Deck 8 Flashcards Preview

SAT Vocabulary > Deck 8 > Flashcards

Flashcards in Deck 8 Deck (50)
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1
Q

orator

A

one recognized as a skillful public speaker

2
Q

ornate

A

excessively or elaborately decorated

3
Q

ostentatious

A

trying to attract attention

4
Q

overt

A

not hidden from view; out in the open

5
Q

pacifist

A

one opposed to war or any other form of violence

6
Q

paradox

A

something apparently contradictory in nature; statement that looks false, but is actually correct

7
Q

paragon

A

model of perfection

8
Q

parody

A

humorous imitation (of a serious literary or musical work, a person, an event)

9
Q

partisan

A

committed to a particular party or cause

10
Q

patronize

A

(1) provide support for
(2) act superior toward
(3) be a customer of

11
Q

paucity

A

smallness of quantity or number

12
Q

pedantic

A

overly concerned with small details, especially when teaching; tending to show off one’s learning

13
Q

pedestrian

A

performed in an unimaginative manner

14
Q

perfunctory

A

lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; not thorough

15
Q

peripheral

A

related to the surface or outer part; of minor importance

16
Q

pernicious

A

very destructive

17
Q

perpetuate

A

make something last; preserve from extinction

18
Q

pervasive

A

spread throughout every part

19
Q

pessimism

A

belief that things will turn out badly; tendency to expect the worst

20
Q

phenomena

A

observable facts; subjects of scientific investigation

21
Q

philanthropist

A

one who actively attempts to further human welfare

22
Q

piety

A

religious devotion

23
Q

pithy

A

terse and to the point

24
Q

placate

A

make (someone) less angry or hostile; pacify

25
Q

plausible

A

appearing to be worth believing (but often not)

26
Q

polarize

A

spilt into opposed extremes or camps

27
Q

polemical

A

aggressive in verbal attack

28
Q

ponderous

A

very heavy; awkward because of its heaviness; tedious and lacking fluency or grace

29
Q

pragmatic

A

concerned with the practical worth or impact of something; dealing with facts

30
Q

precarious

A

dependent on unknown conditions or circumstances, and therefore dangerous

31
Q

preclude

A

keep from happening; exclude the possibility

32
Q

precocious

A

advanced in development

33
Q

precursor

A

someone or something that precedes another

34
Q

predator

A

creature that seizes and devours another; person who robs or exploits others

35
Q

predecessor

A

former occupant of a position or office now held by another

36
Q

predilection

A

tendency to regard something favorably

37
Q

presumptuous

A

taking liberties; excessively forward

38
Q

pretentious

A

making an exaggerated show, to attract attention; making unjustified claims

39
Q

prevalent

A

generally accepted

40
Q

prodigal

A

reckless with money

41
Q

profane

A

treat in an unworthy manner

42
Q

profound

A

having depth (especially intellectual); coming from far below the surface

43
Q

profusion

A

abundant quantity; lavish expenditure

44
Q

proliferation

A

rapid increase in numbers

45
Q

prolific

A

highly productive

46
Q

proponent

A

one who advocates or argues for something

47
Q

prosaic

A

dull and unimaginative

48
Q

provincial

A

pertaining to a province; lacking urban sophistication; limited in outlook

49
Q

proximity

A

state of being close

50
Q

prudent

A

shrewd in handling practical matters; showing wisdom