Oct 2024 - DSAT Craft and Structure

Dogmatic

Adhering strictly to a set of beliefs or principles, often without considering other opinions; assertive in an opinionated way.

His dogmatic approach to art left no room for experimentation.

Unpretentious

Not attempting to impress others with an appearance of greater importance, talent, or culture than is actually possessed; modest.

Despite her success, the artist remained unpretentious and down-to-earth.

Subsumed

To include or absorb something in something else.

The smaller company was subsumed into the larger corporation.

Sartorial

Relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress.

His sartorial choices always reflected the latest fashion trends.

Subsumed in sartorial practice

Fully included or absorbed within the methods or customs related to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress.

His entire identity seemed subsumed in sartorial practice, always impeccably dressed.

Hegemonic

Ruling or dominant in a political or social context.

The company's hegemonic position in the market made it hard for new businesses to compete.

Rambling

Speaking or writing at length in a discursive or desultory way.

His rambling speech made it hard to grasp his main point.

Rambling habit of mind

A tendency to think or speak in a disorganized, indirect, or diffuse way, moving from one subject to another without clear logical connection.

Her latest essay suffered from a rambling habit of mind, making it difficult to follow her main argument.

Exacerbate

To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.

The new policy only served to exacerbate the existing social tensions.

Aridity

The quality of being extremely dry, especially of land or climate; also, a lack of interest or excitement.

The aridity of the desert landscape supported only sparse vegetation.

Exacerbate aridity

To make the condition of dryness or lack of moisture worse.

Overgrazing will exacerbate aridity, leading to desertification.

Neolithic people

People living in the later part of the Stone Age (from around 10,000 BC to 4,500/2,000 BC), characterized by the development of agriculture and the use of polished stone tools.

Neolithic people first developed settled agricultural communities.

Pastoralism

A social and economic system based on the raising and herding of livestock, often involving a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle.

Pastoralism allowed early human societies to become less reliant on hunting and gathering.

Depleted vegetation

Vegetation that has been greatly reduced in quantity or quality, often due to overuse or environmental stress.

Years of drought and overgrazing led to severely depleted vegetation in the region.

Deleterious effect

An effect that is harmful or injurious.

Pollution can have a deleterious effect on both human health and the environment.

Animal of cultivated landscapes

An animal species that thrives and is closely associated with areas altered by human agriculture, such as ploughed fields, pastures, and garden plots.

The fox is an animal of cultivated landscapes, often preying on rodents near farms.

Mutable

Liable or open to change.

Her plans were mutable, changing with every new piece of information.

Habitable

Suitable or good enough to live in.

The old house was in poor condition, but still habitable.

Secluded

Not seen or visited by many people; sheltered and private.

The secluded beach was a perfect escape from the crowds.

Homogeneous

Of the same kind; alike; consisting of parts all of the same kind.

The population of the village was surprisingly homogeneous in its cultural background.

Prevalence of diabetes

The widespread existence or common occurrence of diabetes within a population.

The prevalence of diabetes has increased significantly in recent decades.

Telltale signs of impact

Clear and obvious indications or evidence of an influence or collision.

Geologists looked for telltale signs of impact in the rock layers to confirm the meteorite strike.

Seismic data

Data collected using seismographs, which record ground motion caused by earthquakes, explosions, or other seismic events, used to study the Earth's interior.

In seismic data, anomalies can indicate underground oil deposits.

Terraced floor

A floor surface constructed with a series of stepped or tiered levels, often for architectural or geological reasons.

The ancient amphitheater featured a terraced floor leading down to the central stage.

Pronounced area of uplift

A distinct and noticeable region where the Earth's crust has been raised or elevated, typically through geological processes.

Geologists identified a pronounced area of uplift in the mountain range, indicating recent tectonic activity.

Vicinity

The area near or surrounding a particular place.

The new school will be built in the immediate vicinity of the town hall.

Nadir

The lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization; also, in astronomy, the point directly opposite the zenith.

After the scandal, his career reached its nadir.

Dispassionately

In a way that is not influenced by strong emotion, and is therefore rational and objective.

The judge listened dispassionately to the arguments from both sides.

Pioneered

Developed or first used a new method or activity.

Steve Jobs pioneered the widespread use of personal computers.

Fast painting

A technique or style of artistic execution characterized by quick, rapid brushstrokes, often used to capture immediacy or expression.

The artist pioneered 'fast painting' to capture the fleeting light of the sunset.

Permanence

The state or quality of lasting or remaining unchanged indefinitely.

Stone structures often have a greater permanence than temporary paper messages.

Voucher (old meaning)

In older usage, a document or item serving as proof or evidence of a fact or truth.

The old legal text stated that a witness's testimony could serve as a voucher for the defendant's alibi.

Geoglyph

A large design or motif produced on the ground by arranging rocks, stones, trees, or other elements of the landscape.

The ancient Nazca Lines in Peru are famous hillside geoglyphs.

Dazzle / Bedazzle

To impress someone deeply with brilliance, skill, or beauty; to overpower with light.

Her performance was so captivating, she bedazzled the entire audience.

Ice rink resurfacing machine

A vehicle used to smooth and clean the surface of an ice rink by scraping the ice and laying down a fresh layer of hot water.

The ice rink resurfacing machine glided across the ice, preparing it for the next hockey game.

Rigid beam

A stiff, unbending bar or supporting structure, typically used in engineering or physics.

The bridge was supported by a series of rigid beams.

Fulcrum

The point on which a lever rests or is supported and on which it pivots; a central or crucial point.

To lift the heavy rock, he placed a sturdy log as a fulcrum under the lever.

Inconsequential

Not important or significant.

The minor details of the report were inconsequential to its main findings.

Momentous

(Of a decision, event, or change) of great importance or significance, especially in its bearing on future events.

The signing of the peace treaty was a momentous occasion for both nations.

Benevolent

Well meaning and kindly; serving a charitable rather than profit-making purpose.

The benevolent ruler was known for his generosity towards the poor.

Engendering demand

Creating or giving rise to a need or desire for something.

The new marketing campaign aims at engendering demand for the product.

Appraising

Assessing the value or quality of something.

The art expert spent hours appraising the painting.

Thronged

(Of a crowd) to fill or occupy a place; to gather in large numbers.

Thousands of people thronged the market square for the festival.

Frivolous pursuit

An activity or hobby that is silly, trivial, or not serious or practical.

He considered gambling a frivolous pursuit that only wasted time and money.

Ephemeral object

An item or thing that lasts for a very short time.

A rainbow is a beautiful, but ephemeral object in the sky.

Register (a shift in norms)

To officially record or show; to indicate a change or deviation from established standards.

Social surveys often register shifts in norms regarding public behavior over time.

To induce

To succeed in persuading or influencing someone to do something; to bring about or give rise to.

The advertisement was designed to induce customers to buy the new car.

To vindicate

To clear (someone) of blame or suspicion; to show or prove to be right or justified.

New evidence emerged to vindicate the wrongly accused man.

To preclude

To prevent something from happening or make something impossible.

His poor health will preclude him from attending the conference.

Insuperable

(Of a difficulty or obstacle) impossible to overcome.

The team faced insuperable challenges, but they refused to give up.

Unequivocal

Leaving no doubt; unambiguous.

Her answer was an unequivocal "no," leaving no room for negotiation.

Irreproachable

Beyond criticism; faultless.

His conduct throughout the investigation was irreproachable.

Ineluctable

Unable to be resisted or avoided; inescapable.

The ineluctable conclusion was that the experiment had failed.

Yielded (to effort)

To give way to pressure, force, or persuasion; to produce or provide something.

After hours of digging, the stubborn soil finally yielded to the effort of the workers.

Succumb

To fail to resist pressure, temptation, or some other negative force.

He tried to resist, but eventually succumbed to the illness.

Preliminary

Done in preparation for something more important; introductory.

The preliminary results of the study are promising.

Temperature-induced changes

Alterations or effects that are caused or brought about by variations in temperature.

The crack in the pavement was due to temperature-induced changes.

Extirpated populations

Groups of organisms that have been completely removed or eradicated from a particular area.

Hunting led to extirpated populations of wolves in many parts of Europe.

Remediable

Capable of being remedied or put right.

The situation, though difficult, was still remediable.

Methodological paradigms

The typical or standard models, patterns, or frameworks of research methods used in a particular discipline or field.

The scientific community is currently debating new methodological paradigms for climate research.

Anatomical features

Structural characteristics or parts of an organism, usually referring to its body structure.

The anatomical features of the bird's wing showed its adaptation for long-distance flight.

Accustomed

Familiar with something so that it seems normal or usual; customary.

She quickly became accustomed to the city's fast pace of life.

Ambivalence

The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone.

He felt an ambivalence toward poetry, appreciating its beauty but finding it hard to understand.

Contempt

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

He spoke with perfect contempt for those who showed no effort.

Scorn

The feeling or belief that someone or something is worthless or despicable; contempt.

She looked at the cheater with utter scorn.

Disdain

The feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt.

He regarded their lavish lifestyle with disdain.

Fertile shower

A period of rainfall that promotes abundant growth and productivity in plants, often suggesting a revitalizing effect.

The fertile shower after the long drought brought life back to the parched fields.

Quiver

To tremble or shake with a slight rapid motion; a trembling movement.

A strange quiver ran through the old building during the minor earthquake.

Iterated

Repeated, especially for emphasis or clarity.

Her cries were iterated gasps and sobs, signaling extreme distress.

Crude music

Music that is raw, unsophisticated, or lacking refinement, often implying a basic or primitive quality.

They danced to the crude music of drums and simple flutes.

Precipitation

Rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.

Heavy precipitation led to widespread flooding in the area.

Aquifers

Underground layers of rock or permeable sediments that hold groundwater.

Aquifers are vital sources of drinking water for many communities.

Pierce (the miasma)

To penetrate or make a hole in something; to break through an oppressive atmosphere.

The light from the lighthouse managed to pierce the miasma of the dense fog.

Chafed (in a situation)

To feel frustrated or annoyed, especially by a restriction or delay.

The motorman chafed in his small, hot box, eager for his shift to end.

Grudging lot

A difficult or meager fate or circumstance, accepted unwillingly or resentfully.

He often reflected on the grudging lot of those forced into poverty, with little hope of advancement.

Acclaimed

Praised enthusiastically and publicly.

The director was celebrated for producing acclaimed work that resonated with audiences.

Contemplated

Thought about deeply and at length.

He contemplated his next move carefully before making a decision.

Subverted

Undermined the power and authority of (an established system or institution).

The rebel group attempted to subvert the government through a series of protests.

Solidified

Made or became solid, firm, or strong; to make an idea or plan more definite.

The team's victory solidified their position at the top of the league.

Extricated

Freed (someone or something) from a constraint or difficulty.

The firefighters worked quickly to extricate the trapped driver from the wreckage.

Galvanizing

Shocking or exciting someone into taking action.

The documentary was a galvanizing call to action against injustice.

Exuberant

Full of energy, excitement, and cheerfulness.

The crowd was exuberant after their team scored the winning goal.

Impartiality

The principle of treating all equally; fairness; lack of bias.

The judge stressed the importance of impartiality in the legal system.

Alludes

To hint at, suggest, or make an indirect reference to something.

Her speech subtly alludes to a discussion that took place last week.

Buoyed up

Kept afloat; lifted or supported; made to feel more cheerful or confident.

The fragile plants were buoyed up by the protective netting.

Conceit

Excessive pride in oneself; an elaborate or exaggerated metaphor.

His artistic conceit led him to believe his work was unmatched.

House finch

A small, North American bird of the finch family, often found near human habitation.

A house finch built its nest under the eaves of the house.

Woodland

Land covered with trees; a forest.

The cabin was surrounded by dense woodland, making it very private.

Junco

A small North American finch, typically gray, black, and white, common in winter.

In winter, flocks of juncos descend from the mountains to feed in the lowlands.

Tuco

A genus of South American burrowing rodents, known for their powerful front teeth.

The tuco-tuco is an expert burrower, creating extensive underground tunnels.

Captive individuals

Persons or animals held or confined, often against their will or in an enclosure.

The zoo has a program for breeding captive individuals of endangered species.

Fortifying (soil)

Enhancing the strength, resilience, or nutrient content of soil, often to improve its fertility or structure.

Adding compost is a good way of fortifying soil in arid ecosystems.

Arid ecosystem

A natural environment characterized by a severe lack of available water, leading to sparse vegetation.

Cacti are well-adapted to survive in an arid ecosystem like the desert.

Obstructed

Blocked; made difficult to pass.

The fallen tree obstructed the path.

Crimson

A rich deep red color inclined to purple.

The leaves turned a vibrant crimson in the autumn.

Deathlike slumber

A sleep so deep and still that it resembles death.

The patient lay in a deep, deathlike slumber after the surgery.

Negating

Making (something) ineffective; nullifying; denying the existence or truth of.

His recent actions were negating all the progress he had made.

Substantiating

Providing evidence to support or prove the truth of something.

She presented data substantiating her claims about climate change.

Prefiguring

Being an early indication or version of (something to come); foreshadowing.

The early signs of discontent were prefiguring a larger uprising.

Entrenching

Establishing (an attitude, habit, or belief) so firmly that change is very difficult or unlikely.

The company's outdated policies were deeply entrenched and difficult to change.