Note: This glossary includes only selected definitions—those that apply to the ways in which the SAT words are used in this book. For additional definitions, as well as for guidance on pronunciation, consult your dictionary. The numbers in brackets refer to the pages in this book on which you will find the words used.
A
abate, v. to reduce or become less in value, amount, or intensity: The storm abated. [172]
abhor, v. to regard with hatred or disgust, loathe, detest, abhorrent, adj. [46]
abject adj. miserable, wretched, abjectly, adv. [132]
abridge, v. to make shorter, reduce, compress. [98]
abstemious, adj. eating and drinking sparingly or in moderation, temperate. [173]
abstract, adj. 1. not thought of as an object or real thing or in connection with any specific example: Honesty and love are abstract words. 2. not dealing with or representing anything concrete or particular: abstract ideas; abstract art. [xi, 171, 182]
abstruse, adj. very hard to understand, deep, complicated. [101, 132, 171]
absurd, adj. unreasonable, nonsensical, foolish, stupid, ridiculous (SAT synonyms: farcical, ludicrous, preposterous). absurdity, n. [20, 59, 104]
absurd, n. the state or condition of ultimate meaninglessness in human life and in the universe: the theater of the absurd. [182]
abundance, n. a large amount, great supply, more than enough (SAT synonyms: plenitude, plethora, profusion). [2, 188]
abundant, adj. in great supply, plentiful (SAT synonym: copious). [212]
accomplice, n. someone who knowingly aids another in committing a crime. [268]
accord, n. agreement, harmony, concord.—of one’s own accord: by a person’s own choice or will, without outside influence, voluntarily. [251]
accordance, n. agreement, harmony: in accordance with your wishes. [68]
accost, v. to approach and speak to, often in an aggressive manner: A stranger accosted her on the street. [39]
acquiesce, v. to give in or agree without protest or complaint but also without interest or excitement. [153, 165, 273]
acquisition, n. 1. something acquired or owned. 2. the act of acquiring or owning things. [171]
acquisitive, adj. eager to acquire or own things. [201]
acrid, adj. harsh, burning, or biting to the taste or smell: the acrid smell of cigarette smoke. [271, 277]
acute, adj. sharp, intense (SAT synonym: keen). acutely, adv. [101]
adage, n. an old saying, a maxim or proverb. [79]
adamant adj. stubborn, unyielding, inflexible (SAT synonyms: hidebound, intractable, obdurate, obstinate). [94]
adept adj. very skillful, expert (SAT synonyms: adroit, deft, dexterous, proficient). [viii, 98]
adjacent adj. close, lying near but not necessarily in contact with. [7, 16, 35]
adjunct n. something separate and less important that is added to a main thing: The wallpaper section is an adjunct to the paint store. [68]
admonish, v. to warn, caution, scold, or criticize gently, esp. against doing something wrong or bad: The teacher admonished the class (cf. castigate, censure, upbraid). admonishment, n. [134, 237]
admonition, n. a mild criticism or reprimand, a gentle warning: an admonition to tell the truth, [xiii, 146]
adorn, v. to decorate or make beautiful. [11, 24]
adroit, adj. skillful or clever at doing a difficult thing (SAT synonyms: adept, deft, dexterous, proficient). adroitly, adv. [viii, 191, 265]
adversary, n. a person one fights against, enemy, opponent. [150, 268]
adv...
