SSAT Deck 1

abasement

humiliation or degradation.

abashed

make (someone) feel embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.

abate

(of something unpleasant or severe) become less intense or widespread.

abbreviate

shorten the duration of; cut short.

abduct

take (someone) away illegally by force or deception; kidnap.

abhor

regard with disgust and hatred.

abode

a place of residence; a house or home.

abolish

formally put an end to (a system, practice, or institution).

abominable

very bad; terrible.

absolve

declare (someone) free from guilt, obligation, or punishment.

abstain

restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something.

abstract

existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence./extract or remove (something).

abundance

a very large quantity of something.

accentuate

make more noticeable or prominent.

acclaim

praise enthusiastically and publicly.

accord

give or grant someone (power, status, or recognition)./an official agreement or treaty.

acquaintance

knowledge or experience of something./a person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend.

activism

the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.

acumen

the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions.

acute

(of an unpleasant or unwelcome situation or phenomenon) present or experienced to a severe or intense degree./having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight; shrewd.

adamant

refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.

adept

very skilled or proficient at something.

adhere

stick fast to (a surface or substance)./believe in and follow the practices of.

adjacent

next to or adjoining something else.

adorn

make more beautiful or attractive.

advocate

a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy./publicly recommend or support.

aesthetic

concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.

affirmative

agreeing with or consenting to a statement or request.

afflict

(of a problem or illness) cause pain or trouble to; affect adversely.

affluent

(especially of a group or area) having a great deal of money; wealthy.

agenda

a list of items to be discussed at a formal meeting.

aggrandize

increase the power, status, or wealth of.

aggravation

the state of becoming worse or more serious; exacerbation.

agile

able to move quickly and easily.

agitation

a state of anxiety or nervous excitement.

agonizing

causing great physical or mental pain.

ailing

in poor health.

alias

used to indicate that a named person is also known or more familiar under another specified name.

alibi

a claim or piece of evidence that one was elsewhere when an act, typically a criminal one, is alleged to have taken place

allege

claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof.

allot

give or apportion (something) to someone.

allure

the quality of being powerfully and mysteriously attractive or fascinating.

almanac

an annual calendar containing important dates and statistical information such as astronomical data and tide tables.

aloof

not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant.

altercation

a noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public.

altruistic

showing a disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; unselfish.

amass

gather together or accumulate (a large amount or number of material or things) over a period of time.

ambiguous

open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning.

ambition

a strong desire to do or achieve something.

ambivalent

having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

ambush

a surprise attack by people lying in wait in a concealed position

amicable

characterized by friendliness and absence of discord.

amnesia

a partial or total loss of memory.

amorous

showing, feeling, or relating to sexual desire.

ample

enough or more than enough; plentiful.

amplify

increase the volume of (sound), especially using an amplifier.

anarchy

absence of government and absolute freedom of the individual, regarded as a political ideal.

anecdote

a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.

animosity

strong hostility.

annex

add as an extra or subordinate part, especially to a document./a building joined to or associated with a main building, providing additional space or accommodation.

annihilate

destroy utterly; obliterate.

anomaly

something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

antagonistic

showing or feeling active opposition or hostility towards someone or something.

antidote

a medicine taken or given to counteract a particular poison.

antithesis

a person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else.

apathetic

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

apex

the top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point.

appeal

make a serious, urgent, or heartfelt request.

appease

pacify or placate (someone) by acceding to their demands.

appraise

assess the value or quality of.

apprehension

anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.

apprentice

a person who is learning a trade from a skilled employer, having agreed to work for a fixed period at low wages.

aptitude

a natural ability to do something.

aqueduct

an artificial channel for conveying water, typically in the form of a bridge across a valley or other gap.

arbitrary

based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.

archaeology

the study of human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artefacts and other physical remains.

archive

a collection of historical documents or records providing information about a place, institution, or group of people.

aristocractic

of, belonging to, or typical of the aristocracy; noble, upper-class

arouse

evoke or awaken (a feeling, emotion, or response).

arrogant

having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities.

articulate

having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently.

assert

state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.

assess

evaluate or estimate the nature, ability, or quality of.

assimilate

take in and understand fully (information or ideas).

astute

having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage.

atlas

a book of maps or charts.

atrocity

an extremely wicked or cruel act, typically one involving physical violence or injury.

audacious

showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

auditory

relating to the sense of hearing.

augment

make (something) greater by adding to it; increase.

aura

the distinctive atmosphere or quality that seems to surround and be generated by a person, thing, or place.

aversion

a strong dislike or disinclination.

avid

having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something.

baffle

totally bewilder or perplex.

banish

send (someone) away from a country or place as an official punishment.

banter

the playful and friendly exchange of teasing remarks.

bare

(of a person or part of the body) not clothed or covered.

barter

exchange (goods or services) for other goods or services without using money.

bedazzle

greatly impress (someone) with outstanding ability or striking appearance./decorate or personalize (clothing or accessories) using sequins, beads, glitter, etc.

bedlam

a scene of uproar and confusion.