SAT Vocabulary 1 Study Sheet

# Term Definition
1. anecdote a short, amusing story
2. temperate moderate, not extreme
3. innovative ahead of the times, like nothing ever seen
4. impugn to challenge as false
5. ambiguous open to several meanings or interpretations
6. animated full of life or spirit
7. anachronism something out of place in historical time
8. ambivalent uncertainty or fluctuation, mixed feelings
9. alleviate to make easier or endure
10. abstruse hard to understand
11. abstract apart from concrete, specific ideas or events
12. abase deprive of self-esteem or confidence
13. accessible easy to approach or enter
14. abstinence denial of an indulgence or appetite
15. acclaim enthusiastic approval or welcome
16. adherence faithful attachment
17. advocate to speak or write in favor of
18. clandestine Kept or done in secret
19. ethereal Of the celestial spheres; heavenly.
20. expunge to cause something to be forgotten
21. buffoon a person who does silly things, usually to make other people laugh
22. endemic native to or limited to a certain region
23. instigate To initiate or bring about, often by inciting
24. toady A person who flatters or defers to others for self-serving reasons; a sycophant
25. facile Working, acting, or done with ease and fluency
26. crony A longtime close friend or companion.
27. bandy To toss or throw back and forth
28. incendiary Causing or designed to cause fires
29. chafe To wear away or irritate by rubbing or friction
30. adjure To command or enjoin solemnly, as under oath
31. natal Of or associated with the time or place of one's birth
32. ductile Easily molded or shaped
33. contradict To be contrary to; be inconsistent with
34. palaver Talk intended to charm or beguile
35. visage The face or facial expression of a person; countenance
36. solecism A violation of etiquette
37. sedate habitually calm and composed in manner; serene
38. complaisant Exhibiting a desire or willingness to please; cheerfully obliging
39. cleave To split with a sharp instrument
40. modicum moderate or small amount
41. staid of a settled, sedate, and steady character
42. bluster To speak in a loudly arrogant or bullying manner.
43. epistle A letter, especially a formal one.
44. lubricity smoothness or slipperiness
45. askance With disapproval, suspicion, or distrust:
46. winnow To examine closely in order to separate the good from the bad; sift