SSAT Vocabulary List 38-40

ewe

mature female sheep

motif

A recurring theme, subject or idea

congeal

(v.) to change from liquid to solid, thicken; to make inflexible or rigid

prejudice

preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience

satire

the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

adulterate

to corrupt, make worse by the addition of something of lesser value

postscript

a comment, note, or thought written after the letter is finished; p.s.

pith

the essential of central part, ground tissue internal to the vascular tissue

vanity

excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements

imbibe

(v.) to drink; to take in, absorb

portentous

of momentous or ominous significance

cagey

reluctant to give information owing to caution or suspicion

presumptive

(adj) based on inference or assumption; providing reasonable grounds for belief