SAT Vocab

peruse

to read carefully

disabuse

to free from error or falsehood

staunch

strongly loyal

scrupulous

conscientious and exact; having principles

lineaments

any of the features of the body, usually the face

volition

a conscious choice or decision

nascent

coming into being; being born

lurid

causing shock or horror; tastelessly vivid; glowing like fire through a haze

tepid

moderately warm; lacking force or enthusiasm

pious

exhibiting reverence and religious observation

interloper

one who interferes with the affairs of others; a meddler

derelict

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

ingrate

an ungrateful person

blight

a plant disease; something that impairs growth, progress, or prosperity

voluble

talkative

banal

dull or slate; commonplace

proverbial

well-known because widely repeated

rejoinder

an answer, esp. to another answer

indefatigable

tireless, unceasing

venial

easily excused or forgiven

cumbersome

clumsy or difficult to manage

indelible

incapable of being removed or erased

colloquial

appropriate to spoken, as opposed to written, language; informal

blithe

frivolous; casual; carefree

efficacy

the power to produce the desired effect

circumspect

showing discretion and careful judgment

brusque

abrupt and curt of manner

abject

of the lowest degree; brought low in condition

voluminous

having great size or fullness

vacillate

to swing back and forth

morose

sour tempered and inclined to be silent

propitious

presenting favorable circumstances

quiescent

inactive, often suggesting a temporary state

chargin

feeling of embarrassment because of failure or disappointment

petulant

impatient or irritable, esp. over a minor annoyance

renege

to fail to carry out a promise

furtive

characterized by secretive behavior

incorrigible

unable to be corrected or reformed

magnanimous

generous; noble in mind

insular

narrow in outlook; provincial

obdurate

not easily moved to pity or sympathy

mendacious

lying; false, esp. habitually

larder

a place where food is stored

redoubtable

fearsome; formidable

abeyance

a suspension of activity

mirth

gladness

mausoleum

a huge tomb

forlorn

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

accure

to come as a gain; to increase

byline

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

abase

to lower in rank or prestige

reprehensible

deserving to be severely criticized

turbid

cloudy, muddy; in a state of turmoil

altruistic

unselfish; benevolent; caring more for others than oneself

avocation

a hobby

refractory

stubbornly resistant to control, authority, or treatment

raiment

clothing

pervade

to spread through or be present throughout

perfidious

marked by extreme treachery

abet

to encourage, assist, or support, usually in wrongdoing

codify

to organize something (such as laws or rules) into a system

affected

behaving in an artificial way to impress people

dissonant

harsh and disagreeable in sound

pilfer

to steal a small amount

dichotomy

a division into two contrasting or non-overlapping parts

assail

to attack; to assault

eclectic

composed of materials from various sources

extol

to praise highly and lavishly

chauvinism

unreasoning and boastful devotion to one’s country or gender

semblance

outward form or appearance

antiseptic

free from germs; thoroughly clean | a substance that inhibits the growth of germs

propound

to suggest for consideration; to propose

lethargic

dull; sluggish, moving slowly

quiver

to shake; to tremble from fear or cold

languish

to lose strength or health; to remain neglected

bellow

to yell very loudly; to shout

penitent

feeling regret

exude

to give off; to emit, to radiate

vindictive

seeking revenge; marked by a desire to hurt

conspicuous

easy to notice; obvious; apparent