SAT Vocab #1

abate (v)

lessen, decrease

aberrant (adj)

abnormal, unusual, atypical

abeyance (n)

suspension

abject (adj)

wretched

abstruse (adj)

complex, puzzling

accolade (n)

praise, tribute, honor

acerbic (adj)

sarcastic, caustic

acquiesce (v)

yield to, please, concede

acrimonious (adj)

bitter, angry, hostile

adjudication (n)

court trial

adulation (n)

admiration

aegis (n)

shield, defense

affable (adj)

pleasant, friendly

affinity (n)

tendency, fondness, liking

aggrandize (v)

increase, enlarge

alacrity (n)

liveliness

altruistic (adj)

selfless

ambivalence (n)

uncertainty from conflicting emotions

ameliorate (v)

improve

amorphous (adj)

shapeless

anathema (n)

curse, scourge

anomaly (n)

peculiarity, abnormality

apex (n)

zenith, summit

aplomb (n)

poise, dexterity

apotheosis (n)

deification, a raising to a godhead figure