Tooth and Nail: A Novel Approach to the SAT (A Harvest Test Preparation Book)

by Charles Harrington Elster

], [>]]

  euphemism, n. a more pleasant word or phrase used in place of another felt to be unpleasant: “The bathroom” is a euphemism for “the toilet.” [[>]]

  evade, v. to escape or avoid through trickery or cleverness: to evade responsibility (SAT synonym: elude). [[>], [>], [>]]

  evanescent, adj. vanishing, short-lived, fleeting: the evanescent autumn, [[>], [>]]

  evasive, adj. meaning to evade, not forthright; indirect, intentionally vague or misleading: an evasive maneuver. [[>], [>], [>]]

  evocative, adj. having the power to call forth certain ideas or memories: an evocative poetic image. [[>]]

  evolution, n. the gradual process of the development of something: the evolution of an idea into a work of art. [[>]]

  exacerbate, v. to increase the severity of, aggravate: Her attitude exacerbated the tension. [[>], [>]]

  exalted, adj. elevated in position, character, rank, etc. or made to seem so (SAT synonym: glorified). [[>]]

  exasperate, v. to irritate extremely, to try the patience of. [[>], [>], [>]]

  exceptional, adj. extraordinary, outstanding, exceptionally, adv. [[>], [>], [>], [>], [>]]

  exclusive, adj. admitting only certain people as friends or members: an exclusive sorority. [[>]]

  exegesis, n. detailed explanation or analysis, esp. of a text. [[>]]

  exemplary, adj. worthy to serve as a model. [[>]]

  exert, v. to put forth or bring to bear: to exert pressure, [[>], [>], [>]]

  exonerate, v. to declare blameless, find innocent: They were exonerated of any responsibility in the affair. [[>]]

  exorbitant, adj. far beyond what is usual or proper; excessive: exorbitant rents; exorbitant expectations (SAT synonym: extravagant). [[>], [>]]

  exotic, adj. 1. unfamiliar, strikingly different. 2. from faraway places of the world, alien. [[>], [>], [>], [>]]

  expanse, n. a wide and open space: an unlimited expanse of prairie. [[>]]

  expedient, n. a means to an end. [[>]]

  expertise, n. specialized skill or knowledge. [[>]]

  explicit, adj. clearly defined, definite, precise: He made his expectations explicit, explicitly, adv. [[>], [>], [>]]

  exploit, n. a daring deed, heroic feat: the exploits of King Arthur and his knights. [[>]]

  exploit, v. 1. to use productively or to greatest advantage: to exploit an idea. 2. to use in a selfish way: to exploit others’ labor, exploitable, adj. [[>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>]]

  expound, v. to explain by giving detail: to expound a point of view. [[>], [>]]

  exquisite, adj. of extreme beauty and excellence. [[>]]

  extant adj. still existing: the few extant works of the Etruscans. [[>], [>]]

  extract v. to remove with effort, to obtain despite resistance. [[>]]

  extracurricular, adj. not part of the regular course of study of a school or college. [[>]]

  extravagant, adj. excessive, immoderate, extremely wasteful (SAT synonyms: exorbitant, lavish). [[>]]

  exultant adj. filled with great joy, expressing triumph (SAT synonym: jubilant). [[>], [>]]

  exultation, n. great rejoicing and jubilation, the state of being exultant. [[>]]

  F

  fabricate, v. to make up, invent, devise: to fabricate a story, fabrication, n. [[>], [>], [>]]

  facade, n. an artificial or deceptive appearance. [[>]]

  facetious, adj. meant to be funny or playfully disrespectful, facetiously, adv. [[>], [>], [>]]

  facilitate, v. to make easier. [[>], [>]]

  facsimile, n. an exact copy: a facsimile of a painting. [[>]]

  faculty, n. a power or capability of the mind or body, either natural or acquired. [[>]]

  fanatic, n. a person motivated by extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, fanaticism, n. [[>]]

  fanatical, adj. excessively enthusiastic or devoted (SAT synonym: zealous). [[>], [>], [>]]

  farcical, adj. laughable, comical, ridiculous (SAT synonyms: absurd, ludicrous, preposterous). [[>]]

  far-fetched, adj. not likely to be true or to happen: a far-fetched story; a farfetched plan. [[>]]

  fastidious, adj. 1. overly particular, hard to please. 2. excessively sensitive in matters of taste. 3. extremely careful about details (SAT synonyms: conscientious, meticulous, painstaking, scrupulous). [[>], [>], [>]]

  fathom, v. to figure out or get to the bottom of (cf. unfathomable). [[>], [>]]

  fatuous, adj. silly or stupid in a complacent way (SAT synonym: inane). [[>], [>]]

  feign, v. to fake, make believe, pretend: to feign illness. [[>], [>], [>], [>]]

  feisty, adj. full of spirit or nerve. [[>]]

  felicitous, adj. well suited or appropriate: a felicitous expression (SAT synonym: apt). [[>]]

  fertile, adj. productive; able to produce offspring, seeds, fruit, etc. in great quantities: fertile land (SAT synonym: prolific; cf. arable). [[>], [>]]

  fervent, adj. full of intense feeling or spirit: a fervent plea (SAT synonyms: ardent, avid, zealous). [[>], [>], [>]]

  fervid, adj. glowing with feeling, fiery: a fervid desire (SAT synonyms: ardent, torrid). [[>]]

  fetid, adj. having an offensive smell (as of decay), stinking. [[>]]

  fiasco, n. a total and ignominious failure. [[>]]

  fickle, adj. not loyal or constant (as in affections), given to casual change (SAT synonym: capricious). [[>]]

  fidelity, n. faithfulness to a person, cause, or duty; loyalty. [[>]]

  fitful, adj. irregular, intermittent: fitful sleep. [[>]]

  flamboyant, adj. 1. flashy, showy, striking (SAT synonym: ostentatious). 2. colorful or showy in style. [[>], [>]]

  florid, adj. overly decorated, flowery: a florid writing style (SAT synonym: ornate). [[>], [>], [>]]

  flourish, v. to grow with vigor, thrive, succeed, flourishing, adj. (SAT synonym: burgeoning). [[>]]

  flourish, n. a loud, lively sounding of trumpets. [[>]]

  foolhardy, adj. bold in a foolish, reckless manner (SAT synonyms: imprudent rash). [[>], [>], [>]]

  forbidding, adj. grim, sinister, menacing. [[>], [>], [>]]

  forge, v. to make or imitate in order to deceive; to counterfeit: to forge a check. [[>]]

  forgery, n. an imitation (as of a signature or document) intended to be passed off as the real thing; a counterfeit. [[>], [>]]

  formidable, adj. 1. inspiring fear, dread, or amazement. 2. awesome, intimidating. [[>], [>], [>]]

  forthright, adj. going straight to the point without hesitation, frank, direct: a forthright answer. [[>]]

  fortuitous, adj. occurring by chance, accidental (SAT synonyms: see random). [[>], [>]]

  Usage note: Be careful not to confuse fortuitous with fortunate, meaning “lucky.” A fortuitous discovery is accidental, unexpected, and may or may not be fortunate.

  frivolous, adj. 1. unimportant, not worth serious attention (SAT synonyms: insignificant paltry, petty, trivial). 2. lacking seriousness, irresponsible, silly, frivolity, n. [[>], [>], [>], [>]]

  frugal, adj. careful in spending, using one’s money or resources carefully and sparingly, thrifty, economical (SAT synonym: prudent). [[>], [>], [>]]

  fruitful, adj. yielding good or rich results, productive: a fruitful meeting. [[>]]

  fruitless, adj. producing nothing, useless, not successful. [[>]]

  furtive, adj. sly, stealthy, shifty, underhanded (SAT synonyms: clandestine, covert, devious, surreptitious). furtively, adv. [[>], [>], [>], [>], [>]]

  futile, adj. of no use, ineffective, pointless, futility, n. [[>], [>], [>], [>], [>]]

  G

  galvanize, v. to rouse to action, excite (SAT synonym: stimulate). [[>], [>]]

  garish, adj. excessively showy, flashy (SAT synonyms: gaudy, tawdry). [[>]]

  garrulous, adj. overly talkative, esp. about unimportant things (SAT synonym: loquacious). [[>], [>]]

  gaudy, adj. excessively showy in a tasteless way (SAT synonyms: garish, tawdry). [[>]]

  genteel, adj. elegant, courteous, refined
(SAT synonyms: sophisticated, suave, urbane). [[>], [>]]

  germane, adj. pert, to what is under consideration or being discussed (SAT synonyms: pertinent, relevant). [[>]]

  giddy, adj. dizzy, lightheaded. [[>]]

  girth, n. a measure around something, esp. a person’s waist; circumference; size. [[>]]

  glorify, v. 1. to honor or praise highly. 2. to make something seem much better than it actually is. glorified, adj. (SAT synonym: exalted). [[>]]

  glum, adj. gloomy, moody, dejected (SAT synonyms: see morose). glumly, adv. [[>], [>]]

  grandeur, n. magnificence, splendor. [[>]]

  grandiloquent, adj. speaking in a lofty, pompous, or overblown manner (SAT synonym: bombastic). [[>]]

  grandiose, adj. 1. impressive, magnificent (SAT synonym: imposing). 2. affectedly grand (SAT synonym: ostentatious, pretentious). [[>], [>], [>], [>]]

  grapple, v. to engage in a struggle at close quarters, wrestle, vie. [[>], [>]]

  gratify, v. to please, satisfy, delight, gratified, adj. [[>], [>], [>], [>], [>]] grave, adj. 1. serious, dignified, formal, grim: a grave person; a grave occasion (SAT synonyms: austere, somber, staid). 2. extremely important, momentous: a grave decision. [[>], [>], [>]]

  gravity, n. seriousness, importance, weight. [[>]]

  gregarious, adj. liking the companionship of others, sociable (SAT synonym: convivial). [[>]]

  grimace, v. to twist the face in an expression of pain, disapproval, frustration, or contempt. [[>], [>], [>]]

  grotesque, adj. odd, misshapen, or horrible in appearance. [[>], [>]]

  guise, n. external appearance, esp. if false. [[>], [>]]

  H

  hackneyed, adj. made commonplace or dull by overuse: a hackneyed plot (SAT synonym: trite). [[>]]

  halcyon, adj. calm, peaceful, unruffled (SAT synonyms: placid, serene, tranquil). [[>]]

  hamper, v. to restrict the movements of, hinder, interfere with (SAT synonym: impede). [[>], [>], [>]]

  haphazard, adj. characterized by lack of order or direction, accidental, not planned (SAT synonyms: see random). [[>], [>], [>]]

  harass, v. to annoy or irritate, trouble, worry, pester, badger, torment. [[>], [>], [>]]

  harmonious, adj. 1. orderly and pleasing in sound or arrangement. 2. in accord-or agreement. [[>], [>]]

  haughty, adj. self-satisfied and scornful of others, excessively proud (SAT synonyms: arrogant, imperious, supercilious). [[>], [>], [>]]

  headlong, adv. literally, headfirst; figuratively, recklessly. [[>]]

  hedonist, n. a person who follows a way of life devoted to the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain, hedonistic, adj. [[>], [>]]

  heresy, n. a belief that differs from an orthodox religious doctrine or from an established belief or standard, heretical, adj. [[>], [>]]

  heterogeneous, adj. consisting of dissimilar parts, elements, or members: American society is heterogeneous. [[>]]

  hidebound, adj. inflexible, close-minded, conservative, stubbornly stuck in one’s ways (SAT synonyms: adamant, intractable, obdurate, obstinate). [[>]]

  hierarchy, n. a rigid ranking of persons or things with each rank subject to or dependent upon those above it: a corporate hierarchy. [[>]]

  hindrance, n. someone or something that delays or blocks progress; an obstruction (SAT synonym: impediment). [[>]]

  histrionic, adj. 1. pert, to actors or acting. 2. overly dramatic or emotional, affected, insincere (SAT synonym: melodramatic). [[>], [>]]

  hoax, n. an act meant to trick or fool, fraud, fakery (SAT synonym: deception). []

  hostile, adj. exhibiting opposition, open distrust, dislike, ill will, or hatred: a hostile attitude (SAT synonyms: antagonistic, belligerent). hostility, n. (SAT synonyms: animosity, antagonism, enmity). [[>], [>]]

  hypocritical, adj. appearing to possess a virtue one lacks, insincere, fraudulent, two-faced. [[>]]

  hypothesis (pl. hypotheses), n. an assumption made for the sake of argument or further study. [[>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>]]

  hypothetical, adj. based on a hypothesis (cf. theoretical), hypothetically, adv. [[>]]

  I

  iconoclastic, adj. attacking or opposing accepted, established beliefs or customs. [[>]]

  ideological, adj. relating to or based on ideas, esp. the ideas characteristic of a particular culture or group. [[>]]

  idiom, n. 1. an expression whose meaning cannot be understood by putting together the usual meanings of each separate word: “To put your nose to the grindstone” is an idiom meaning “to stick to a job and work hard.” 2. the way of speaking typical of a certain group of people: the idiom of the South; political idiom (cf. jargon). [[>]]

  idiosyncrasy, n. a characteristic or quality peculiar to a particular person; a quirk (SAT synonym: eccentricity). idiosyncratic, adj. (SAT synonym: eccentric). [[>], [>]]

  ill-conceived, adj. badly planned. [[>], [>]]

  illegible, adj. difficult or impossible to read, printed or written unclearly. [[>]]

  illicit, adj. unlawful, illegal. [[>]]

  illuminate, v. 1. to light up, brighten. 2. to make clear, provide understanding, enable to understand (SAT synonyms: clarify, elucidate, enlighten). 3. to decorate (a manuscript, page, letter) in gold or silver or colors, illuminated, adj. illuminating, adj. (SAT synonyms: edifying, enlightening). [[>], [>], [>], , [>], [>]]

  illustrious, adj. very well known, celebrated (SAT synonyms: see prominent). [[>], [>]]

  immaculate, adj. spotlessly clean, immaculately, adv. [[>], [>]]

  imminent, adj. about to happen: an imminent crisis (SAT synonym: impending). [[>]]

  immortality, n. unending life or fame. [[>]]

  immune, adj. not susceptible to (as a disease), unaffected by. [[>], [>]]

  immutable, adj. not changeable; fixed: the immutable laws of nature. [[>], [>]]

  impart, v. to give or grant a share or portion of. [[>]]

  impartial, adj. fair, just, not biased, not prejudiced (SAT synonyms: dispassionate, indifferent, objective). impartiality, n. [[>], [>], [>], [>]]

  impasse, n. a predicament from which there is no escape, a deadlock. [[>]]

  impassive, adj. unaffected by emotion, giving no sign of feeling (SAT synonyms: stoic and see phlegmatic). [[>]]

  impeccable, adj. without fault, flaw, or blemish, impeccably, adv. [[>], [>]]

  impede, v. to hinder, interfere with, obstruct (SAT synonym: hamper). [[>], [>]]

  impediment, n. an obstacle, something that interferes with progress (SAT synonym: hindrance). [[>], [>], [>]]

  impending, adj. about to happen: an impending storm (SAT synonym: imminent). [[>]]

  imperative, adj. absolutely necessary, urgent. [[>], [>], [>]]

  imperious, adj. proud, overbearing, dictatorial (SAT synonyms: arrogant, haughty, supercilious). imperiously, adv. [[>], [>]]

  impermeable, adj. not permitting passage (as of a liquid) through or into: an impermeable membrane. [[>]]

  impervious, adj. unreceptive to, unaffected by: impervious to all pleas (SAT synonym: immune). [[>]]

  impetuous, adj. acting suddenly and forcefully, with much emotion and little thought; hasty, overeager, impatient. [[>], [>], [>], [>]]

  impetuous, rash, and impulsive all refer to hasty or sudden actions or to people who act first and think later. Impetuous suggests great energy, eagerness, or impatience. Rash suggests reckless haste and foolish daring. Impulsive suggests an ungovernable inner force that drives one to act without thinking.

  implausible, adj. difficult to believe, not plausible. [[>], [>], [>]]

  implicate, v. to connect (someone) to a plot, crime, etc. [[>]]

  implication, n. a hint, suggestion, something implied (cf. insinuation). [[>], [>], [>]]

  imply, v. to say indirectly, suggest without directly stating: His manner implied that he didn’t believe us (see infer). implied, adj. implying, adj. [[>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>], [>]]

  imposing, adj. impressive in appearance,
manner, or size (SAT synonym: grandiose). [[>], [>], [>], [>], [>]]

  impoverished, adj. without money or resources. [[>], [>]]

  impregnable, adj. not able to be entered, penetrated, conquered, or overcome. [[>]]

  impressionable, adj. easily affected or influenced, sensitive. [[>]]

  improbable, adj. unlikely to be true or to occur. [[>], ]

  impromptu, adj. not planned or prepared, produced on the spur of the moment, offhand (SAT synonym: spontaneous). [[>], [>]]

  impropriety, n. an improper act or an unacceptable use of language. [[>]]

  imprudent, adj. unwise, lacking good judgment, not prudent (SAT synonyms: foolhardy, rash). [[>]]

  impudent, adj. rude, disrespectful (SAT synonym: insolent). [[>]]

  impulsive, adj. acting or occurring suddenly without plan or forethought, motivated by impulse (SAT synonyms: capricious, spontaneous, and see impetuous). [[>], [>]]

  inadvertent adj. not intentional, inadvertently, adv. [[>], [>]]

  inane, adj. without point or meaning, silly, foolish: an inane comment (SAT synonym: fatuous). [[>], [>], [>]]

  inaudible, adj. not capable of being heard, not audible. [[>]]

  incantation, n. a formula of words used to produce a magical result. [[>]]

  incarcerate, v. to put in prison, imprison, incarceration, n. [[>]]

  incessant, adj. unceasing, continuing without interruption: incessant noise. incessantly, adv. [[>], [>]]

  incoherent, adj. not expressed in a clear, orderly manner; hard to make sense of, disjointed, disorganized, not coherent. [[>], [>], [>]]

  incompetent, adj. without ability or skill, not competent. [[>]]

  incomprehensible, adj. impossible to understand, not comprehensible. [[>]]

  inconceivable, adj. not possible to imagine, unbelievable, unthinkable. [[>]]

  inconclusive, adj. not definite or final, leaving room for doubt, without conclusion or result, not conclusive. [[>]]

  inconspicuous, adj. not easily noticeable, not obvious, not conspicuous. [[>]]

  incontrovertible, adj. indisputable, unquestionable, not possible to argue with. [[>]]

  incorrigible, adj. incapable of being corrected, improved, or reformed. [[>