SAT Master Word List #13-14 Review

definition

N. (1) statement of a word's exact meaning; (2) clarity of sound or image being reproduced; (3) distinctness of outlines, boundaries.

definitive

ADJ. final; complete.

deflect

V. turn aside.

deft

ADJ. neat; skillful.

defunct

ADJ. dead; no longer in use or existence.

defuse

V. (1) remove the fuse of a bomb; (2) reduce or eliminate a threat.

degenerate

V. become worse; deteriorate.

delete

V. erase; strike out.

deleterious

ADJ. harmful.

deliberate

V. consider; ponder.

delineate

V. portray; depict; sketch.

delude

V. deceive.

deluge

N. flood; rush.

delusion

N. false belief; hallucination.

delve

V. dig; investigate.

demagogue

N. person who appeals to people's prejudice; false leader of people.

demean

V. degrade; humiliate.

demeanor

N. behavior; bearing.

demur

V. object (because of doubts, scruples); hesitate.

demystify

V. clarify; free from mystery or obscurity.

denigrate

V. blacken.

denizen

N. inhabitant or resident; regular visitor.

denotation

N. meaning; distinguishing by name.

denouement

N. outcome; final development of the plot of a play.

denounce

V. condemn; criticize.

depict

V. portray.

deplete

V. reduce; exhaust.

deplore

V. regret; disapprove of.

depose

V. dethrone; remove from office.

deposition

N. testimony under oath.

depravity

N. extreme corruption; wickedness.

deprecate

V. express disapproval of; protest against; belittle.

depreciate

V. Iessen in value.

depredation

N. plundering.

derelict

ADJ. abandoned; negligent.

deride

V. ridicule; make fun of.

derivative

ADJ. unoriginal; derived from another source.

derogatory

ADJ. expressing a low opinion.

desolate

ADJ. unpopulated.

desolate

V. rob of joy; lay waste to; forsake.

despise

V. look on with scorn; regard as worthless or distasteful.

despondent

ADJ. depressed; gloomy.

despot

N. tyrant; harsh, authoritarian ruler.

destitute

ADJ. extremely poor.

desultory

ADJ. aimless; haphazard; digressing at random.

detachment

N. (1) emotional remoteness; (2) group sent away (on a military mission, etc.); (3) process of separation.

determination

N. (1) firmness of purpose; (2) calculation; (3) decision.

deterrent

N. something that discourages; hindrance.

detraction

N. slandering; aspersion.

detrimental

ADJ. harmful; damaging.

deviate

V. turn away from (a principle, norm); depart; diverge.

devious

ADJ. roundabout; erratic; not straightforward.

devise

V. think up; invent; plan.

devoid

ADJ. lacking.

devout

ADJ. pious.

dexterous

ADJ. skillful.

diabolical

ADJ. devilish.

diagnosis

N. art of identifying a disease; analysis of a condition.

dichotomy

N. split; branching into two parts (especially contradictory ones).

dictum

N. authoritative and weighty statement; saying; maxim.

didactic

ADJ. teaching; instructional.

differentiate

V. distinguish; perceive a difference between.

diffidence

N. shyness.

diffuse

ADJ. (1) both wordy and poorly organized; (2) spread out (as opposed to concentrated).

digression

N. wandering away from the subject.

dilapidated

ADJ. ruined because of neglect.

dilatory

ADJ. delaying.

dilemma

N. problem; choice of two unsatisfactory alternatives.

dilettante

N. aimless follower of the arts; amateur; dabbler.

diligence

N. steadiness of effort; persistent hard work.

dilute

V. make less concentrated; reduce in strength.

diminution

N. lessening; reduction in size.

din

N. continued loud noise.

dint

N. means; effort.

dire

ADJ. disastrous.

disabuse

V. correct a false impression; undeceive.

disaffected

ADJ. discontented with those in authority.

disapprobation

N. disapproval; condemnation.

disarray

N. a disorderly or untidy state.

disavowal

N. denial; disclaiming.

disband

V. dissolve; disperse.

discernible

ADJ. distinguishable; perceivable.

discerning

ADJ. mentally quick and observant; having insight.

disclose

V. reveal.

discombobulated

ADJ. confused; discomposed.

discomposure

N. agitation; loss of poise.

disconcert

V. confuse; upset; embarrass.

disconsolate

ADJ. sad.

discord

N. conflict; lack of harmony.

discordant

ADJ. (1) disagreeable to the ear; (2) not in harmony.

discount

V. (1) minimize the significance of; (2) reduce in price.

discourse

N. formal discussion; conversation.

discredit

V. defame; destroy confidence in; disbelieve.

discrepancy

N. lack of consistency; difference.

discrete

ADJ. separate; unconnected.

discretion

N. prudence; ability to adjust actions to circumstances.

discriminating

ADJ. (1) treating people of different classes unequally; (2) able to see subtle differences.

disdain

V. view with scorn or contempt.

disenfranchise

V. deprive of a civil right.

disengage

V. uncouple; separate; disconnect.