SAT Words 32-36 Root 7

32. cupidity His cupidity led him to embezzle, and in the end, resulted in a prison sentence.

cupidity Definition: greed, especially for money (cue-PID-ih-tee) noun Looks like: cupid Picture… Cupid using his bow and arrow to hold up a bank Definition: greed, especially for money

Its moral decadence means a decay of conscience.

decadence Definition: moral decay or decline (DEK-uh-dents) noun Sounds like: deck of dance Picture… two very conservative ladies aboard a cruise ship. They’re discussing what goes on down on the dance deck. “It’s disgusting,” says one. “They get drunk and they dance all night…” “They’re animals,” says the other. “That’s all I can say. They’re morally-corrupt, filthy, and decadent.” Other forms: decadent (adjective); decadently (adverb) Definition: moral decay or decline

He responded with courtly deference, giving them his full attention.

deference (DEFF-er-ense) noun Sounds like: deafer ants Picture… a family of ants arriving at a music hall. All the ants in this family have trouble with their hearing, but the grandparents are nearly deaf. The younger members of the family, acknowledging that the grandparents are deafer, allow them to sit in the front, closest to the musicians. They’re showing deference to their elders. Other forms: defer (verb); deferential (adj.) Definition: the act of yielding to someone else out of respect

35. depleted The food stamps were exhausted; the staples from the local food pantry depleted.

depleted (dee-PLEET-id) verb Sounds like: the pleated Picture… a saleswoman talking to a customer who is looking through a rack of pants. “I’m sorry,” she says, “but the pleated ones are all gone.” Other forms: depletion (noun); depletable (adjective) Definition: emptied; drained; used up

36. deplore We deplore deeply the reign of terror that has existed in the northern section of this country for many months.

deplore (dee-PLOR) verb Sounds like: deep lure Picture… two fish in the ocean, discussing a fisherman’s baited hook. First fish: “This is disgusting. We’re five hundred feet down and we have to look at plastic worms? Why would anyone use such deep lures, anyway?” Second fish: “I guess they’re just not interested in those shallow fish that live upstairs.”  Other form: deplorable (adjective) Definition: to express regret or disapproval; complain; criticize

Locals tend to congregate in the indoor dining room year-round. Root 7: greg Locals tend to congregate in the indoor dining room year-round.

greg Meaning: flock, herd Sample words: gregarious, congregate, segregation