Sat Vocabulary

Front 1

Bulwark
(BULL wurk)
noun

Back 1

a defensive wall, something serving as a principle defense
link-BULL WORK
link sentence-"Bulls work building a bulwark."
example-Quebec City is the only city in North America with a bulwark built entirely around it.

Front 2

Augment
(awg MENT)
verb

Back 2

to make or become greater
link-CEMENT
link sentence- "How not to augment a driveway with cement."
example-The king attempted to augment his army by going into villages and drafting men into service.

Front 3

Incongruous
( in KAHN grew us)
adjective

Back 3

not fitting
link-IN CONGRESS
link sentence- "The new Alaskan senator's presence in congress was incongruous."
example-Ed appeared incongruous wearing his tuxedo on an old-fashioned hayride.

Front 4

Gossamer
(GOSS uh mer)
noun and adjective

Back 4

cobwebs; delicate
link-CUSTOMER
link sentence- "The spider's gossamer captured many unhappy customers."
example-The bride wore a white silk wedding dress. A gossamer of fine Italian lace gently touched her face.

Front 5

Succinct/Terse
(sek SINGKT)
adjective

Back 5

brief and to the point
link- SINK
link sentence- "Virginia was succinct when Ernie forgot to fix the sink."
example- When Joe was called upon, he succinctly paraphrased what the teacher had just explained.

Front 6

Tantalize
(TAN tal ize)
verb

Back 6

to tease but not to give
link-SANTA'S LIES
link sentence- "Santa's lies tantalize."
example- The tantalizing aroma of the bread made us all very happy.

Front 7

Languid
(LANG qwid)
adjective

Back 7

lacking energy
link- SQUID
link sentence- "A languid squid."
example- After his bout with the flu, Joe was languid and unable to workout for over a week.

Front 8

Benighted
(be NI tid)
adjective

Back 8

intellectual darkness
link- KNIGHT
link sentence- "A benighted knight."
example- Many benighted people became enlightened during the Renaissance.

Front 9

Exalt
(ig ZAWLT)
verb

Back 9

to raise high
link-SALT
link sentence- "Everyone exalted the salt as king of the condiments."
example-The fireman was exalted by the press for saving the child from a burning building.

Front 10

Dire
(DYE ur)
adjective

Back 10

disastrous
link-FIRE
link sentence- "A dire fire."
example- The hurricane struck the Florida Keys with dire results; all the buildings were flattened.

Front 11

Kindle
(KIN dl)
verb

Back 11

to ignite or inspire
link- CANDLE
link sentence- "Patrick found a unique way to kindle candles."
example- Because Christine once had feelings for him, Joe thought sending flowers might again kindle her affections.

Front 12

Myriad
(MIR ee ud)
noun

Back 12

an extremely large number
link- MIRROR ADD
link sentence- "Many mirrors add a myriad of reflections."
example- George was a hypochondriac, weighted down by myriad concerns about his health.

Front 13

Rhetoric
(RET or ik)
noun

Back 13

the art of argument
link- RENT-A-WRECK
link sentence- "A salesman's rent-a-wreck rhetoric."
example- A person's use of rhetoric can indicate much about that person's character.

Front 14

Latent
(LAYT nt)
adjective

Back 14

laying hidden; potential
link- LAY TENT
link sentence- "Never lay your tent on a latent volcano."
example- trent had a latent talent as a singer which he didn't discover until he was in his 50's.

Front 15

Jaunt
(jawnt)
noun

Back 15

a short pleasure trip
link- HAUNT
link sentence- "A jaunt haunt."
example- After not taking a family vacation for two years, a jaunt to the beach was a pleasurable respite.

Front 16

Vertigo
(vur tuh GO)
noun

Back 16

dizziness
link- WHERE TO GO
link sentence- "When test pilot Bob developed a bad case of vertigo, he didn;t know where to go."
example- Charles was acrophobic and even suffered from vertigo when standing on a stool, replacing the lights in the kitchen.

Front 17

Impede
(im PEED)
verb

Back 17

to obstruct or interfere with; to delay
link- SPEED
link sentence- "The job of the highway patrolmen as to impede speeding motorists."
example- He was only my uncle, but he always told me no matter what, not to let anyone impede my ambition to go to medical school.

Front 18

Countenance
(KOWNT uh nanz)
noun

Back 18

a person's face, especially the expression
link- COUNT THE NUTS
link sentence- "By their facial countenance alone it was easy to count the nuts."
example- The submarine commander's countenance belied his true feelings of anxiety and fear.

Front 19

Scrutinize
(SKROOT uh nyze)
verb

Back 19

to look very carefully; to examine
link- SCREW EYES
link sentence- "U.S. Customs officials have screw eyes when they scrutinize baggage."
example- Newspaper proof readers scrutinize an entire newspaper each day.

Front 20

Specter
(SPEk ter)
noun

Back 20

a ghost or phantom
link- SPECTACLES
link sentence- "A specter with spectacles."
example- The specter of Christmas Future is the most terrifying to Ebenezer Scrooge in Dickens' A Christmas Carole.

Front 21

Wax
(waks)
verb
(other forms waxen, waxing, etc.)

Back 21

1. to increase in extent, quantity, intensity, power, etc.
2. (of the moon) to increase in the extent of its illuminated portion before the full moon.
3. to grow or become
example-He waxed angry at the insinuation.

Front 22

Wane
(wain)
verb

Back 22

to decrease gradually
link- RAIN
link sentence- "Snowmen wane in the rain."
example- A waning interest by theater-goers prompted the theater to shut down.

Front 23

Copious
(KOH-pee-uhs)
adjective

Back 23

1. large in quantity or number; abundant; plentiful
2. having or yeilding an abundant supply
3. exhibiting abundance or fullness, as of thoughts or words
link- COPS
link sentence- "Copious cops devour donuts, waiting for some excitement."
example- A you read Cold Mountain, you must make copious annotations.

Front 24

Perspicacious
adjective

Back 24

having or showing penetrating mental discernment; clear sighted
link- PERSPIRATION
link sentence- "Annotating the novel, Perry's perspiration increased while concentrating on perspicacious reading."
example- If one examines political cartoons perspicaciously, the artists message is quite clear.

Front 25

Marauder
(muh RAWD er)
noun

Back 25

raider, intruder
link- MA RAIDER
link sentence- "The fiercest marauders are me raiders."
example- During the Civil War, marauding bands of Confederate guerrillas raided Union supply lines in the Midwest.

Front 26

Cower
(KOW er)
verb

Back 26

cringe from fear; to shrink away
link- COW
link sentence- "Bessie, the cowering cow, never could stand the sight of her own milk."
example- When Sheriff Wild Bill Hickok entered the Last Chance Saloon, the villans cowered in fear.

Front 27

Aloof
(uh LOOF)
adjective

Back 27

distant, reserved in manner; uninvolved
link- ROOF
link sentence- "Snowball, the cat, was so aloof when guests came she hid on the roof."
example- At the wedding reception, the bride's relatives were very aloof, hardly speaking to the groom's guests and family.

Front 28

Forbearance
(for BAYR ans)
noun

Back 28

patience
link- FOUR PARENTS
link sentence- "Four parents exhibiting forbearance."
example- Teachers must forbear(verb) when they deal with unruly students.

Front 29

Lament
(la MINT)
verb

Back 29

to express sorrow or regret
link- CEMENT
link sentence- "We lament that Joe got buried in cement."
example- The song, "Cowboys Lament," is a ballad about the lonely life of those who drive cattle for a living.

Front 30

Cacophony
(kuh KAHF uh nee)
noun

Back 30

harsh words
link- COUGH
link sentence- "A cacophony of coughing."
example- A cacophony isn't noise alone, it is disturbing noise such as when people shout all at once.

Front 31

Quietude
(kwi i TUDE)
noun

Back 31

calm; tranquil; peaceful
link- QUIET DUDE
link sentence- "Dad was a quiet dude who sought quietude."
example- Gene and Chris chose their property for the air of quietude and peace that pervaded the area.

Front 32

Connoisseur
(kahn uh SUR)
noun

Back 32

an expert, particularly in matters of art and taste
link- KING OF SEWER
link sentence- "The king of the sewer is a connoisseur of garbage."
example- My uncle is a connoisseur of fine wines.

Front 33

Evoke
(EE voke)
verb

Back 33

to summon forth, call to mind, awaken, produce, suggest
link- Coke
link sentence- Sometimes a song, a picture, even a coke, can evoke the most poignant of youthful memories.
example- A clap of thunder and a flash of lightning over the old castle evoked dark spirits for the villagers who remember the night of the headless ghosts.

Front 34

Cupidity
(kyoo PID ih tee)
noun

Back 34

excess greed, especially for money
link- CUPID
link sentence- Cupid with cupidity.
example- The thief's cupidity was exceeded only by his ignorance.

Front 35

Ubiquitous
(yoo BIK woh tus)
adjective

Back 35

the quality of being everywhere (or seeming to) at the same time
link- BIG AS US
link sentence- When you're as big as us you feel ubiquitous.\
example- Computers were once rare, but today are more ubiquitous than typewriters.

Front 36

Adroit/Deft
(ah DROIT)
adjective

Back 36

skillful
link- DETROIT
link sentence- "The auto workers of Detroit are adroit at manufacturing automobiles."
example- Many fourth graders are more adroit on the computer than their parents.

Front 37

Fetter
(FET ur)
verb

Back 37

to restrain
link- FETTER
link sentence- "A fettered feather."
example- The prisoners were fettered by shackles around their ankles.

Front 38

Doldrums
(DOHL drums)
noun

Back 38

a period or condition of depression or inactivity
link- DOLL DRUMS
link sentence- "Al covered with dust, the doll drums were in the doldrums."
example- ever since Jackie's dog died, the little fellow has not touched his toys, moping around day after day in the doldrums.

Front 39

Throng
(throng)
noun or verb (thronging)

Back 39

a large group of people gathered closely together
link- SONG
link sentence- The throng broke into song.
example- When the Pope visited the United States, an admiring throng gathered at every major city.

Front 40

Emulate
(IM u late)
verb

Back 40

to attempt to equal or surpass; especially through imitation
link- IMITATE
link sentence- "Jimmy emulates his dad by imitating him."
example- Most people emulate those they most admire.

Front 41

Incite
(en SIGHT)
verb

Back 41

to arouse to action
link- FIGHT
link sentence- "The pitcher's bean ball incited the batter to fight."
example- Waving a stick at Jerry's dog only incites him and increases the chance he will bite you.

Front 42

Austere
(aw STEER)
adjective

Back 42

stern, as in manner; without excess, unadorned, severely simple and plain
link- STEER
link sentence- "An austere steer is no fun at a party"
example- The austerity of life in the village was understandable. Many were jobless and evidence of poverty was everywhere.

Front 43

Palpable
(PAL puh bul)
adjective

Back 43

capable of being touched or felt
link- PAL THE BULL
link sentence- "Our pal, the bull, is palpable."
example- The answer is as palpable as the nose on your face.

Front 44

Gregarious
(gruh GAIR ee us)
adjective

Back 44

working and enjoying the company of others; sociable
link- GREG HILARIOUS
link sentence- "Gregarious Greg was hilarious."
example- Paige was so gregarious she hated to be alone.

Front 45

Pious
(PI us)
adjective

Back 45

Devout or virtuous; holy
link- PIE
link sentence- "A pious pis."
example- Elizabeth piously said her prayers every night before bed.

Front 46

Philanthropy
(fi LAN thruh pee)
noun

Back 46

love of mankind, especially through charitable gifts and deeds
link- PHIL ANTHROPY
link sentence- "Phil Anthropy was a philanthropist."
example- In the movie, "Good Sam", Gary Cooper's character was philanthropic, giving to anyone in need and keeping little for his own family.

Front 47

Ethereal
(i THER ee ul)
adjective

Back 47

very light; airy; delicate; heavenly
link- CEREAL
link sentence- "Ethereal cereal."
example- An ethereal mist covered the hill in the morning.

Front 48

Espouse
(eh SPOWZ)
verb

Back 48

to support in a very committed way
link- SPOUSE
link sentence- "Harold's spouse espoused a large family."
example- I espouse the idea that we eat dessert before dinner.

Front 49

Misanthropy
(MIS an thruh pee)
noun

Back 49

hatred of mankind
link- MISS ANTHROPY
link sentence- "Miss anthropy was a misanthropic person."
example- A more misanthropic person you never did see. He hates everyone.

Front 50

Culpable
(kuhl puh buhl)
adjective

Back 50

Worthy of blame
Origin: from culpa "crime, fault, blame." late 13 century. coupable, from O. Fr.
Related forms: culpability, culpableness, culpably, non culpability, unculpable
Link: Culprit
Link Sentence: The culprit is culpable for the crime.
Ex: Orleanna--in the Poisonwood Bible--must deal with her feelings of guilt, facing how she is partly culpable for what befalls her family.

Front 51

Intrepid
(in TREP id)
adjective

Back 51

fearless; bold
link- TRIP ED
link sentence- "Everyone considered David intrepid after he tripped ed, the bully, in the cafeteria."
example- The bullfighter was intrepid as he stood in the arena before the fierce bull.

Front 52

Catharsis
(kuh THAR sis)
noun

Back 52

an emotional or psychological cleansing that brings relief or renewal
link- CATS AND HORSES
link sentence- "Cat and horse catharsis."
example- After Jeremy returned to the French World War II battlefield he had known fifty years before, he said he found the experience cathartic.

Front 53

Portend
(por TEND)
verb

Back 53

to warn of as an omen; forecast
link- POOR END
link sentence- "His teacher portended that Billy would come to a poor end."
example- In ancient times a comet in the sky was considered a portentous event.

Front 54

Abate
(ah BAIT)
verb

Back 54

to reduce
link- BAIT
link sentence- "Abated bait."
example- Marta's defeat in the tennis tournament did not abate her zeal for the game.

Front 55

Fraught
(fraught)
adjective

Back 55

*teeming with; *laden
link- CAUGHT
link sentence- 'eric caught a boatload in a lake fraught with fish."
example- The freighter was fraught with cargo.

Front 56

Surreptitious
(sur ep TISH us)
adjective

Back 56

done or acting in a secret, sly manner
link- SUSPICIOUS
link sentence- "To escape from the circus, an elephant has to be surreptitious without being suspicious."
example- Ray was surreptitious in his approach to the campground so he was able to take everyone by surprise.

Front 57

Bolster
(BOHL ster)
verb

Back 57

to support, as in a group; to give a boost
link- HOLSTER
link sentence- "Members bolstered each other by wearing their holsters."
example- the coach saw it was time to bolster his team, so he gave them a pep talk

Front 58

Erudite
(ER yoo dyte)
adjective

Back 58

deeply learned, scholarly
link- AIRTIGHT
link sentence- "Knowing that his case was airtight, the defense attorney became confident and erudite."
example- The extent of Dr. Smith's library is an indication of his ERUDITION.)

Front 59

Bevy
(bev EE)
noun

Back 59

a group of animals; an assemblage
link- HEAVY
link sentence- "A bevy of heavies."
example- Bud's hunting dogs scared out a bevy of quail.

Front 60

Enmity
(EN mi tee)
noun

Back 60

hostility; deep-seated hatred
link- IN MY TEA
link sentence- "Sir Howard, I have great enmity for your dog's tongue in my tea."
example- The enmity between the teams was apparent to the spectators.

Front 61

Arduous
(AHR joo us)
adjective

Back 61

hard, difficult, tiresome
link- HARD ON US
link sentence- "The arduous snow-covered is hard on us."
example- The assignment given to the recruits was arduous, twenty miles with fill packs in the hot sun.