Brainscape "SAT Crash Course" Flashcards
depredate
dep-rih-deyt
v. to plunder, pillage, destroy
v. to exploit
The Vikings depredated the whole valley.
genuflect
djen-yoo-flekt
v. to bend knee to ground (as in worship)
v. to grovel
The king’s subjects genuflected when he entered the room.
wend
wend
v. to go, proceed, walk
We wended our way through the market.
temerity
tuh-mer-i-tee
n. reckless boldness
The temerity of the pirate crew cost them their ship.
pelagic
puh-ladj-ik
adj. relating to open seas rather than waters adjacent to land
The pelagic organism was only found in the deepest part of the ocean.
froward
froh-werd
adj. intractable, stubbornly disobedient, difficult to manage
The froward mule sat down and refused to move all afternoon.
punctilious
puhngk-til-ee-uhs
adj. precise, paying attention to trivialities of etiquette
A secretary who punctiliously records every detail.
aphorism
af-uh-riz-uhm
n. a tersely phrased truth or opinion; adage; epigram
n. a brief statement of principle; or general truth
The children had finally learned the meaning of the aphorism “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”.
purloin
per-loin, per-loin
v. to steal
The manipulative thief purloined the diamonds after gaining the confidence of their location.
esoteric
es-uh-ter-ik
adj. intended for or understood only by a particular group
adj. not publicly disclosed; confidential
The esoteric ideas of the cult failed to enlighten many outsiders.
succor
suhk-er
n. relief during a time of struggle
The Red Cross provides succor to refugees in emergency shelters.
protean
proh-tee-uhn
adj. readily assuming different forms or characters
Fans regarded the protean actress as capable of playing any role.
callous
kal-uhs
adj. insensitive; having no feeling
The callous remark upset the entire family.
proscribe
proh-skrahyb
v. to prohibit or forbid as harmful or unlawful
Citizens pushed to proscribe swimming in the polluted lake.
denouement
dey-noo-mahn
n. an outcome or solution to a complex series of events
Though public interest slackened after the arsonist was caught, the denouement of the case was just as interesting as the manhunt that had preceded it.
supercilious
soo-per-sill-ee-uhs
adj. arrogant, overbearing; displaying condescending superiority over someone else
His supercilious behavior drove away many of his peers.
parley
pahr-lee
n. discussion between enemies, often to prepare terms of surrender
The longtime enemies held a parley to work on peace negotiations.
apoplectic
ap-uh-plek-tik
adj. furious; enraged; overcome with anger
adj. relating to a stroke
When Jim found out he was fired, he apoplectically stormed out of the office.
simper
sim-per
v. to say with a coy smile; to smirk
Dave simpered a feeble attempt at an apology.
miscegenation
mih-sedj-uh-ney-shuhn
n. the interbreeding of different races
n. any mixture or hybrid
The school cafeteria served an obscure miscegenation of ingredients as meatloaf.
androgynous
an-drodj-uh-nuhs
adj. hermaphroditic
adj. not distinguishable between male and female
The androgynous baby was only identifiable as a boy by its blue clothing.
covey
kuhv-ee
n. a family of partridges
n. a small group
Outside the classroom was a covey of giggling schoolgirls.
supine
adj. soo-pahyn
adj. inactive, lying on one’s back apathetically
adj. morally slack
The officials exhibited a supine acceptance of corruption.
cozen
kuhz-uhn
v. to cheat, beguile, or deceive
The corrupt televangelist cozened money from viewers by lying about charitable intentions.
