sat vocab 401-500

Portentous

Of momentous or ominous significance

Epithet (Old English)

An adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned

Sanctimonious (Old English)

Making a show of being morally superior to other people

Approbation

Approval

Superfluous

Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough

Impugn

To dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of

Dissuade

To persuade someone not to do something

Fallibility

The likelihood of making errors

Facsimile

An exact copy, reproduction

Depose

To remove someone from a powerful position

Maverick

An independent-minded person

Secede

To withdraw from an alliance

Foreclose

To deprive a mortgagor of his or her right to redeem a property; to shut out or exclude

Cynical

Believing the worst of human nature and motives

Relinquish

To give up

Musing

Calm, significant consideration (doesn't have to be important)

Improvident

Not providing or saving for the future

Unfeigned (Old English)

Genuine; sincere

Vignette

A small, decorative design or drawing; a short literary sketch; a brief but expressive scene in a play or movie

Incongruous

Not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something

Diaphanous

Light and translucent

Effigy

A likeness of someone, especially one used in expressing hatred for the person of whom it is a likeness

Burlesque

A ludicrous, mocking, or exaggerated imitation

Ribald

Improper; lewd

Epiphany

A sudden realization

Wily

Crafty, sly

Temporize

To stall; to cause delay through indecision

Transit

The carrying of people, goods, or materials from one place to another

Reprehensible

Very bad; deserving very strong criticism

Despondent

Sad, depressed

Meander

To travel along a winding or indirect route; to ramble or stray from the topic

Credence

Belief or acceptance as true or valid

Mien (Old English)

A person's look or manner, especially one of a particular kind indicating their character or mood

Relish

To enjoy or take pleasure in something

Unpromising

Not giving hope of future success or good results

Denizen

Inhabitant

Specious

Misleading in appearance, deceptive

Epigram

A brief and usually witty or satirical saying

Desist

To stop doing something, renounce

Autonomy

Self-governance

Naïve

Showing a lack of experience, wisdom, or judgment

Aesthete

A person who appreciates art

Inculcate

To instill an idea or habit by persistent instruction

Perfidy

Treachery

Repentant

Penitent, sorry

Sport

To wear; to show

Fop (Old English)

A man who is concerned with his clothes and appearance in an affected and excessive way; a dandy

Zest (Old English)

Great enthusiasm and energy

Accretion

Slow growth in size or amount

Martyr

Someone who gives up his or her life in pursuit of a cause, especially a religious one

Supplication

Humble prayer; earnest entreaty

Proselytize

To convert (someone) from one religion or doctrine to another; to recruit converts to a religion or doctrine

Irreverent

Showing a lack of respect

Irreverence

Lack of respect

Maladroit

Very awkward

Ignominious

Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame

Junction

Convergence; linkup; the act or state of being joined together

Nonplussed (Old English)

So surprised and confused that one is unsure how to react