law) a tactic for delaying or obstructing legislation by making long speeches

• tenant - n. someone who pays rent to use land or a building or a car that is owned by someone else

• nationality - n. the status of belonging to a particular nation by birth or naturalization

• beneficiary - n. the recipient of funds or other benefits

• ponder - v. reflect deeply on a subject

• curtail - v. terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent

• exhaustion - n. extreme fatigue

• indispensable - j. absolutely necessary; vitally necessary

• endanger - v. pose a threat to; present a danger to

• intolerable - j. incapable of being put up with

• hereditary - j. inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent

• barrage - n. the heavy fire of artillery to saturate an area rather than hit a specific target

• erratic - j. liable to sudden unpredictable change

• predicament - n. a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant or trying one

• unavoidable - j. impossible to avoid or evade

• misuse - n. improper or excessive use

• supernatural - j. not existing in nature or subject to explanation according to natural laws; not physical or material

• provocation - n. something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action

• cardiac - j. of or relating to the heart

• suffrage - n. a legal right guaranteed by the 15th amendment to the US Constitution; guaranteed to women by the 19th amendment

• ecstatic - j. feeling great rapture or delight

• gallant - j. unflinching in battle or action

• itinerary - n. a proposed route of travel

• legislate - v. make laws, bills, etc. or bring into effect by legislation

• malaria - n. an infective disease caused by sporozoan parasites that are transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito

• collusion - n. secret agreement

• stagnant - j. not circulating or flowing

• credence - n. the mental attitude that something is believable and should be accepted as true

• incoherent - j. unable to express yourself clearly or fluently

• quell - v. suppress or crush completely

• esoteric - j. confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle

• mountainous - j. like a mountain in size and impressiveness

• pedestal - n. a support or foundation

• edible - j. suitable for use as food

• archipelago - n. a group of many islands in a large body of water

• inquisition - n. a severe interrogation (often violating the rights or privacy of individuals)

• soprano - j. having or denoting a high range

• coercive - j. serving or intended to coerce

• vernacular - j. being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language

• motley - j. having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly

SAT Words Set 29

• euphemism - n. an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh

• impunity - n. exemption from punishment or loss

• glut - n. the quality of being so overabundant that prices fall

• innuendo - n. an indirect (and usually malicious) implication

• bravado - n. a swaggering show of courage

• promiscuous - j. not selective; indiscriminate

• errant - j. straying from the right course or from accepted standards

• pathos - n. a quality that arouses emotions (especially pity or sorrow)

• slander - v. charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone

• acknowledgment - n. the state or quality of being recognized or acknowledged

• concord - n. agreement of opinions

• ante - n. (poker) the initial contribution that each player makes to the pot

• criterion - n. a basis for comparison; a reference point against which other things can be evaluated

• allocate - v. distribute according to a plan or set apart for a special purpose

• directory - n. an alphabetical list of names and addresses

• sanction - v. give authority or permission to

• forehead - n. the part of the face above the eyes

• protocol - n. code of correct conduct

• terminate - v. bring to an end or halt

• soar - v. fly upwards or high in the sky

• residue - n. matter that remains after something has been removed

• affinity - n. a natural attraction or feeling of kinship

• forge - n. a workplace where metal is worked by heating and hammering

• reformer - n. a person who advocates reform

• abnormal - j. not normal; not typical or usual or regular or conforming to a norm

• flora - n. all the plant life in a particular region or period

• rotate - v. cause to turn on an axis or center

• differential - j. relating to or showing a difference

• eradicate - v. destroy completely, as if down to the roots

• commuter - n. someone who travels regularly from home in a suburb to work in a city

• truce - n. a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms

• degradation - n. a low or downcast state

• catalyst - n. something that causes an important event to happen

• undue - j. not appropriate or proper (or even legal) in the circumstances

• discredit - v. cause to be distrusted or disbelieved

• anecdote - n. short account of an incident (especially a biographical one)

• parity - n. equality, as in amount, status, or value

• obituary - n. a notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography

• parable - n. (New Testament) any of the stories told by Jesus to convey his religious message

• hesitant - j. lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly

• pompous - j. characterized by pomp and ceremony and stately display

• pinnacle - n. a lofty peak

• receptive - j. open to arguments, ideas, or change

• waive - v. do without or cease to hold or adhere to

• affront - n. a deliberately offensive act or something producing the effect of deliberate disrespect

• subterranean - j. being or operating under the surface of the earth

• gratification - n. state of being gratified or satisfied

• brash - j. offensively bold

• complicity - n. guilt as an accomplice in a crime or offense

• prudential - j. arising from or characterized by careful judgment especially in business matters

SAT Words Set 30

• ascending - n. the act of changing location in an upward direction

• annals - n. a chronological account of events in successive years

• defamation - n. a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions

• deluge - v. fill or cover completely, usually with water

• deride - v. treat or speak of with contempt

• convoluted - j. highly complex or intricate and occasionally devious

• fledged - j. (of birds) having developed feathers or plumage; often used in combination

• aqueduct - n. a conduit that resembles a bridge but carries water over a valley

• jurisprudence - n. the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do

• zeitgeist - n. the spirit of the time; the spirit characteristic of an age or generation

• kilometer - n. a metric unit of length equal to 1000 meters (or 0.621371 miles)

• lackluster - j. lacking brilliance or vitality

• comprise - v. be composed of

• shrug - v. raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation

• penetrate - v. pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

• revise - v. change or reorganize, especially for the purpose of updating and improving

• foreigner - n. a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country

• wee - j. very early

• repetition - n. an action or event that repeats

• breadth - n. the extent of something from side to side

• ecstasy - n. a state of elated bliss

• compression - n. applying pressure

• creed - n. any system of principles or beliefs

• enlist - v. join the military

• insignificant - j. of little importance or influence or power; of minor status

• upheaval - n. a state of violent disturbance and disorder (as in politics or social conditions generally)

• discrete - j. constituting a separate entity or part

• precarious - j. not secure; beset with difficulties

• impede - v. be a hindrance or obstacle to

• ingenuity - n. the property of being ingenious

• propel - v. cause to move forward with force

• salvage - v. save from ruin, destruction, or harm

• endurance - n. the power to withstand hardship or stress

• flimsy - j. lacking solidity or strength

• mitigate - v. make less severe or harsh

• lunatic - n. an insane person

• protracted - j. relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

• arid - j. lacking sufficient water or rainfall

• remembrance - n. something to honor the memory of a person or event

• whine - v. complain whiningly; talk in a tearful manner

• intolerance - n. unwillingness to recognize and respect differences in opinions or beliefs

• vie - v. compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others

• astute - j. marked by practical hardheaded intelligence

• superfluous - j. serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being

• aloof - j. remote in manner

• tiresome - j. so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

• veritable - j. not counterfeit or copied

• palate - n. the upper surface of the mouth that separates the oral and nasal cavities

• populace - n. people in general considered as a whole

• avalanche - n. a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain

SAT Words Set 31

• juxtaposition - n. the act of positioning close together (or side by side)

• impulsive - j. without forethought

• deplorable - j. of very poor quality or condition

• replete - v. fill to satisfaction

• crass - j. (of persons) so unrefined as to be lacking in discrimination and sensibility

• glib - j. marked by lack of intellectual depth

• trite - j. repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse

• gratuitous - j. without cause

• needlework - n. work (such as sewing or embroidery) that is done with a needle

• tepid - j. moderately warm

• ire - n. belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong (personified as one of the deadly sins)

• maroon - j. of dark brownish to purplish red

• genealogy - n. the study or investigation of ancestry and family history

• patrician - j. befitting a person of noble origin

• legalize - v. make legal

• duplex - j. allowing communication in opposite directions simultaneously

• allege - v. report or maintain

• manor - n. the mansion of a lord or wealthy person

• empirical - j. derived from experiment and observation rather than theory

• referee - n. (sports) the chief official (as in boxing or American football) who is expected to ensure fair play

• aspiration - n. a cherished desire

• projection - n. a prediction based on past observations

• subordinate - n. an assistant subject to the authority or control of another

• progression - n. the act of moving forward (as toward a goal)

• impetus - n. a force that moves something along

• preferable - j. more desirable than another

• shuffle - v. walk by dragging one's feet

• numerical - j. measured or expressed in numbers

• conjure - v. summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic

• sponge - n. a porous mass of interlacing fibers usable to absorb water

• unaffected - j. undergoing no change when acted upon

• liner - n. a large commercial ship (especially one that carries passengers on a regular schedule)

• creamy - j. thick like cream

• alienation - n. separation resulting from hostility

• ballad - n. a narrative poem of popular origin

• repository - n. a facility where things can be deposited for storage or safekeeping

• precursor - n. a substance from which another substance is formed (especially by a metabolic reaction)

• entice - v. provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion

• complacent - j. contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions

• impartial - j. free from undue bias or preconceived opinions

• dormant - j. inactive but capable of becoming active

• midsummer - n. June 21, when the sun is at its northernmost point

• secretive - j. inclined to secrecy or reticence about divulging information

• delusion - n. a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea

• covert - j. secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed

• indignant - j. angered at something unjust or wrong

• assassinate - v. murder; especially of socially prominent persons

• brotherhood - n. the feeling that men should treat one another like brothers

• berth - n. a bed on a ship or train; usually in tiers

• choral - j. related to or written for or performed by a chorus or choir

SAT Words Set 32

• lunar - j. of or relating to or associated with the moon

• unscathed - j. not injured

• coy - j. showing marked and often playful or irritating evasiveness or reluctance to make a definite or committing statement

• debatable - j. open to argument or debate

• navigate - v. act as the navigator in a car, plane, or vessel and plan, direct, plot the path and position of the conveyance

• deceit - n. a misleading falsehood

• lucid - j. having a clear mind

• reorganize - v. organize anew

• jeopardize - v. pose a threat to; present a danger to

• awry - a. away from the correct or expected course

• scrupulous - j. having scruples; arising from a sense of right and wrong; principled

• gamut - n. a complete extent or range

• counterfeit - j. not genuine; imitating something superior

• outreach - n. the act of reaching out

• stellar - j. being or relating to or resembling or emanating from stars

• extradite - v. hand over to the authorities of another country

• felon - n. someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

• salacious - j. characterized by lust

• isle - n. a small island

• matrix - n. (mathematics) a rectangular array of quantities or expressions set out by rows and columns

• inhibit - v. limit the range or extent of

• deteriorate - v. become worse or disintegrate

• convoy - v. escort in transit

• migrant - j. habitually moving from place to place especially in search of seasonal work

• hinder - v. put at a disadvantage

• loneliness - n. sadness resulting from being forsaken or abandoned

• incompatible - j. not suitable to your tastes or needs

• intuition - n. an impression that something might be the case

• comprehension - n. an ability to understand the meaning or importance of something (or the knowledge acquired as a result)

• termination - n. the act of ending something

• pedal - j. of or relating to the feet

• potency - n. capacity to produce strong physiological or chemical effects

• harass - v. annoy continually or chronically

• complicate - v. make more complex, intricate, or richer

• livelihood - n. the financial means whereby one lives

• benevolent - j. showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity

• pedigree - n. line of descent of a purebred animal

• fresco - n. a durable method of painting on a wall by using watercolors on wet plaster

• turbulence - n. unstable flow of a liquid or gas

• onslaught - n. a sudden and severe onset of trouble

• innumerable - j. too numerous to be counted

• recapture - v. capture again

• respite - n. a (temporary) relief from harm or discomfort

• opaque - j. not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight

• audible - j. heard or perceptible by the ear

• ambush - n. the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to attack by surprise

• endemic - j. native to or confined to a certain region

• fragrant - j. pleasant-smelling

• bale - n. a large bundle bound for storage or transport

• corollary - n. a practical consequence that follows naturally

SAT Words Set 33

• muddle - v. mix up or confuse

• clientele - n. customers collectively

• placate - v. cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

• adversity - n. a state of misfortune or affliction

• overrun - v. invade in great numbers

• juncture - n. a crisis situation or point in time when a critical decision must be made

• ode - n. a lyric poem with complex stanza forms

• annuity - n. income from capital investment paid in a series of regular payments

• chateau - n. an impressive country house (or castle) in France

• hypocrite - n. a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives

• indelible - j. cannot be removed or erased

• precocious - j. characterized by or characteristic of exceptionally early development or maturity (especially in mental aptitude)

• raucous - j. disturbing the public peace; loud and rough

• thoroughfare - n. a public road from one place to another

• unbiased - j. characterized by a lack of partiality

• posse - n. a temporary police force

• offhand - j. with little or no preparation or forethought

• mirage - n. an optical illusion in which atmospheric refraction by a layer of hot air distorts or inverts reflections of distant objects

• coda - n. the closing section of a musical composition

• obelisk - n. a stone pillar having a rectangular cross section tapering towards a pyramidal top

• reclusive - j. providing privacy or seclusion

• amphitheater - n. a sloping gallery with seats for spectators (as in an operating room or theater)

• borough - n. one of the administrative divisions of a large city

• confer - v. have a conference in order to talk something over

• linear - j. of or in or along or relating to a line; involving a single dimension

• disciplinary - j. designed to promote discipline

• omission - n. something that has been left out

• hospitality - n. kindness in welcoming guests or strangers

• preoccupation - n. the mental state of being preoccupied by something

• suffice - v. be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity

• pamphlet - n. a brief treatise on a subject of interest; published in the form of a booklet

• discreet - j. marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

• stifle - v. smother or suppress

• guinea - n. a west African bird having dark plumage mottled with white; native to Africa but raised for food in many parts of the world

• migrate - v. move periodically or seasonally

• penetration - n. the act of entering into or through something

• alienate - v. make withdrawn or isolated or emotionally dissociated

• aspire - v. have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

• unnatural - j. not in accordance with or determined by nature; contrary to nature

• versatile - j. competent in many areas and able to turn with ease from one thing to another

• pollute - v. make impure

• defiant - j. boldly resisting authority or an opposing force

• insistent - j. repetitive and persistent

• seduce - v. lure or entice away from duty, principles, or proper conduct

• exposition - n. an account that sets forth the meaning or intent of a writing or discourse

• tapestry - n. a wall hanging of heavy hand-woven fabric with pictorial designs

• clement - j. (of weather or climate) physically mild

• indistinguishable - j. not capable of being distinguished or differentiated

• deference - n. courteous regard for people's feelings

• exemplary - j. worthy of imitation

SAT Words Set 34

• illicit - j. contrary to or forbidden by law

• obligatory - j. morally or legally constraining or binding

• fret - n. agitation resulting from active worry

• carcass - n. the dead body of an animal especially one slaughtered and dressed for food

• bustle - v. move or cause to move energetically or busily

• nasal - j. of or in or relating to the nose

• disarm - v. take away the weapons from; render harmless

• salient - j. strikingly conspicuous; prominent

• abduction - n. kidnap; hostage taking

• breaker - n. a device that trips like a switch and opens the circuit when overloaded

• inexorable - j. not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

• foggy - j. obscured by fog

• satirical - j. exposing human folly to ridicule

• pendulum - n. an apparatus consisting of an object mounted so that it swings freely under the influence of gravity

• conjecture - n. a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

• evangelist - n. a preacher of the Christian gospel

• animosity - n. a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility

• fluke - n. a stroke of luck

• repulsive - j. so extremely ugly as to be terrifying

• populous - j. densely populated

• wistful - j. showing pensive sadness

• promontory - n. a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)

• innovate - v. bring something new to an environment

• recast - v. cast or model anew

• garner - v. acquire or deserve by one's efforts or actions

• equestrian - j. of or relating to or featuring horseback riding

• turquoise - n. a blue to gray green mineral consisting of copper aluminum phosphate

• philanthropic - j. of or relating to or characterized by philanthropy

• Martian - j. of or relating to the planet Mars (or its fictional inhabitants)

• lawmaker - n. a maker of laws; someone who gives a code of laws

• muffler - n. a scarf worn around the neck

• confederacy - n. a union of political organizations

• qualification - n. an attribute that must be met or complied with and that fits a person for something

• limitation - n. the quality of being limited or restricted

• coincide - v. happen simultaneously

• embark - v. proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

• entail - v. impose, involve, or imply as a necessary accompaniment or result

• enzyme - n. any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions

• variant - n. something a little different from others of the same type

• velocity - n. distance traveled per unit time

• unlawful - j. contrary to or prohibited by or defiant of law

• mediate - v. act between parties with a view to reconciling differences

• deceive - v. cause someone to believe an untruth

• reconstruct - v. build again

• invalid - j. having no cogency or legal force

• negligible - j. so small as to be meaningless; insignificant

• quay - n. wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline

• presumption - n. acceptance or belief based on reasonable evidence

• deity - n. any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force

• palette - n. board that provides a flat surface on which artists mix paints and the range of colors used

SAT Words Set 35

• discernible - j. capable of being perceived clearly

• confinement - n. the act of restraining of a person's liberty by confining them

• mischievous - j. deliberately causing harm or damage

• inseparable - j. not capable of being separated

• distraught - j. deeply agitated especially from emotion

• subvert - v. cause the downfall of; of rulers

• attest - v. authenticate, affirm to be true, genuine, or correct, as in an official capacity

• proclamation - n. a formal public statement

• luminous - j. softly bright or radiant

• forthright - a. directly and without evasion; not roundabout

• illogical - j. lacking in correct logical relation

• insidious - j. working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way

• mistrust - v. regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in

• sanctity - n. the quality of being holy

• incongruous - j. lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness

• affiliate - n. a subordinate or subsidiary associate

• sociable - j. inclined to or conducive to companionship with others

• indiscriminate - j. not marked by fine distinctions

• hoax - v. subject to a playful hoax or joke

• onerous - j. not easily borne; wearing

• reimburse - v. pay back for some expense incurred

• insurrection - n. organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another

• psychiatry - n. the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders

• virtuoso - n. a musician who is a consummate master of technique and artistry

• conduit - n. a passage (a pipe or tunnel) through which water or electric wires can pass

• cosmology - n. the branch of astrophysics that studies the origin and evolution and structure of the universe

• allegory - n. an expressive style that uses fictional characters and events to describe some subject by suggestive resemblances; an extended metaphor

• bray - n. the cry of an ass

• moderator - n. someone who presides over a forum or debate

• forgo - v. do without or cease to hold or adhere to

• abject - j. showing humiliation or submissiveness

• reticence - n. the trait of being uncommunicative; not volunteering anything more than necessary

• unwieldy - j. difficult to use or handle or manage because of size or weight or shape

• nascent - j.  being born or beginning

• staid - j. characterized by dignity and propriety

• sedate - j. dignified and somber in manner or character

• vindictive - j. disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge

• chagrin - n. strong feelings of embarrassment

• unspeakable - j. exceptionally bad or displeasing

• nemesis - n. a formidable rival or opponent

• surcharge - n. an additional charge (as for items previously omitted or as a penalty for failure to exercise common caution or common skill)

• calculus - n. the branch of mathematics that is concerned with limits and with the differentiation and integration of functions

• fatuous - j. devoid of intelligence

• scholastic - j. of or relating to schools

• biennial - j. occurring every second year

• quintet - n. five performers or singers who perform together

• transcendent - j. beyond and outside the ordinary range of human experience or understanding

• normalcy - n. being within certain limits that define the range of normal functioning

• anemic - j. lacking vigor or energy

• specimen - n. an example regarded as typical of its class

SAT Words Set 36

• packet - n. a small package or bundle

• redundant - j. repetition of same sense in different words

• differentiate - v. become different during development

• controller - n. a person who directs and restrains

• complication - n. a development that complicates a situation

• aggregate - j. formed of separate units gathered into a mass or whole

• absorption - n. a process in which one thing or substance is taken in by another

• illuminate - v. add embellishments and paintings to (medieval manuscripts)

• onset - n. the beginning or early stages

• latent - j. potentially existing but not presently evident or realized

• dilute - j. reduced in strength or concentration or quality or purity

• succumb - v. yield to another's wish or opinion; consent reluctantly

• cartridge - n. ammunition consisting of a cylindrical casing containing an explosive charge and a bullet; fired from a rifle or handgun

• brittle - j. having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped

• immaculate - j. completely neat and clean

• efficacy - n. capacity or power to produce a desired effect

• neural - j. of or relating to the nervous system

• doubly - a. in a twofold manner

• fluent - j. smooth and unconstrained in movement

• adversary - n. someone who offers opposition such as an enemy or opponent

• transfusion - n. the introduction of blood or blood plasma into a vein or artery

• blockade - n. a war measure that isolates some area of importance to the enemy

• temperate - j. not extreme in behavior

• modernity - n. the quality of being current or of the present

• habitual - j. commonly used or practiced; usual

• accomplice - n. a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan (especially an unethical or illegal plan)

• atrocity - n. the quality of being shockingly cruel and inhumane

• malice - n. feeling a need to see others suffer

• inefficiency - n. without skillfulness or effectiveness

• annex - n. an addition that extends a main building

• hegemony - n. the dominance or leadership of one social group or nation over others

• retaliate - v. make a counterattack and return like for like, especially evil for evil

• morbid - j. suggesting the horror of death and decay

• pretext - n. something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

• prodigious - j. so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

• recalcitrant - j. marked by stubborn resistance to authority

• nocturnal - j. belonging to or active during the night

• overture - n. a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others

• stagnation - n. a state of inactivity (in business or art etc)

• transatlantic - j. crossing the Atlantic Ocean

• concur - v. happen simultaneously

• erroneous - j. containing or characterized by error

• mutiny - n. open rebellion against constituted authority (especially by seamen or soldiers against their officers)

• pry - v. be nosey

• chivalry - n. courtesy towards women

• sardonic - j. disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking

• paraphernalia - n. equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles needed for a particular operation or sport etc.

• fickle - j. liable to sudden unpredictable change

• irreverent - j. showing lack of due respect or veneration

• consummate - j. perfect and complete in every respect; having all necessary qualities

SAT Words Set 37

• despicable - j. morally reprehensible

• enmity - n. a state of deep-seated ill-will

• frugal - j. avoiding waste

• grisly - j. shockingly repellent; inspiring horror

• lunacy - n. obsolete terms for legal insanity

• ostentatious - j. intended to attract notice and impress others

• rendition - n. the act of interpreting something as expressed in an artistic performance

• decadence - n. the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities

• rabid - j. of or infected by rabies

• profane - j. grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred

• resonate - v. sounding richly and clearly

• verdant - j. characterized by abundance of green vegetation

• artifice - n. a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)

• indivisible - j. impossible of undergoing division

• inane - j. devoid of intelligence

• prodigy - n. an unusually gifted or intelligent (young) person; someone whose talents excite wonder and admiration

• clemency - n. leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

• kimono - n. a loose robe; imitated from robes originally worn by Japanese

• misogyny - n. hatred of women

• racy - j. full of zest or vigor

• monogamy - n. having only one spouse at a time

• stimulus - n. any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action

• exert - v. make a great effort at a mental or physical task

• demolish - v. destroy completely

• diagnose - v. determine or distinguish the nature of a problem or an illness through a diagnostic analysis

• delete - v. remove or make invisible

• dissolution - n. the termination or disintegration of a relationship (between persons or nations)

• hygiene - n. a condition promoting sanitary practices

• bilateral - j. affecting or undertaken by two parties

• grievance - n. a complaint about a (real or imaginary) wrong that causes resentment and is grounds for action

• preclude - v. make impossible, especially beforehand

• battalion - n. an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies

• recurrent - j. happening again and again

• refine - v. treat or prepare so as to put in a usable condition

• intrinsic - j. belonging to a thing by its very nature

• prolong - v. lengthen or extend in duration or space

• reclaim - v. reuse (materials from waste products)

• adorn - v. make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc.

• stipulate - v. specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement

• regent - n. members of a governing board

• convene - v. meet formally

• infusion - n. the act of infusing or introducing a certain modifying element or quality

• predominant - j. having superior power and influence

• conclusive - j. forming an end or termination; especially putting an end to doubt or question

• unify - v. join or combine

• theologian - n. someone who is learned in religion or who speculates about theology

• inconceivable - j. totally unlikely

• crave - v. have a craving, appetite, or great desire for

• inexplicable - j. incapable of being explained or accounted for

• instructive - j. serving to instruct or enlighten or inform

SAT Words Set 38

• foreground - n. the part of a scene that is near the viewer

• infinity - n. time without end

• mead - n. made of fermented honey and water

• bosom - n. a person's breast or chest

• masonry - n. structure built of stone or brick by a mason

• shrill - j. having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones

• translator - n. a person who translates written messages from one language to another

• mystic - j. having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding

• replenish - v. fill something that had previously been emptied

• arduous - j. difficult to accomplish; demanding considerable mental effort and skill

• anew - a. again but in a new or different way

• illiterate - j. not able to read or write

• impervious - j. not admitting of passage or capable of being affected

• technicality - n. a detail that is considered insignificant

• impromptu - n. an extemporaneous speech or remark

• sympathize - v. to feel or express sympathy or compassion

• workmanship - n. skill in an occupation or trade

• contemptuous - j. expressing extreme contempt

• clandestine - j. conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods

• demented - j. affected with madness or insanity

• posit - v. take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom

• repertory - n. the entire range of skills or aptitudes or devices used in a particular field or occupation

• vigilant - j. carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger

• aboriginal - j. characteristic of or relating to people inhabiting a region from the beginning

• moratorium - n. suspension of an ongoing activity

• destitute - j. completely wanting or lacking

• derision - n. contemptuous laughter

• endearing - j. lovable especially in a childlike or naive way

• incisive - j. suitable for cutting or piercing

• outlandish - j. conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual

• ponderous - j. labored and dull

• solace - n. the comfort you feel when consoled in times of disappointment

• loath - j. unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

• cameo - n. engraving or carving in low relief on a stone (as in a brooch or ring)

• decry - v. express strong disapproval of

• defensible - j. capable of being defended

• eloquence - n. powerful and effective language

• finesse - n. subtly skillful handling of a situation

• facile - j. arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth

• nautical - j. relating to or involving ships or shipping or navigation or seamen

• quadruple - v. increase fourfold

• virulent - j. infectious; having the ability to cause disease

• assuage - v. cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

• incendiary - j. arousing to action or rebellion

• magisterial - j. of or relating to a magistrate

• hiatus - n. a missing piece (as a gap in a manuscript)

• paternity - n. the state of being a father

• quail - n. small gallinaceous game birds

• alabaster - n. a compact fine-textured, usually white gypsum used for carving

• fathom - n. a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth

SAT Words Set 39

• fancier - n. a person having a strong liking for something

• epiphany - n. a divine manifestation

• pediatrics - n. the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment of infants and children

• savor - v. taste appreciatively

• compulsory - j. required by rule

• revert - v. go back to a previous state

• inference - n. the reasoning involved in drawing a conclusion or making a logical judgment on the basis of circumstantial evidence and prior conclusions rather than on the basis of direct observation

• pest - n. any unwanted and destructive insect or other animal that attacks food or crops or livestock etc.

• simplify - v. make simpler or easier or reduce in complexity or extent

• thermal - j. relating to or associated with heat

• cumulative - j. increasing by successive addition

• foliage - n. (architecture) leaf-like architectural ornament

• ache - n. a dull persistent (usually moderately intense) pain

• dispel - v. force to go away; used both with concrete and metaphoric meanings

• inquire - v. conduct an inquiry or investigation of

• squat - v. sit on one's heels; crouch

• conformity - n. acting according to certain accepted standards

• conservatory - n. the faculty and students of a school specializing in one of the fine arts

• facet - n. a distinct feature or element in a problem

• deflect - v. draw someone's attention away from something

• utmost - j. highest in extent or degree

• disappoint - v. fail to meet the hopes or expectations of

• obstruct - v. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

• compulsion - n. an irrational motive for performing trivial or repetitive actions, even against your will

• archaic - j. little evolved from or characteristic of an earlier ancestral type

• grapple - v. to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match

• inaccessible - j. capable of being reached only with great difficulty or not at all

• expend - v. use up, consume fully

• inlet - n. an arm off of a larger body of water (often between rocky headlands)

• rendezvous - n. a place where people meet

• witchcraft - n. the art of sorcery

• divulge - v. make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret

• shun - v. avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of

• eschew - v. avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of

• foresight - n. seeing ahead; knowing in advance; foreseeing

• resilience - n. the physical property of a material that can return to its original shape or position after deformation that does not exceed its elastic limit

• veneer - n. coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood

• conciliatory - j. intended to placate

• incipient - j. only partly in existence; imperfectly formed

• epoch - n. a period marked by distinctive character or reckoned from a fixed point or event

• labyrinth - n. complex system of paths or tunnels in which it is easy to get lost

• collage - n. a paste-up made by sticking together pieces of paper or photographs to form an artistic image

• enigma - n. something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained

• paraphrase - v. express the same message in different words

• peddle - v. sell or offer for sale from place to place

• divergent - j. tending to move apart in different directions

• tadpole - n. a larval frog or toad

• acumen - n. shrewdness shown by keen insight

• amalgam - n. a combination or blend of diverse things

• abysmal - j. very great; limitless, especially of something bad

SAT Words Set 40

• flagrant - j. conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible

• lethargic - j. deficient in alertness or activity

• quandary - n. state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options

• squabble - v. argue over petty things

• expediency - n. the quality of being suited to the end in view

• voracious - j. devouring or craving food in great quantities

• adoration - n. the act of admiring strongly

• jubilant - j. full of high-spirited delight

• quagmire - n. a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot

• chastity - n. morality with respect to sexual relations

• insular - j. narrowly restricted in outlook or scope

• suave - j. having a sophisticated charm

• begrudge - v. be envious of; set one's heart on

• edict - n. a formal or authoritative proclamation

• haggard - n. British writer noted for romantic adventure novels (1856-1925)

• leniency - n. mercifulness as a consequence of being lenient or tolerant

• baritone - n. the second lowest adult male singing voice

• archetype - n. something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies

• sarcophagus - n. a stone coffin (usually bearing sculpture or inscriptions)

• moralist - n. a philosopher who specializes in morals and moral problems

• blithe - j. carefree and happy and lighthearted

• nefarious - j. extremely wicked

• tranquility - n. an untroubled state; free from disturbances

• pariah - n. a person who is rejected (from society or home)

• rigor - n. something hard to endure

• dud - n. an explosion that fails to occur

• orthopedic - j. of or relating to the branch of medicine that deals with the skeletal system

• solicitor - n. a British lawyer who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents

• fragment - n. a piece broken off or cut off of something else

• constituent - n. a member of a constituency; a citizen who is represented in a government by officials for whom he or she votes

• nominate - v. propose as a candidate for some honor

• provisional - j. under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon

• linguistics - n. the scientific study of language

• excellence - n. the quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree

• deduce - v. conclude by reasoning; in logic

• emit - v. give off, send forth, or discharge; as of light, heat, or radiation, vapor, etc.

• fracture - v. interrupt, break, or destroy

• disciple - n. someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another

• connotation - n. an idea that is implied or suggested

• expanse - n. a wide and open space or area as of surface or land or sky

• siren - n. a warning signal that is a loud wailing sound

• taut - j. subjected to great tension; stretched tight

• cholera - n. an acute intestinal infection caused by ingestion of contaminated water or food

• synonym - n. a word that has the same or similar meaning of another word

• loathe - v. find repugnant

• dissipate - v. to cause to separate and go in different directions

• disconnect - v. disjoin or unfasten

• fluctuate - v. cause to fluctuate or move in a wavelike pattern

• misty - j. wet with mist

• detriment - n. a damage or loss

SAT Words Set 41

• hydraulic - j. moved or operated or effected by liquid (water or oil)

• coercion - n. the act of compelling by force of authority

• diligence - n. persevering determination to perform a task

• calorie - n. unit of heat defined as the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade at atmospheric pressure

• tolerable - j. capable of being borne or endured

• freshness - n. the property of being pure and fresh (as if newly made); not stale or deteriorated

• inflexible - j. incapable of adapting or changing to meet circumstances

• semblance - n. an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading

• vociferous - j. conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry

• condone - v. excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with

• congregate - v. come together, usually for a purpose

• mishap - n. an instance of misfortune

• nuance - n. a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude

• dilapidated - j. in deplorable condition

• fictitious - j. adopted in order to deceive

• impediment - n. something that interferes with or delays action or progress

• pungent - j. strong and sharp

• soggy - j. soft and watery

• brethren - n. (plural) the lay members of a male religious order

• strut - n. a proud stiff pompous manner of walking

• modernize - v. become technologically advanced

• reprieve - v. postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal, such as an execution

• connoisseur - n. an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts

• cede - v. relinquish possession or control over

• mercenary - n. a person hired to fight for another country than their own

• contagious - j. easily diffused or spread as from one person to another

• percussion - n. the section of a band or orchestra that plays percussion instruments

• subconscious - n. mental activity just below the level of awareness

• boisterous - j. noisy and lacking in restraint or discipline

• equivocal - j. open to two or more interpretations; or of uncertain nature or significance; or (often) intended to mislead

• wanton - j. casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior

• cordial - j. politely warm and friendly

• inarticulate - j. without or deprived of the use of speech or words

• nondescript - j. lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting

• credulity - n. tendency to believe readily

• admonition - n. a firm rebuke or reprimand

• inscrutable - j. of an obscure nature

• alchemy - n. a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times

• confluence - n. a place where things merge or flow together (especially rivers)

• surfeit - n. eating until excessively full

• polemic - n. a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)

• beau - n. a man who is the lover of a girl or young woman

• grotto - n. a small cave (usually with attractive features)

• dramatize - v. represent something in a dramatic manner

• exegesis - n. an explanation or critical interpretation (especially of the Bible)

• cartilage - n. tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults

• gaffe - n. a socially awkward or tactless act

• sisterhood - n. an association or society of women who are linked together by a common religion or trade or interest

• venal - j. capable of being corrupted

• indigent - j. poor enough to need help from others

SAT Words Set 42

• vapid - j. lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest

• sepulcher - n. a chamber that is used as a grave

• valedictorian - n. the student with the best grades who usually delivers the valedictory address at commencement

• circulate - v. move through a space, circuit or system, returning to the starting point

• inject - v. give an injection to

• distort - v. make false by mutilation or addition; as of a message or story

• descendant - j. proceeding by descent from an ancestor

• graze - v. let feed in a field or pasture or meadow

• contingency - n. a possible event or occurrence or result

• geology - n. a science that deals with the history of the earth as recorded in rocks

• exacerbate - v. exasperate or irritate

• elicit - v. call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)

• collaborate - v. work together on a common enterprise of project

• collide - v. crash together with violent impact

• tonic - n. a medicine that strengthens and invigorates

• retort - n. a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)

• torque - n. a twisting force

• wield - v. have and exercise

• anatomy - n. the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals

• reciprocal - j. concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return

• privy - j. hidden from general view or use

• depreciation - n. a decrease in price or value

• counteract - v. oppose and mitigate the effects of by contrary actions

• ripple - n. a small wave on the surface of a liquid

• recur - v. happen or occur again

• perish - v. pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

• pertinent - j. having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand

• precedence - n. status established in order of importance or urgency

• transient - n. one who stays for only a short time

• glacier - n. a slowly moving mass of ice

• verification - n. additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct

• aroma - n. a distinctive odor that is pleasant

• felicity - n. state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy

• ailment - n. an often persistent bodily disorder or disease; a cause for complaining

• ascend - v. slope upwards

• dissimilar - j. not similar

• spurious - j. plausible but false

• irreversible - j. incapable of being reversed

• aristocrat - n. a member of the aristocracy

• inert - j. unable to move or resist motion

• propensity - n. a natural inclination

• revoke - v. cancel officially

• nausea - n. the state that precedes vomiting

• microscopic - j. so small as to be invisible without a microscope

• prospectus - n. a formal written offer to sell securities (filed with the SEC) that sets forth a plan for a (proposed) business enterprise

• audition - n. a test of the suitability of a performer

• perilous - j. fraught with danger

• wreak - v. cause to happen or to occur as a consequence

• amply - a. sufficiently; more than adequately

• lull - v. become quiet or less intensive

SAT Words Set 43

• resilient - j. recovering readily from adversity, depression, or the like

• insatiable - j. impossible to satisfy

• perpetrator - n. someone who performs wrongdoing

• anathema - n. a detested person

• ephemeral - j. lasting a very short time

• scrutinize - v. examine carefully for accuracy with the intent of verification

• noxious - j. injurious to physical or mental health

• loot - n. goods or money obtained illegally

• hustle - v. get by trying hard

• dogmatic - j. of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative

• arbiter - n. someone with the power to settle matters at will

• Christendom - n. the collective body of Christians throughout the world and history (found predominantly in Europe and the Americas and Australia)

• disobedience - n. the trait of being unwilling to obey

• junta - n. a group of military officers who rule a country after seizing power

• eddy - n. a miniature whirlpool or whirlwind resulting when the current of a fluid doubles back on itself

• observant - j. paying close attention especially to details

• belligerent - j. characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight

• intolerant - j. narrow-minded about cherished opinions

• misrepresent - v. represent falsely

• tenacity - n. persistent determination

• didactic - j. instructive (especially excessively)

• harbinger - n. something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone

• luscious - j. extremely pleasing to the sense of taste

• foolproof - j. not liable to failure

• vulgarity - n. the quality of lacking taste and refinement

• plummet - v. drop sharply

• rebut - v. overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof

• ascetic - n. someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline

• conundrum - n. a difficult problem

• gloat - n. malicious satisfaction

• seclusion - n. the act of removing yourself from the presence of others

• extraneous - j. not essential

• oratory - n. addressing an audience formally (usually a long and rhetorical address and often pompous)

• recitation - n. a public instance of reciting or repeating (from memory) something prepared in advance

• frigid - j. extremely cold

• inadvertent - j. happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally

• lewd - j. suggestive of or tending to moral looseness

• plumb - a. exactly

• rant - v. talk in a noisy, excited, or emotional manner

• ascension - n. (astronomy) the rising of a star above the horizon

• feral - j. wild and menacing

• viceroy - n. governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of his or her king or sovereign

• annunciation - n. a festival commemorating the announcement of the Incarnation by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary; a quarter day in England, Wales, and Ireland

• zenith - n. the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected

• quixotic - j. not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic

• sanctimonious - j. excessively or hypocritically pious

• chicanery - n. the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)

• prurient - j. characterized by lust

• stoic - j. seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive

• boorish - j. ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance

SAT Words Set 44

• lingo - n. a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)

• skeptic - n. someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs

• anemia - n. a deficiency of red blood cells

• precede - v. be earlier in time; go back further

• regiment - n. army unit smaller than a division

• fixture - n. an object firmly fixed in place (especially in a household)

• nil - n. a quantity of no importance

• hesitation - n. the act of pausing uncertainly

• microscope - n. magnifier of the image of small objects

• fungus - n. an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter

• concerto - n. a composition for orchestra and a soloist

• disapprove - v. deem wrong or inappropriate

• outburst - n. a sudden violent disturbance

• sever - v. cut off from a whole

• advertiser - n. someone whose business is advertising

• depress - v. lessen the activity or force of

• compute - v. make a mathematical calculation or computation

• denomination - n. a group of religious congregations having its own organization and a distinctive faith

• cadet - n. a military trainee (as at a military academy)

• negligent - j. characterized by neglect and undue lack of concern

• infrequent - j. not frequent; not occurring regularly or at short intervals

• cumbersome - j. difficult to handle or use especially because of size or weight

• detract - v. take away a part from; diminish

• ridicule - v. subject to laughter or humiliation

• console - n. a small table fixed to a wall or designed to stand against a wall

• renovate - v. restore to a previous or better condition

• allusion - n. passing reference or indirect mention

• magician - n. someone who performs magic tricks to amuse an audience

• momentary - j. lasting for a markedly brief time

• moat - n. ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water

• rotary - j. relating to or characterized by rotation

• grievous - j. causing or marked by grief or anguish

• heresy - n. a belief that rejects the orthodox tenets of a religion

• sarcasm - n. witty language used to convey insults or scorn

• chronology - n. a record of events in the order of their occurrence

• propagation - n. the spreading of something (a belief or practice) into new regions

• venom - n. poison produced by animals; secreted by certain snakes and poisonous insects (e.g., spiders and scorpions)

• surety - n. something clearly established beyond doubt; a certainty

• interminable - j. tiresomely long; seemingly without end

• plethora - n. extreme excess

• salutary - j. tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health

• painstaking - j. characterized by extreme care and great effort

• aberration - n. a state or condition markedly different from the norm

• proffer - v. present for acceptance or rejection

• senile - j. mentally or physically infirm with age

• squalid - j. foul and run-down and repulsive

• afterthought - n. an addition that was not included in the original plan

• implacable - j. incapable of being placated

• quirk - v. twist or curve abruptly

• cessation - n. a stopping

SAT Words Set 45

• intangible - j. incapable of being perceived by the senses especially the sense of touch

• translucent - j.  allowing light to pass through diffusely

• epitome - n. a brief abstract (as of an article or book)

• maniac - n. a person who has an obsession with or excessive enthusiasm for something

• cryptic - j. having a puzzling terseness

• malevolent - j. wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred

• plural - j. composed of more than one member, set, or kind

• negotiable - j. able to be negotiated or arranged by compromise

• ravine - n. a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)

• reprisal - n. a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime

• snub - v. reject outright and bluntly

• bullock - n. young bull

• optic - j. relating to or using sight

• valiant - j. having or showing exceptional or heroic courage

• genital - j. of or relating to the external sex organs

• compliant - j. disposed or willing to comply

• dearth - n. an insufficient quantity or number

• docile - j. easily handled or managed

• hospitable - j. disposed to treat guests and strangers with cordiality and generosity

• corroborate - v. establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts

• inconsequential - j. lacking worth or importance

• panacea - n. hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists

• terse - j. brief and to the point; effectively cut short

• rebuff - v. reject outright and bluntly

• audacious - j. unrestrained by convention or propriety

• disservice - n. an act intended to help that turns out badly

• epitaph - n. an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried there

• irksome - j. so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

• irrepressible - j. impossible to repress or control

• perfunctory - j. hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough

• perseverance - n. the act of persisting or persevering; continuing or repeating behavior

• sanguine - j. confidently optimistic and cheerful

• vitriolic - j. harsh or corrosive in tone

• erudite - j. having or showing profound knowledge

• gullible - j. easily tricked because of being too trusting

• indefensible - j. incapable of being justified or explained

• ineligible - j. not eligible

• invective - n. abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will

• merciless - j. having or showing no mercy

• urbane - j. showing a high degree of refinement and the assurance that comes from wide social experience

• outdo - v. get the better of

• afoot - a. on foot; walking

• luxuriant - j. marked by complexity and richness of detail

• callow - j. young and inexperienced

• waif - n. a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned

• radiance - n. the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light

• synopsis - n. a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument or theory

• tutelage - n. teaching pupils individually (usually by a tutor hired privately)

• abdication - n. a formal resignation and renunciation of powers

• pervert - n. a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior

SAT Words Set 46

• ravenous - j. extremely hungry

• elegy - n. a mournful poem; a lament for the dead

• imperious - j. having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

• middling - n. any commodity of intermediate quality or size (especially when coarse particles of ground wheat are mixed with bran)

• obsolescence - n. the process of becoming obsolete; falling into disuse or becoming out of date

• triad - n. a set of three similar things considered as a unit

• ineffable - j. too sacred to be uttered

• taciturn - j. habitually reserved and uncommunicative

• credulous - j. disposed to believe on little evidence

• engrossing - j. capable of arousing and holding the attention

• polygamy - n. having more than one spouse at a time

• catharsis - n. (psychoanalysis) purging of emotional tensions

• revere - n. regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of

• unfavorable - j. not encouraging or approving or pleasing

• sleight - n. adroitness in using the hands

• ardor - n. feelings of great warmth and intensity

• lea - n. a unit of length of thread or yarn

• brigade - n. army unit smaller than a division

• deficiency - n. the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable

• syllable - n. a unit of spoken language larger than a phoneme

• lurk - v. lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

• interpreter - n. someone who mediates between speakers of different languages

• variance - n. an activity that varies from a norm or standard

• implicate - v. bring into intimate and incriminating connection

• lexicon - n. a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words with information about them

• endow - v. give qualities or abilities to

• impersonal - j. having no personal preference

• accrue - v. grow by addition

• impatience - n. a dislike of anything that causes delay

• preface - v. furnish with an introduction

• fumble - v. make one's way clumsily or blindly

• prerogative - n. a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)

• rift - n. a personal or social separation (as between opposing factions)

• inflammation - n. a response of body tissues to injury or irritation; characterized by pain and swelling and redness and heat

• sparse - j. not dense

• unwise - j. showing or resulting from lack of judgment or wisdom

• engender - v. call forth

• perpetuate - v. cause to continue or prevail

• humiliate - v. cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of

• adherence - n. faithful support for a cause or political party or religion

• gorge - v. overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself

• expatriate - n. a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country

• saline - j. containing salt

• juggle - v. deal with simultaneously

• lowly - j. low or inferior in station or quality

• espouse - v. take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own

• oblivion - n. the state of being disregarded or forgotten

• canary - n. any of several small Old World finches

• cohesive - j. cohering or tending to cohere; well integrated

• torment - v. treat cruelly

SAT Words Set 47

• exclamation - n. an abrupt excited utterance

• visualize - v. imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind

• executor - n. a person appointed by a testator to carry out the terms of the will

• unison - n. occurring together or simultaneously

• stallion - n. adult male horse kept for breeding

• decimal - j. numbered or proceeding by tens; based on ten

• drawl - n. a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels

• sonnet - n. a verse form consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme

• constellation - n. a configuration of stars as seen from the earth

• tableau - n. any dramatic scene

• inexperience - n. lack of experience and the knowledge and understanding derived from experience

• dissuade - v. turn away from by persuasion

• ferocity - n. the property of being wild or turbulent

• monotonous - j. tediously repetitious or lacking in variety

• supplant - v. take the place or move into the position of

• extravagance - n. the quality of exceeding the appropriate limits of decorum or probability or truth

• incessant - j. uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

• affluence - n. abundant wealth

• agile - j. moving quickly and lightly

• decipher - v. read with difficulty

• skirmish - n. a minor short-term fight

• abyss - n. a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable chasm or void

• chasm - n. a deep opening in the earth's surface

• commotion - n. confused movement

• adjunct - n. a person who is an assistant or subordinate to another

• incursion - n. the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)

• permanence - n. the property of being able to exist for an indefinite duration

• gait - n. a horse's manner of moving

• craving - n. an intense desire for some particular thing

• plurality - n. the state of being plural

• feudalism - n. the social system that developed in Europe in the 8th century; vassals were protected by lords who they had to serve in war

• flak - n. a slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer

• kernel - n. the inner and usually edible part of a seed or grain or nut or fruit stone

• insignificance - n. the quality of having little or no significance

• intrepid - j. invulnerable to fear or intimidation

• laudable - j. worthy of high praise

• brevity - n. the attribute of being brief or fleeting

• microcosm - n. a miniature model of something

• obstinate - j. resistant to guidance or discipline

• serviceable - j. capable of being put to good use

• dutiful - j. willingly obedient out of a sense of duty and respect

• disreputable - j. lacking respectability in character or behavior or appearance

• eminence - n. high status importance owing to marked superiority

• indomitable - j. impossible to subdue

• magnificence - n. the quality of being magnificent or splendid or grand

• malleable - j. capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out

• reprehensible - j. bringing or deserving severe rebuke or censure

• trifling - j. not worth considering

• veracity - n. unwillingness to tell lies

• diatribe - n. thunderous verbal attack

SAT Words Set 48

• epithet - n. a defamatory or abusive word or phrase

• introspection - n. the contemplation of your own thoughts and desires and conduct

• nimble - j. moving quickly and lightly

• prodigal - j. recklessly wasteful

• pithy - j. concise and full of meaning

• censor - n. a person who is authorized to read publications or correspondence suppress in whole or in part anything considered obscene or politically unacceptable

• airtight - j. not allowing air or gas to pass in or out

• burnish - v. polish and make shiny

• incapacitated - j. lacking in or deprived of strength or power

• navel - n. a scar where the umbilical cord was attached

• insomnia - n. an inability to sleep; chronic sleeplessness

• babble - v. utter meaningless sounds, like a baby, or utter in an incoherent way

• droll - j. comical in an odd or whimsical manner

• stipend - n. a sum of money allotted on a regular basis; usually for some specific purpose

• coterie - n. an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose

• erudition - n. profound scholarly knowledge

• palsy - n. a condition marked by uncontrollable tremor

• sedentary - j. requiring sitting or little activity

• snare - v. entice and trap

• apparition - n. the appearance of a ghostlike figure

• matinee - n. a theatrical performance held during the daytime (especially in the afternoon)

• obstetrician - n. a physician specializing in obstetrics

• emporium - n. a large retail store organized into departments offering a variety of merchandise; commonly part of a retail chain

• bravo - n. a cry of approval as from an audience at the end of great performance

• consulate - n. diplomatic building that serves as the residence or workplace of a consul

• heredity - n. the biological process whereby genetic factors are transmitted from one generation to the next

• derrick - n. a framework erected over an oil well to allow drill tubes to be raised and lowered

• revocation - n. the act (by someone having the authority) of annulling something previously done

• symphonic - j. relating to or characteristic or suggestive of a symphony

• laud - v. praise, glorify, or honor

• rapacious - j. excessively greedy and grasping

• prescient - j. perceiving the significance of events before they occur

• apostasy - n. the state of having rejected your religious beliefs or your political party or a cause (often in favor of opposing beliefs or causes)

• laudatory - j. full of or giving praise

• unconscionable - j. lacking a conscience

• pandemic - j. epidemic over a wide geographical area

• implosion - n. a sudden inward collapse

• inexcusable - j. without excuse or justification

• sobriety - n. moderation in or abstinence from alcohol or other drugs

• clamor - n. loud and persistent outcry from many people

• disheveled - j. in disarray; extremely disorderly

• tempt - v. dispose or incline or entice to

• originate - v. come into existence; take on form or shape

• negligence - n. the trait of neglecting responsibilities and lacking concern

• drainage - n. emptying something accomplished by allowing liquid to run out of it

• precaution - n. a measure warding off impending danger or damage or injury etc.

• solvent - n. a liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances

• poise - n. great coolness and composure under strain

• hurl - v. throw forcefully

• accessory - j. aiding and abetting in a crime

SAT Words Set 49

• coronation - n. the ceremony of installing a new monarch

• temporal - j. of or relating to or limited by time

• reiterate - v. to say, state, or perform again

• misunderstand - v. interpret in the wrong way

• augment - v. enlarge or increase

• ration - v. restrict the consumption of a relatively scarce commodity, as during war

• cohesion - n. (physics) the intermolecular force that holds together the molecules in a solid or liquid

• accompaniment - n. a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts

• abbot - n. the superior of an abbey of monks

• overshadow - v. be greater in significance than

• disqualify - v. make unfit or unsuitable

• idiom - n. an expression whose meanings cannot be inferred from the meanings of the words that make it up

• wince - v. make a face indicating disgust or dislike

• beset - v. assail or attack on all sides

• elude - v. escape, either physically or mentally

• degrade - v. reduce in worth or character, usually verbally

• benefactor - n. a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)

• reunite - v. have a reunion; unite again

• devious - j. characterized by insincerity or deceit; evasive

• nestle - v. position comfortably

• scuttle - n. container for coal; shaped to permit pouring the coal onto the fire

• intermittent - j. stopping and starting at irregular intervals

• tacit - j. implied by or inferred from actions or statements

• baton - n. a hollow metal rod that is wielded or twirled by a drum major or drum majorette

• preferential - j. manifesting partiality

• treatise - n. a formal written discourse on a subject

• deport - v. expel from a country

• refinery - n. an industrial plant for purifying a crude substance

• terminus - n. a place where something ends or is complete

• kiln - n. a furnace for firing or burning or drying such things as porcelain or bricks

• viola - n. a bowed stringed instrument slightly larger than a violin, tuned a fifth lower

• consternation - n. fear resulting from the awareness of danger

• allay - v. lessen the intensity of or calm

• congenial - j. suitable to your needs

• cursory - j. hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough

• illustrious - j. having or conferring glory

• indignity - n. an affront to one's dignity or self-esteem

• judicious - j. marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters

• tact - n. consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense

• squander - v. spend extravagantly

• comprehensible - j. capable of being comprehended or understood

• inkling - n. a slight suggestion or vague understanding

• laborious - j. characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

• offshoot - n. a natural consequence of development

• scarcity - n. a small and inadequate amount

• barometer - n. an instrument that measures atmospheric pressure

• glimmer - v. shine brightly, like a star or a light

• decode - v. convert code into ordinary language

• nomad - n. a member of a people who have no permanent home but move about according to the seasons

• monotony - n. the quality of wearisome constancy, routine, and lack of variety

SAT Words Set 50

• sensuous - j. taking delight in beauty

• unanimity - n. everyone being of one mind

• instantaneous - j. occurring with no delay

• languid - j. lacking spirit or liveliness

• defraud - v. deprive of by deceit

• denunciation - n. a public act of denouncing

• garnish - n. any decoration added as a trimming or adornment

• Spartan - j. firmness and determination in the face of pain or danger or adversity

• buttress - v. make stronger or defensible

• reticent - j. inclined to keep one's thoughts to oneself

• atrocious - j. shockingly brutal or cruel

• enormity - n. vastness of size or extent

• florid - j. elaborately or excessively ornamented

• deferential - j. showing deference

• stupendous - j. so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe

• affable - j. diffusing warmth and friendliness

• anachronism - n. an artifact that belongs to another time

• moribund - j. being on the point of death; breathing your last

• sidestep - n. a step to one side (as in boxing or dancing)

• sinuous - j. curved or curving in and out

• vacuous - j. devoid of significance or point

• wintry - j. characteristic of or occurring in winter

• amorous - j. inclined toward or displaying love

• denigrate - v. charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone

• henchman - n. someone who assists in a plot

• incomparable - j. such that comparison is impossible; unsuitable for comparison or lacking features that can be compared

• inoffensive - j. not causing anger or annoyance

• sacrificial - j. used in or connected with a sacrifice

• confidant - n. someone to whom private matters are confided

• delectable - j. extremely pleasing to the sense of taste

• mercurial - j. relating to or having characteristics (eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness, thievishness) attributed to the god Mercury

• opportunist - j. taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit

• progeny - n. the immediate descendants of a person

• servile - j. submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior

• specious - j. plausible but false

• clot - n. a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid

• personable - j. pleasant in appearance and personality

• quibble - v. argue over petty things

• trenchant - j. having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect

• extort - v. obtain by coercion or intimidation

• quarantine - n. enforced isolation of patients suffering from a contagious disease in order to prevent the spread of disease

• subliminal - j. below the threshold of conscious perception

• equalize - v. compensate; make the score equal

• ostensible - j. appearing as such but not necessarily so

• verbatim - j. in precisely the same words used by a writer or speaker

• acreage - n. an area of ground used for some particular purpose (such as building or farming)

• domesticity - n. the quality of being domestic or domesticated

• ensign - n. a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant junior grade

• idolatry - n. the worship of idols; the worship of images that are not God

• incoherence - n. nonsense that is simply incoherent and unintelligible

SAT Words Set 51

• obtuse - j. lacking in insight or discernment

• submersible - j. capable of being immersed in water or functioning while submerged

• zealot - n. a fervent and even militant proponent of something

• stingy - j. unwilling to spend

• unbecoming - j. not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

• contagion - n. any disease easily transmitted by contact

• lascivious - j. driven by lust; preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires

• prescience - n. the power to foresee the future

• Calvary - n. any experience that causes intense suffering

• visage - n. the appearance conveyed by a person's face

• apropos - j. of an appropriate or pertinent nature

• peddler - n. someone who travels about selling his wares (as on the streets or at carnivals)

• vaudeville - n. a variety show with songs and comic acts etc.

• lingua - n. a mobile mass of muscular tissue covered with mucous membrane and located in the oral cavity

• prosody - n. the study of poetic meter and the art of versification

• anticlimax - n. a disappointing decline after a previous rise

• atone - v. turn away from sin or do penitence

• maharaja - n. a great raja; a Hindu prince or king in India ranking above a raja

• leaflet - n. pamphlet; a small book usually having a paper cover

• respondent - j. replying; giving in answer to

• encompass - v. include in scope; include as part of something broader; have as one's sphere or territory

• correlate - v. to bear a reciprocal or mutual relation

• displace - v. cause to move, usually with force or pressure

• estuary - n. the wide part of a river where it nears the sea; fresh and salt water mix

• exemplify - v. be characteristic of

• gradient - n. the property possessed by a line or surface that departs from the horizontal

• corporal - n. a noncommissioned officer in the Army or Air Force or Marines

• assimilate - v. become similar to one's environment

• rectify - v. make right or correct

• precipitate - v. fall vertically, sharply, or headlong

• abdominal - j. of or relating to or near the belly

• buoyant - j. tending to float on a liquid or rise in air or gas

• intrude - v. enter uninvited

• relegate - v. assign to a class or kind

• acquit - v. pronounce not guilty of criminal charges

• repel - v. force or drive back

• interrogate - v. pose a series of questions to

• vindicate - v. clear of accusation, blame, suspicion, or doubt with supporting proof

• wane - v. become smaller

• subdue - v. make subordinate, dependent, or subservient

• degenerate - j. unrestrained by convention or morality

• steeply - a. having a sharp incline

• antagonism - n. an actively expressed feeling of dislike and hostility

• deviate - v. be at variance with; be out of line with

• coax - n. a transmission line for high-frequency signals

• deficient - j. inadequate in amount or degree

• insulate - v. protect from heat, cold, or noise by surrounding with insulating material

• allot - v. give out

• apex - n. the point on the celestial sphere toward which the sun and solar system appear to be moving relative to the fixed stars

• generalize - v. draw from specific cases for more general cases

SAT Words Set 52

• symmetrical - j. having similarity in size, shape, and relative position of corresponding parts such as the left and right sides of the face

• forgery - n. criminal falsification by making or altering an instrument with intent to defraud

• prune - v. weed out unwanted or unnecessary things

• dictum - n. an authoritative declaration

• illusory - j. based on or having the nature of an illusion

• vestige - n. an indication that something has been present

• dabble - v. work with in an amateurish manner

• disinterested - j. unaffected by self-interest

• expedient - j. appropriate to a purpose; practical

• extol - v. praise, glorify, or honor

• inanimate - j. not endowed with life

• oblique - j. indirect in departing from the accepted or proper way; misleading

• piecemeal - a. a little bit at a time

• extricate - v. release from entanglement of difficulty

• fortify - v. enclose by or as if by a fortification

• macabre - j. shockingly repellent; inspiring horror

• reciprocate - v. act, feel, or give mutually or in return

• supple - j. (used of persons' bodies) capable of moving or bending freely

• frailty - n. the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)

• interlude - n. an intervening period or episode

• fabricate - v. make up something artificial or untrue

• discord - n. lack of agreement or harmony

• bristle - v. react in an offended or angry manner

• countenance - n. the appearance conveyed by a person's face

• recoil - v. draw back, as with fear or pain

• subversion - n. destroying someone's (or some group's) honesty or loyalty; undermining moral integrity

• oddity - n. a strange attitude or habit

• possessive - j. desirous of owning

• incite - v. provoke or stir up

• ligament - n. a sheet or band of tough fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages or supporting muscles or organs

• topography - n. precise detailed study of the surface features of a region

• auxiliary - j. functioning in a supporting capacity

• riddle - v. pierce with many holes

• gentile - j. belonging to or characteristic of non-Jewish peoples

• tarnish - v. make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically

• bemoan - v. regret strongly

• dexterity - n. adroitness in using the hands

• modicum - n. a small or moderate or token amount

• parlance - n. a manner of speaking that is natural to native speakers of a language

• prosaic - j. not fanciful or imaginative

• capricious - j. determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason

• cogent - j. powerfully persuasive

• forestall - v. keep from happening or arising; make impossible

• fortitude - n. strength of mind that enables one to endure adversity with courage

• irate - j. feeling or showing extreme anger

• itinerant - j. traveling from place to place to work

• sacrosanct - j. must be kept sacred

• untimely - j. uncommonly early or before the expected time

• odious - j. unequivocally detestable

• vanquish - v. come out better in a competition, race, or conflict

SAT Words Set 53

• pacify - v. cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

• sufficiency - n. an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

• warlike - j. suggesting war or military life

• wrest - v. obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically

• paragon - n. model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal

• rabble - n. disparaging or negative term for the common people

• thrall - n. the state of being under the control of another person

• underwrite - v. guarantee financial support of

• antiseptic - j. thoroughly clean and free of or destructive to disease-causing organisms

• apotheosis - n. model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal

• depravity - n. a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice

• profligate - n. a recklessly extravagant consumer

• rectitude - n. righteousness as a consequence of being honorable and honest

• dramatist - n. someone who writes plays

• solicitous - j. full of anxiety and concern

• wiry - j. lean and sinewy

• pall - n. a sudden numbing dread

• regretful - j. feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone

• dissection - n. cutting so as to separate into pieces

• maudlin - j. effusively or insincerely emotional

• crucible - n. a vessel made of material that does not melt easily; used for high temperature chemical reactions

• emeritus - j. honorably retired from assigned duties and retaining your title along with the additional title 'emeritus' as in 'professor emeritus'

• animate - j. belonging to the class of nouns that denote living beings

• islet - n. a small island

• vertigo - n. a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall

• gregarious - j. instinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others

• Darwinism - n. a theory of organic evolution claiming that new species arise and are perpetuated by natural selection

• iota - n. the 9th letter of the Greek alphabet

• lien - n. the right to take another's property if an obligation is not discharged

• inquisitor - n. a questioner who is excessively harsh

• canto - n. a major division of a long poem

• hackneyed - j. repeated too often; over familiar through overuse

• pugnacious - j. ready and able to resort to force or violence

• soporific - j. sleep inducing; drowsy

• ingratiate - v. gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts

• opprobrium - n. a state of extreme dishonor

• Iliad - n. a Greek epic poem (attributed to Homer) describing the siege of Troy

• picaresque - j. involving clever rogues or adventurers especially as in a type of fiction

• theocracy - n. the belief in government by divine guidance

• docket - n. (law) the calendar of a court; the list of cases to be tried or a summary of the court's activities

• depository - n. a facility where things can be deposited for storage or safekeeping

• entree - n. the principal dish of a meal

• mendacity - n. the tendency to be untruthful

• albino - n. a person with congenital albinism: white hair and milky skin; eyes are usually pink

• adieu - n. a farewell remark

• entomology - n. the branch of zoology that studies insects

• avarice - n. extreme greed for material wealth

• cornucopia - n. a goat's horn filled with grain and flowers and fruit symbolizing prosperity

• underlie - v. lie underneath

• ascertain - v. learn or discover with certainty

SAT Words Set 54

• postgraduate - j. of or relating to studies beyond a bachelor's degree

• ascribe - v. attribute or credit to

• vale - n. a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

• derelict - j. failing in what duty requires

• subside - v. wear off or die down

• mouthful - n. the quantity that can be held in the mouth

• contaminate - v. make radioactive by adding radioactive material

• purport - v. have the appearance of being, intending, or claiming

• flux - n. in constant change

• immerse - v. thrust or throw into

• engulf - v. flow over or cover completely

• allotment - n. a share set aside for a specific purpose

• horde - n. a vast multitude

• angular - j. having angles or an angular shape

• flinch - v. draw back, as with fear or pain

• inversion - n. the layer of air near the earth is cooler than an overlying layer

• brigadier - n. a general officer ranking below a major general

• permeate - v. spread or diffuse through

• apprehensive - j. in fear or dread of possible evil or harm

• amenable - j. disposed or willing to comply

• cleanse - v. purge of an ideology, bad thoughts, or sins

• observance - n. the act or custom of keeping or celebrating a holiday or other ritual occasion

• emotive - j. characterized by emotion

• evict - v. expel or eject without recourse to legal process

• dimly - a. with a dim light

• inactive - j. lacking activity; lying idle or unused

• irritable - j. abnormally sensitive to a stimulus

• combustion - n. the act of burning something

• physiology - n. the branch of the biological sciences dealing with the functioning of organisms

• bequest - n. (law) a gift of personal property by will

• hangar - n. a large structure at an airport where aircraft can be stored and maintained

• agrarian - j. relating to rural matters

• ecumenical - j. of worldwide scope or applicability

• brooch - n. a decorative pin worn by women

• bombard - v. throw bombs at or attack with bombs

• fruition - n. the condition of bearing fruit

• condense - v. make more concise

• spinster - n. an elderly unmarried woman

• spurn - v. reject with contempt

• meander - n. an aimless amble on a winding course

• tamper - v. play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly

• inhuman - j. belonging to or resembling something nonhuman

• materialize - v. come into being; become reality

• assailant - n. someone who attacks

• gush - n. an unrestrained expression of emotion

• homogeneity - n. the quality of being of uniform throughout in composition or structure

• sash - n. a band of material around the waist that strengthens a skirt or trousers

• upturn - n. an upward movement or trend as in business activity

• soot - n. a black dust that remains after burning something

• collier - n. someone who works in a coal mine

SAT Words Set 55

• immaterial - j. not pertinent to the matter under consideration

• incredulous - j. not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving

• reverie - n. absentminded dreaming while awake

• consort - v. keep company with; hang out with

• penance - n. voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing

• hypnotic - j. attracting and holding interest as if by a spell

• drone - v. talk in a monotonous voice

• immersion - n. a form of baptism in which part or all of a person's body is submerged

• alderman - n. a member of a municipal legislative body (as a city council)

• tortuous - j. marked by repeated turns and bends

• indestructible - j. not easily destroyed

• paucity - n. an insufficient quantity or number

• pare - v. remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size

• decrepit - j. worn and broken down by hard use

• nebulous - j. lacking definition or definite content

• resplendent - j. having great beauty and splendor

• circumspect - j. heedful of potential consequences

• ebullient - j. joyously unrestrained

• inhospitable - j. unfavorable to life or growth

• inimitable - j. defying imitation; matchless

• opportune - j. suitable or at a time that is suitable or advantageous especially for a particular purpose

• pandemonium - n. a state of extreme confusion and disorder

• pittance - n. an inadequate payment

• subservient - j. abjectly submissive; characteristic of a slave or servant

• aplomb - n. great coolness and composure under strain

• demure - j. affectedly modest or shy especially in a playful or provocative way

• fractious - j. stubbornly resistant to authority or control

• ineptitude - n. having no qualities that would render it valuable or useful

• intransigent - j. impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason

• invidious - j. containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice

• lugubrious - j. excessively mournful

• plaintive - j. expressing sorrow

• presumptuous - j. excessively forward

• surmise - v. imagine to be the case from incomplete evidence

• ungainly - j. lacking grace in movement or posture

• orator - n. a person who delivers a speech or oration

• bulwark - n. an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

• contemptible - j. deserving of contempt or scorn

• lifelike - j. free from artificiality

• morose - j. showing a brooding ill humor

• palatial - j. relating to or being a palace

• protege - n. a person who receives support and protection from an influential patron who furthers the protege's career

• bigot - n. a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own

• cacophony - n. loud confusing disagreeable sounds

• tyrannical - j. marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior

• bulbous - j. shaped like a bulb

• malady - n. any unwholesome or desperate condition

• medley - n. a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources

• repentance - n. remorse for your past conduct

• concussion - n. injury to the brain caused by a blow; usually resulting in loss of consciousness

SAT Words Set 56

• contrite - j. feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses

• limpid - j. clear and bright

• nadir - n. an extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything

• reverent - j. feeling or showing profound respect or veneration

• ulterior - j. beyond or outside an area of immediate interest; remote

• fallible - j. wanting in moral strength, courage, or will; having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings

• recluse - n. one who lives in solitude withdrawn from society

• regalia - n. emblems and symbols of royalty or other high office

• euthanasia - n. the act of killing someone painlessly (especially someone suffering from an incurable illness)

• resuscitation - n. the act of reviving a person and returning them to consciousness

• theorize - v. construct an scientific explanation for something

• sinus - n. any of various air-filled cavities in the bones of the skull; especially ones connecting with the nostrils

• cant - n. stock phrases that have become nonsense through endless repetition

• atonement - n. compensation for a wrong

• disburse - v. expend, as from a fund

• epilogue - n. a short passage added at the end of a literary work

• corrosive - n. a substance having the tendency to cause corrosion (such a strong acids or alkali)

• hydra - n. trouble that cannot be overcome by a single effort because of its many aspects or its persistent and pervasive quality

• panoply - n. a complete and impressive array

• acerbic - j. sour or bitter in taste

• prudish - j. exaggeratedly proper

• ribald - n. someone who uses vulgar and offensive language

• abstruse - j. difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge

• labyrinthine - j. resembling a labyrinth in form or complexity

• hypodermic - n. a piston syringe that is fitted with a hypodermic needle for giving injections

• menagerie - n. a collection of live animals for study or display

• denouement - n. the outcome of a complex sequence of events

• mawkish - j. effusively or insincerely emotional

• hew - v. strike with an axe; cut down, strike

• amity - n. a state of friendship and cordiality

• dissolute - j. unrestrained by convention or morality

• riddance - n. the act of removing or getting rid of something

• infamy - n. a state of extreme dishonor

• telltale - n. someone who gossips indiscreetly

• buffoon - n. a rude or vulgar fool

• archangel - n. an angel ranked above the highest rank in the celestial hierarchy

• impermissible - j. not allowable

• octogenarian - n. someone whose age is in the eighties

• bedlam - n. pejorative terms for an insane asylum

• misanthropic - j. hating mankind in general

• resurgent - j. rising again as to new life and vigor

• sanctimony - n. the quality of being hypocritically devout; phony righteousness

• largess - n. liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit

• orthopedist - n. a specialist in correcting deformities of the skeletal system (especially in children)

• supplementary - j. added to complete or make up a deficiency

• bowler - n. a felt hat that is round and hard with a narrow brim

• denote - v. be a sign or indication of

• confide - v. reveal in private; tell confidentially

• accession - n. agreeing with or consenting to (often unwillingly)

• converge - v. be adjacent or come together

SAT Words Set 57

• subsistence - n. minimal (or marginal) resources to live on

• compress - v. squeeze or press together

• preparatory - j. preceding and preparing for something

• reinstate - v. restore to the previous state or rank

• simulate - v. create a representation or model of

• ordnance - n. military supplies

• remission - n. an reduction in intensity or degree (as in the manifestations of a disease)

• dwindle - v. become smaller or lose substance

• rearrange - v. put into a new order or arrangement

• redress - n. act of correcting an error or a fault or an evil

• pretension - n. behaving or speaking in such a manner as to create a false appearance of great importance or worth

• disseminate - v. cause to become widely known

• nibble - v. bite off very small pieces

• milky - j. resembling milk in color not clear

• composure - n. steadiness of mind under stress

• transcribe - v. write out from speech, notes, etc.

• abdomen - n. the belly; the region of the body enclosing the stomach and intestines

• chancery - n. an office of archives for public or ecclesiastic records; a court of public records

• consul - n. a diplomat appointed by a government to protect its commercial interests and help its citizens in a foreign country

• grimace - n. a contorted facial expression

• hoard - n. a secret store of valuables or money

• consonant - n. a speech sound that is not a vowel

• postscript - n. a note appended to a letter after the signature

• disillusion - n. freeing from false belief or illusions

• afresh - a. again but in a new or different way

• memento - n. a reminder of past events

• apprehend - v. anticipate with dread or anxiety

• entirety - n. the state of being total and complete

• negate - v. prove negative; show to be false

• bereft - j. sorrowful through loss or deprivation

• hindrance - n. any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome

• inquisitive - j. showing curiosity

• proliferate - v. grow rapidly

• treachery - n. an act of deliberate betrayal

• feign - v. make believe with the intent to deceive

• acquiescence - n. acceptance without protest

• drowsy - j. half asleep

• eccentricity - n. strange and unconventional behavior

• incapacity - n. lack of physical or natural qualifications

• preponderance - n. a superiority in numbers or amount

• reproach - n. disgrace or shame

• copious - j. affording an abundant supply

• detest - v. dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards

• consequential - j. having important issues or results

• sodden - j. wet through and through; thoroughly wet

• extant - j. still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost

• accede - v. take on duties or office

• florist - n. someone who grows and deals in flowers

• hoarse - j. deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion

• foursome - n. four people considered as a unit

SAT Words Set 18

• Neolithic - n. latest part of the Stone Age beginning about 10,000 BC in the Middle East (but later elsewhere)

• hernia - n. rupture in smooth muscle tissue through which a bodily structure protrudes

• infallible - j. incapable of failure or error

• botany - n. the branch of biology that studies plants

• brine - n. a strong solution of salt and water used for pickling

• amorphous - j. having no definite form or distinct shape

• admissible - j. deserving to be included

• mercantile - j. relating to or characteristic of trade or traders

• heifer - n. young cow

• hypnosis - n. a state that resembles sleep but that is induced by suggestion

• exemplar - n. something to be imitated

• tireless - j. showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality

• jettison - v. throw as from an airplane

• relent - v. give in, as to influence or pressure

• precipice - n. a very steep cliff

• temerity - n. fearless daring

• alias - n. a name that has been assumed temporarily

• duplicity - n. acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another

• feckless - j. generally incompetent and ineffectual

• flippant - j. showing inappropriate levity

• fulsome - j. unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech

• impregnable - j. immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with

• listless - j. lacking zest or vivacity

• proficient - j. of or relating to technique or proficiency in a practical skill

• succulent - j. full of juice

• angelic - j. of or relating to angels

• chauvinist - n. a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind

• missive - n. a written message addressed to a person or organization

• monolith - n. a single great stone (often in the form of a column or obelisk)

• summarily - a. without delay; in a summary manner

• travesty - v. make a parody of, characterized by broad satire and improbable situations

• delirious - j. marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion

• colloquial - j. characteristic of informal spoken language or conversation

• invulnerable - j. immune to attack; impregnable

• obstinacy - n. the trait of being difficult to handle or overcome

• perversity - n. deliberately deviating from what is good

• preconceived - j. (of an idea or opinion) formed beforehand; especially without evidence or through prejudice

• prostrate - j. stretched out and lying at full length along the ground

• resuscitate - v. cause to regain consciousness

• velvety - j. smooth and soft to sight or hearing or touch or taste

• verve - n. an energetic style

• vicarious - j. experienced at secondhand

• prim - j. exaggeratedly proper

• slur - v. speak disparagingly of; e.g., make a racial slur

• eulogy - n. a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently

• stolid - j. having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited

• azure - n. a light shade of blue

• blasphemous - j. grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred

• knotty - j. tangled in knots or snarls

• superlative - n. an exaggerated expression (usually of praise)

SAT Words Set 59

• truism - n. an obvious truth

• earthenware - n. ceramic ware made of porous clay fired at low heat

• facetious - j. cleverly amusing in tone

• haughty - j. having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

• jibe - v. shift from one side of the ship to the other

• personage - n. another word for person; a person not meriting identification

• salvo - n. an outburst resembling the discharge of firearms or the release of bombs

• penitent - j. feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds

• cadence - n. the close of a musical section

• heretic - n. a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church

• purveyor - n. someone who supplies provisions (especially food)

• compunction - n. a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)

• inbred - j. produced by inbreeding

• omniscient - j. infinitely wise

• optics - n. the branch of physics that studies the physical properties of light

• parenthesis - n. either of two punctuation marks (or) used to enclose textual material

• veneration - n. a feeling of profound respect for someone or something

• appellation - n. identifying word or words by which someone or something is called and classified or distinguished from others

• chameleon - n. lizard of Africa and Madagascar able to change skin color and having a projectile tongue

• patter - n. a quick succession of light rapid sounds

• obstetrics - n. the branch of medicine dealing with childbirth and care of the mother

• aeronautics - n. the theory and practice of navigation through air or space

• chattel - n. personal as opposed to real property; any tangible movable property (furniture or domestic animals or a car etc)

• tremulous - j. (of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear

• papyrus - n. paper made from the papyrus plant by cutting it in strips and pressing it flat; used by ancient Egyptians and Greeks and Romans

• migratory - j. used of animals that move seasonally

• militarism - n. a political orientation of a people or a government to maintain a strong military force and to be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests

• purgatory - n. (theology) in Roman Catholic theology the place where those who have died in a state of grace undergo limited torment to expiate their sins

• hydroelectric - j. of or relating to or used in the production of electricity by waterpower

• olfactory - j. of or relating to the sense of smell

• Newtonian - j. of or relating to or inspired by Sir Isaac Newton or his science

• verisimilitude - n. the appearance of truth; the quality of seeming to be true

• actionable - j. affording grounds for legal action

• secede - v. withdraw from an organization or communion

• larceny - n. the act of taking something from someone unlawfully

• garrulous - j. full of trivial conversation

• exhibitionist - n. someone who deliberately behaves in such a way as to attract attention

• repartee - n. adroitness and cleverness in reply

• brimstone - n. an old name for sulfur

• decorous - j. characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct

• dilettante - n. an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge

• intermission - n. a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

• obsequious - j. attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner

• serendipity - n. good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries

• litigious - j. inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits

• modish - j. in the current fashion or style

• necropolis - n. a tract of land used for burials

• niggardly - j. petty or reluctant in giving or spending

• winsome - j. charming in a childlike or naive way

• umbrage - n. a feeling of anger caused by being offended

SAT Words Set 60

• contraband - n. goods whose importation or exportation or possession is prohibited by law

• inured - j. made tough by habitual exposure

• pudgy - j. short and plump

• mordant - n. a substance used to treat leather or other materials before dyeing; aids in dyeing process

• skit - n. a short theatrical episode

• overweening - j. presumptuously arrogant

• paramour - n. a woman's lover

• demagogue - n. a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions and prejudices

• bombast - n. pompous or pretentious talk or writing

• beatify - v. declare (a dead person) to be blessed; the first step of achieving sainthood

• stymie - v. hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of

• Canaanite - n. a member of an ancient Semitic people who occupied Canaan before it was conquered by the Israelites

• dermatology - n. the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases

• cognizant - j. (sometimes followed by 'of') having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

• centimeter - n. a metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter

• picayune - j. (informal) small and of little importance

• alteration - n. the act of making something different (as e.g. the size of a garment)

• loch - n. a long narrow inlet of the sea in Scotland (especially when it is nearly landlocked)

• pluck - n. the trait of showing courage and determination in spite of possible loss or injury

• empower - v. give or delegate power or authority to

• badger - v. annoy persistently

• falter - v. be unsure or weak

• centenary - j. of or relating to or completing a period of 100 years

• countryman - n. a man from your own country

• awaken - v. cause to become awake or conscious

• radiate - v. extend or spread outward from a center or focus or inward towards a center

• lattice - n. framework consisting of an ornamental design made of crossed strips of wood or metal

• extinguish - v. terminate, end, or take out

• emphatic - j. spoken with emphasis

• confiscate - j. surrendered as a penalty

• appraise - v. consider in a comprehensive way

• rudimentary - j. being or involving basic facts or principles

• multiplicity - n. the property of being multiple

• improvise - v. manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand

• surmount - v. reach the highest point of

• trudge - n. a long difficult walk

• divergence - n. the act of moving away in different direction from a common point

• deplete - v. use up (resources or materials)

• abstain - v. choose not to consume

• heterogeneous - j. consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature

• trident - n. a spear with three prongs

• octave - n. a musical interval of eight tones

• antipathy - n. a feeling of intense dislike

• uppermost - j. at or nearest to the top

• befriend - v. become friends with

• absolve - v. grant remission of a sin to

• penultimate - j. next to the last

• physique - n. constitution of the human body

• entrench - v. fix firmly or securely

• deflate - v. release contained air or gas from

SAT Words Set 61

• proverb - n. a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people

• paternal - j. belonging to or inherited from one's father

• statistician - n. someone versed in the collection and interpretation of numerical data (especially someone who uses statistics to calculate insurance premiums)

• goad - n. a provocation that encourages you to attempt something

• dainty - j. delicately beautiful

• furtive - j. marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

• proficiency - n. skillfulness in the command of fundamentals deriving from practice and familiarity

• mane - n. long coarse hair growing from the crest of the animal's neck

• knighthood - n. aristocrats holding the rank of knight

• renunciation - n. rejecting or disowning or disclaiming as invalid

• propeller - n. a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water

• pauper - n. a person who is very poor

• temperance - n. abstaining from excess; moderation

• vortex - n. a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)

• stanza - n. a fixed number of lines of verse forming a unit of a poem

• antecedent - n. anything that precedes something similar in time

• viscous - j. having a relatively high resistance to flow

• occult - n. supernatural practices and techniques

• sonata - n. a musical composition of 3 or 4 movements of contrasting forms

• sustenance - n. the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence

• succinct - j. briefly giving the gist of something

• trepidation - n. a feeling of alarm or dread

• belie - v. be in contradiction with

• berate - v. censure severely or angrily

• decimate - v. kill one in every ten, as of mutineers in Roman armies

• pedantic - j. marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects

• presage - n. a foreboding about what is about to happen

• redolent - j. having a strong pleasant odor

• abhorrent - j. offensive to the mind

• dissension - n. disagreement among those expected to cooperate

• figurehead - n. figure on the bow of some sailing vessels

• gaiety - n. a festive merry feeling

• immutable - j. not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature

• infirm - j. lacking firmness of will or character or purpose

• vermin - n. any of various small animals or insects that are pests; e.g. cockroaches or rats

• vivacious - j. vigorous and animated

• repulse - v. be repellent to; cause aversion in

• disparage - v. express a negative opinion of

• forcible - j. impelled by physical force especially against resistance

• insipid - j. lacking interest or significance or impact

• lethargy - n. inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy

• manifold - j. many and varied; having many features or forms

• mollify - v. make less rigid or softer

• pillage - n. the act of stealing valuable things from a place

• predilection - n. a predisposition in favor of something

• probity - n. complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles

• turgid - j. ostentatiously lofty in style

• giver - n. someone who devotes himself completely

• enumerate - v. specify individually

• liqueur - n. strong highly flavored sweet liquor usually drunk after a meal

SAT Words Set 62

• monstrosity - n. something hideous or frightful

• pseudonym - n. a fictitious name used when the person performs a particular social role

• unaccountable - j. not to be accounted for or explained

• rapt - j. feeling great rapture or delight

• abrasion - n. erosion by friction

• inferno - n. a very intense and uncontrolled fire

• insinuate - v. introduce or insert (oneself) in a subtle manner

• livid - j. furiously angry

• peninsular - j. of or forming or resembling a peninsula

• proclivity - n. a natural inclination

• voluptuous - j. displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses

• fallow - j. left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season

• malign - j. evil or harmful in nature or influence

• affix - v. attach to

• accordion - n. a portable box-shaped free-reed instrument; the reeds are made to vibrate by air from the bellows controlled by the player

• petulant - j. easily irritated or annoyed

• misdeed - n. improper or wicked or immoral behavior

• fawn - v. try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

• askance - a. with suspicion or disapproval

• carnivorous - j. (used of plants as well as animals) feeding on animals

• convalescent - n. a person who is recovering from illness

• psychotherapy - n. the treatment of mental or emotional problems by psychological means

• rote - n. memorization by repetition

• scoundrel - n. a wicked or evil person; someone who does evil deliberately

• tangent - n. a straight line or plane that touches a curve or curved surface at a point but does not intersect it at that point

• culpable - j. deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious

• impure - j. (used of persons or behaviors) immoral or obscene

• lithe - j.  moving and bending with ease

• nonchalance - n. the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern

• probate - n. a judicial certificate saying that a will is genuine and conferring on the executors the power to administer the estate

• xenophobia - n. a fear of foreigners or strangers

• comely - j. according with custom or propriety

• municipality - n. an urban district having corporate status and powers of self-government

• chiffon - n. a sheer fabric of silk or rayon

• incriminate - v. suggest that someone is guilty

• perpendicular - j. at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line

• gaseous - j. existing as or having characteristics of a gas

• octagon - n. an eight-sided polygon

• variegated - j. having a variety of colors

• venison - n. meat from a deer used as food

• accretion - n. an increase by natural growth or addition

• cursive - j. having successive letter joined together

• effusive - j. extravagantly demonstrative

• insularity - n. the state of being isolated or detached

• verbiage - n. the manner in which something is expressed in words

• irreverence - n. a disrespectful act

• blandness - n. lacking any distinctive or interesting taste property

• pitiable - j. inspiring mixed contempt and pity

• bellicose - j. having or showing a ready disposition to fight

• canard - n. a deliberately misleading fabrication

SAT Words Set 63

• saccharine - j. overly sweet

• recant - v. formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure

• foppish - j. affecting extreme elegance in dress and manner

• misogynist - n. a misanthrope who dislikes women in particular

• retroactive - j. affecting things past

• feint - v. deceive by a mock action

• puerile - j. of or characteristic of a child

• imbroglio - n. a very embarrassing misunderstanding

• curio - n. something unusual -- perhaps worthy of collecting

• futurist - n. someone who predicts the future

• perjure - v. knowingly tell an untruth in a legal court and render oneself guilty of perjury

• arbor - n. a framework that supports climbing plants

• effeminate - j. having unsuitable feminine qualities

• hoodwink - v. conceal one's true motives from especially by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end

• recidivism - n. habitual relapse into crime

• piquant - j. having an agreeably spicy taste

• emote - v. give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role

• felonious - j. involving or being or having the nature of a crime

• mulatto - n. an offspring of a black and a white parent

• neophyte - n. a new convert being taught the principles of Christianity by a catechist

• immigrate - v. come into a new country and change residency

• matrimony - n. the ceremony or sacrament of marriage

• armory - n. a military structure where arms and ammunition and other military equipment are stored and training is given in the use of arms

• sentient - j. endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness

• bountiful - j. producing in abundance

• exoneration - n. the condition of being relieved from blame or obligation

• extralegal - j. not regulated or sanctioned by law

• esthetic - j. concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste

• constable - n. a lawman with less authority and jurisdiction than a sheriff

• constrain - v. restrict

• occupant - n. someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there

• claimant - n. someone who claims a benefit or right or title

• monsieur - n. used as a French courtesy title; equivalent to English 'Mr.'

• irritate - v. excite to an abnormal condition, or chafe or inflame

• recede - v. become faint or more distant

• supersede - v. take the place or move into the position of

• clinch - v. settle conclusively

• infirmary - n. a health facility where patients receive treatment

• linguist - n. a person who speaks more than one language

• bibliography - n. a list of writings with time and place of publication

• intestine - n. the part of the alimentary canal between the stomach and the anus

• aggravate - v. make worse

• conspire - v. act in unison or agreement and in secret towards a deceitful or illegal purpose

• scribble - v. write down quickly without much attention to detail

• crag - n. a steep rugged rock or cliff

• elasticity - n. the tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed

• malignant - j. dangerous to health; characterized by progressive and uncontrolled growth (especially of a tumor)

• obliterate - v. do away with completely, without leaving a trace

• forfeit - v. lose or lose the right to by some error, offense, or crime

• unearth - v. bring to light

SAT Words Set 64

• eject - v. put out or expel from a place

• repudiate - v. reject as untrue, unfounded, or unjust

• midwife - n. a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies

• dun - n. horse of a dull brownish gray color

• bridle - n. the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess

• gaily - a. in a gay manner

• conveyance - n. something that serves as a means of transportation

• overdo - v. do something to an excessive degree

• persevere - v. be persistent, refuse to stop

• repress - v. put down by force or intimidation

• retract - v. formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure

• mannerism - n. a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

• dissect - v. cut open or cut apart

• dispensation - n. an exemption from some rule or obligation

• intersect - v. meet at a point

• infuriate - v. make furious

• embellish - v. make more attractive by adding ornament, color, etc.

• bequeath - v. leave or give by will after one's death

• outcast - n. a person who is rejected (from society or home)

• crease - n. an angular or rounded shape made by folding

• continuance - n. the property of enduring or continuing in time

• diminution - n. the act of decreasing or reducing something

• dowry - n. money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage

• perspiration - n. salty fluid secreted by sweat glands

• crystallize - v. cause to form crystals or assume crystalline form

• duet - n. a musical composition for two performers

• prefix - v. to put or attach before or in front of

• inverse - j. opposite in nature or effect or relation to another quantity

• reciprocity - n. mutual cooperative exchange of commercial or other privileges

• overlord - n. a person who has general authority over others

• modulate - v. adjust the pitch, tone, or volume of

• negation - n. a statement that is a refusal or denial of some other statement

• susceptibility - n. the state of being susceptible; easily affected

• circumference - n. the boundary line encompassing an area or object

• furlong - n. a unit of length equal to 220 yards

• louse - n. a person who has a nasty or unethical character undeserving of respect

• concomitant - n. an event or situation that happens at the same time as or in connection with another

• proletarian - n. a member of the working class (not necessarily employed)

• reflector - n. device that reflects radiation

• vassal - n. a person holding a fief; a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord

• pulmonary - j. relating to or affecting the lungs

• recuperate - v. get over an illness or shock

• hone - v. make perfect or complete

• idyll - n. an episode of such pastoral or romantic charm as to qualify as the subject of a poetic idyll

• dither - n. an excited state of agitation

• belittle - v. lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of

• derogatory - j. expressive of low opinion

• gusto - n. vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

• solemnity - n. a solemn and dignified feeling

• expedite - v. speed up the progress of; facilitate

SAT Words Set 65

• forego - v. do without or cease to hold or adhere to

• acrimonious - j. marked by strong resentment or cynicism

• acrimony - n. a rough and bitter manner

• hesitancy - n. a feeling of diffidence and indecision about doing something

• liquidate - v. convert into cash

• outlast - v. live longer than

• ruse - n. a deceptive maneuver (especially to avoid capture)

• uncouth - j. lacking refinement or cultivation or taste

• whet - v. make keen or more acute

• portent - n. a sign of something about to happen

• conflagration - n. a very intense and uncontrolled fire

• finery - n. elaborate or showy attire and accessories

• frivolity - n. the trait of being frivolous; not serious or sensible

• maelstrom - n. a powerful circular current of water (usually the result of conflicting tides)

• digress - v. lose clarity or turn aside especially from the main subject of attention or course of argument in writing, thinking, or speaking

• disengage - v. release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles

• aphorism - n. a short pithy instructive saying

• brusque - j. marked by rude or peremptory shortness

• colossus - n. a person of exceptional importance and reputation

• finality - n. the quality of being final or definitely settled

• incontrovertible - j. impossible to deny or disprove

• torrid - j. extremely hot

• philistine - n. a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits

• absolution - n. the condition of being formally forgiven by a priest in the sacrament of penance

• armada - n. a large fleet

• fitful - j. intermittently stopping and starting

• iniquity - n. absence of moral or spiritual values

• pillory - n. a wooden instrument of punishment on a post with holes for the wrists and neck; offenders were locked in and so exposed to public scorn

• foist - v. to force onto another

• baleful - j. threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments

• ferment - v. work up into agitation or excitement

• humbug - n. communication (written or spoken) intended to deceive

• imprudent - j. lacking wise self-restraint

• unencumbered - j. not burdened with cares or responsibilities

• mesmerize - v. attract strongly, as if with a magnet

• vaccinate - v. perform vaccinations or produce immunity in by inoculation

• fester - n. a sore that has become inflamed and formed pus

• approbation - n. official recognition or approval

• beneficent - j. generous in assistance to the poor

• cipher - n. a message written in a secret code

• debauchery - n. a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity

• deciduous - j. (of plants and shrubs) shedding foliage at the end of the growing season

• dynamo - n. generator consisting of a coil (the armature) that rotates between the poles of an electromagnet (the field magnet) causing a current to flow in the armature

• incitement - n. an act of urging on or spurring on or rousing to action or instigating

• instigator - n. someone who deliberately foments trouble

• peripatetic - j. traveling especially on foot

• virile - j. characterized by energy and vigor

• foment - v. try to stir up public opinion

• confessor - n. a priest who hears confession and gives absolution

• contemporaneous - j. occurring in the same period of time

SAT Words Set 66

• debonair - j. having a sophisticated charm

• fretful - j. habitually complaining

• antithetical - j. sharply contrasted in character or purpose

• prospector - n. someone who explores an area for mineral deposits

• aqueous - j. similar to or containing or dissolved in water

• granary - n. a storehouse for threshed grain or animal feed

• toleration - n. a disposition to tolerate or accept people or situations

• deform - v. twist and press out of shape

• insurgent - n. a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)

• furtherance - n. encouragement of the progress or growth or acceptance of something

• mallet - n. a tool resembling a hammer but with a large head (usually wooden)

• rationalism - n. the doctrine that reason is the right basis for regulating conduct

• supine - j. offering no resistance

• loam - n. a rich soil consisting of a mixture of sand and clay and decaying organic materials

• typographical - j. relating to or occurring or used in typography

• dissonance - n. the auditory experience of sound that lacks musical quality; sound that is a disagreeable auditory experience

• maul - v. injure badly by beating

• duckling - n. young duck

• parse - v. to subject to detailed analysis, especially by breaking up into components

• immeasurable - j. impossible to measure

• adroit - j. quick or skillful or adept in action or thought

• cantankerous - j. having a difficult and contrary disposition

• collapsible - j. capable of collapsing or being collapsed

• effervescent - j. marked by high spirits or excitement

• egotism - n. an inflated feeling of pride in your superiority to others

• wearisome - j. so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

• effete - j. marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay

• ingenuous - j. characterized by an inability to mask your feelings; not devious

• risible - j. arousing or provoking laughter

• estimable - j. deserving of respect or high regard

• profundity - n. the intellectual ability to penetrate deeply into ideas

• stoicism - n. an indifference to pleasure or pain

• evanescent - j. tending to vanish like vapor

• melodious - j. having a musical sound; especially a pleasing tune

• vivisection - n. the act of operating on living animals (especially in scientific research)

• polemics - n. the branch of Christian theology devoted to the refutation of errors

• manliness - n. the trait of being manly; having the characteristics of an adult male

• mantel - n. shelf that projects from wall above fireplace

• omnipotence - n. the state of being omnipotent; having unlimited power

• reestablish - v. bring back into original existence, use, function, or position

• solstice - n. either of the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator

• guileless - j. free of deceit

• beget - v. make children

• humanize - v. make more humane

• idolize - v. love unquestioningly and uncritically or to excess; venerate as an idol

• somnolent - j. inclined to or marked by drowsiness

• neuter - v. remove the ovaries of

• neurology - n. the branch of medical science that deals with the nervous system

• iconoclast - n. someone who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions

• caprice - n. a sudden desire

SAT Words Set 67

• mendacious - j. intentionally untrue

• pyrotechnic - j. of or relating to the craft of making fireworks

• potentate - n. a ruler who is unconstrained by law

• stigmatize - v. to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful

• miscreant - n. a person without moral scruples

• huckster - n. a seller of shoddy goods

• cabal - n. a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue

• flatulence - n. a state of excessive gas in the alimentary canal

• outrigger - n. a stabilizer for a canoe; spars attach to a shaped log or float parallel to the hull

• exhume - v. dig up for reburial or for medical investigation; of dead bodies

• maladroit - j. not adroit

• piccolo - n. a small flute; pitched an octave above the standard flute

• fervid - j. extremely hot

• savant - n. someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field

• inchoate - j. only partly in existence; imperfectly formed

• overreach - v. fail by aiming too high or trying too hard

• euphonious - j. having a pleasant sound

• transcontinental - j. spanning or crossing or on the farther side of a continent

• stagy - j. having characteristics of the stage especially an artificial and mannered quality

• butte - n. a hill that rises abruptly from the surrounding region; has a flat top and sloping sides

• apostate - n. a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.

• fulcrum - n. the pivot about which a lever turns

• misanthrope - n. someone who dislikes people in general

• pentameter - n. a verse line having five metrical feet

• dissonant - j. characterized by musical dissonance; harmonically unresolved

• stanch - v. stop the flow of a liquid

• queue - n. a line of people or vehicles waiting for something

• sediment - n. material that settles to the bottom of a liquid

• syllabus - n. an integrated course of academic studies

• demonstrator - n. someone who participates in a public display of group feeling

• lever - n. a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum; a bar used for prying

• impair - v. make worse or less effective

• emanate - v. proceed or issue forth, as from a source

• terrify - v. fill with terror; frighten greatly

• remuneration - n. the act of paying for goods or services or to recompense for losses

• predominate - v. be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance

• excavate - v. recover through digging

• infringe - v. advance beyond the usual limit

• concurrent - j. occurring or operating at the same time

• priory - n. religious residence in a monastery governed by a prior or a convent governed by a prioress

• alloy - n. a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten

• glean - v. gather, as of natural products

• unsettle - v. disturb the composure of

• dislodge - v. remove or force out from a position

• allude - v. make a more or less disguised reference to

• wean - v. gradually deprive (infants and young mammals) of mother's milk

• maize - n. tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times

• diffusion - n. (physics) the process in which there is movement of a substance from an area of high concentration of that substance to an area of lower concentration

• inwardly - a. with respect to private feelings

• monograph - n. a detailed and documented treatise on a particular subject

SAT Words Set 68

• uproot - v. move (people) forcibly from their homeland into a new and foreign environment

• vacate - v. leave (a job, post, or position) voluntarily

• enrage - v. put into a rage; make violently angry

• suffocate - v. be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen

• understate - v. represent as less significant or important

• perpetrate - v. perform an act, usually with a negative connotation

• tinge - v. affect as in thought or feeling

• brandish - v. exhibit aggressively

• extremity - n. an external body part that projects from the body

• coerce - v. to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means

• onus - n. an onerous or difficult concern

• recollect - v. recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

• gust - n. a strong current of air

• scorch - v. become scorched or singed under intense heat or dry conditions

• frightful - j. provoking horror

• importation - n. the commercial activity of buying and bringing in goods from a foreign country

• swerve - v. turn sharply; change direction abruptly

• reprimand - v. rebuke formally

• muffle - v. deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping

• appreciable - j. enough to be estimated or measured

• rescind - v. cancel officially

• buoyancy - n. the tendency to float in water or other liquid

• treble - j. three times as great or many

• chisel - v. engage in deceitful behavior; practice trickery or fraud

• auditory - j. of or relating to the process of hearing

• tripod - n. a three-legged rack used for support

• potion - n. a medicinal or magical or poisonous beverage

• infuse - v. let sit in a liquid to extract a flavor or to cleanse

• retinue - n. the group following and attending to some important person

• proctor - n. someone who supervises (an examination)

• aggravation - n. an exasperated feeling of annoyance

• duress - n. compulsory force or threat

• pied - j. having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly

• predicate - v. involve as a necessary condition of consequence; as in logic

• captivate - v. attract; cause to be enamored

• capitulate - v. surrender under agreed conditions

• despondent - j. without or almost without hope

• vehement - j. characterized by great force or energy

• abhor - v. find repugnant; hate

• fastidious - j. giving careful attention to detail; hard to please; excessively concerned with cleanliness

• outlive - v. live longer than

• diffident - j. lacking self-confidence

• idiosyncrasy - n. a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

• revile - v. spread negative information about

• tirade - n. a speech of violent denunciation

• halcyon - j. marked by peace and prosperity

• mongrel - n. an inferior dog or one of mixed breed

• obtrusive - j. undesirably noticeable

• rejuvenate - v. become young again

• untoward - j. not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

SAT Words Set 69

• endear - v. make attractive or lovable

• deceitful - j. intended to deceive

• laconic - j. brief and to the point; effectively cut short

• legible - j. (of handwriting, print, etc.) capable of being read or deciphered

• metamorphosis - n. the marked and rapid transformation of a larva into an adult that occurs in some animals

• sprightly - j. full of spirit and vitality

• unsophisticated - j. not wise in the ways of the world

• galvanize - v. to stimulate to action

• acrid - j. strong and sharp

• inveterate - a. in a habitual and longstanding manner

• lustrous - j. brilliant

• pallid - j. lacking in vitality or interest or effectiveness

• psychopathic - j. suffering from an undiagnosed mental disorder

• embolden - v. give encouragement to

• fondle - v. touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner

• capacious - j. large in capacity

• carnal - j. marked by the appetites and passions of the body

• fraternal - j. of or relating to a fraternity or society of usually men

• illegible - j. (of handwriting, print, etc.) not legible

• irrevocable - j. incapable of being retracted or revoked

• peaceable - j. disposed to peace or of a peaceful nature

• emergent - j. coming into existence

• gratuity - n. a relatively small amount of money given for services rendered (as by a waiter)

• parentage - n. the kinship relation of an offspring to the parents

• stiletto - n. a small dagger with a tapered blade

• supercilious - j. expressive of contempt

• mountaineer - n. someone who climbs mountains

• quack - n. an untrained person who pretends to be a physician and who dispenses medical advice

• abomination - n. hate coupled with disgust; a person who is loathsome or disgusting

• cordon - n. a series of sentinels or of military posts enclosing or guarding some place or thing

• cornice - n. a molding at the corner between the ceiling and the top of a wall

• deformity - n. an affliction in which some part of the body is misshapen or malformed

• insolence - n. an offensive disrespectful impudent act

• omnipotent - j. having unlimited power

• deign - v. do something that one considers to be below one's dignity

• heedless - j. characterized by careless unconcern

• monotone - j. sounded or spoken in a tone unvarying in pitch

• scriptural - j. of or pertaining to or contained in or in accordance with the Bible

• benevolence - n. an inclination to do kind or charitable acts

• exhale - v. expel air

• malevolence - n. wishing evil to others

• poignancy - n. a state of deeply felt distress or sorrow

• seer - n. a person with unusual powers of foresight

• transference - n. the act of transferring something from one form to another

• timbre - n. (music) the distinctive property of a complex sound (a voice or noise or musical sound)

• ingest - v. serve oneself to, or consume regularly

• atheism - n. a lack of belief in the existence of God or gods

• carrion - n. the dead and rotting body of an animal; unfit for human food

• ladle - n. a spoon-shaped vessel with a long handle; frequently used to transfer liquids from one container to another

• medial - j. relating to or situated in or extending toward the middle

SAT Words Set 70

• dupe - n. a person who is tricked or swindled

• despotism - n. a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)

• functionary - n. a worker who holds or is invested with an office

• recessive - j. (of genes) producing its characteristic hereditary effect only when its allele is identical

• triplicate - n. one of three copies; any of three things that correspond to one another exactly

• Augustinian - n. a Roman Catholic friar or monk belonging to one of the Augustinian monastic orders

• fealty - n. the loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)

• perversion - n. the action of perverting something (turning it to a wrong use)

• soliloquy - n. a (usually long) dramatic speech intended to give the illusion of unspoken reflections

• ogre - n. (folklore) a giant who likes to eat human beings

• solder - v. join or fuse with solder

• philology - n. the humanistic study of language and literature

• defray - v. bear the expenses of

• ignoble - j. completely lacking nobility in character or quality or purpose

• infernal - j. characteristic of or resembling Hell

• inviolable - j. incapable of being transgressed or dishonored

• impudent - j. marked by casual disrespect

• parsimony - n. extreme care in spending money; reluctance to spend money unnecessarily

• profligacy - n. dissolute indulgence in sensual pleasure

• artless - j. simple and natural; without cunning or deceit

• graceless - j. lacking grace; clumsy

• omniscience - n. the state of being omniscient; having infinite knowledge

• stickler - n. someone who insists on something

• unctuous - j. unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating in manner or speech

• acme - n. the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development

• priggish - j. exaggeratedly proper

• protean - j. showing variety or diversity

• rancorous - j. showing deep-seated resentment

• autocrat - n. a cruel and oppressive dictator

• circumnavigate - v. travel around, either by plane or ship

• fecund - j. intellectually productive

• salutation - n. word of greeting used to begin a letter

• sophisticate - n. a worldly-wise person

• overpay - v. pay too much

• repugnance - n. intense aversion

• attache - n. a specialist assigned to the staff of a diplomatic mission

• argot - n. a characteristic language of a particular group (as among thieves)

• Arthurian - j. of or relating to King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table

• lackadaisical - j. lacking spirit or liveliness

• vegetate - v. lead a passive existence without using one's body or mind

• immortalize - v. make famous forever

• encomium - n. a formal expression of praise

• epigram - n. a witty saying

• fez - n. a felt cap (usually red) for a man; shaped like a flat-topped cone with a tassel that hangs from the crown

• antechamber - n. a large entrance or reception room or area

• conclave - n. a confidential or secret meeting

• invigorate - v. impart vigor, strength, or vitality to

• forswear - v. formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure

• bilge - n. where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom

• farfetched - j. highly imaginative but unlikely

SAT Words Set 71

• heterodox - j. characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards

• meddlesome - j. intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner

• stentorian - j. extremely loud (used of the voice)

• disproof - n. any evidence that helps to establish the falsity of something

• furlough - n. a temporary leave of absence from military duty

• abridge - v. lessen, diminish, or curtail

• exculpate - v. pronounce not guilty of criminal charges

• underhanded - j. marked by deception

• paralyze - v. cause to be immobile

• monogram - n. a graphic symbol consisting of 2 or more letters combined (usually your initials); printed on stationery or embroidered on clothing

• monomania - n. a mania restricted to one thing or idea

• levee - n. an embankment that is built in order to prevent a river from overflowing

• nihilist - n. someone who rejects all theories of morality or religious belief

• bigamist - n. someone who marries one person while already legally married to another

• frolicsome - j. given to merry frolicking

• peerless - j. eminent beyond or above comparison

• lambaste - v. censure severely or angrily

• aboveboard - j. without concealment or deception; honest

• anesthetic - n. a drug that causes temporary loss of bodily sensations

• belabor - v. to work at or to absurd length

• crematory - n. a furnace where a corpse can be burned and reduced to ashes

• disfavor - n. the state of being out of favor

• hemorrhage - n. the flow of blood from a ruptured blood vessel

• miter - n. the surface of a beveled end of a piece where a miter joint is made

• succor - n. assistance in time of difficulty

• wampum - n. small cylindrical beads made from polished shells and fashioned into strings or belts; used by certain Native American peoples as jewelry or currency

• gastric - j. relating to or involving the stomach

• polytechnic - n. a technical school offering instruction in many industrial arts and applied sciences

• lateral - j. situated at or extending to the side

• assay - n. a quantitative or qualitative test of a substance (especially an ore or a drug) to determine its components

• assent - v. to agree or express agreement

• Antarctic - n. the region around the south pole: Antarctica and surrounding waters

• submerge - v. put under water

• repute - n. the state of being held in high esteem and honor

• encapsulate - v. put in a short or concise form; reduce in volume

• impinge - v. impinge or infringe upon

• amalgamate - j. joined together into a whole

• nettle - n. any of numerous plants having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation on contact

• engrave - v. carve, cut, or etch into a material or surface

• speculator - n. someone who risks losses for the possibility of considerable gains

• waistcoat - n. a man's sleeveless garment worn underneath a coat

• pendant - j. held from above

• bailiff - n. an officer of the court who is employed to execute writs and processes and make arrests etc.

• auctioneer - n. an agent who conducts an auction

• mite - n. any of numerous very small to minute arachnids often infesting animals or plants or stored foods

• corrosion - n. a state of deterioration in metals caused by oxidation or chemical action

• soluble - j. capable of being dissolved in some solution (usually water)

• ordination - n. the act of ordaining; the act of conferring (or receiving) holy orders

• mince - v. cut into small pieces

• proviso - n. a stipulated condition

SAT Words Set 72

• discursive - j. (of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects

• relapse - v. deteriorate in health

• contiguous - j. connecting without a break; within a common boundary

• archdeacon - n. (Anglican Church) an ecclesiastical dignitary usually ranking just below a bishop

• enlighten - v. make understand

• amass - v. get or gather together

• agitate - v. cause to be agitated, excited, or roused

• flout - v. treat with contemptuous disregard

• usurp - v. seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession

• retrace - v. to go back over again

• inundate - v. fill or cover completely, usually with water

• entangle - v. twist together or entwine into a confusing mass

• subsume - v. contain or include

• supposition - n. a assumption that is taken for granted

• antic - n. a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement

• undervalue - v. assign too low a value to

• overpower - v. overcome by superior force

• accolade - n. a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

• invalidate - v. take away the legal force of or render ineffective

• gnaw - v. bite or chew on with the teeth

• sheath - n. a protective covering (as for a knife or sword)

• assail - v. attack someone physically or emotionally

• shrivel - v. wither, as with a loss of moisture

• enunciate - v. express or state clearly

• elucidate - v. make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear

• primeval - j. having existed from the beginning; in an earliest or original stage or state

• abate - v. become less in amount or intensity

• alcove - n. a small recess opening off a larger room

• oscillate - v. move or swing from side to side regularly

• regenerate - v. return to life; get or give new life or energy

• actuality - n. the state of actually existing objectively

• ultimatum - n. a final demand putting an end to all debate or action

• impassive - j. having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited

• requiem - n. a Mass celebrated for the dead

• consecrate - j. solemnly dedicated to or set apart for a high purpose

• overseer - n. a person who directs and manages an organization

• amicable - j. characterized by friendship and good will

• peerage - n. the peers of a kingdom considered as a group

• folio - n. a book (or manuscript) consisting of large sheets of paper folded in the middle to make two leaves or four pages

• gestation - n. the period during which an embryo develops (about 266 days in humans)

• convex - j. curving or bulging outward

• distiller - n. someone who distills alcoholic liquors

• millet - n. any of various small-grained annual cereal and forage grasses

• retrograde - j. moving in a backward direction or contrary to a previous direction

• adjutant - n. an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer

• impel - v. cause to move forward with force

• mutilate - v. destroy or injure severely

• irritant - n. something that causes irritation and annoyance

• permutation - n. complete change in character or condition

• auspicious - j. auguring favorable circumstances and good luck

SAT Words Set 73

• counterbalance - v. contrast with equal weight or force

• drudgery - n. hard monotonous routine work

• equanimity - n. steadiness of mind under stress

• nestling - n. young bird not yet fledged

• redoubtable - j. worthy of respect or honor

• preoccupy - v. engage or engross the interest or attention of beforehand or occupy urgently or obsessively

• jovial - j. full of or showing high-spirited merriment

• magnanimous - j. noble and generous in spirit

• trickery - n. the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)

• condolence - n. an expression of sympathy with another's grief

• possessor - n. a person who owns something

• officiate - v. perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function

• crockery - n. tableware (eating and serving dishes) collectively

• desultory - j. marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another

• enjoin - v. issue an injunction

• inexhaustible - j. incapable of being entirely consumed or used up

• pneumatic - j. of or relating to or using air (or a similar gas)

• propitious - j. presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success

• subservience - n. the condition of being something that is useful in reaching an end or carrying out a plan

• assiduous - j. marked by care and persistent effort

• merciful - j. showing or giving mercy

• debase - v. lower in value by increasing the base-metal content

• abdicate - v. give up, such as power, as of monarchs and emperors, or duties and obligations

• pejorative - j. expressing disapproval

• cajole - v. influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

• dint - n. interchangeable with 'means' in the expression 'by means of'

• fallacious - j. intended to deceive

• figment - n. a contrived or fantastic idea

• ignominious - j. (used of conduct or character) deserving or bringing disgrace or shame

• indefatigable - j. showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality

• iridescent - j. having a play of lustrous rainbow colors

• jubilation - n. a joyful occasion for special festivities to mark some happy event

• mettle - n. the courage to carry on

• misbehave - v. behave badly

• bide - v. dwell

• raze - v. tear down so as to make flat with the ground

• juxtapose - v. place side by side

• irk - v. irritate or vex

• surreptitious - j. conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods

• harangue - n. a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion

• ameliorate - v. to make better

• aspirant - n. an ambitious and aspiring young person

• corrode - v. become destroyed by water, air, or a corrosive such as an acid

• tipsy - j. unstable and prone to tip as if intoxicated

• workmanlike - j. worthy of a good workman

• misadventure - n. an instance of misfortune

• imbibe - v. take in liquids

• serrated - j. notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex

• vagabond - n. anything wandering aimlessly without ties to a place or community

• fixate - v. pay attention to exclusively and obsessively

SAT Words Set 74

• decamp - v. leave a camp

• nonchalant - j. marked by blithe unconcern

• affectation - n. a deliberate pretense or exaggerated display

• automaton - n. a mechanism that can move automatically

• desiccated - j. thoroughly dried out

• peremptory - j. not allowing contradiction or refusal

• premonition - n. a feeling of evil to come

• putrid - j. in an advanced state of decomposition and having a foul odor

• spasmodic - j. occurring in spells and often abruptly

• subterfuge - n. something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity

• bauble - n. cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing

• overhang - n. projection that extends beyond or hangs over something else

• datum - n. an item of factual information derived from measurement or research

• azalea - n. any of numerous ornamental shrubs grown for their showy flowers of various colors

• infirmity - n. the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)

• quarrelsome - j. given to quarreling

• irradiate - v. expose to radiation

• ashen - j. anemic looking from illness or emotion

• aural - j. of or pertaining to hearing or the ear

• benediction - n. a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection

• explicate - v. make plain and comprehensible

• pestilence - n. any epidemic disease with a high death rate

• prattle - n. idle or foolish and irrelevant talk

• vegetative - j. of or relating to an activity that is passive and monotonous

• inborn - j. present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development

• retch - n. eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth; vomit

• concurrence - n. the temporal property of two things happening at the same time

• hosiery - n. socks and stockings and tights collectively (the British include underwear)

• ingratitude - n. a lack of gratitude

• apogee - n. the point in its orbit where a satellite is at the greatest distance from the Earth

• arboretum - n. a facility where trees and shrubs are cultivated for exhibition

• metallurgy - n. the science and technology of metals

• charlatan - n. a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes

• yearling - n. an animal in its second year

• disinfect - v. destroy microorganisms or pathogens by cleansing

• quiescent - j. being quiet or still or inactive

• profuse - j. produced or growing in extreme abundance

• lithograph - n. duplicator that prints by lithography; a flat surface (of stone or metal) is treated to absorb or repel ink in the desired pattern

• patrimony - n. an inheritance coming by right of birth (especially by primogeniture)

• venereal - j. of or relating to the external sex organs

• impugn - v. attack as false or wrong

• incinerate - v. become reduced to ashes

• sorcery - n. the belief in magical spells that harness occult forces or evil spirits to produce unnatural effects in the world

• pyre - n. wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite

• aviary - n. a building where birds are kept

• nectar - n. a sweet liquid secretion that is attractive to pollinators such as bees

• dissipation - n. breaking up and scattering by dispersion

• posterior - j. located at or near or behind a part or near the end of a structure

• satyr - n. one of a class of woodland deities; attendant on Bacchus; identified with Roman fauns

• insufficiency - n. lack of an adequate quantity or number

SAT Words Set 75

• addendum - n. information that is added onto a publication; usually at the end

• irreducible - j. incapable of being made smaller or simpler

• aurora - n. an atmospheric phenomenon consisting of bands of light caused by charged solar particles following the earth's magnetic lines of force

• felicitous - j. marked by good fortune

• salubrious - j. promoting health; healthful

• bestial - j. resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility

• forethought - n. planning or plotting in advance of acting

• vacillation - n. indecision in speech or action

• glutinous - j. having the sticky properties of an adhesive

• statuesque - j. of size and dignity suggestive of a statue

• lassitude - n. weakness characterized by a lack of vitality or energy

• querulous - j. habitually complaining

• sacrilegious - j. grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred

• transience - n. an impermanence that suggests the inevitability of ending or dying

• languor - n. a feeling of lack of interest or energy

• cataclysm - n. a sudden violent change in the earth's surface

• agog - j. highly excited

• bier - n. a stand to support a corpse or a coffin prior to burial

• glutton - n. a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess

• physiognomy - n. the human face

• semicircle - n. a plane figure with the shape of half a circle

• cohere - v. cause to form a united, orderly, and aesthetically consistent whole

• coalescing - j. growing together, fusing

• meretricious - j. based on pretense; deceptively pleasing

• overeat - v. overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself

• pliant - j. capable of being influenced or formed

• undersized - j. smaller than normal for its kind

• bumptious - j. offensively self-assertive

• clamorous - j. conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry

• keepsake - n. something of sentimental value

• oration - n. an instance of oratory

• prudery - n. excessive or affected modesty

• valedictory - j. of or relating to an occasion or expression of farewell

• disputation - n. the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it (usually followed by a vote)

• polyglot - j. having a command of or composed in many languages

• raffish - j. marked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness

• mien - n. dignified manner or conduct

• accusatory - j. containing or expressing accusation

• browbeat - v. discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner; intimidate

• declarative - j. relating to the use of or having the nature of a declaration

• hermetic - j. completely sealed; completely airtight

• laggard - j. wasting time

• recondite - j. difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge

• sophistry - n. a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone

• impoverish - v. make poor

• blase - j. nonchalantly unconcerned

• diaphanous - j. so thin as to transmit light

• economize - v. spend sparingly, avoid the waste of

• pedant - n. a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit

• almanac - n. an annual publication including weather forecasts and other miscellaneous information arranged according to the calendar of a given year

SAT Words Set 76

• abjure - v. formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure

• accompanist - n. a person who provides musical accompaniment (usually on a piano)

• comport - v. behave well or properly

• equivocate - v. be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information

• impolitic - j. not politic

• inveigh - v. speak against in an impassioned manner

• quackery - n. medical practice and advice based on observation and experience in ignorance of scientific findings

• quiescence - n. quiet and inactive restfulness

• torturous - j. extremely painful

• egotist - n. a conceited and self-centered person

• colloquy - n. formal conversation

• lactic - j. of or relating to or obtained from milk (especially sour milk or whey)

• libertine - n. a dissolute person; usually a man who is morally unrestrained

• gastronomy - n. the art and practice of choosing and preparing and eating good food

• quotidian - j. found in the ordinary course of events

• condescend - v. behave in a patronizing and condescending manner

• fetid - j. offensively malodorous

• lawgiver - n. a maker of laws; someone who gives a code of laws

• plasticity - n. the property of being physically malleable; the property of something that can be worked or hammered or shaped without breaking

• prolix - j. tediously prolonged or tending to speak or write at great length

• dragnet - n. a system of coordinated measures for apprehending (criminals or other individuals)

• execrable - j. of very poor quality or condition

• furrier - n. someone whose occupation is making or repairing fur garments

• braggart - n. a very boastful and talkative person

• distend - v. swell from or as if from internal pressure

• laundress - n. a working woman who takes in washing

• suasion - n. the act of persuading (or attempting to persuade); communication intended to induce belief or action

• avocation - n. an auxiliary activity

• semiannual - j. occurring or payable twice each year

• undersell - v. sell cheaper than one's competition

• intramural - j. carried on within the bounds of an institution or community

• encyclical - n. a letter from the pope sent to all Roman Catholic bishops throughout the world

• overpass - n. bridge formed by the upper level of a crossing of two highways at different levels

• artesian - j. (of water) rising to the surface under internal hydrostatic pressure

• smolder - v. burn slowly and without a flame

• gynecology - n. the branch of medicine that deals with the diseases and hygiene of women

• semiconscious - j. partially conscious; not completely aware of sensations

• fluctuation - n. a wave motion

• necessitate - v. require as useful, just, or proper

• practicable - j. usable for a specific purpose

• acquaint - v. inform

• emigrate - v. leave one's country of residence for a new one

• pantomime - v. act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only

• instigate - v. provoke or stir up

• consign - v. give over to another for care or safekeeping

• tremor - n. a small earthquake

• harrow - n. a cultivator that pulverizes or smoothes the soil

• hackney - n. a carriage for hire

• taunt - v. harass with persistent criticism or teasing

• liturgy - n. a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship

SAT Words Set 77

• phonetic - j. of or relating to speech sounds

• committal - n. the official act of consigning a person to confinement (as in a prison or mental hospital)

• outstrip - v. be or do something to a greater degree

• accustom - v. make psychologically or physically used (to something)

• ravage - n. (usually plural) a destructive action

• encroach - v. impinge or infringe upon

• abet - v. assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing

• disquiet - n. a feeling of mild anxiety about possible developments

• obviate - v. do away with

• broach - v. bring up a topic for discussion

• delineate - v. describe in vivid detail

• intelligible - j. capable of being apprehended or understood

• testimonial - j. expressing admiration or appreciation

• cower - v. crouch or curl up

• derivation - n. the source or origin from which something derives (i.e. comes or issues)

• disrepute - n. the state of being held in low esteem

• promulgate - v. state or announce

• dismount - n. the act of dismounting (a horse or bike etc.)

• reparation - n. compensation (given or received) for an insult or injury

• proportionate - j. being in the correct amount

• creak - n. a squeaking sound

• loll - v. hang loosely or laxly

• append - v. fix to; attach

• urchin - n. poor and often mischievous city child

• principality - n. territory ruled by a prince

• litigant - n. (law) a party to a lawsuit; someone involved in litigation

• acetate - n. a fabric made from fibers of cellulose acetate

• batten - n. a strip fixed to something to hold it firm

• zodiac - n. a belt-shaped region in the heavens on either side to the ecliptic; divided into 12 constellations or signs for astrological purposes

• rampart - n. an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes

• depositor - n. a person who has deposited money in a bank or similar institution

• anterior - j. of or near the head end or toward the front plane of a body

• parallelism - n. similarity by virtue of corresponding

• lexicographer - n. a compiler or writer of a dictionary; a student of the lexical component of language

• misplace - v. place (something) where one cannot find it again

• teem - v. move in large numbers; swarm

• castigate - v. inflict severe punishment on

• dereliction - n. willful negligence

• admonish - v. take to task or reprimand

• disown - v. prevent deliberately (as by making a will) from inheriting

• imperceptible - j. impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses

• misnomer - n. an incorrect or unsuitable name

• daunt - v. cause to lose courage

• machination - n. a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends

• transgress - v. act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises

• forefather - n. person from an earlier time who contributed to the tradition shared by some group

• impregnate - v. fertilize and cause to grow

• abut - v. lie adjacent to another or share a boundary

• apposite - j. being of striking appropriateness and pertinence

• demonstrable - j. capable of being demonstrated or proved

SAT Words Set 78

• indistinct - j. not clearly defined or easy to perceive or understand

• recompense - v. make amends for; pay compensation for

• tassel - n. adornment consisting of a bunch of cords fastened at one end

• pertain - v. be relevant to

• demote - v. assign to a lower position; reduce in rank

• incarcerate - v. lock up or confine, in or as in a jail

• preen - v. dress or groom with elaborate care

• recline - v. move the upper body backwards and down

• transmute - v. change or alter in form, appearance, or nature

• abominable - j. exceptionally bad or displeasing

• alacrity - n. liveliness and eagerness

• impassable - j. incapable of being passed

• incandescent - j. emitting light as a result of being heated

• inimical - j. not friendly

• exorcise - v. expel through adjuration or prayers

• vilify - v. spread negative information about

• immovable - j. not able or intended to be moved

• nauseous - j. feeling nausea; feeling about to vomit

• phlegmatic - j. showing little emotion

• restive - j. impatient especially under restriction or delay

• transact - v. conduct business

• wend - v. direct one's course or way

• husk - n. outer membranous covering of some fruits or seeds

• studious - j. characterized by diligent study and fondness for reading

• narrate - v. provide commentary for a film, for example

• evince - v. give expression to

• ointment - n. toiletry consisting of any of various substances in the form of a thick liquid that have a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin

• autumnal - j. of or characteristic of or occurring in autumn

• hillock - n. a small natural hill

• procrastination - n. the act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or deferring an action to a later time

• scurrilous - j. expressing offensive reproach

• blemish - n. a mark or flaw that spoils the appearance of something (especially on a person's body)

• censorious - j. harshly critical or expressing censure

• contrivance - n. an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade

• dilate - v. become wider

• entrails - n. internal organs collectively (especially those in the abdominal cavity)

• entreaty - n. earnest or urgent request

• impetuous - j. marked by violent force

• intercede - v. act between parties with a view to reconciling differences

• transitory - j. lasting a very short time

• retard - v. cause to move more slowly or operate at a slower rate

• rupture - v. separate or cause to separate abruptly

• despot - n. a cruel and oppressive dictator

• decoy - n. something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed

• diffidence - n. lack of self-confidence

• doleful - j. filled with or evoking sadness

• militate - v. have force or influence; bring about an effect or change

• seethe - v. be in an agitated emotional state

• disenfranchise - v. deprive of voting rights

• annihilate - v. kill in large numbers

SAT Words Set 79

• fidget - v. move restlessly

• anagram - n. a word or phrase spelled by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase

• birthright - n. a right or privilege that you are entitled to at birth

• effigy - n. a representation of a person (especially in the form of sculpture)

• impertinence - n. inappropriate playfulness

• sonorous - j. full and loud and deep

• swarthy - j. naturally having skin of a dark color

• decapitate - v. cut the head of

• cataract - n. an eye disease that involves the clouding or opacification of the natural lens of the eye

• arbitrate - v. act between parties with a view to reconciling differences

• coronet - n. a small crown; usually indicates a high rank but below that of sovereign

• dote - v. shower with love; show excessive affection for

• habitable - j. fit for habitation

• depreciate - v. lose in value

• divisible - j. capable of being or liable to be divided or separated

• locomotion - n. the power or ability to move

• machinist - n. a craftsman skilled in operating machine tools

• extrovert - n. (psychology) a person concerned more with practical realities than with inner thoughts and feelings

• irrigate - v. supply with water, as with channels or ditches or streams

• navigable - j. able to be sailed on or through safely

• holster - n. a sheath (usually leather) for carrying a handgun

• lope - n. a smooth three-beat gait; between a trot and a gallop

• disobedient - j. not obeying or complying with commands of those in authority

• mystification - n. the activity of obscuring people's understanding, leaving them baffled or bewildered

• emancipate - v. give equal rights to; of women and minorities

• deleterious - j. harmful to living things

• demonstrative - j. given to or marked by the open expression of emotion

• drowsiness - n. a very sleepy state

• pectoral - j. of or relating to the chest or thorax

• perturbation - n. an unhappy and worried mental state

• sedition - n. an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government

• vitiate - v. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

• effusion - n. an unrestrained expression of emotion

• matriculation - n. admission to a group (especially a college or university)

• sidelong - a. to, toward or at one side

• transposition - n. the act of reversing the order or place of

• tangential - j. of superficial relevance if any

• leeward - n. the direction in which the wind is blowing

• betrothal - n. a mutual promise to marry

• receivable - j. awaiting payment

• autocracy - n. a political system governed by a single individual

• votive - j. dedicated in fulfillment of a vow

• vestment - n. gown (especially ceremonial garments) worn by the clergy

• lassie - n. a girl or young woman who is unmarried

• operetta - n. a short amusing opera

• Unitarian - n. adherent of Unitarianism, a monotheist who is not a Christian

• fief - n. a piece of land held under the feudal system

• simile - n. a figure of speech that expresses a resemblance between things of different kinds (usually formed with 'like' or 'as')

• vertex - n. the highest point (of something)

• epidermis - n. the outer layer of the skin covering the exterior body surface of vertebrates

SAT Words Set 80

• latency - n. the state of being not yet evident or active

• microbe - n. a minute life form (especially a disease-causing bacterium); the term is not in technical use

• cantata - n. a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text

• degeneracy - n. moral perversion; impairment of virtue and moral principles

• telephony - n. transmitting sounds or speech at a distance, especially by radio or telephone

• theism - n. the doctrine or belief in the existence of a God or gods

• rotund - j. spherical in shape

• ostentation - n. pretentious or showy or vulgar display

• dejection - n. a state of melancholy depression

• inedible - j. not suitable for food

• indolent - j. disinclined to work or exertion

• tractable - j. easily managed (controlled or taught or molded)

• effectual - j. producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect

• inopportune - j. not opportune

• nonentity - n. the state of not existing

• officious - j. intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner

• commodious - j. large and roomy ('convenient' is archaic in this sense)

• foretell - v. make a prediction about; tell in advance

• levity - n. a manner lacking seriousness

• loquacious - j. full of trivial conversation

• avow - v. admit openly and bluntly; make no bones about

• dilatory - j. wasting time

• accursed - j. under a curse or evil spell

• cranium - n. the part of the skull that encloses the brain

• deify - v. consider as a god or godlike

• doggerel - n. a comic verse of irregular measure

• finicky - j. exacting especially about details

• indolence - n. inactivity resulting from a dislike of work

• irreligious - j. hostile or indifferent to religion

• penitence - n. remorse for your past conduct

• corpulent - j. excessively fat

• expiation - n. the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity)

• licentious - j. lacking moral discipline; especially sexually unrestrained

• timorous - j. timid by nature or revealing timidity

• expunge - v. remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line

• bolero - n. a Spanish dance in triple time accompanied by guitar and castanets

• antediluvian - j. so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period

• circumlocution - n. an indirect way of expressing something

• gambol - v. play boisterously

• ineluctable - j. impossible to avoid or evade

• leviathan - n. the largest or most massive thing of its kind

• noiseless - j. making no sound

• abstemious - j. marked by moderation and avoidance of excess especially food and drink

• covetous - j. immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth

• grindstone - n. a revolving stone shaped like a disk; used to grind or sharpen or polish edge tools

• malefactor - n. someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime

• insouciant - j. marked by blithe unconcern

• corruptible - j. capable of being corrupted

• expository - j. serving to expound or set forth

• illiberal - j. narrow-minded about cherished opinions

SAT Words Group 81

• oratorio - n. a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text

• perfidy - n. betrayal of a trust

• rhapsody - n. an epic poem adapted for recitation

• galvanic - j. pertaining to or producing electric current by chemical action

• omnivorous - j. feeding on both plants and animals

• propellant - j. tending to or capable of propelling

• satirize - v. ridicule with satire

• tamp - v. press down tightly

• leaven - v. cause to puff up with a leaven

• retrench - v. make a reduction, as in one's workforce

• colloquialism - n. a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech

• ostracism - n. the act of excluding someone from society by general consent

• statecraft - n. wisdom in the management of public affairs

• toady - n. a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage

• translucence - n. the quality of allowing light to pass diffusely

• preempt - v. take the place of or have precedence over

• soothsayer - n. someone who makes predictions of the future (usually on the basis of special knowledge)

• amour - n. a usually secretive or illicit sexual relationship

• creamery - n. a workplace where dairy products (butter and cheese etc.) are produced or sold

• gumption - n. fortitude and determination

• abnegation - n. renunciation of your own interests in favor of the interests of others

• extensible - j. capable of being protruded or stretched or opened out

• ossify - v. cause to become hard and bony

• uproarious - j. marked by or causing boisterous merriment or convulsive laughter

• extrajudicial - j. beyond the usual course of legal proceedings; legally unwarranted

• glazier - n. someone who cuts flat glass to size

• introversion - n. (psychology) an introverted disposition; concern with one's own thoughts and feelings

• warmonger - n. a person who advocates war or warlike policies

• hallow - v. render holy by means of religious rites

• fulmination - n. the act of exploding with noise and violence

• despond - v. lose confidence or hope; become dejected

• introvert - n. (psychology) a person who tends to shrink from social contacts and to become preoccupied with their own thoughts

• athwart - a. at right angles to the center line of a ship

• castigation - n. a severe scolding

• commingle - v. mix or blend

• submersion - n. the act of putting something under water

• arabesque - n. position in which the dancer has one leg raised behind and arms outstretched in a conventional pose

• nuptial - j. of or relating to a wedding

• descendent - n. a person considered as descended from some ancestor or race

• curmudgeon - n. a crusty irascible cantankerous old person full of stubborn ideas

• baneful - j. exceedingly harmful

• coquette - n. a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men

• effeminacy - n. the trait of being effeminate (derogatory of a man)

• gluttonous - j. given to excess in consumption of especially food or drink

• liniment - n. a medicinal liquid that is rubbed into the skin to relieve muscular stiffness and pain

• litigate - v. engage in legal proceedings

• preeminence - n. high status importance owing to marked superiority

• recidivist - n. someone who is repeatedly arrested for criminal behavior (especially for the same criminal behavior)

• sextet - n. a musical composition written for six performers

• moralize - v. interpret the moral meaning of

SAT Words Group 82

• slothful - j. disinclined to work or exertion

• eulogize - v. praise formally and eloquently

• apprise - v. make aware of

• multiform - j. occurring in or having many forms or shapes or appearances

• violator - n. someone who violates the law

• embolism - n. occlusion of a blood vessel by an embolus (a loose clot or air bubble or other particle)

• foreknowledge - n. knowledge of an event before it occurs

• vacillate - v. move or sway in a rising and falling or wavelike pattern

• magnetize - v. make magnetic

• buffoonery - n. acting like a clown or buffoon

• prohibitionist - n. a reformer who opposes the use of intoxicating beverages

• turpitude - n. a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice

• floe - n. a flat mass of ice (smaller than an ice field) floating at sea

• hypercritical - j. inclined to judge too severely

• boll - n. the rounded seed-bearing capsule of a cotton or flax plant

• lode - n. a deposit of valuable ore occurring within definite boundaries separating it from surrounding rocks

• epicurean - j. displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses

• excoriation - n. severe censure

• recognizance - n. (law) a security entered into before a court with a condition to perform some act required by law; on failure to perform that act a sum is forfeited

• protoplasm - n. the substance of a living cell (including cytoplasm and nucleus)

• fulminate - v. come on suddenly and intensely

• knavery - n. lack of honesty; acts of lying or cheating or stealing

• legerdemain - n. an illusory feat; considered magical by naive observers

• distill - v. undergo condensation; change from a gaseous to a liquid state and fall in drops

• darkling - j. uncannily or threateningly dark or obscure

• divestiture - n. an order to an offending party to rid itself of property; it has the purpose of depriving the defendant of the gains of wrongful behavior

• poetics - n. study of poetry

• appall - v. strike with disgust or revulsion

• fungible - j. of goods or commodities; freely exchangeable for or replaceable by another of like nature or kind in the satisfaction of an obligation

• coagulant - n. an agent that produces coagulation

• orate - v. talk pompously

• sophistical - j. plausible but misleading

• Anglophobia - n. dislike (or fear) of Britain and British customs

• presentment - n. a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view

• Decalogue - n. the biblical commandments of Moses

• extemporaneous - j. with little or no preparation or forethought

• ramose - j. having branches

• surveyor - n. an engineer who determines the boundaries and elevations of land or structures

• advert - v. make reference to or call attention to

• stratum - n. one of several parallel layers of material arranged one on top of another (such as a layer of tissue or cells in an organism or a layer of sedimentary rock)

• contour - n. a feature (or the order or arrangement of features) of anything having a complex structure

• assessor - n. an official who evaluates property for the purpose of taxing it

• pitfall - n. an unforeseen or unexpected or surprising difficulty

• enshrine - v. enclose in a shrine

• elapse - v. pass by

• burgess - n. a citizen of an English borough

• shriek - v. utter a shrill cry

• viscount - n. a British nobleman who ranks below an earl and above a baron

• deviance - n. deviate behavior

• adhesion - n. the property of sticking together (as of glue and wood) or the joining of surfaces of different composition

SAT Words Group 83

• excitation - n. the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up

• inscribe - v. write, engrave, or print as a lasting record

• pervade - v. spread or diffuse through

• typify - v. embody the essential characteristics of or be a typical example of

• reminiscence - n. a mental impression retained and recalled from the past

• adherent - n. someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another

• generality - n. the quality of being general or widespread or having general applicability

• scribe - n. someone employed to make written copies of documents and manuscripts

• synod - n. a council convened to discuss ecclesiastical business

• objector - n. a person who dissents from some established policy

• morphology - n. the branch of biology that deals with the structure of animals and plants

• verity - n. an enduring or necessary ethical or religious or aesthetic truth

• excretion - n. waste matter (as urine or sweat but especially feces) discharged from the body

• actuary - n. someone versed in the collection and interpretation of numerical data (especially someone who uses statistics to calculate insurance premiums)

• bask - v. be exposed

• misinterpret - v. interpret in the wrong way

• disentangle - v. extricate from entanglement

• vagary - n. an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)

• shunt - n. implant consisting of a tube made of plastic or rubber; for draining fluids within the body

• plod - n. the act of walking with a slow heavy gait

• waft - v. blow gently

• inroad - n. an encroachment or intrusion

• hawthorn - n. a spring-flowering shrub or small tree

• breech - n. opening in the rear of the barrel of a gun where bullets can be loaded

• forage - n. the act of searching for food and provisions

• forecourt - n. the outer or front court of a building or of a group of buildings

• predominance - n. the quality of being more noticeable than anything else

• transferable - j. legally transferable to the ownership of another

• medallion - n. an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event

• squatter - n. someone who settles on land without right or title

• fissure - v. break into fissures or fine cracks

• kingship - n. the dignity or rank or position of a king

• bodice - n. part of a dress above the waist

• transverse - j. extending or lying across; in a crosswise direction; at right angles to the long axis

• disinfectant - n. an agent (as heat or radiation or a chemical) that destroys microorganisms that might carry disease

• microscopy - n. research with the use of microscopes

• talon - n. a sharp hooked claw especially on a bird of prey

• conformation - n. acting according to certain accepted standards

• homologous - j. having the same evolutionary origin but not necessarily the same function

• venous - j. of or contained in or performing the function of the veins

• intracellular - j. located or occurring within a cell or cells

• domicile - n. (law) the residence where you have your permanent home or principal establishment

• disfigure - v. mar or spoil the appearance of

• infest - v. invade in great numbers

• minutia - n. a small or minor detail

• circumscribe - v. restrict or confine

• scruple - n. an ethical or moral principle that inhibits action

• perturb - v. disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried or alarmed

• deface - v. mar or spoil the appearance of

• abeyance - n. temporary cessation or suspension

SAT Words Group 84

• indigestion - n. a disorder of digestive function characterized by discomfort or heartburn or nausea

• well-to-do - j. in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich

• platitude - n. a trite or obvious remark

• wile - n. the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)

• denizen - n. a plant or animal naturalized in a region

• impersonate - v. pretend to be someone you are not; sometimes with fraudulent intentions

• regale - v. provide with choice or abundant food or drink

• confectionery - n. a confectioner's shop for making or selling candy

• perceptible - j. capable of being perceived by the mind or senses

• punctual - j. acting or arriving or performed exactly at the time appointed

• subjugate - v. make subservient; force to submit or subdue

• chastise - v. censure severely

• stagnate - v. stand still

• demur - v. take exception to

• annotate - v. add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments

• chafe - v. become or make sore by or as if by rubbing

• constrict - v. become tight or as if tight

• admittance - n. the act of allowing someone to enter

• fracas - n. noisy quarrel

• indescribable - j. defying expression or description

• rivet - v. hold (someone's attention)

• contort - v. twist and press out of shape

• grovel - v. show submission or fear

• augur - n. (ancient Rome) a religious official who interpreted omens to guide public policy

• encumber - v. hold back

• ruminate - v. reflect deeply on a subject

• connive - v. encourage or assent to illegally or criminally

• impertinent - j. improperly forward or bold

• volition - n. the capability of conscious choice and decision and intention

• vignette - n. a brief literary description

• wrangle - v. to quarrel noisily, angrily or disruptively

• defile - v. place under suspicion or cast doubt upon

• coalesce - v. fuse or cause to grow together

• divest - v. reduce or dispose of; cease to hold (an investment)

• inaudible - j. impossible to hear; imperceptible by the ear

• irreparable - j. impossible to repair, rectify, or amend

• prevaricate - v. be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information

• subjection - n. forced submission to control by others

• imitator - n. someone who copies the words or behavior of another

• bungle - v. spoil by behaving clumsily or foolishly

• impale - v. kill by piercing with a spear or sharp pole

• hibernation - n. the torpid or resting state in which some animals pass the winter

• indiscreet - j. lacking discretion; injudicious

• torpor - n. a state of motor and mental inactivity with a partial suspension of sensibility

• minion - n. a servile or fawning dependant

• fluster - v. cause to be nervous or upset

• canvass - v. get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions

• stratagem - n. an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade

• forbearance - n. good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence

• punctilious - j. marked by precise accordance with details

SAT Words Group 85

• schism - n. division of a group into opposing factions

• shard - n. a broken piece of a brittle artifact

• idealize - v. consider or render as ideal

• pith - n. soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants

• disavow - v. refuse to acknowledge; disclaim knowledge of; responsibility for, or association with

• invert - v. reverse the position, order, relation, or condition of

• fete - v. have a celebration

• byway - n. a side road little traveled (as in the countryside)

• jocular - a. with humor

• ensnare - v. take or catch as if in a snare or trap

• provident - j. providing carefully for the future

• fishmonger - n. someone who sells fish

• irascible - j. characterized by anger

• scythe - n. an edge tool for cutting grass; has a long handle that must be held with both hands and a curved blade that moves parallel to the ground

• separable - j. capable of being divided or dissociated

• truculent - j. defiantly aggressive

• miser - n. a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)

• dehydrate - v. lose water or moisture

• plenary - j. full in all respects

• seditious - j. rebellious; in opposition to a civil authority or government

• writhe - v. to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)

• appertain - v. be a part or attribute of

• asterisk - n. a star-shaped character * used in printing

• convalescence - n. gradual healing (through rest) after sickness or injury

• inadmissible - j. not deserving to be admitted

• oblong - j. deviating from a square or circle or sphere by being elongated in one direction; resembling a rectangle or an ellipse

• reducible - j. capable of being reduced

• brazier - n. large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned; warms people who must stay outside for long times

• scurvy - n. a condition caused by deficiency of ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

• stringency - n. conscientious attention to rules and details

• telepathy - n. apparent communication from one mind to another without using sensory perceptions

• interlocutor - n. a person who takes part in a conversation

• perquisite - n. an incidental benefit awarded for certain types of employment (especially if it is regarded as a right)

• promissory - j. relating to or having the character of a promise

• icily - a. in a cold and icy manner

• recapitulate - v. summarize briefly

• salience - n. the quality of standing out strongly and distinctly

• hexagon - n. a six-sided polygon

• distillation - n. a purified liquid produced by condensation from a vapor during distilling; the product of distilling

• foreshore - n. the part of the seashore between the high-water mark and the low-water mark

• ruffian - n. a cruel and brutal fellow

• bursar - n. the treasurer at a college or university

• culvert - n. a transverse and totally enclosed drain under a road or railway

• determinate - j. precisely determined or limited or defined; especially fixed by rule or by a specific and constant cause

• doublet - n. a man's close-fitting jacket; worn during the Renaissance

• asexual - j. not having or involving sex

• convergent - j. tending to come together from different directions

• seance - n. a meeting of spiritualists with an attempt to communicate with spirits

• centurion - n. (ancient Rome) the leader of 100 soldiers

• statuette - n. a small carved or molded figure

SAT Words Group 86

• coniferous - j. of or relating to or part of trees or shrubs bearing cones and evergreen leaves

• laddie - n. a male child (a familiar term of address to a boy)

• refractory - j. stubbornly resistant to authority or control

• interdict - n. a court order prohibiting a party from doing a certain activity

• amphibious - j. operating or living on land and in water

• encumbrance - n. a charge against property (as a lien or mortgage)

• Excellency - n. a title used to address dignitaries (such as ambassadors or governors); usually preceded by 'Your' or 'His' or 'Her'

• rejuvenation - n. the act of restoring to a more youthful condition

• cathode - n. a negatively charged electrode that is the source of electrons entering an electrical device

• interpolation - n. a message (spoken or written) that is introduced or inserted

• prelate - n. a senior clergyman and dignitary

• intestate - j. having made no legally valid will before death or not disposed of by a legal will

• signification - n. the message that is intended or expressed or signified

• globular - j. having the shape of a sphere or ball

• hypnotize - v. induce hypnosis in

• Calvinism - n. the theological system of John Calvin and his followers emphasizing omnipotence of God and salvation by grace alone

• diurnal - j. having a daily cycle or occurring every day

• kilowatt - n. a unit of power equal to 1000 watts

• abbess - n. the superior of a group of nuns

• coagulation - n. the process of forming semisolid lumps in a liquid

• chromatic - j. able to refract light without spectral color separation

• laxative - j. stimulating evacuation of feces

• indemnify - v. secure against future loss, damage, or liability; give security for

• ascendant - n. position or state of being dominant or in control

• reliquary - n. a container where religious relics are stored or displayed (especially relics of saints)

• conformance - n. correspondence in form or appearance

• gouge - v. force with the thumb

• regress - v. get worse or fall back to a previous condition

• splice - v. join the ends of

• dauntless - j. invulnerable to fear or intimidation

• inestimable - j. beyond calculation or measure

• abhorrence - n. hate coupled with disgust

• meritorious - j. deserving reward or praise

• inglorious - j. not bringing honor and glory

• rigmarole - n. a long and complicated and confusing procedure

• verbose - j. using or containing too many words

• vivacity - n. characterized by high spirits and liveliness

• voluble - j. marked by a ready flow of speech

• lyre - n. a harp used by ancient Greeks for accompaniment

• obdurate - j. stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing

• sagacity - n. the quality of being wise and sound in judgment

• quintessence - n. the most typical example or representative of a type

• expeditious - j. marked by speed and efficiency

• insensible - j. unresponsive to stimulation

• sufferance - n. patient endurance especially of pain or distress

• tactician - n. a person who is skilled at the details of planning

• treasonable - j. having the character of, or characteristic of, a traitor

• aspersion - n. an abusive attack on a person's character or good name

• foreclose - v. subject to foreclosing procedures; take away the right of mortgagors to redeem their mortgage

• upbraid - v. express criticism towards

SAT Words Group 87

• irresolute - j. uncertain how to act or proceed

• obsolescent - j. becoming obsolete

• guzzle - v. drink greedily or as if with great thirst

• undergarment - n. a garment worn under other garments

• grandiloquent - j. puffed up with vanity

• leonine - j. of or characteristic of or resembling a lion

• pungency - n. a strong odor or taste property

• carouse - v. engage in boisterous, drunken merrymaking

• sycophant - n. a person who tries to please someone in order to gain a personal advantage

• edify - v. make understand

• simper - v. smile affectedly or derisively

• colander - n. bowl-shaped strainer; used to wash or drain foods

• conciliate - v. come to terms

• curable - j. curing or healing is possible

• delectation - n. a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction

• urbanity - n. polished courtesy; elegance of manner

• disinherit - v. prevent deliberately (as by making a will) from inheriting

• chary - j. characterized by great caution and wariness

• avidity - n. a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

• disconsolate - j. sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled

• dissemble - v. behave unnaturally or affectedly

• liberality - n. the trait of being generous in behavior and temperament

• mellifluous - j. pleasing to the ear

• munificence - n. liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit

• peevish - j. easily irritated or annoyed

• pellucid - j. transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity

• perfidious - j. tending to betray; especially having a treacherous character as attributed to the Carthaginians by the Romans

• piteous - j. deserving or inciting pity

• tyro - n. someone new to a field or activity

• supplicant - n. someone who prays to God

• gourd - n. bottle made from the dried shell of a bottle gourd

• geniality - n. a disposition to be friendly and approachable (easy to talk to)

• inmost - j. situated or occurring farthest within

• liquefy - v. make (a solid substance) liquid, as by heating

• repast - v. to eat or feast

• usury - n. the act of lending money at an unreasonable rate of interest

• valediction - n. a farewell oration (especially one delivered during graduation exercises by an outstanding member of a graduating class)

• diabolic - j. extremely evil or cruel; expressive of cruelty or befitting hell

• joust - n. a combat between two mounted knights tilting against each other with blunted lances

• coddle - v. cook in nearly boiling water

• onrush - n. a forceful forward rush or flow

• asperity - n. harshness of manner

• correlative - j. mutually related

• imperturbable - j. not easily perturbed or excited or upset; marked by extreme calm and composure

• impiety - n. unrighteousness by virtue of lacking respect for a god

• logician - n. a person skilled at symbolic logic

• luminescent - j. emitting light not caused by heat

• parley - n. a negotiation between enemies

• phosphorescence - n. a fluorescence that persists after the bombarding radiation has ceased

• propitiate - v. make peace with

SAT Words Group 88

• protuberance - n. the condition of being protuberant; the condition of bulging out

• codicil - n. a supplement to a will; a testamentary instrument intended to alter an already executed will

• anthracite - n. a hard natural coal that burns slowly and gives intense heat

• bigamy - n. having two spouses at the same time

• forbear - v. resist doing something

• jugular - j. relating to or located in the region of the neck or throat

• noisome - j. causing or able to cause nausea

• rhetorician - n. a person who delivers a speech or oration

• sagacious - j. acutely insightful and wise

• tautology - n. useless repetition

• tincture - n. (pharmacology) a medicine consisting of an extract in an alcohol solution

• rend - v. tear or be torn violently

• burgeon - v. grow and flourish

• acerbity - n. a sharp sour taste

• antedate - v. establish something as being earlier relative to something else

• bevel - n. a hand tool consisting of two rules that are hinged together so you can draw or measure angles of any size

• perspicacious - j. acutely insightful and wise

• sinecure - n. an office that involves minimal duties

• solecism - n. a socially awkward or tactless act

• unction - n. excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm

• eon - n. the longest division of geological time

• desperado - n. a bold outlaw (especially on the American frontier)

• ceremonious - j. rigidly formal or bound by convention

• admonitory - j. expressing disapproval especially serving as warning

• eatable - j. suitable for use as food

• hirsute - j. having or covered with hair

• honorarium - n. a fee paid for a nominally free service

• misanthropy - n. a disposition to dislike and mistrust other people

• nutritive - j. of or providing nourishment

• sibilant - n. a consonant characterized by a hissing sound (like s or sh)

• skiff - n. any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor

• tannery - n. workplace where skins and hides are tanned

• wantonness - n. the quality of being preoccupied with or exhibiting lustful desires

• philander - v. have amorous affairs; of men

• efface - v. remove completely from recognition or memory

• trammel - v. place limits on (extent or access)

• moccasin - n. soft leather shoe; originally worn by Native Americans

• paroxysm - n. a sudden uncontrollable attack

• preponderant - j. having superior power and influence

• garble - v. make false by mutilation or addition; as of a message or story

• underling - n. an assistant subject to the authority or control of another

• tarry - v. leave slowly and hesitantly

• bibliophile - n. someone who loves (and usually collects) books

• fumigate - v. treat with fumes, expose to fumes, especially with the aim of disinfecting or eradicating pests

• hanger-on - n. someone who persistently (and annoyingly) follows along

• misrule - n. government that is inefficient or dishonest

• ocular - j. of or relating to or resembling the eye

• penitential - j. showing or constituting penance; to be sorry

• perspicacity - n. the capacity to assess situations or circumstances shrewdly and to draw sound conclusions

• pestilential - j. likely to spread and cause an epidemic disease

SAT Words Group 89

• saturnine - j. bitter or scornful

• academician - n. an educator who works at a college or university

• postdate - v. be later in time

• rondo - n. a musical form that is often the last movement of a sonata

• peccadillo - n. a petty misdeed

• jabber - n. rapid and indistinct speech

• stanchion - n. any vertical post or rod used as a support

• factious - j. dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion)

• heartrending - j. causing or marked by grief or anguish

• iciness - n. coldness due to a cold environment

• luxuriate - v. become extravagant; indulge (oneself) luxuriously

• obfuscate - v. make obscure or unclear

• prehensile - j. adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object

• tantalize - v. harass with persistent criticism or carping

• venial - j. easily excused or forgiven

• eugenic - j. pertaining to or causing improvement in the offspring produced

• substantiation - n. additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct

• quaff - v. to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught

• cantonment - n. temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

• cauterize - v. burn, sear, or freeze (tissue) using a hot iron or electric current or a caustic agent

• dolorous - j. showing sorrow

• expostulate - v. reason with (somebody) for the purpose of dissuasion

• incorporeal - j. without material form or substance

• prefatory - j. serving as an introduction or preface

• reprobate - n. a person without moral scruples

• ruminant - n. any of various cud-chewing hoofed mammals having a stomach divided into four (occasionally three) compartments

• bestride - v. get up on the back of

• captious - j. tending to find and call attention to faults

• malapropism - n. the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar

• pertinacious - j. stubbornly unyielding

• polytheism - n. belief in multiple Gods

• faun - n. ancient Italian deity in human shape, with horns, pointed ears and a goat's tail; equivalent to Greek satyr

• defame - v. charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone

• nectarine - n. a variety or mutation of the peach that has a smooth skin

• declamation - n. vehement oratory

• declamatory - j. ostentatiously lofty in style

• micrometer - n. a metric unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter

• penetrable - j. capable of being penetrated

• plenipotentiary - n. a diplomat who is fully authorized to represent his or her government

• raillery - n. good-natured teasing or ridicule; banter

• taxidermy - n. the art of mounting the skins of animals so that they have lifelike appearance

• cupidity - n. extreme greed for material wealth

• metronome - n. clicking pendulum indicates the exact tempo of a piece of music

• splenetic - j. of or relating to the spleen

• termagant - n. a scolding nagging bad-tempered woman

• disinter - v. dig up for reburial or for medical investigation; of dead bodies

• agglomerate - j. clustered together but not coherent

• dulcet - j. extremely pleasant in a gentle way

• homonym - n. two words are homonyms if they are pronounced or spelled the same way but have different meanings

• convolution - n. the action of coiling or twisting or winding together

SAT Words Group 90

• refract - v. to deflect from a straight path

• satiate - v. fill to satisfaction

• ambidextrous - j. equally skillful with each hand

• metonymy - n. substituting the name of an attribute or feature for the name of the thing itself (as in 'they counted heads')

• licit - j. sanctioned by custom or morality especially sexual morality

• bungler - n. someone who makes mistakes because of incompetence

• dissuasion - n. persuading not to do or believe something; talking someone out of a belief or an intended course of action

• hindmost - j. located farthest to the rear

• inapt - j. not elegant or graceful in expression

• nonpareil - j. eminent beyond or above comparison

• reproof - n. an act or expression of criticism and censure

• toilsome - j. characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

• lexicography - n. the act of writing dictionaries

• lingual - j. consisting of or related to language

• ablution - n. the ritual washing of a priest's hands or of sacred vessels

• cadenza - n. a brilliant solo passage occurring near the end of a piece of music

• corpulence - n. the property of excessive fatness

• lachrymose - j. showing sorrow

• perspire - v. excrete perspiration through the pores in the skin

• abridgment - n. a shortened version of a written work

• alienable - j. transferable to another owner

• astringent - n. a drug that causes contraction of body tissues and canals

• regicide - n. the act of killing a king

• altruist - n. someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being

• cajolery - n. flattery intended to persuade

• deist - n. a person who believes that God created the universe and then abandoned it

• mismanage - v. manage badly or incompetently

• patronymic - n. a family name derived from name of your father or a paternal ancestor (especially with an affix such as -son in English or O'- in Irish)

• amortize - v. liquidate gradually

• corpuscle - n. either of two types of cells (erythrocytes and leukocytes) and sometimes including platelets

• grantee - n. a recipient of a grant

• underbid - v. bid lower than a competing bidder

• covey - n. a small collection of people

• deliquesce - v. melt or become liquid by absorbing moisture from the air

• matricide - n. the murder of your mother

• perfumery - n. store where perfumes are sold

• persiflage - n. light teasing

• beatitude - n. one of the eight sayings of Jesus at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount; in Latin each saying begins with 'beatus' (blessed)

• animadversion - n. harsh criticism or disapproval

• comestible - n. any substance that can be used as food

• incompressible - j. incapable of being compressed; resisting compression

• serration - n. a row of notches

• vaporizer - n. a device that puts out a substance in the form of a vapor (especially for medicinal inhalation)

• lionize - v. assign great social importance to

• optometry - n. the practice of an optometrist

• aggress - v. take the initiative and go on the offensive

• outskirt - n. a part of the city far removed from the center

• molt - n. periodic shedding of the cuticle in arthropods or the outer skin in reptiles

• aggrandize - v. add details to

• evanesce - v. disappear gradually

SAT Words Group 91

• knickknack - n. a small inexpensive mass-produced article

• countercharge - n. a charge brought by an accused person against the accuser

• deforest - v. remove the trees from

• discolor - v. cause to lose or change color

• clangor - n. a loud resonant repeating noise

• cloture - v. terminate debate by calling for a vote

• dawdler - n. someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind

• demagnetize - v. make nonmagnetic; take away the magnetic properties (of)

• finical - j. exacting especially about details

• garrote - n. an instrument of execution for execution by strangulation

• misapprehend - v. interpret in the wrong way

• persuadable - j. being susceptible to persuasion

• intercept - v. seize on its way

• Anglo-Saxon - n. a person of Anglo-Saxon (especially British) descent whose native tongue is English

• contrive - v. come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

• transpire - v. come about, happen, or occur

• overtone - n. (usually plural) an ulterior implicit meaning or quality; a hint

• superimpose - v. place on top of

• condensation - n. the process of changing from a gaseous to a liquid or solid state

• facsimile - n. an exact copy or reproduction

• granule - n. a tiny grain

• alkali - n. a mixture of soluble salts found in arid soils and some bodies of water; detrimental to agriculture

• testator - n. a person who makes a will

• gastritis - n. inflammation of the lining of the stomach; nausea and loss of appetite and discomfort after eating

• intersperse - v. place at intervals in or among

• qualm - n. uneasiness about the fitness of an action

• embroil - v. force into some kind of situation, condition, or course of action

• enthuse - v. cause to feel enthusiasm

• coffer - n. a chest especially for storing valuables

• crevice - n. a long narrow depression in a surface

• protrude - v. extend out or project in space

• cull - v. remove something that has been rejected

• engross - v. consume all of one's attention or time

• exasperate - v. make furious

• self-respect - n. the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

• legging - n. a garment covering the leg (usually extending from the knee to the ankle)

• contravene - v. go against, as of rules and laws

• aperture - n. a device that controls amount of light admitted

• impracticable - j. not capable of being carried out or put into practice

• sol - n. (Roman mythology) ancient Roman god; personification of the sun; counterpart of Greek Helios

• alder - n. wood of any of various alder trees; resistant to underwater rot; used for bridges etc

• knead - v. make uniform

• bawl - v. shout loudly and without restraint

• emigrant - n. someone who leaves one country to settle in another

• able-bodied - j. having a strong healthy body

• bronchitis - n. inflammation of the membranes lining the bronchial tubes

• disallow - v. command against

• adduce - v. show evidence for something

• reversion - n. a reappearance of an earlier characteristic

• vagrant - n. a wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support

SAT Words Group 92

• tout - v. advertise in strongly positive terms

• encore - n. an extra or repeated performance; usually given in response to audience demand

• heterogeneity - n. the quality of being diverse and not comparable in kind

• pecuniary - j. relating to or involving money

• antenatal - j. occurring or existing before birth

• phonology - n. the study of the sound system of a given language and the analysis and classification of its phonemes

• flue - n. a conduit to carry off smoke

• clothier - n. a merchant who sells men's clothing

• conscript - n. someone who is drafted into military service

• apothecary - n. a health professional trained in the art of preparing and dispensing drugs

• polygon - n. a closed plane figure bounded by straight sides

• dragoon - v. compel by coercion, threats, or crude means

• assignee - n. (law) the party to whom something is assigned (e.g., someone to whom a right or property is legally transferred)

• incisor - n. a tooth for cutting or gnawing; located in the front of the mouth in both jaws

• amputate - v. remove surgically

• attune - v. adjust or accustom to; bring into harmony with

• convulsion - n. violent uncontrollable contractions of muscles

• excitable - j. easily excited

• intoxicate - v. make drunk (with alcoholic drinks)

• emblazon - v. decorate with heraldic arms

• masquerade - v. pretend to be someone or something that you are not

• dislocate - v. move out of position

• inconsiderable - j. too small or unimportant to merit attention

• gratify - v. make happy or satisfied

• suffuse - v. cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across

• foible - n. a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

• vex - v. be a mystery or bewildering to

• light-hearted - j. carefree and happy and lighthearted

• mislay - v. place (something) where one cannot find it again

• perusal - n. reading carefully with intent to remember

• dispossess - v. deprive of the possession of real estate

• patronize - v. be a regular customer or client of

• vicissitude - n. a variation in circumstances or fortune at different times in your life or in the development of something

• efficacious - j. marked by qualities giving the power to produce an intended effect

• convivial - j. occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company

• exigency - n. a pressing or urgent situation

• narrow-minded - j. lacking tolerance or flexibility or breadth of view

• disclaim - v. make a disclaimer about

• underrate - v. make too low an estimate of

• entwine - v. tie or link together

• accost - v. to approach and speak to someone boldly or aggressively

• percolate - v. spread gradually

• desecrate - v. violate the sacred character of a place or language

• adjudge - v. declare to be

• gesticulate - v. show, express or direct through movement

• luminary - n. a celebrity who is an inspiration to others

• remonstrate - v. argue in protest or opposition

• interpose - v. be or come between

• indigestible - j. digested with difficulty

• insuperable - j. incapable of being surmounted or excelled

SAT Words Group 93

• trestle - n. a supporting tower used to support a bridge

• twinge - n. a sharp stab of pain

• travail - v. work hard

• plaudit - n. enthusiastic approval

• rankle - v. gnaw into; make resentful or angry

• congeal - v. become gelatinous

• impute - v. attribute or credit to

• bric-a-brac - n. miscellaneous curios

• intercession - n. a prayer to God on behalf of another person

• invariable - j. not liable to or capable of change

• multifarious - j. having many aspects

• reprove - v. take to task

• weal - n. a raised mark on the skin (as produced by the blow of a whip); characteristic of many allergic reactions

• singe - v. burn superficially or lightly

• fetter - n. a shackle for the ankles or feet

• convulse - v. move or stir about violently

• rivulet - n. a small stream

• baize - n. a bright green fabric napped to resemble felt; used to cover gaming tables

• nunnery - n. the convent of a community of nuns

• optician - n. a worker who makes glasses for remedying defects of vision

• pucker - v. become wrinkled or drawn together

• beseech - v. ask for or request earnestly

• confectioner - n. someone who makes candies and other sweets

• germinate - v. cause to grow or sprout

• inculcate - v. teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions

• insolent - j. marked by casual disrespect

• stupor - n. marginal consciousness

• abrogate - v. revoke or abolish by authority

• armful - n. the quantity that can be contained in the arms

• extrude - v. form or shape by forcing through an opening

• inflammable - j. easily ignited

• sear - v. become superficially burned

• encamp - v. live in or as if in a tent

• cravat - n. neckwear worn in a slipknot with long ends overlapping vertically in front

• disconcert - v. cause to lose one's composure

• accredit - v. grant credentials to

• burgher - n. a member of the middle class

• teetotal - j. practicing complete abstinence from alcoholic beverages

• herbaceous - j. characteristic of a nonwoody herb or plant part

• scabbard - n. a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet

• ail - v. be ill or unwell

• embezzle - v. appropriate (as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own use

• connote - v. involve as a necessary condition of consequence; as in logic

• betroth - v. give to in marriage

• abscond - v. run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along

• baste - v. cover with liquid before cooking

• epistle - n. a book of the New Testament written in the form of a letter from an Apostle

• freemason - n. a member of a widespread secret fraternal order pledged to mutual assistance and brotherly love

• preferment - n. the act of making accusations

• capillary - n. any of the minute blood vessels connecting arterioles with venules

SAT Words Group 94

• distemper - n. any of various infectious viral diseases of animals

• prickle - v. cause a stinging or tingling sensation

• remunerate - v. make payment to; compensate

• flax - n. fiber of the flax plant that is made into thread and woven into linen fabric

• left-handed - j. ironically ambiguous

• abscess - n. symptom consisting of a localized collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue

• conjugal - j. of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband

• juridical - j. relating to the administration of justice or the function of a judge

• gendarme - n. a French policeman

• crustacean - n. any mainly aquatic arthropod usually having a segmented body and chitinous exoskeleton

• gosling - n. young goose

• attenuate - v. become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude

• denominate - v. assign a name or title to

• evidential - j. serving as or based on evidence

• natal - j. relating to or accompanying birth

• grenadier - n. an infantryman equipped with grenades

• coincident - j. occurring or operating at the same time

• cognate - j. related in nature

• typography - n. the craft of composing type and printing from it

• antiquary - n. an expert or collector of antiquities

• marauder - n. someone who attacks in search of booty

• luminosity - n. the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light

• somatic - j. affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit

• steppe - n. extensive plain without trees (associated with eastern Russia and Siberia)

• concordance - n. an index of all main words in a book along with their immediate contexts

• acetic - j. relating to or containing acetic acid

• fission - n. a nuclear reaction in which a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei with the simultaneous release of energy

• imminence - n. the state of being imminent and liable to happen soon

• conjugate - j. joined together especially in a pair or pairs

• continence - n. voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge

• benefice - n. an endowed church office giving income to its holder

• jaundice - n. yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes caused by an accumulation of bile pigment in the blood; can be a symptom of gallstones or liver infection or anemia

• deprave - v. corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality

• transferee - n. someone who transfers or is transferred from one position to another

• gradation - n. relative position in a graded series

• egoism - n. concern for your own interests and welfare

• belay - n. something to which a mountain climber's rope can be secured

• intestacy - n. the situation of being or dying without a legally valid will

• coalescence - n. the union of diverse things into one body or form or group; the growing together of parts

• diphthong - n. a vowel sound that starts near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves toward the position for another

• quarto - n. the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper twice to form four leaves

• commissariat - n. a stock or supply of foods

• orthogonal - j. relating to or composed of right angles

• tortuous - j. of or pertaining to the nature of a tort (wrongdoing for which a legal action for damages may be brought)

• nebula - n. an immense cloud of gas (mainly hydrogen) and dust in interstellar space

• utilitarianism - n. doctrine that value is determined by usefulness; especially as elaborated by Jeremy Bentham and James Mill; the aim was said to be the greatest happiness for the greatest number

• necrosis - n. the localized death of living cells (as from infection or the interruption of blood supply)

• herbarium - n. a collection of dried plants that are mounted and systematically classified for study

• hypotenuse - n. the side of a right triangle opposite the right angle

• unbelief - n. a rejection of belief

SAT Words Group 95

• matriculate - v. enroll as a student

• syllabic - j. of or relating to syllables

• sequent - j. in regular succession without gaps

• apposition - n. the act of positioning close together (or side by side)

• odorous - j. having a natural fragrance

• luminescence - n. light not due to incandescence; occurs at low temperatures

• consignee - n. the person to whom merchandise is delivered over

• durance - n. imprisonment (especially for a long time)

• inadvisable - j. not prudent or wise; not recommended

• domineer - v. rule or exercise power over (somebody) in a cruel and autocratic manner

• emaciate - v. grow weak and thin or waste away physically

• bedeck - v. decorate

• turbid - j. (of liquids) clouded as with sediment

• conviviality - n. a jovial nature

• gossamer - j. characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy

• impecunious - j. not having enough money to pay for necessities

• inexpressible - j. defying expression

• out-of-the-way - j. out of the ordinary

• penury - n. a state of extreme poverty or destitution

• raconteur - n. a person skilled in telling anecdotes

• equable - j. not easily irritated

• excusable - j. easily excused or forgiven

• odium - n. state of disgrace resulting from detestable behavior

• overproduction - n. too much production or more than expected

• parsimonious - j. excessively unwilling to spend

• protract - v. lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer

• deportment - n. (behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people

• impermeable - j. preventing especially liquids to pass or diffuse through

• torpid - j. slow and apathetic

• incise - v. make an incision into by carving or cutting

• demerit - n. a mark against a person for misconduct or failure; usually given in school or armed forces

• enfeeble - v. make weak

• rumple - v. become wrinkled or crumpled or creased

• corporeal - j. having material or physical form or substance

• mealy-mouthed - j. hesitant to state facts or opinions simply and directly as from e.g. timidity or hypocrisy

• maltreat - v. treat badly

• arraign - v. call before a court to answer an indictment

• chasten - v. correct by punishment or discipline

• bereave - v. deprive through death

• perforate - v. make a hole or holes in something

• importune - v. beg persistently and urgently

• dally - v. waste time

• elocution - n. an expert manner of speaking involving control of voice and gesture

• impetuosity - n. rash impulsiveness

• impious - j. lacking piety or reverence for a god

• periodicity - n. the quality of recurring at regular intervals

• undulate - v. move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion

• wretchedness - n. a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune

• anteroom - n. a large entrance or reception room or area

• expatiate - v. add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing

SAT Words Group 96

• impudence - n. an impudent statement

• kind-hearted - j. having or proceeding from an innately kind disposition

• retouch - v. alter so as to produce a more desirable appearance

• depopulate - v. reduce in population

• choleric - j. quickly aroused to anger

• happy-go-lucky - j. cheerfully irresponsible

• unutterable - j. very difficult to pronounce correctly

• conjoin - v. make contact or come together

• enrapture - v. hold spellbound

• transfigure - v. change completely the nature or appearance of

• archaism - n. the use of an archaic expression

• procrastinate - v. postpone or delay needlessly

• interrogative - j. relating to the use of or having the nature of an interrogation

• legionary - n. a soldier who is a member of a legion (especially the French Foreign Legion)

• pommel - n. handgrip formed by the raised front part of a saddle

• proscenium - n. the part of a modern theater stage between the curtain and the orchestra (i.e., in front of the curtain)

• proscription - n. rejection by means of an act of banishing or proscribing someone

• reconcilable - j. capable of being compatible or in agreement with

• rookery - n. a breeding ground for gregarious birds (such as rooks)

• stygian - j. gloomy and dark; hellish

• profiteer - n. someone who makes excessive profit (especially on goods in short supply)

• monosyllable - n. a word or utterance of one syllable

• slake - v. satisfy a craving; quench

• providential - j. peculiarly fortunate or appropriate; as if by divine intervention

• adulterate - v. corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones

• divination - n. the art or gift of prophecy (or the pretense of prophecy) by supernatural means

• gainsay - v. take exception to

• manacle - v. confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs

• obstreperous - j. noisily and stubbornly defiant

• witticism - n. a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter

• aide-de-camp - n. an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer

• cygnet - n. a young swan

• extempore - j. with little or no preparation or forethought

• irruption - n. a sudden sharp increase in the relative numbers of a population

• liege - n. a feudal lord entitled to allegiance and service

• littoral - j. of or relating to a coastal or shore region

• obloquy - n. state of disgrace resulting from public abuse

• payee - n. a person to whom money is paid

• pinioned - j. bound fast especially having the arms restrained

• tempter - n. a person who tempts others

• wittingly - a. with full knowledge and deliberation

• bole - n. a soft oily clay used as a pigment (especially a reddish brown pigment)

• cudgel - n. a club that is used as a weapon

• sententious - j. concise and full of meaning

• abase - v. cause to feel shame; hurt the pride of

• blazon - v. decorate with heraldic arms

• dexterous - j. skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands

• excrescence - n. (pathology) an abnormal outgrowth or enlargement of some part of the body

• extirpate - v. pull up by or as if by the roots

• coagulate - v. change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state

SAT Words Group 97

• egress - n. the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent

• extenuate - v. lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of

• inundation - n. the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

• iridescence - n. the visual property of something having a milky brightness and a play of colors from the surface

• magistracy - n. the position of magistrate

• nugatory - j. of no real value

• oaken - j. consisting of or made of wood of the oak tree

• perambulate - v. walk with no particular goal

• poncho - n. a blanket-like cloak with a hole in the center for the head

• propinquity - n. the property of being close together

• triennial - j. occurring every third year or lasting 3 years

• unwonted - j. out of the ordinary

• federate - v. unite on a federal basis or band together as a league

• bemuse - v. cause to be confused emotionally

• preordain - v. foreordain or determine beforehand

• balsam - n. an ointment containing a fragrant resin

• zephyr - n. a slight wind (usually refreshing)

• blaspheme - v. speak of in an irreverent or impious manner

• expiate - v. make amends for

• landholder - n. a holder or proprietor of land

• calculable - j. capable of being calculated or estimated

• calumny - n. an abusive attack on a person's character or good name

• contusion - n. an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration

• deprecate - v. belittle

• petrify - v. change into stone

• presentiment - n. a feeling of evil to come

• redound - v. have an effect for good or ill

• suggestible - j. susceptible or responsive to suggestion

• suppliant - j. humbly requesting

• tricolor - n. a flag having three colored stripes (especially the French flag)

• truculence - n. stubborn and defiant aggressiveness

• weak-kneed - j. lacking will power or resolution

• bewilder - v. cause to be confused emotionally

• becalm - v. make steady

• curtsy - v. bend the knees in a gesture of respectful greeting

• aseptic - j. free of or using methods to keep free of pathological microorganisms

• desuetude - n. a state of inactivity or disuse

• disavowal - n. denial of any connection with or knowledge of

• Gordian - j. extremely intricate; usually in phrase 'Gordian knot'

• grantor - n. a person who makes a grant in legal form

• intercessor - n. a negotiator who acts as a link between parties

• lactation - n. the production and secretion of milk by the mammary glands

• occluded - j. closed off

• pertinacity - n. persistent determination

• protrusion - n. the act of projecting out from something

• remonstrance - n. the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest

• shiftless - j. lacking or characterized by lack of ambition or initiative; lazy

• stripling - n. a juvenile between the onset of puberty and maturity

• superabundance - n. a quantity that is more than what is appropriate

• ostracize - v. avoid speaking to or dealing with

SAT Words Group 98

• nostrum - n. hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; once sought by the alchemists

• peregrination - n. traveling or wandering around

• gyroscope - n. rotating mechanism in the form of a universally mounted spinning wheel that offers resistance to turns in any direction

• cadaverous - j. very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

• discrepant - j. not in agreement

• endurable - j. capable of being borne though unpleasant

• gladden - v. make glad or happy

• intemperance - n. excess in action and immoderate indulgence of bodily appetites, especially in passion or indulgence

• intoxicant - n. a liquor or brew containing alcohol as the active agent; a drug that can produce a state of intoxication

• putrefaction - n. a state of decay usually accompanied by an offensive odor

• supernumerary - n. a person serving no apparent function

• therefore - a. (in formal usage, especially legal usage) for that or for it

• addle - v. mix up or confuse

• purvey - v. supply with provisions

• privateer - n. a privately owned warship commissioned to prey on the commercial shipping or warships of an enemy nation

• dolt - n. a person who is not very bright

• gnash - v. grind together, of teeth

• malinger - v. avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill

• preexist - v. exist beforehand or prior to a certain point in time

• enervate - v. weaken mentally or morally

• pamphleteer - n. a writer of pamphlets (usually taking a partisan stand on public issues)

• abrade - v. wear away

• anode - n. a positively charged electrode by which electrons leave an electrical device

• cadge - v. ask for and get free; be a parasite

• disjunctive - j. serving or tending to divide or separate

• fagged - j. drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

• incandescence - n. the phenomenon of light emission by a body as its temperature is raised

• interposition - n. the action of interjecting or interposing an action or remark that interrupts

• joggle - n. a slight irregular shaking motion

• kinsfolk - n. people descended from a common ancestor

• macrocosm - n. everything that exists anywhere

• naphtha - n. any of various volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures; used chiefly as solvents

• plenteous - j. affording an abundant supply

• plutocracy - n. a political system governed by the wealthy people

• prate - n. idle or foolish and irrelevant talk

• sanguinary - j. accompanied by bloodshed

• virago - n. a noisy or scolding or domineering woman

• illumine - v. make lighter or brighter

• ramify - v. have or develop complicating consequences

• acidify - v. turn into an acid

• augury - n. an event that is experienced as indicating important things to come

• bombardier - n. the member of a bomber crew responsible for using the bombsight and releasing the bombs on the target

• consumptive - j. afflicted with or associated with pulmonary tuberculosis

• herbivorous - j. feeding only on plants

• interrogatory - j. relating to the use of or having the nature of an interrogation

• moonbeam - n. a ray of moonlight

• percolator - n. a coffeepot in which boiling water ascends through a central tube and filters back down through a basket of ground coffee beans

• pusillanimous - j. lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful

• gibe - n. an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect

• imprecation - n. a slanderous accusation

SAT Words Group 99

• kerchief - n. a square scarf that is folded into a triangle and worn over the head or about the neck

• cession - n. the act of ceding

• penurious - j. excessively unwilling to spend

• amatory - j. expressive of or exciting sexual love or romance

• bulrush - n. tall rush with soft erect or arching stems found in Eurasia, Australia, New Zealand, and common in North America

• electrolysis - n. removing superfluous or unwanted hair by passing an electric current through the hair root

• gaucherie - n. the quality of being rustic or gauche

• inconstant - j. likely to change frequently often without apparent or cogent reason; variable

• ligature - n. something used to tie or bind

• luxuriance - n. the property of being lush and abundant and a pleasure to the senses

• mendicant - j. practicing beggary

• munificent - j. very generous

• obtrude - v. thrust oneself in as if by force

• palliate - v. lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of

• sebaceous - j. containing an unusual amount of grease or oil

• sentience - n. the readiness to perceive sensations; elementary or undifferentiated consciousness

• sequestrate - v. set apart from others

• vernal - j. of or characteristic of or occurring in spring

• wavelet - n. a small wave on the surface of a liquid

• chronometer - n. an accurate clock (especially used in navigation)

• clairvoyance - n. apparent power to perceive things that are not present to the senses

• euphony - n. any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds

• hussar - n. a member of a European light cavalry unit; renowned for elegant dress

• pharmacopoeia - n. a collection or stock of drugs

• rarefy - v. lessen the density or solidity of

• virulence - n. extreme harmfulness or hostility

• lave - v. wash or flow against

• induct - v. admit as a member

• suborn - v. incite to commit a crime or an evil deed

• variegate - v. make something more diverse and varied

• limn - v. trace the shape of

• enfranchise - v. grant freedom to; as from slavery or servitude

• purloin - v. make off with belongings of others

• sluggard - n. an idle slothful person

• arboreal - j. of or relating to or formed by trees

• arrogate - v. make undue claims to having

• assonance - n. the repetition of similar vowels in the stressed syllables of successive words

• contiguity - n. the attribute of being so near as to be touching

• drachma - n. formerly the basic unit of money in Greece

• frankincense - n. an aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation

• palpitate - v. cause to throb or beat rapidly

• phonogram - n. any written symbol standing for a sound or syllable or morpheme or word

• streamlet - n. a small stream

• tercentenary - n. the 300th anniversary (or the celebration of it)

• unfeigned - j. not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed

• well-bred - j. of good upbringing

• conferee - n. a person on whom something is bestowed

• antonym - n. a word that expresses a meaning opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other

• abominate - v. find repugnant

• adulteration - n. being mixed with contaminating material to make impure; the product of adulterating

SAT Words Group 100

• chastisement - n. verbal punishment

• cogitate - v. consider carefully and deeply; reflect upon; turn over in one's mind

• descry - v. catch sight of

• ductile - j. capable of being shaped or bent or drawn out

• efflorescence - n. a powdery deposit on a surface

• exigent - j. requiring precise accuracy

• gyrate - v. to wind or move in a spiral course

• hypnotism - n. the act of inducing hypnosis

• sybarite - n. a person addicted to luxury and pleasures of the senses

• adjacency - n. the attribute of being so near as to be touching

• benignity - n. the quality of being kind and gentle

• benison - n. a spoken blessing

• bight - n. a broad bay formed by an indentation in the shoreline

• discontinuance - n. the act of discontinuing or breaking off; an interruption (temporary or permanent)

• freethinker - n. a person who believes that God created the universe and then abandoned it

• man-eater - n. a person who eats human flesh

• percipient - j. characterized by ease and quickness in perceiving

• retrogression - n. passing from a more complex to a simpler biological form

• scintillate - v. be lively or brilliant or exhibit virtuosity

• unicellular - j. having or consisting of a single cell

• brigand - n. an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band

• brogan - n. a thick and heavy shoe

• isothermal - j. of a process or change taking place at constant temperature

• mnemonics - n. a method or system for improving the memory

• oakum - n. loose hemp or jute fiber obtained by unraveling old ropes; when impregnated with tar it was used to caulk seams and pack joints in wooden ships

• philologist - n. a humanist specializing in classical scholarship

• spheroid - n. not perfectly round; a shape that is generated by rotating an ellipse around one of its axes

• aver - v. report or maintain

• scintilla - n. a tiny or scarcely detectable amount

• lacerate - v. cut or tear irregularly

• adumbrate - v. describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of

• actuate - v. put in motion or move to act

• bowdlerize - v. edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate

• complaisant - j. showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others

• compressible - j. capable of being compressed or made more compact

• cynosure - n. something that strongly attracts attention and admiration

• declension - n. the inflection of nouns and pronouns and adjectives in Indo-European languages

• devilry - n. wicked and cruel behavior

• diplomatist - n. an official engaged in international negotiations

• disbeliever - n. someone who refuses to believe (as in a divinity)

• dutiable - j. subject to import tax

• frizzle - v. fry something until it curls and becomes crisp

• imperviousness - n. the quality of being impenetrable (by people or light or missiles etc.)

• pauperism - n. a state of extreme poverty or destitution

• quietus - n. euphemisms for death (based on an analogy between lying in a bed and in a tomb)

• recrudescence - n. a return of something after a period of abatement

• repine - v. express discontent

• valorous - j. having or showing exceptional or heroic courage

• inebriate - v. become drunk or drink excessively

• convoke - v. call together

SAT Words Group 101

• panegyric - n. a formal expression of praise

• transfuse - v. impart gradually

• boatswain - n. a petty officer on a merchant ship who controls the work of other seamen

• bromine - n. a nonmetallic heavy volatile corrosive dark brown liquid element belonging to the halogens; found in sea water

• consonance - n. the property of sounding harmonious

• dissentient - j. disagreeing, especially with a majority

• genealogist - n. an expert in genealogy

• subtend - v. be opposite to; of angles and sides, in geometry

• aggrieve - v. infringe on the rights of

• introspect - v. reflect on one's own thoughts and feelings

• frizz - n. the condition of being formed into small tight curls

• stultify - v. deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless

• seismograph - n. a measuring instrument for detecting and measuring the intensity and direction and duration of movements of the ground (as an earthquake)

• stipple - v. paint by small short touches that together produce an even or softly graded shadow

• adjure - v. ask for or request earnestly

• confluent - j. flowing together

• expectorate - v. clear out the chest and lungs

• hardihood - n. the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger

• judicature - n. the act of meting out justice according to the law

• nutriment - n. a source of materials to nourish the body

• octavo - n. the size of a book whose pages are made by folding a sheet of paper three times to form eight leaves

• photoelectric - j. of or pertaining to electric effects caused by light

• sere - j. (used especially of vegetation) having lost all moisture

• seclude - v. keep away from others

• cryptogram - n. a piece of writing in code or cipher

• requite - v. make repayment for or return something

• stupefy - v. make senseless or dizzy by or as if by a blow

• superannuate - v. retire someone because of age or physical inability

• gourmand - n. a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess

• loiterer - n. someone who lingers aimlessly in or about a place

• adulterant - n. any substance that lessens the purity or effectiveness of a substance

• ampere - n. the basic unit of electric current

• auricular - j. of or relating to near the ear

• complaisance - n. a disposition or tendency to yield to the will of others

• educe - v. develop or evolve from a latent or potential state

• illimitable - j. without limits in extent or size or quantity

• latish - j. somewhat late

• numeration - n. the act of counting; reciting numbers in ascending order

• vitalize - v. make more lively or vigorous

• vocative - n. a grammatical case in certain inflected languages to indicate the person or thing being addressed

• purl - v. make a murmuring sound

• anhydrous - j. without water; especially without water of crystallization

• demobilize - v. release from military service or remove from the active list of military service

• pedagogue - n. someone who educates young people

• pentathlon - n. an athletic contest consisting of five different events

• votary - n. one bound by vows to a religion or life of worship or service

• sequester - v. keep away from others

• jingo - n. an extreme bellicose nationalist

• preternatural - j. surpassing the ordinary or normal

• sylph - n. a slender graceful young woman

SAT Words Group 102

• biped - n. an animal with two feet

• expurgate - v. edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate

• temporize - v. draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time

• annalist - n. a historian who writes annals

• bibulous - j. given to or marked by the consumption of alcohol

• execration - n. the object of cursing or detestation; that which is execrated

• festal - j. offering fun and gaiety

• foresail - n. the lowest sail on the foremast of a square-rigged vessel

• inexpedient - j. not suitable or advisable

• jocose - j. characterized by jokes and good humor

• low-spirited - j. filled with melancholy and despondency

• manlike - j. resembling human beings

• pantheism - n. the doctrine or belief that God is the universe and its phenomena

• perspicuous - j. (of language) transparently clear; easily understandable

• philately - n. the collection and study of postage stamps

• refulgent - j. radiating or as if radiating light

• sophism - n. a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone

• unguent - n. semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation

• pentagram - n. a star with 5 points; formed by 5 straight lines between the vertices of a pentagon and enclosing another pentagon

• ampersand - n. a punctuation mark (&) used to represent conjunction (and)

• impulsion - n. the act of applying force suddenly

• isobar - n. (meteorology) an isogram connecting points having equal barometric pressure at a given time

• locative - n. the semantic role of the noun phrase that designates the place of the state or action denoted by the verb

• ordinal - j. being or denoting a numerical order in a series

• vainglory - n. outspoken conceit

• crevasse - n. a deep fissure

• vivify - v. make more striking or intense

• resistive - j. exhibiting or relating to electrical resistance

• viol - n. any of a family of bowed stringed instruments that preceded the violin family

• braze - v. solder together by using hard solder with a high melting point

• malcontent - n. a person who is discontented or disgusted

• ennoble - v. confer dignity or honor upon

• effuse - v. give out or emit (also metaphorically)

• divagation - n. a turning aside (of your course or attention or concern)

• miscount - v. count wrongly

• abnegate - v. deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure

• ambrosial - j. extremely pleasing to the taste; sweet and fragrant

• contumacious - j. willfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient

• equipoise - n. equality of distribution

• fraudulence - n. something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage

• furbish - v. polish and make shiny

• homophone - n. two words are homophones if they are pronounced the same way but differ in meaning or spelling or both (e.g. bare and bear)

• hydrometer - n. a measuring instrument for determining the specific gravity of a liquid or solid

• importunate - j. expressing earnest entreaty

• indigence - n. a state of extreme poverty or destitution

• indiscernible - j. difficult or impossible to perceive or discern

• lodgment - n. the state or quality of being lodged or fixed even temporarily

• macerate - v. soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result

• maidenhood - n. the childhood of a girl

• opalescence - n. the visual property of something having a milky brightness and a play of colors from the surface

SAT Words Group 103

• propitiatory - j. intended to reconcile or appease

• proselyte - n. a new convert; especially a gentile converted to Judaism

• similitude - n. similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things

• supplicate - v. ask humbly (for something)

• antiphon - n. a verse or song to be chanted or sung in response

• deponent - n. a person who testifies or gives a deposition

• effluvium - n. a foul-smelling outflow or vapor (especially a gaseous waste)

• oculist - n. a person skilled in testing for defects of vision in order to prescribe corrective glasses

• puissant - j. powerful; strong

• submergence - n. sinking until covered completely with water

• dishearten - v. take away the enthusiasm of

• disarrange - v. destroy the arrangement or order of

• connubial - j. of or relating to marriage or to the relationship between a wife and husband

• muleteer - n. a worker who drives mules

• phonic - j. of or relating to speech sounds

• effervesce - v. become bubbly or frothy or foaming

• parricide - n. the murder of your own father or mother

• animadvert - v. express blame or censure or make a harshly critical remark

• contemn - v. look down on with disdain

• extensor - n. a skeletal muscle whose contraction extends or stretches a body part

• intension - n. what you must know in order to determine the reference of an expression

• malediction - n. the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil (and usually serves as an insult)

• opaqueness - n. the degree to which something reduces the passage of light

• photometer - n. measuring instrument for measuring the light intensity of a source

• photometry - n. measurement of the properties of light (especially luminous intensity)

• poesy - n. literature in metrical form

• ultramontane - n. a Roman Catholic who advocates ultramontanism (supreme papal authority in matters of faith and discipline)

• aeronaut - n. someone who operates an aircraft

• granulate - v. form into grains

• impalpable - j. imperceptible to the senses or the mind

• synchronism - n. the relation that exists when things occur at the same time

• precession - n. the act of preceding in time or order or rank (as in a ceremony)

• autarchy - n. a political system governed by a single individual

• bronchus - n. either of the two main branches of the trachea

• courser - n. a huntsman who hunts small animals with fast dogs that use sight rather than scent to follow their prey

• involution - n. the action of enfolding something

• achromatic - j. having no hue

• animalcule - n. microscopic organism such as an amoeba or paramecium

• anticyclone - n. (meteorology) winds spiraling outward from a high pressure center; circling clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern

• antitoxin - n. an antibody that can neutralize a specific toxin

• barograph - n. a recording barometer; automatically records on paper the variations in atmospheric pressure

• bedizen - v. decorate tastelessly

• benignant - j. characterized by kindness and warm courtesy especially of a king to his subjects

• close-hauled - j. having the sails trimmed for sailing as close to the wind as possible

• comeliness - n. the quality of being good looking and attractive

• conformable - j. disposed or willing to comply

• consignor - n. the person who delivers over or commits merchandise

• denude - v. lay bare

• diacritical - j. capable of distinguishing

• digraph - n. two successive letters (especially two letters used to represent a single sound: 'sh' in 'shoe')

SAT Words Group 104

• garrulity - n. the quality of being wordy and talkative

• insurgence - n. an organized rebellion aimed at overthrowing a constituted government through the use of subversion and armed conflict

• lithesome - j. - moving and bending with ease

• odoriferous - j. having a natural fragrance

• pervious - j. admitting of passage or entrance

• physiography - n. the study of physical features of the earth's surface

• pluperfect - j. more than perfect

• prohibitory - j. tending to discourage (especially of prices)

• rapine - n. the act of despoiling a country in warfare

• redundancy - n. the attribute of being superfluous and unneeded

• reparable - j. capable of being repaired or rectified

• violoncello - n. a large stringed instrument; seated player holds it upright while playing

• volubility - n. the quality of being clear and effective in speech and writing

• epicure - n. a person devoted to refined sensuous enjoyment (especially good food and drink)

• necromancer - n. one who practices divination by conjuring up the dead

• coxswain - n. the helmsman of a ship's boat or a racing crew

• discomfit - v. cause to lose one's composure

• occident - n. the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

• apiary - n. a shed containing a number of beehives

• circumlocutory - j. roundabout and unnecessarily wordy

• fiducially - j. relating to or of the nature of a legal trust (i.e. the holding of something in trust for another)

• itinerate - v. travel from place to place, as for work

• mettlesome - j. having a proud and unbroken spirit

• perfectible - j. capable of becoming or being made perfect

• puissance - n. power to influence or coerce

• resistless - j. offering no resistance

• tangency - n. the state of being tangent; having contact at a single point or along a line without crossing

• unyoke - v. remove the yoke from

• churl - n. a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement

• coeval - j. of the same period

• cosmography - n. the science that maps the general features of the universe; describes both heaven and earth (but without encroaching on geography or astronomy)

• subjacent - j. lying nearby but lower

• epicycle - n. a circle that rolls around (inside or outside) another circle; generates an epicycloid or hypocycloid

• diatomic - j. of or relating to a molecule made up of two atoms

• sirocco - n. a windstorm that lifts up clouds of dust or sand

• auriferous - j. containing gold

• egoist - n. a self-centered person with little regard for others

• congest - v. become or cause to become obstructed

• estrange - v. arouse hostility or indifference in where there had formerly been love, affection, or friendliness

• dolor - n. (poetry) painful grief

• befog - v. make less visible or unclear

• exhilarate - v. fill with sublime emotion

• pyromania - n. an uncontrollable desire to set fire to things

• undercharge - v. charge (someone) too little money

• ambulate - v. walk about; not be bedridden or incapable of walking

• anemometer - n. a gauge for recording the speed and direction of wind

• apprehensible - j. capable of being apprehended or understood

• cabalism - n. adherence to some extreme traditional theological concept or interpretation

• complacence - n. the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself

• contumacy - n. obstinate rebelliousness and insubordination; resistance to authority