SAT Vocab Words #201-300

vicarious

(adj.) felt as if one were taking part in the experiences of another

pique

(v.) to arouse (interest, curiosity, etc.); to irritate

abate

(v.) to lessen in amount, intensity or strength

maternal

(adj.) characteristic of a mother

decorum

(n.) polite behavior

pretentious

(adj.) claiming dignity or importance, especially when undeserved

unwieldy

(adj.) hard to mangle or manage, especially because of size or weight

homely

(adj.) unattractive, plain looking

impromptu

(adj.) without preparation

visceral

(adj.) instinctive; relating to the internal organs

staccato

(adj.) composed of abrupt, disconnected parts or sounds

rue

(v.) to regret

meritocracy

(n.) a system in which promotion is based on individual ability or achievement

inveigle

(v.) to obtain by flattery

behoove

(v.) to be necessary or proper for

austere

(adj.) stern or severe in appearance; without luxury

inert

(adj.) unable to move or respond; sluggish

mnemonic

(adj.) pertaining to or assisting the memory

censor

(v.) to prevent from becoming known or circulated; (n.) an official editor of material

imposing

(adj.) impressive by virtue of size, power, or manner

hectic

(adj.) characterized by intense activity

sully

(v.) to dirty or tarnish, especially by disgracing

insipid

(adj.) uninteresting; having no flavor

anachronism

(n.) something not belonging to a certain time period

malady

(n.) a disease; illness; sickness

antithesis

(n.) direct contrast; opposition

camaraderie

(n.) loyalty; a warm, friendly feeling among members of a group

undermine

(v.) to weaken

figurative

(adj.) based on a figure of speech; not literal

exact

(v.) to demand and obtain by force or authority

terminate

(v.) to end

apex

(n.) the highest point

inclement

(adj.) harsh; severe (usually of weather)

vehement

(adj.) forceful; furious

rotund

(adj.) rounded in figure; plump

attest

(v.) to give evidence that something is true or genuine

eddy

(v.) a current, as of water or air, moving contrary to the direction of the main current, especially in a circular motion

hamper

(v.) to keep from moving or acting freely

momentous

(adj.) of extreme importance

ramification

(n.) a development or consequence resulting from a course of action

antediluvian

(adj.) very old; outdated

precarious

(adj.) dangerously insecure or unstable

jar

(v.) to make a harsh sound; to shake by sudden impact

subjugate

(v.) to bring under control; to conquer

diligent

(adj.) painstaking and steady

coalesce

(v.) to grow together; to merge into a single body

draconian

(adj.) extremely harsh or severe

burnish

(v.) to polish

vernacular

(n.) informal speech; native language

redundant

(adj.) repeating unnecessarily

metamorphosis

(n.) a transformation, as by magic; a marked change in appearance or function

prestige

(n.) fame or importance based on reputation or achievements

duplicity

(n.) deception; deceitfulness; double-dealing

peruse

(v.) to read carefully

disabuse

(v.) to free from error or falsehood

transcribe

(v.) to copy over, usually into a different form

somber

(adj.) dark and gloomy or dull

debunk

(v.) to expose the falsehood of

staunch

(adj.) strongly loyal

mortify

(v.) to humiliate; to fill with embarrassment

blunder

(v.) to move carelessly; (n.) such a movement; a significant error

putrid

(adj.) in a foul state, as of decaying flesh; rotten

illicit

(adj.) unlawful; improper

motif

(n.) a recurring subject or theme, especially in a work of art or literature

scrupulous

(adj.) conscientious and exact; having principles

ruse

(n.) an action or device intended to deceive

lineaments

(n.) any features of the body, usually the face

derelict

(adj.) deserted, abandoned (of a building); neglectful of a duty (of a person); (n.) a homeless person

cynical

(adj.) distrusting others from a sense that everyone's motives are selfish

ingrate

(n.) an ungrateful person

caveat

(n.) a warning

compound

(n.) a building or group of buildings enclosed by a barrier

apprehension

(n.) worry or unease

banal

(adj.) dull or stale; commonplace

rustic

(adj.) of or living in the country

rejoinder

(n.) an answer, especially to another answer

venial

(adj.) easily excused or forgiven

apt

(adj.) appropriate; having a natural tendency

exert

(v.) to put forth or bring to bear

exodus

(n.) the departure of a large number of people

suffrage

(n.) the right to vote

diverge

(v.) to depart from a set course or opinion

blithe

(adj.) frivolous; casual; carefree

indelible

(adj.) incapable of being removed or erased

arbitrate

(v.) to settle a dispute or a fight between two parties

pragmatic

(adj.) dealing practically with a situation or a thing; based on experience rather than theory

averse

(adj.) opposed, reluctant; repelled

dismal

(adj.) causing gloom or depression

circumspect

(adj.) showing discretion and careful judgement

underscore

(v.) to emphasize

sedate

(adj.) calm; quiet

saline

(adj.) of or containing common salt

atheist

(n.) one who believes that God does not exist

icon

(n.) an image; a symbol; a representation of a holy person, especially in the Orthodox Christian churches

fallacy

(n.) a false notion, especially one based on incorrect reasoning

analogy

(n.) a similarity between things that are otherwise dissimilar; a comparison based on such similarity

abject

(adj.) of the lowest degree; brought low in condition

aristocracy

(n.) a hereditary ruling class; a group considered to be superior to the others

relegate

(v.) to assign to an obscure place or condition; to send away

ubiquitous

(adj.) present everywhere