advanced SAT vocab pgs 1-10

abstract

existing as an idea but not as a tangible experience

anthropology

the study and comparison of human cultures

comprehensive

thorough and complete; covering all relevant subjects

construe

to interpret in a particular way

discerning

showing a keen ability to distinguish subtle elements

discriminating

showing good taste or judgment

disseminate

to cast (something, usually information) widely, as seed is scattered

erudite

having or showing great learning or knowledge

indoctrinate

to teach someone to accept a set of beliefs uncritically

insular

isolated from cultural and intellectual influences outside one’s own experience

orthodox

conforming strictly to traditional teachings

pedantic

inclined to show off one’s learning or knowledge; acting like a know-it-all

peruse

to read thoroughly and carefully

postulate

assume the existence or truth of something as a basis for reasoning

provincial

unsophisticated or narrow-minded; particular to the narrow views of an isolated community

revelation

a fact revealed in a surprising way

advocate

to provide public support for a person, cause, or policy

apologist

one who argues for a particular, often controversial, position

appease

to yield to demands in order to conciliate

bolster

to strengthen or support

buttress

1) a projecting support for a building, usually of stone or brick; any strong support 2)to provide with support or justification

cajole

to persuade through flattery or coaxing

circumlocutory

inclined to speak evasively; speaking as if to avoid the subject

circumscribe

to define the limits of something, often an issue or problem

cohesive

forming a united whole

conjecture

a guess based on incomplete information

consensus

general agreement, the generally held opinion on a matter

contentious

causing or likely to provoke an argument

credulous

willing to believe

criteria

principles and standards by which something is judged or decided

cursory

hasty and superficial

debunk

to expose the falseness of a belief

delineate

to describe or portray precisely

dispel

to drive away; to eliminate a rumor, misconception, or bad feeling

disputatious

fond of having heated arguments; likely to cause an argument

elucidate

to make clear; to shed light on

enticement

something that attracts or tempts, particularly because it offers pleasure or advantage

enumerate

to list one by one

equivocate

to speak ambiguously so as to avoid commitment

exhortation

a strong plea usually through an urgent speech

exonerate

to absolve someone of blame or fault

fallacious

based on a mistaken belief or unsound reasoning

harangue

a lengthy and bombastic speech

incongruous

not consistent with expectations or surroundings

induce

to bring about; to persuade someone to do something; to derive by inductive reasoning

inexorable

unpreventable; impossible to persuade

infer

to conclude from evidence

insinuate

to suggest or hint at something, usually something morally dubious

intransigent

stubbornly unwilling to compromise or agree with someone

irresolute

hesitant; showing a lack of certainty or determination

litigious

unreasonably prone to suing as a means of settling disputes

obstinate

stubbornly refusing to change one's position

partisan

prejudiced in favor of a particular party, typically a political one

placate

to pacify will conciliatory gestures

precedent

a previous occurrence that is used as an example, particularly in a legal context

prevalent

abundant and widespread in a particular area

propensity

a natural inclination to behave a certain way

provocative

1)intended to cause a strong negative emotional response 2)intended to arouse sexual desire

pugnacious

quarrelsome; prone to fighting

qualify

1)to moderate a statement to make it less extreme 2)to meet a necessary condition

rebut

to respond to an accusation by asserting or proving it false; refute

recalcitrant

stubbornly uncooperative