ssat vocab

ssat vocabulary

amenable

open or responsive for suggestion

irony

1. the use of words to express something different from and often opposite to their literal meaning.

2. incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs

deter

discourage(someone) from doing something by instilling doubt or fear of the consequences

defoliate

remove leaves from(a tree, plant, or area of land) for agricultural purposes or as a military tactic

woeful

1.characterized by, expressive of, causing sorrow or misery.

2. very bad

bloated

1. swollen with fluid or gas.

2. excessive in size or amount

3. excessively rich and pampered

dim

difficult to see, not clear

scrutinize

examine or inspect closely and thoroughly

confide

tell someone a secret believing them not to say to anyone

deteriorate

become progressively worse

fret

1. be constantly or visibly worried or anxious

2. gradually wear away(something) by rubbing or gnawing

3. flow or move in small waves

reprimand

a rebuke, especially an official one

chide

scold or rebuke

evade

1. escape or avoid, especially by cleverness or trickery

2. (of an abstract thing) elude(someone)

3. avoid giving a direct answer to(a question)

mundane

1. lacking interest or excitement

2. of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one

tattered

old and torn; in poor condition

vigilant

keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties

exuberant

filled with or characterized by a lively enery and excitement

unkempt

(especially of a person) having a untidy or disheveled appearance

competent

having the necessary ability, knowledge, or skill to do something sucessfully

inanimate

not alive, especially not in the matter of animals and humans

rickety

poorly made and likely to collaspe

conspicuous

standing out so as to be clearly visible • attracting notice or attention

versatile

able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities

corroboration

evidence which confirms or supports a statement, theory, or finding

propose

1. put forward (an idea or plan) for consideration or discussion by others

2. nominate (someone) for an elected office or as a member of a society

3. put forward (a motion) to a legislature or committee

buttress

1. a projecting support of brick or stone built against a wall

2. a source of defence or support

avarice

extreme greed for wealth or material gain

facile

1. (especially of a theory or argument) appearing neat only by ignoring the true complexities of an issue

2. (of a person) having a superficial or simplistic knowledge

3. (especially of success in sports) easily achieved

knapsack

a bag with shoulder straps, carried on the back

farce

a comic dramatic work using buffoonery and horseplay and typically including crude characterization and ludicrously improbable situations

serene

calm, peaceful

humane

1. having or showing compassion or benevolence

2. inflicting the minimum of pain

bashful

reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy

bleak

(of an area of land) lacking vegetation and exposed to the elements. •(of a building or room) charmless and inhospitable. •(of the weather) cold and miserable. •(of a situation or future prospect) not hopeful or encouraging. •(of a person or a person’s expression) cold and forbidding

audacious

1. showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks.

2. showing a impudent lack of respect

nefarious

(typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal

obliterate

destroy utterly; wipe out • cause to be invisible or indistinct

cordial

1. warm and friendly • strongly felt

2. another word for liqueur • a comforting or pleasant tasting medecine

consent

1. permission for something to happen or agreement to do something • an official document by which an individual agrees to participate in or gives permission for something

2. agree or give permission for something to happen or to do something

quaint

attractively unusual or old fashioned

appalling

causing show or dismay; horrific

nondescript

lacking distinctive or interesting features or characteristics

congeal

solidify, especially by cooling • take shape to form a satisfying whole

reimburse

to repay or compensate for money spent or losses incurred

disparge

regard or represent as being of little worth

prescription

1. the action of establishing a rule, law, or direction

2. a rule, law or direction

3. medication, treatment

trickle

1. to flow or fall in small drops or thin stream

2. to move or proceed slowly or bit by bit

deluge

1. a big flood

2. a heavy downpour

3. overwhelm something with a big amount

mast

a upright post, spar, or other structure on a ship or boat, in sailing vessels generally carrying a sail or sails

pigment

1. the natural coloring matter of animal or plant tissue

2. a substance used for coloring or painting

boisterous

1. (of a person, event, or behavior) noisy, energetic, and cheerful

2. (of wind, weather, or water) wild or stormy

girder

a large iron or steel beam or compound structure used for building bridges and the framework of large buildings

satire

a literary work in which human foolishness or vice is attacked through irony, derision, or wit.

barge

1. a flat-bottomed boat for carrying freight.

2. move forcefully or roughly

somber

1. dark or dull in color or tone

2. oppressively solemn or sober in mood

cacophonous

involving or producing a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds

frank

1. open and sincere in expression

2. clearly manifest

grotesque

1. extremely ugly

2. incongruous or inappropriate to a shocking degree

trivial

of little value or importance

apathetic

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern

sentient

able to perceive or feel things

cognizant

having knowledge or being aware of

ameliorate

make(something bad or unsatisfactory) better

irate

feeling or characterized by great anger

rejuvenate

give new energy or vigor to

surfeit

1. an excessive amount of something

2. an illness caused by excessive eating or drinking

3. (verb) cause(someone) to desire no more of something as a result of having consumed or done it to excess

circumvent

1. find a way around(an obstacle)

2. overcome(a problem or difficulty) typically in a clever and surreptitious way

3. deceive, outwit

vitality

1. the state of being strong and active

2. the power giving continuance of life, present in all living things

fractious

1. (typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome

2. (of a group or organization) difficult to control

vivacious

full of animation and spirit

equanimity

the quality of being calm and even-tempered; composure