SAT Vocab Book 3
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ArturoJPerez on September 22, 2012
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315 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Factious | adj. - causing disagreement ANT: cooperative; united |
| Ignoble | adj. - dishonorable; shameful ANT: noble; glorious |
| Boor | n. - a rude or impolite person ANT: sophisticate |
| Aegis | n. - a shield; protection |
| Perspicacity | n. - keenness of judgment ANT: stupidity; ignorance |
| Fervent | adj. - eager; earnest ANT: apathetic |
| Rectify | v. - to correct; to make right |
| Enervate | v. - to weaken ANT: energize; strengthen |
| Besiege | v. - to overwhelm; to surround and attack |
| Ephemeral | adj. - lasting only a brief time; short-lived ANT: permanent |
| Altruism | n. - a concern for others; generosity ANT: selfishness; egoism |
| Carrion | n. - decaying flesh |
| Erotic | adj. - pertaining to sexual love |
| Amorphous | adj. - shapeless, formless, vague |
| Opulent | adj. - rich, luxurious; wealthy |
| Impotent | adj. - powerless; lacking strength ANT: potent; powerful |
| Antithesis | n. - an exact opposite; an opposite extreme ANT: same |
| Maelstrom | n. - whirlpool; turbulence; agitated state of mind |
| Emendation | n. - a correction |
| Chagrin | n. - embarrassment; a complete loss of courage |
| Bauble | n. - a showy but useless thing |
| Diaphanous | adj. - very sheer and light ANT: opaque |
| Labyrinth | n. - a complicated network of winding passages; a maze |
| Gloat | v. - to look at or think about with great satisfaction |
| Impediment | n. - a barrier; obstruction ANT: aid |
| Bestial | adj. - savage; brutal ANT: humane; kind |
| Effete | adj. - worn out; barren ANT: vital; vigorous |
| Shard | n. - a fragment |
| Bland | adj. - mild; tasteless; dull ANT: exciting; thrilling |
| Nihilism | n. - a total rejection of established laws |
| Pedestrian | adj. - ordinary or dull ANT: imaginative; compelling |
| Bona fide | adj. - in good faith ANT: fraudulent; phony |
| Adventitious | adj. - accidental; nonessential |
| Fecund | adj. - fertile; productive ANT: sterile |
| Deviate | v. - to turn aside from a course; to stray |
| Obfuscate | v. - to confuse; to bewilder ANT: clarify; elucidate |
| Impale | v. - to pierce with a sharp stake through the body |
| Extenuate | v. - to lessen seriousness by providing partial excuses |
| Parochial | adj. - local; narrow; limited ANT: universal; catholic |
| Glower | v. - to stare angrily ANT: grin |
| Edify | v. - improve someone morally |
| Ambiguous | adj. - open to more than one interpretation ANT: explicit; definite |
| Cataclysm | n. - a violent change ANT: triumph; boon |
| Optimum | adj. - best; most favorable; ideal |
| Importune | v. - to ask persistently; to beg |
| Celibate | adj. - abstaining from intercourse; unmarried |
| Fortuitous | adj. - happening by chance or accident ANT: premeditated; intentional |
| Recapitulate | v. - to summarize; to repeat briefly |
| Perfunctory | adj. - done without care; in a routine fashion ANT: diligent; attentive |
| Baroque | adj. - overly decorated ANT: simple |
| Hedonism | n. - pursuit of pleasure, especially of the senses |
| Obloquy | n. - strong disapproval; a bad reputation resulting from public criticism ANT: acclaim; praise |
| Debacle | n. - a complete failure; a total collapse ANT: success; triumph |
| Quasi- | adj. - resembling; seeming; half |
| Besmirch | v. - to make dirty; to stain ANT: cleanse |
| Imperative | adj. - extremely necessary; vitally important |
| Sacrosanct | adj. - extremely holy |
| Sadistic | adj. - deriving pleasure from inflicting pain on others ANT: civilized; humane |
| Demeanor | n. - behavior; manner of conducting oneself |
| Facetious | adj. - comical; jocular; flippant ANT: solemn; serious |
| Fop | n. - an excessively fashion-conscious man |
| Imprecation | n. - a curse ANT: blessing |
| Non sequitur | n. - something that does no logically follow |
| Sanguine | adj. - cheerful; optimistic |
| Bowdlerize | v. - to remove offensive passages of a play, novel, etc. |
| Impair | v. - to weaken; to cause to become worse ANT: enhance |
| Panegyric | n. - an expression of praise ANT: denunciation |
| Quandary | n. - a puzzling situation; a dilemma |
| Ebullient | adj. - enthusiastic ANT: dejected; dispirited |
| Deference | n. - respect; consideration |
| Carnal | adj. - relating to physical appetite, especially sexual ANT: chaste; modest |
| Nebulous | adj. - hazy; vague; uncertain ANT: distinct; precise |
| Rakish | adj. - dashingly stylish and confident ANT: slovenly; disheveled |
| Elegy | n. - a sad or mournful poem |
| Pedantic | adj. - tending to show off one's learning |
| Antipathy | n. - an intense dislike ANT: affinity |
| Elucidate | v. - to make clear ANT: obscure |
| Imminent | adj. - likely to happen; threatening ANT: distant; delayed |
| Banal | adj. - common, ordinary ANT: original; fresh |
| Obdurate | adj. - stubborn; hardhearted ANT: compliant; amenable |
| Peruse | v. - to read carefully; scrutinize |
| Bedlam | n. - a noisy uproar; a scene of wild confusion |
| Affluence | n. - wealth; richness |
| Scurrilous | adj. - coarsely abusive; vulgar ANT: respectable |
| Parody | n. - a work which imitates another in a ridiculous manner |
| Sedulous | adj. - hard working; diligent ANT: lazy; lax |
| Onerous | adj. - burdensome; heavy; hard to endure |
| Amoral | adj. - lacking a sense of right and wrong ANT: innocent; virtous |
| Eschew | v. - to keep away from; to avoid; to shun ANT: embrace; welcome |
| Denouement | n. - an outcome; result |
| Adroit | adj. - skillful; clever ANT: clumsy; awkward |
| Macroscopic | adj. - visible to the naked eye ANT: microscopic |
| Fatuous | adj. - foolish; inane ANT: sensible; wise |
| Bovine | adj. - pertaining to cows or cattle |
| Ferret | v. - to search or drive out |
| Affectation | n. - a phony attitude; pose ANT: sincerity; genuineness |
| Knell | n. - a sound made by a bell, often rung slowly for a death or funeral |
| Dichotomy | n. - a division into two parts |
| Callow | adj. - young and inexperienced ANT: mature; sophisticated |
| Laconic | adj. - using few words; short; concise ANT: verbose; loquacious |
| Quiddity | n. - an essential quality |
| Patent | adj. - evident or obvious |
| Peccadillo | n. - a minor offense; a misdeed |
| Sagacious | adj. - wise; having keen perception and sound judgment ANT: obtuse; fatuous |
| Rationalize | v. - to make an excuse for |
| Deride | v. - to ridicule; to mock ANT: praise |
| Censure | v. - to criticize sharply ANT: praise; applaud |
| Gambol | v. - to frolic; to romp about playfully |
| Immolate | v. - to kill someone as a sacrificial victim, usually by fire |
| Recondite | adj. - difficult to understand; profound |
| Martinet | n. - a strict disciplinarian; taskmaster |
| Quagmire | n. - a swamp; a difficult or inextricable situation |
| Gibe | v. - to scoff; to ridicule ANT: compliment; praise |
| Agape | adj. - open-mouthed; surprised; agog |
| Carcinogen | n. - causing cancer |
| Olfactory | adj. - pertaining to smell |
| Imperious | adj. - domineering; haughty ANT: servile; submissive |
| Grotesque | adj. - absurd; distorted |
| Neologism | n. - a new word or expression |
| Hackneyed | adj. - commonplace; overused ANT: fresh; imaginative |
| Machination | n. - an evil design or plan |
| Pejorative | adj. - having a negative effect; insulting ANT: complimentary |
| Harbinger | n. - an omen or sign |
| Nubile | adj. - suitable for marriage in age and physical development, referring to a female |
| Sapient | adj. - wise; full of knowledge ANT: fatuous; inane |
| Chimerical | adj. - imaginary; fantastic ANT: practical |
| Masochist | n. - one who enjoys his or her own pain and suffering |
| Finesse | n. - diplomacy; tact; artful management ANT: tactlessness |
| Heterogeneous | adj. - different; dissimilar ANT: homogeneous; similar |
| Eclectic | adj. - choosing from various sources ANT: narrow |
| Grandiose | adj. - impressive; showy; magnificent ANT: humble |
| Raiment | n. - clothing; garments |
| Blanch | v. - to whiten; to make pale |
| Hybrid | n. - anything of mixed origin |
| Idiosyncrasy | n. - a peculiar personality trait |
| Idolatry | n. - excessive or blind adoration; worship of an object |
| Adulterate | v. - to make impure; to contaminate ANT: refine; refined |
| Emanate | v. - to come forth; to send forth |
| Garish | adj. - tastelessly gaudy ANT: sedate; conservative |
| Immutable | adj. - unchangeable; fixed ANT: flexible; changeable |
| Diadem | n. - a crown |
| Bucolic | adj. - pertaining to the countryside; rural; rustic ANT: urban |
| Redolent | adj. - having a pleasant odor; suggestive or evocative ANT: acrid |
| Impecunious | adj. - without money; penniless ANT: affluent; prosperous |
| Sedition | n. - rebellion or resistance against the government |
| Defile | v. - to pollute; to corrupt |
| Gratuitous | adj. - unnecessary or uncalled for |
| Onus | n. - a burden; a responsiblity |
| Impious | adj. - disrespectful toward God ANT: devout; pious |
| Caveat | n. - a warning |
| Elixir | n. - a supposed remedy for all ailments |
| Desiccated | adj. - dried up |
| Cessation | n. - a stopping; a discontinuance ANT: beginning; commencement |
| Juxtapose | v. - to place side-by-side for comparison |
| Kinetic | adj. - pertaining to motion |
| Garrulous | adj. - talkative ANT: taciturn |
| Fetish | n. - an object that receives respect or devotion |
| Scintillate | v. - to sparkle; to twinkle; to sparkle intellectually |
| Lachrymose | adj. - tearful, weepy |
| Fissure | n. - an opening; a groove; a split |
| Epitome | n. - a typical example |
| Languid | adj. - sluggish; drooping from weakness ANT: robust; vigorous |
| Delineate | v. - to describe, to depict |
| Legerdemain | n. - sleight of hand; deception |
| Libertine | n. - one who leads an immoral life |
| Halcyon | adj. - calm; pleasant ANT: troubled; tumultuous |
| Fastidious | adj. - hard to please; fussy ANT: casual; lax |
| Badinage | n. - playful, teasing talk |
| Malapropism | n. - a word humorously misused |
| Garner | v. - to gather; to acquire |
| Kismet | n. - destiny; fate; fortune (one's lot in life) |
| Hegira | n. - flight; escape |
| Paradigm | n. - a model; an example |
| Debauchery | n. - corruption; self-indulgence |
| Milieu | n. - environment; setting |
| Regress | v. - to move backward |
| Bilious | adj. - bad tempered; cross ANT: pleasant |
| Necromancy | n. - magic, especially that practiced by a witch |
| Gumption | n. - courage and initiative; common sense |
| Blandishment | n. - flattery |
| Nirvana | n. - a condition of great peace or happiness |
| Salutary | adj. - healthful; wholesome ANT: pernicious |
| Despicable | adj. - contemptible; hateful ANT: laudable; worthy |
| Harlequin | n. - a clown |
| Empathy | n. - an understanding of another's feelings |
| Brevity | n. - briefness; short duration ANT: lengthiness |
| Savant | n. - a person of extensive learning; an eminent scholar |
| Obsequious | adj. - excessively submissive or overly attentive ANT: domineering; haughty |
| Redundant | adj. - repetitious; using more words than needed ANT: essential |
| Offal | n. - garbage; waste parts |
| Hoi polloi | n. - the common people; the masses |
| Sentient | adj. - conscious; capable of feeling or perceiving |
| Impinge | v. - to encroach; to trespass |
| Cataract | n. - a large waterfall |
| Animosity | n. - hatred ANT: friendliness; congeniality |
| Bombast | n. - impressive but meaningless language |
| Orthography | n. - correct spelling |
| Paleontology | n. - a science dealing with prehistoric life through the study of fossils |
| Recoil | v. - to retreat; to draw back |
| Panache | n. - self-confidence; a showy manner |
| Saturnine | adj. - gloomy; sluggish ANT: genial |
| Endemic | adj. - confined to a particular country or area ANT: alien; foreign |
| Mendacious | adj. - lying; false; deceitful ANT: truthful |
| Obviate | v. - to prevent; to get around |
| Paroxysm | n. - a sudden outburst; a fit |
| Aggrandize | v. - 1) to increase the range of; to expand 2) to make appear larger ANT 1: decrease; diminish ANT 2: belittle; devalue |
| Deign | v. - to lower oneself before an inferior |
| Flaunt | v. - to show off ANT: conceal |
| Shibboleth | n. - a word or pronunciation that distinguishes someone as of a particular group |
| Elicit | v. - to draw forth; to call forth ANT: cover; suppress |
| Orifice | n. - mouth; opening |
| Hallow | v. - to make holy ANT: desecrate |
| Perdition | n. - damnation; ruin; hell |
| Chaff | n. - worthless matter |
| Aesthetic | adj. - pertaining to beauty ANT: displeasing; unattractive |
| Empirical | adj. - based on practical experience rather than theory ANT: theoretical |
| Germane | adj. - relevant; fitting ANT: irrelevant |
| Hermetic | adj. - tightly sealed |
| Meretricious | adj. - attractive in a cheap, flashy way ANT: restrained; tasteful |
| Querulous | adj. - complaining; grumbling ANT: complacent; satisfied |
| Flaccid | adj. - flabby ANT: solid; taut |
| Hospice | n. - a shelter for travelers, orphans, or the ill or destitute |
| Egregious | adj. - remarkably bad; outrageous ANT: moderate |
| Ratiocinate | v. - to reason; to think |
| Foment | v. - to stir up; to incite ANT: quell; curb |
| Salient | adj. - significant; conspicuous; standing out from the rest |
| Recant | v. - to withdraw or disavow a statement or opinion |
| Jocular | adj. - humorous; lighthearted ANT: solemn; morose |
| Palliate | v. - to ease; to lessen; to soothe ANT: intensify; exacerbate |
| Malleable | adj. - capable of being changed; easily shaped ANT: rigid; inflexible |
| Recreant | n. - a coward; a traitor |
| Affinity | n. - an attraction to ANT: aversion |
| Impalpable | adj. - unable to be felt; intangible |
| Fiscal | adj. - pertaining to finances |
| Regale | v. - to delight with something pleasing or amusing ANT: anger; depress; annoy |
| Miscreant | n. - a vicious person |
| Flagellate | v. - to whip; to lash |
| Lascivious | adj. - lustful or lewd ANT: wholesome; decent |
| Flout | v. - to ridicule; to show contempt for ANT: esteem; revere |
| Salacious | adj. - obscene; lustful ANT: chaste |
| Rebuke | v. - to scold; to blame ANT: praise; laud |
| Nonentity | n. - a person or thing of little importance |
| Sang-froid | n. - calmness; composure or cool self-possession ANT: uneasiness; perturbation |
| Desultory | adj. - wandering from subject to subject |
| Hector | v. - to bully; to pester |
| Pandemic | adj. - general; widespread |
| Coalesce | v. - to blend; to merge ANT: separate; divide |
| Beguile | v. - to deceive; to charm; to enchant ANT: irritate; bore |
| Ennui | n. - boredom; a weariness resulting from a lack of interest ANT: excitement; interest |
| Hiatus | n. - a pause or gap |
| Lambent | adj. - softly bright or radiant; moving lightly over a surface |
| Ergo | conj. - therefore |
| Hubris | n. - excessive pride or self-confidence ANT: humility; diffidence |
| Pecuniary | adj. - pertaining to money; financial |
| Sibilant | adj. - a hissing sound |
| Incendiary | adj. - causing to excite or inflame |
| Apotheosis | n. - the finest example |
| Contiguous | adj. - making contact or touching at some point; side by side ANT: separated; detached |
| Auspicious | adj. - signaling favorable or promising results |
| Vociferous | adj. - marked by noise; loud |
| Avuncular | adj. - similar to an uncle |
| Proletariat | n. - working class or lower class |
| Tenacious | adj. - strongly held; not easy to separate ANT: weak |
| Specious | adj. - deceptive or misleading ANT: accurate |
| Refractory | adj. - unmanageable or difficult to control; willful ANT: obedient; conforming |
| Inimitable | adj. - cannot be imitated |
| Malfeasance | n. - poor conduct or wrongdoing, especially on the part of a public official |
| Platonic | adj. - marked by the absence of romance or physical attraction |
| Pontificate | v. - to speak in a pretentiously dignified or dogmatic way |
| Prurient | adj. - given to lustful or lewd thoughts |
| Insuperable | adj. - not able to be overcome |
| Apex | n. - the highest point of something ANT: bottom |
| Acrid | adj. - marked by a sharp taste smell; bitter |
| Fulminate | v. - to voice disapproval or protest |
| Jejune | adj. - without interest; dull ANT: interesting; dramatic |
| Hegemony | n. - influence or domination over |
| Truculent | adj. - marked by ferocity ANT: tame; gentle |
| Credulity | n. - willingness to believe too readily ANT: skepticism |
| Dross | n. - refuse or waste |
| Verisimilitude | n. - the appearance of truth |
| Viscous | adj. - having a thick or sticky consistency like glue |
| Psychosomatic | adj. - of or relating to symptoms caused by mental or emotional problems |
| Abnegation | n. - unwillingness to admit reality or truth; denial ANT: acceptance; admission |
| Polyglot | n. - someone with knowledge of two or more languages |
| Gravitas | n. - seriousness |
| Intractable | adj. - difficult to manipulate or govern |
| Disseminate | v. - to disperse or scatter |
| Sinecure | n. - a job that provides income but requires little or no work |
| Tendentious | adj. - biased in perspective; preferring one view over another ANT: indifferent |
| Politic | adj. - prudent or shrewdly tactful |
| Extemporaneous | adj. - done without planning; spur of the moment; unexpected; makeshift |
| Discursive | adj. - jumping from one topic to another without any order or reason |
| Diaspora | n. - a dispersion of people from their homeland |
| Requiem | n. - a religious service or song for the deceased |
| Traduce | v. - to slander someone's reputation |
| Acerbic | adj. - sarcastic in mood, tone, or temper; harsh |
| Beatitude | n. - a state of happiness or joy ANT: agony |
| Maladroit | adj. - not resourceful or cunning; inept |
| Androgynous | adj. - having features of both sexes; suitable for both male and female |
| Augur | n. - someone who predicts future events according to omens |
| Bon mot | n. - a witty remark or saying |
| Peon | n. - various laborers who are generally landless |
| Plutocrat | n. - a member of the controlling upper-class ANT: plebian |
| Plenary | adj. - complete in every way; full ANT: incomplete; lacking |
| Digress | v. - to deviate from the original subject or course |
| Furlough | n. - a leave of absence |
| Misogyny | n. - a hatred toward females |
| Stolid | adj. - showing or having little or no emotion; unemotional ANT: expressive; agitated |
| Succor | n. - something that gives relief or aid ANT: aggravation; annoyance |
| Travesty | n. - a poor representation or imitation; distortion |
| Xeric | adj. - characterized by or adapted to a dry habitat |
| Clandestine | adj. - marked by secrecy |
| Potboiler | n. - a poorly done artistic work, often for quick profit |
| Redoubtable | adj. - arousing fear ANT: wonderful; fortunate |
| Vignette | n. - a short, descriptive literary sketch |
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