SSAT Deck 2

conspicuous

clearly visible.

conspiracy

a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.

constellation

a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern that is traditionally named after its apparent form or identified with a mythological figure.

constraint

a limitation or restriction.

contemplate

look thoughtfully for a long time at.

contempt

the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn.

contentious

causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

contour

an outline, especially one representing or bounding the shape or form of something.

contradict

deny the truth of (a statement) by asserting the opposite.

contrived

deliberately created rather than arising naturally or spontaneously.

conundrum

a confusing and difficult problem or question.

conventional

based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed.

converge

(of lines) tend to meet at a point.

cope

(of a person) deal effectively with something difficult.

copious

abundant in supply or quantity.

coral

a hard stony substance secreted by certain marine coelenterates as an external skeleton, typically forming large reefs in warm seas.

correlation

a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

corroborate

confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).

corrupt

having or showing a willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain.

counterfeit

made in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud.

covert

not openly acknowledged or displayed.

covet

yearn to possess (something, especially something belonging to another).

cower

crouch down in fear.

credible

able to be believed; convincing.

crevice

a narrow opening or fissure, especially in a rock or wall.

crucial

decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something.

crude

in a natural or raw state; not yet processed or refined./constructed in a rudimentary or makeshift way.

culminate

reach a climax or point of highest development.

culpable

deserving blame.

cultured

characterized by refined taste and manners and good education.

cumulative

increasing or increased in quantity, degree, or force by successive additions.

cunning

having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.

customary

according to the customs or usual practices associated with a particular society, place, or set of circumstances.

cynical

believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.

damp

slightly wet.

dated

old-fashioned.

dauntless

showing fearlessness and determination.

debacle

a sudden and ignominious failure; a fiasco.

debilitate

make (someone) very weak and infirm.

debris

scattered pieces of rubbish or remains.

debunk

expose the falseness or hollowness of (an idea or belief).

deceive

deliberately cause (someone) to believe something that is not true, especially for personal gain.

decibel

(in general use) a degree of loudness.

decipher

succeed in understanding, interpreting, or identifying (something).

decoy

a bird or mammal, or an imitation of one, used by hunters to attract other birds or mammals.

decree

an official order that has the force of law.

deduce

arrive at (a fact or a conclusion) by reasoning; draw as a logical conclusion.

deface

spoil the surface or appearance of (something), for example by drawing or writing on it.

default

failure to fulfil an obligation, especially to repay a loan or appear in a law court./a preselected option adopted by a computer program or other mechanism when no alternative is specified by the user or programmer.

defer

put off (an action or event) to a later time; postpone.

deference

polite submission and respect.

defiance

open resistance; bold disobedience.

deficient

not having enough of a specified quality or ingredient.

defy

openly resist or refuse to obey.

degradation

the condition or process of degrading or being degraded.

dejection

a sad and depressed state; low spirits.

delegate

entrust (a task or responsibility) to another person, typically one who is less senior than oneself.

delinquent

(typically of a young person) tending to commit crime, particularly minor crime.

delusion

an idiosyncratic belief or impression maintained despite being contradicted by reality or rational argument, typically as a symptom of mental disorder.

demean

cause a severe loss in the dignity of and respect for (someone or something).

demoracy

control of an organization or group by the majority of its members.

denounce

publicly declare to be wrong or evil.

deplete

use up the supply or resources of.

depreciative

causing gradual diminishment in value.

deprive

prevent (a person or place) from having or using something.

deranged

mad; insane.

derogatory

showing a critical or disrespectful attitude.

designate

appoint (someone) to a specified office or post.

desolate

(of a place) uninhabited and giving an impression of bleak emptiness.

despicable

deserving hatred and contempt.

deter

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

detractor

a person who disparages someone or something.

detriment

the state of being harmed or damaged.

devise

plan or invent (a complex procedure, system, or mechanism) by careful thought.

devout

having or showing deep religious feeling or commitment.

diagnostic

concerned with the diagnosis of illness or other problems.

dialect

a particular form of a language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group.

dictate

state or order authoritatively.

dictatorship

a country governed by a dictator.

dignified

having or showing a composed or serious manner that is worthy of respect.

dignitary

a person considered to be important because of high rank or office.

digression

a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.

dilapidated

(of a building or object) in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect.

dilemma

a difficult situation or problem.

diligence

careful and persistent work or effort.

dilute

make (a liquid) thinner or weaker by adding water or another solvent to it.

diminish

make or become less.

diminutive

extremely or unusually small.

diplomatic

of or concerning diplomacy.

dire

extremely serious or urgent.

discard

get rid of (someone or something) as no longer useful or desirable.

discern

recognize or find out.

disclosure

the action of making new or secret information known.

disconcerting

causing one to feel unsettled.

discourse

written or spoken communication or debate.

discretion

the quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offence or revealing confidential information.

disdain

the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect.

disgruntled

angry or dissatisfied.

dishearten

cause (someone) to lose determination or confidence.

disingenuous

not candid or sincere, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does.