SAT VOCAB CHP1-5

atypical

not typical

eclectic

selected from a variety of sources

eccentric

odd

iconoclast

one who defies common beliefs

idiosyncratic

peculiar to one person

pathology

departure from a normal condition

uncanny

seeming to have supernatural origin

alacrity (n.)

cheerful willingness

eagerness to act quickly

assiduous (adj.)

persistent and hardworking

benevolent (adj.)

kind and generous

decorous (adj.)

proper and polite

deft (adj.)

skillful and quick

diligent (adj.)

careful and persistent in effort

empathy (n.)

ability to understand and share others' feelings

fidelity (n.)

faithfulness and loyalty

forbearance (n.)

patience and self-control

fortitude (n.)

mental strength and courage

intrepid (adj.)

fearless and brave

lenient (adj.)

merciful and not strict

magnanimous (adj.)

generous and forgiving

philanthropic (adj.)

charitable and helpful

accost (v.)

confront or approach boldly

altercation (n.)

dispute or argument

arbiter (n.)

person who settles disputes

beseech (v.)

beg urgently

cajole (v.)

persuade gently

coerce (v.)

force someone to act

cogent (adj.)

clear and convincing

contentious (adj.)

argumentative or causing dispute

debunk (v.)

prove false

dogmatic (adj.)

stubbornly opinionated

sophistry (n.)

false but clever reasoning

pugnacious (adj.)

eager to fight or argue

ameliorate (v.)

improve or make better

assuage (v.)

relieve pain or worry

equanimity (n.)

calmness under stress

mitigate (v.)

reduce or lessen

mollify (v.)

calm or soothe

panacea (n.)

cure-all solution

pacific (adj.)

peaceful

placate (v.)

calm someone down

respite (n.)

short rest or relief

salve (n.)

healing balm

serene (adj.)

calm and peaceful

circumlocution (n.)

indirect wording

concise (adj.)

brief and direct

laconic (adj.)

using very few words

pithy (adj.)

short and meaningful

succinct (adj.)

clear and brief

redundant (adj.)

unnecessarily repetitive

turgid (adj.)

wordy and complicated

verbose (adj.)

using too many words