SAT Vocab / Unfamiliar Words

This is just a list of a bunch of words I've encountered as I've read books, articles, textbooks, and other reading materials. It also has some common SAT words, I think.

Enamored (adj.)

To feel a strong sense of love, admiration, fascination, or intense liking toward someone or something

Antiquity (n.)

Physical objects, relics, or works of art from the distant past, usually made before the start of the Middle Ages or before the sixth century (500s).

Amass (v.)

To collect, gather, or accumulate a large quantity of something–such as wealth, information, or evidence–over a period of time.

Commune (v.)

To converse or talk together.

Deleterious (adj.)

Harmful, damaging, or injurious to health, well

Polyphonic (adj.)

Having or producing many sounds or voices

Pentalogy (n.)

A group of five related, self

Paucity (n.)

A small amount

Frugal (adj.)

Careful about spending or using resources

Discerning (adj.)

Showing good judgment about recognizing difference

Acute (adj.)

Extremely severe or intense

Contrive (v.)

To create or arrange something deliberately

Eminent (adj.)

Famous & respected

Haphazard (adj.)

Lacking organization or planning

Induce (v.)

To cause something to happen

Judicious (adj.)

Showing good judgment

Perpetual (adj.)

Continuing indefinitely or occurring repeatedly

Ringleted (v.)

Having hair styled or hanging in small, spiral, corkscrew

Dramatis personae (n.)

The characters or actors who appear in a play, film, novel, or other dramatic work

Desencajonda (n.)

The ceremonial or public unloading of fighting bulls from their transport crates into the corrals before the bullfighting festival (fiesta).

Consummate (v.)

To complete, finalize, or bring something to its proper conclusion

Apocryphal (adj.)

A well

Recuperative (adj.)

Helping you to recover, heal, or return to normal health, strength, or function after an illness, injury, or exhaustion

Ape (v.)

To copy, imitate, or mimic something or someone–often in an unoriginal, clumsy, or mocking way.

Didactic intention (n.)

A deliberate purpose or goal behind a piece of writing, speech, lesson, or artwork to teach, instruct, or convey a moral, ethical, or practical lesson

Putrefaction (n.)

The anaerobic decomposition and rotting of organic matter by bacteria and fungi

Desiccation (n.)

The state of extreme dryness or the process of thoroughly removing moisture and water content from an object, organism, or substance

Marr (v)

To impair the quality or appearance of a surface, object, or event (e.g., a scratch that mars a wooden table, or an argument that mars a pleasant evening).

Evangelize (v.)

To preach the Christian gospel or to enthusiastically promote a cause.

Pulpit (n.)

An elevated stand or platform in a church used by a minister, priest, or pastor to deliver sermons & conduct worship services.

Exhort (v.)

To strongly encourage, advise, or try to persuade someone to do something.

Itinerant (adj.)

Travelling from place to place, usually to work for short periods

Egalitarianism (n.)

A political & social philosophy that states that everyone is created equal in fundamental worth, moral status, & rights

Dovetail (v.)

To fit, join, or match together neatly, accurately, and harmoniously

Celibacy (n.)

The state of voluntarily being unmarried, abstaining from sexual activity, or both

Espouse (v.)

To adopt, support, or champion a cause, belief, policy, or way of life

Intemperance (n.)

No self restraint, moderation, or control over one’s actions, appetite, speech, or passions

Acrimonious (adj.)

A speech, argument, relationship, or situation filled with anger, bitter feelings, and sharp accusations.

Denude (v.)

To strip away a covering, layer, or protective service, leaving something bare, naked, or exposed.

Pinafore (n.)

A sleeveless, low

Poltroon (n.)

A spiritless, utter coward or a mean

Parse (v.)

To break something into parts & analyze each element carefully

Political deadlock (n.)

A situation in which the legislative process stalls due to the inability of people in government to reach agreement.

Sotto voce (n.)

Under the voice; something said in a low voice

Fain (adv/adj.)

Gladly, willingly, with pleasure

Frock (n.)

A dress or gown worn by women or girls

Bloc (n.)

A group of countries, political parties, legislators, or individuals united by common goals, shared interests, or a formal agreement.

Quiescently (adv.)

Acting in a quiet, still, inactive, or dormant manner.

Languish (v.)

To grow weak, lose vitality, or suffer by being forced to remain in an unpleasant or neglected situation for a long time

Jaunt (n.)

A short journey, trip, or excursion that’s usually taken for fun or pleasure.

Cosset (v.)

To treat with excessive care, comfort, or protection; pampered, coddled, or spoiled

Luthier (n.)

A skilled craftsperson who builds and repairs stringed musical instruments, such as guitars, cellos, violins, mandolins, and ukuleles.

Taut (adj.)

Stretched or pulled back with no slack

Blightedf (adj.)

Severely damaged, decayed, infected, or prevented from growing & flourishing properly.

Convulsive (adj.)

Characterized by, producing, or resembling a convulsion (an involuntary, sudden, and violent shaking or spasm of the muscles)

Mollify (v.)

To make someone feel less angry, upset, or anxious, or to reduce the severity and intensity of something

Miscreant (n.)

Someone who behaves badly, breaks the law, or lacks moral scruples

Anathema (n.)

Someone or something that is intensely disliked, loathed, or strongly opposed

Sordid (adj.)

Something morally ignoble, base, or dishonest, and something physically dirty & squalid

Mellifluous (adj.)

Having a sweet, smooth, and pleasantly flowing sound

sequester (v.)

To keep separate, isolated, or hidden away from others

Transitory (adj.)

Lasting for a short time, temporary, not permanent

Sodden (adj.)

Extremely wet, soaked, or saturated with liquid or moisture

Laden (adj.)

Carrying, holding, or weighed down by a heavy load either figuratively or literally

Preternatural (adj.)

exceeding what is normal, natural, or regular. Something extraordinary, uncanny or inexplicable by ordinary means

Alighted (v.)

to get off or dismount

Animadversion (n.)

Harsh critical remark, an unfavorable judgment, or a formal expression of disapproval or censure

Veranda (n.)

A roofed, open

Sundry (adj.)

Several different, various, or miscellaneous types of things that are too small or unimportant to list individually

Tonnage (n.)

The size, carrying capacity, or weight of ships, cargo, or cooling systems

Consulate (n.)

An official office, building, or mission established by one country in a major city of another foreign country

Erstwhile

Former, previously, in the past

Plenum (n.; political def)

A formal meeting or conference attended by every member of a group, committee, or legislative body

Cantankerous (adj.)

Bad tempered, argumentative, grumpy, and difficult to deal with

Marauding (adj.)

Roaming about & raiding in search of plunder, violence, or destruction

Portend (v.)

To serve as a sign, warning, or omen that something–typically something important, serious, or unfortunate–is likely to happen in the future.

Lurid (adj.)

Causing shock, horror, or disgust, especially by presenting explicit or sensational details about violence, crime, or immoral activity.

Subterfuge (n.)

A trick, dishonest method, or deceptive strategy used to hide something, evade a rule, escape a consequence, or achieve a goal.

Pandemonium (n.)

A wild, noisy uproar, or a chaotic situation filled with confusion, excitement, or panic

Machiavellian (adj.)

Using cunning, deceit, & dishonest methods to gain power or control

Underpin (v.)

To give support, strength, or a foundational base to something–either literally from beneath or figuratively through evidence, proof, or structure.

Meed (n.)

A well

Expostulation (n.)

The act of expressing earnest opposition, strong protest, or a serious complaint to try and persuade someone to change their mind or behavior.

Assiduity (n.)

Great care, attention to detail, and devoted, painstaking effort to accomplish a task.

Prerogative (n.)

A special right, privilege, or power exclusive to a particular person, group, official body, or social class.

Truculent (adj.)

Eager & quick to argue, fight, or display aggressive & defiant behavior

Exigency (n.)

Urgent needs, pressing demands, or difficult conditions that require immediate action or special attention.

Officiate (v.)

To lead, conduct, or preside over a formal or religious event—such as a wedding, funeral, memorial Mass, or civic ribbon

Precept (n.)

A general rule, or principle, or commandment intended to guide personal conduct, behavior, or moral choices.

Stalwart (adj.)

Loyal, reliable, hardworking, and strong.

Hebdomadal (adj.)

weekly or happening/appearing once every seven days

Moiety (n.)

one of two equal (or approximately equal) parts or a half of something

Repast (n.)

a meal or the food provided for one occasion of eating.

Gaunt (adj.)

extremely thin, bony, and hollowed

Perfidious (adj.)

untrustworthy, faithless, or deliberately treacherous

Apprise (v.)

to tell, inform, or make someone aware of something

Interplay (n.)

How things affect each other.

Throughput (n.)

Amount processed in a set time.

Sanction (n.)

Official approval or an official penalty.