SAT Vocabulary #10

genome

the complete set of genes in a cell or living thing

modification

the act or process of changing something in order to improve it or make it more acceptable

culmination

a final climactic stage

scuffle

fight or struggle in a confused way at close quarters

culprit

someone who perpetrates wrongdoing

caricature

a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect

matinee

a theatrical performance held during the daytime

hilarious

marked by or causing boisterous merriment

amateur

lacking professional skill

trudge

walk heavily and firmly

diligence

persevering determination to perform a task

heed

pay close attention to

pacifist

someone opposed to violence as a means of settling disputes

boycott

refuse to sponsor

supersede

take the place or move into the position of

affinity

a close connection marked by community of interests or similarity in nature or character

agile

moving quickly and lightly

beak

a bird's beak is the hard curved or pointed part of its mouth

gulp

a large and hurried swallow

gape

if you say that something such as a hole or a wound gapes, you are emphasizing that it is big or wide

bill

beak

embryo

an animal organism in the early stages of growth and differentiation that in higher forms merge into fetal stages but in lower forms terminate in commencement of larval life

anatomy

the study of the structure of the bodies of people or animals

recapitulate

summarize briefly

tinker

try to fix or mend

premaxillary

the premaxilla is one of a pair of small cranial bones at the very tip of the upper jaw of many animals

inhibitor

a substance that stops an activity

curb

lessen the intensity of

palatal

relating to or lying near the palate

anchor

fix firmly and stably

pique

cause to feel resentment or indignation

merchandiser

a business person engaged in retail trade

maneuver

act in order to achieve a certain goal

broach

bring up a topic for discussion

hybrid

a composite of mixed origin

roundabout

marked by obliqueness or indirection in speech or conduct

beam

to have a big happy smile on your face

engross

consume all of one's attention or time

thaw

to become more friendly and less formal

transgression

the action of going beyond or overstepping some boundary or limit

chore

a specific piece of work required to be done as a duty or for a specific fee

crouch

if you are crouching, your legs are bent under you so that you are close to the ground and leaning forward slightly

meander

to walk slowly and change direction often

derail

to leave the track

relent

to become less determined or strong

meticulous

paying careful attention to every detail

festive

typical of a special event or celebration

abject

terrible and without hope

nondescript

having no interesting or unusual features or qualities

unravel

to explain something that is difficult to understand or is mysterious