SAT Vocabulary Unit 2

Directions  Copy the word, part of speech, definition, and synonyms  Your quiz is Monday, 02 December

Accost  The nobleman was accosted by beggars on his way to the castle.  (v). To approach/confront in a challenging or aggressive way  Synonyms: confront, detain, hound

Animadversion  The inexperienced filmmaker was discouraged by the animadversion of the film critic.  (n.) a comment indicating strong criticism or disapproval.  Synonyms: rebuke, insult

Avid  Most writers are also avid readers who have loved books since childhood.  (adj.) desirous of something to the point of greed; intensely eager  Synonyms: enthusiastic, passionate, eager

Brackish  The shipwrecked passengers adrift on the lifeboat became ill after drinking brackish water.  (adj.) having a salty taste/unpleasant to drink  Synonyms: saline, briny, salty

Celerity  Although the heavy snowfall was not expected, the highway department responded with surprising celerity.  (n.) swiftness, rapidity of motion or action  Synonyms: haste, speediness

Devious  The interrogator used devious methods to try to get the suspect to incriminate himself.  (adj.) done or acting in a shifty or underhanded way.  Synonyms: Tricky, deceitful, shady

Gambit  The early, aggressive discounts are opening gambit in what's expected to be a positive selling season for toys.  (n.) an opening move that involves risk in order to gain a later advantage.  Synonyms: maneuver, scheme, strategy

Halcyon  The woman often spoke of the halcyon days of her childhood.  (adj.) calm, peaceful, happy  Synonyms: untroubled, heavenly

Histrionic  Jenna is known to be histrionic, making even the smallest issues seem like a big deal.  (adj.) melodramatic  Synonyms: theatrical, over-the- top, exaggerated

Incendiary  The arsonist planted an incendiary device in the basement of the store.  (adj.) designed to start fires; tending to stir up strife or rebellion  Synonyms: combustible, provocative, inflammatory  The radical incendiary was sentenced to life imprisonment.  (n.) one who causes strife.  Synonyms: radical, dissenter, malcontent

Maelstrom  Many innocent people caught in the maelstrom of the revolution lost their lives and property.  (n.) a situation resembling a whirlpool in violence and destruction; a whirlpool of great size.  Synonyms: chaos, turbulence, tumult

Myopic  The myopic foreign policy of the last administration has led to serious problems with our allies.  (adj.) nearsighted; lacking a broad, realistic view of a situation.  Synonyms: shortsighted

Overt  In order for congress to declare war, the president must demonstrate an overt threat.  (adj.) open, not hidden, expressed or revealed in a way that is easily recognized.  Synonyms: clear, obvious

Pejorative  The lawyer was accused of making a pejorative remark when referring to the defendant’s background.  (adj.) derogatory; expressing disapproval or disparagement, belittling

Propriety  The social worker questioned the propriety of the police’s request to see confidential records.  (n.) the state of being proper (pl.) standards of what is proper or socially acceptable.  Synonyms: correctness

Sacrilege  The anthropologist was accused of committing sacrilege when she disturbed a burial ground.  (n.) improper or disrespectful treatment of something held sacred.  Synonyms: desecration, profanation, defilement

Summarily  As soon as there was evidence of criminal wrongdoing, the official was summarily ousted from his post.  (adv.) without delay or formality; briefly, concisely  Synonyms: promptly, quickly

Suppliant  He made a suppliant address to the parole board.  (adj.) asking humbly and earnestly  Stranded in the deserted city of Moscow, Napoleon had to turn to the czar not as a conqueror but as a suppliant.  (n.) one who makes a request humbly and earnestly.

Talisman  Most people do not believe that rabbit’s feet and other talismans actually bring good luck.  (n.) an object that serves as a charm or is believed to confer magical powers; an amulet

Undulate  The baseball fans began to undulate as they cheered, so that they appeared to move in waves.  (v.) to move in waves or with wave-like motion; to have a wave-like appearance  Synonyms: fluctuate; rise and fall

Reminder Your quiz is Monday, 02 December (The Monday we return from break)

Heroes do not merely exist in literary books, movies or animated shows. In fact, the most important demonstrations of heroism are the ones seen in everyday life. Most of us have 'heroes,' people we greatly admire. Consider the qualities of a person (or group) you consider heroic. Compose an essay of at least three paragraphs explaining why this person is your hero. Use at least 5 of the words from unit 2 (underline the words you use).