SAT VOCAB WORDS SET 2

126-251

deference

(n) yielding an opinion, desire, or position to another out of respect

salient

(adj) important, prominent, most noticeable

unseemly

(adj) not decent or proper

remorse

(n) sadness or regret for what one has done

mercenary

(adj) greedy; motivated by desire for money

fetid

(adj) having a bad odor

drab

(adj) dull or dreary; monotonous

prodigal

(adj) exceedingly or recklessly wasteful

patronize

(v) to sponsor or support; to be kind or helpful in a snobbish way, as if dealing with an inferior

plausible

(adj) appearing worthy of belief or trust

allure

(n) the power to attract with something desireable

lenient

(adj) inclined not to be strict

pertinent

(adj) relevant

serene

(adj) calm and peaceful

indubitable

(adj) certain; indisputable (literally not doubstable)

inaugurate

(v) to formally bring into office at the beginning of a term

covert

(adj) concealed or disguised; not openly practiced

solace

(n) comfort in a time of distress

insidious

(adj) subtly harmful; stealthy, sneaky

atrophy

(n) a wasting away, especially of body tissue

altercation

(n) a heated or noisy argument

foment

(v) to stir up negative feelings, especially those that lead to violent action

purloin

(v) to steal, often in violation of a trust

caesura

(n) a break or pause

acquiesce

(v) to agree without protest

conscientious

(adj) showing care and precision; painstaking

crass

(adj) dull-witted; unrefined

impart

(v) to give a portion of; to make known

spendthrift

(n) one who spends money wastefully

tabulate

(v) to count

adroit

(adj) naturally skillful, especially dealing with difficult circumstances

dexterous

(adj) skillful with the hands or mind

redolent

(adj) aromatic; fragrant; suggestive

foreboding

(n) a sense of impending evil, especially one without definite cause

denouement

(n) conclusion; resolution; the falling action of a story after its climax

subsidy

(n) monetary assistance

prevalent

(adj) dominant; widespread

incumbent

(adj) necessary or obiligatory, n a person who currently holds a particular position

mimic

(v) to copy closely, especially with intent to ridicule

beacon

(n) a signaling light; a source of guidance or inspiration

supplant

(v) to take the place of

scythe

(n) a long-handled, bladed instrument used for harvesting crops

shard

(n) a fragment of a brittle substance, example (glass or pottery; a small piece of something)

wayward

(adj) stubbornly going against what is expected or required in order to satisfy one’s own desires

effrontery

(n) bold and insulting behavior

vagary

(n) an erratic notion or action

agile

(adj) quick and easy in movement; mentally alert

glut

(n) an oversupply

cursory

(adj) superficially done; performed rapidly

spurn

(v) to push or drive away contemptuously with or as with the foot

comply

(v) to yield or act in accordance with requests, conditions, etc

peccadillo

(n) a minor sin

incendinary

(adj) causing or capable of causing fire; stirring up trouble

impunity

(n) exemption from punishment or harm

proficient

(adj) very skillful, especially through training

precede

(v) to go before

benefactor

(n) one who helps and supports others

flout

(v) to intentionally and obviously disobey

erode

(v) to wear away slowly

spate

(n) a large number or amount of something especially in a brief time

imbue

(v) to inspire; to permeate; to fill with a mood or tone

credulous

(adj) tending to believe too easily

bravura

(n) a showy display

omniscient

(adj) all- knowing

untenable

(adj) indefensible, or impossible to maintain

veneer

(n) an attractive, ultimately misleading outward show; thin layer

legible

(adj) capable of being read or deciphered

recount

(v) to tell in detail

prevaricate

(v) to speak or write evasively in order to avoid telling the truth

sedentary

(adj) sitting down most of the time

veracious

(adj) honest; truthful

venerate

(v) to look upon with respect and honor

raconteur

(n) one who tells stories with skill

leaning

(n) a preference or inclination

premature

(adj) happening, done, arriving, or existing before the proper time

vicarious

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

pique

(v) to arouse (interest, curiousity, etc) to irritate

abate

(v) to lessen in amount, intensity or strength

maternal

(adj) characterstic of a mother

decorum

(n) polite behavior

pretentious

(adj) claiming dignity or importance, especially when undeserved

unwieldy

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

homely

(adj) unattractive, plain looking

impromtu

(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 indiviual ability or achievement

inveigle

(v) to obtain by flattery

behoove

(v) to be neccesary 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 circumlated; (n) an official editor of material

imposing

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

hectic

(adj) characterized by intense acitivty

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