Elite SAT Vocab: 251-375

metamorphosis (n)

a transformation, as by magic; a marked change in appearance or function

prestige (n)

fame or importance based on reputation or achievements

duplicity (n)

deception; deceitfulness; double-dealing

peruse (v)

to read carefully

disabuse (v)

to free from error or falsehood

transcribe (v)

to copy over, usually into a different form

somber (adj)

dark and gloomy or dull

debunk (v)

to expose the falsehood of

stauch (adj)

strongly loyal

mortify (v)

to humiliate; to fill with embarrassment

blunder (v /n)

(v) to move carelessly

(n) such a movement; a significant error

putrid (adj)

in a foul state, as of decaying flesh; rotten

illicit (adj)

unlawful; improper

motif (n)

a recurring subject or theme, esp. in a work of art or literature

scrupulous (adj)

conscientious and exact; having principles

ruse (n)

an action or device intended to deceive

lineaments (n)

any of the features of the body, usually the face

derelict (adj / n)

(adj) deserted, abandoned (of a building); neglectful of a duty (of a person)

(n) a homeless person

cynical (adj)

distrusting others from a sense that everyone's motives are selfish

ingrate (n)

an ungrateful person

caveat (n)

a warning

compound (n)

a building or group of buildings enclosed by a barrier

apprehension (n)

worry or unease

banal (adj)

dull or stale; commonplace

rustic (adj)

of or living in the country

rejoinder (n)

an answer, esp. to another answer

venial (adj)

easily excused or forgiven

apt (adj)

appropriate; having a natural tendency

exert (v)

to put forth or bring to bear

exodus (n)

the departure of a large number of people

suffrage (n)

the right to vote

diverge (v)

to depart from a set course or opinion

blithe (adj)

frivolous; casual; carefree

indelible (adj)

incapable of being removed or erased

arbitrate (v)

to settle a dispute or a fight between two parties

pragmatic (adj)

dealing practically with a situation or a thing; based on experience rather than theory

averse (adj)

opposed, reluctant; repelled

dismal (adj)

causing gloom or depression

circumspect (adj)

showing discretion and careful judgement

underscore (v)

to emphasize

sedate (adj)

calm; quiet

saline (adj)

of or containing common salt

atheist (n)

one who believes that God does not exist

icon (n)

an image; a symbol; a representation of a holy person, esp. in the Orthodox Christian churches

fallacy (n)

a false notion, esp. one based on incorrect reasoning

analogy (n)

a similarity between things that are otherwise dissimilar; a comparison based on such similarity

abject (adj)

of the lowest degree; brought low in condition

aristocracy (n)

a hereditary ruling class; a group considered to be superior to the others

relegate (v)

to assign to an obscure place or condition; to send away

ubiquitous (adj)

present everywhere

defunct (adj)

having ceased to exist or live

circumscribe (v)

to form or mark the limits of; to restrict or limit severely

anarchy (n)

the absence of government

cornucopia (n)

an abundance

extant (adj)

currently or actually existing

vigilant (adj)

alert and watchful, esp. for what is dangerous

abstinence (n)

the act of voluntarily doing without something

brood (v)

to be deep in thought; to think over mood

chagrin (n)

feeling of embarrassment because of failure or disappointment

infamous (adj)

having a bad reputation

season (v)

to make competent through experience; to accustom

petulant (adj)

impatient or irritable, esp. over a minor annoyance

renege (v)

to fail to carry out a promise

hanger (n)

a structure used for housing aircraft

egregious (adj)

outstanding for under undesirable qualities; remarkably bad

polyglot (n / adj)

(n) one who speak many languages

(adj) speaking many languages

acclimate (v)

to make comfortable in a new environment; to adapt to

incorrigible (adj)

unable to be corrected or reformed

frank (adj)

open and sincere; straightforward

lucrative (adj)

producing wealth; profitable

check (v)

to restrain or block

magnanimous (adj)

generous; noble in mind

protégé (n)

one whose welfare, training, or career is promoted by another person

pacify (v)

to make peaceful; to restore calm

insular (adj)

narrow in outlook; provincial

eon (n)

a long period of time

obdurate (adj)

not easily moved to pity or sympathy

deplore (v)

to feel or express strong disapproval of

larder (n)

a place (e.g., a pantry or cellar) where food is stored

remnant (n)

a small amount left over after the rest has been used; a surviving trace

novel (adj)

strikingly new

indigent (adj)

poor; needy; destitute

abeyance (n)

a suspension of activity

gripe (v)

to complain constantly or naggingly

mirth (n)

gladness, esp. when expressed as laughter

mausoleum (n)

a huge tomb

forlorn (adj)

appearing sad because abandoned; in pitiful condition; almost without hope

tout (v)

to solicit customers; to praise or recommend highly

rhapsody (n)

a state of great happiness; such a state expressed in speech or writing

adjourn (v)

to suspend until a later, stated time

impassive (adj)

not feeling emotion, not showing emotion

accrue (v)

to come as a gain; to increase

martyr (n)

one who chooses to die rather than to give up religious beliefs, or who suffers greatly to further a cause

byline (n)

a line at the head of a newspaper article carrying the author's name

haggle (v)

to argue, as over terms or price

frugal (adj)

careful in spending money or resources

caste (n)

a rigid and hereditary social class

timid (adj)

easily frightened; lacking self-confidence

invigorate (v)

to give strength and energy to

harbor (v)

to give shelter; to entertain or nourish (a specific thought or feeling)