SAT Vocabulary

nascent

adj. coming into being; being born

lurid

adj. causing shock or horror; tastelessly vivid; glowing like fire through a haze

tepid

adj. moderately warm; lacking force or enthusiasm

conjecture

n. an inference or conclusion based on incomplete evidence

pious

adj. exhibiting reverence and religious observation

abet

v. to encourage, assist, or support, usually in wrongdoing

interloper

n. one who interferes with the affairs of others; a meddler

blight

n. a plant disease; something that impairs growth, progress, or prosperity

voluble

adj. talkative

proverbial

adj. well-known because widely repeated

codify

v. to organize something (such as laws or rules) into a system

relent

v. to become less severe; to give in

affected

adj. behaving in an artificial way to impress people

colloquial

adj. appropriate to spoken, as opposed to written, language; informal

inept

adj. without skill; absurd or foolish

multifarious

adj. having many different parts of forms; numerous and varied

efficacy

n. the power to produce the desired effect

brusque

adj. abrupt and curt of manner

vacillate

v. to swing back and forth

morose

adj. sour tempered and inclined to be silent

dichotomy

n. a division into two contrasting or non-overlapping parts

propitious

adj. presenting favorable circumstances

eclectic

adj. composed of materials from various sources

quiescent

adj. inactive, often suggesting a temporary state

extol

v. to praise highly and lavishly

emulate

v. to copy someone; to imitate

chauvinism

n. unreasoning and boastful devotion to one’s country or gender

furtive

adj. characterized by secretive behavior

antiseptic

adj. free from germs; thoroughly clean; n. a substance that inhibits the growth of germs

incarcerate

v. to restrict by imprisonment’ to keep in prison

mendacious

adj. lying’ false, esp. habitually

redoubtable

adj. fearsome; formidable

palatable

adj. pleasant or acceptable to the taste

stigma

n. a sign of disgrace; a mark that lowers a reputation

reprehensible

adj. deserving to be severely criticized

lethargic

adj. dull; sluggish; moving slowly

pulpit

n. a podium used for preaching

turbid

adj. cloudy, muddy; in a state of turmoil

altruistic

adj. unselfish; benevolent; caring more for others than oneself

avocation

n. a hobby

raiment

n. clothing

pervade

v. to spread through or be present throughout