DSAT Vocabulary Study Set #1: Key Terms and Definitions

acclaim

n- public praise and recognition

adhere

v- to stick to or follow closely

affinity

n- a natural attraction or connection to something

aggravate

v- to make a situation worse or more serious

ambiguous

adj- unclear or open to interpretation

ambivalence

n- mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

ameliorate

v- to improve, make better, correct a flaw or shortcoming

analogy

n- a comparison of two different things that are similar in some way

anomaly

n- something out of the ordinary

antagonistic

adj- hostile, unfriendly

antecedent

n- a thing or event that existed before or logically precedes another

ascribe

v- to attribute to a certain cause or source

beneficiary

n- a person who receives benefits or profits from something

benevolent

adj- well-meaning; generous

blemish

n- a noticeable imperfection

buttress

v- to support or strengthen;

n- a source of defense or support

circumvent

v- to find a way around something, to avoid or bypass

commonplace

adj- ordinary and widespread

complementary

adj- combining in a way that enhances or emphasizes the qualities of each other

compliance

n- the action or fact of following a wish, command, or rule

concede

v- to admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it

contentious

adj- controversial or likely to cause an argument

contingent on

idiom- dependent on something that is not yet certain

contrived

adj- created or arranged in a way that seems artificial or unrealistic

copious

adj- plentiful or abundant

cordial

adj- warm and friendly

corroborate

v- to confirm or give support to a statement, theory, or finding