SAT Vocabulary Set 4

A hot meal can ameliorate the discomforts of even the coldest day.

ameliorate Definition: to improve; make better POS: verb Visual:

Considering the family’s tense mood, you handled the situation with aplomb.

aplomb Definition: great self-confidence in a difficult situation; keeping your cool POS: noun Visual:

They entered the army as callow recruits and left as seasoned veterans.

callow Definition: without experience; immature; not fully developed POS: adjective Visual:

Admitting when you have been fairly defeated is the epitome of sportsmanship.

epitome Definition: a classic “definition” or example of something; a summary, POS: noun Visual:

With dramatic gestures, our fans vigorously exhorted the team to play harder.

exhort Definition: to strongly urge someone to do something. POS: verb Visual:

If you continue to infringe on my responsibilities, will you also take the blame for my mistakes?

infringe Definition: to violate; trespass POS: verb Visual:

The crowd was so eager to see the band perform that they resented the opening singer as an interloper.

Interloper Definition: one who moves in where he/she is not wanted; an intruder POS: noun Visual:

It had been my father’s favorite book when he was my age, so it holds intrinsic meaning to me.

intrinsic Definition: internally true and genuine POS: adjective Visual:

You should not inveigh against the plan with quite so much vigor until you have read it.

inveigh Definition: to make a violent attack in words; to express strong disapproval POS: verb Visual:

On some days I am overcome by lassitude at the thought of so many more years of schooling.

lassitude Definition: tiredness; lack of energy POS: noun Visual:

In 1999 an argument raged over whether 2000 or 2001 would mark the beginning of the new millennium.

millennium Definition: a period of one thousand years; a period of great joy POS: noun Visual:

One need not rely on occult knowledge to grasp why things disappear in a house where black cats live.

occult Definition: mysterious, magical, supernatural; matters involving the supernatural POS: adjective; noun Visual:

The rain permeated all of my clothing and reduced the map in my pocket to a wet mess.

permeate Definition: to spread through, penetrate; soak through POS: verb Visual:

Some argue that more stringent laws against speeding will make our streets safer.

stringent Definition: strict; severe; sharp or bitter to the taste POS: adjective Visual:

I cannot be sure, but I surmise that she would not accept my apology even if I made it on my knee.

Surmise Definition: to think or believe without supporting evidence; to guess; an idea that lacks definite proof POS: verb; noun Visual: