adapt
2 uses
Ideas contained in passages for this test, some of which are excerpted or adapted from published material, do not necessarily represent the opinions of the College Board.
adapted = changed (to fit this situation)
Definition
Generally adapt means:change to fit a different situation; or make suitable
or more rarely: to be especially well-suited or appropriate for something without the need to make a change
or more rarely: to be especially well-suited or appropriate for something without the need to make a change
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
avert
11 uses
We are trying to avert a strike.
avert = prevent
Definition
Generally avert means:prevent from happening
or:
turn away or aside — often to turn your eyes away from something
or:
turn away or aside — often to turn your eyes away from something
Word Statistics
| Book | 11 uses |
| Library | 7 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
contrast
2 uses
1 —2 uses as in:
contrast their writing styles
Contrast winter in Panama with winter in Alaska.
contrast = point to differences between; or compare to show differences
Word Statistics
| Book | 2 uses |
| Library | 6 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
defile
4 uses
They defiled the river by emptying raw sewage into it.
defiled = polluted
Definition
Generally this sense of defile means:to dirty the beauty or purity of something
in various senses, including:
- pollute a pristine lake
- harm a reputation or good name
- damage or disrespect something sacred
- take a person's virginity in a disrespectful way
Word Statistics
| Book | 4 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
deride
8 uses
Critics derided her as unprofessional.
derided = laughed at or made fun of—while showing a lack of respect
Definition
Generally deride means:laugh at or make fun of—while showing a lack of respect
Word Statistics
| Book | 8 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
embryo
35 uses
The doctor implanted multiple embryos to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
embryos = a human in the first eight weeks of development (prior to the fetal stage and then birth)
(editor's note: A biology teacher will tell you that embryo describes the first eight weeks of human development prior to the fetal stage when organs have formed. But embryonic is also used to describe anything in the early stages of development, and Huxley uses embryo loosely to describe the developing human organism up until the time of birth.)
(editor's note: A biology teacher will tell you that embryo describes the first eight weeks of human development prior to the fetal stage when organs have formed. But embryonic is also used to describe anything in the early stages of development, and Huxley uses embryo loosely to describe the developing human organism up until the time of birth.)
Definition
Generally embryo means:an organism in the early stages of growth prior to birth, hatching, or sprouting; in humans the first eight weeks of development (prior to the fetal stage)
Word Statistics
| Book | 35 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
establish
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
establish that there is a need
The passage is primarily about establishing the relationship between the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and global temperature.
establishing = showing or demonstrating
Definition
Generally this sense of establish means:show or determine (cause to be recognized or figure out)
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
illustrate
1 use
1 —1 use as in:
as illustrated by this example
Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.
illustrate = make clear
Definition
Generally this sense of illustrate means:to help make clear — typically by example
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
indefatigable
7 uses
She is an indefatigable fund raiser for the cause.
indefatigable = energetic without showing sign of tiring
Definition
Generally indefatigable means:energetic without sign of tiring
Word Statistics
| Book | 7 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 2 |
profound
10 uses
1 —10 uses as in:
profound sadness
Her apology was heartfelt—expressing profound sorrow and regret.
profound = of greatest intensity or emotional depth
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 9 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 6 |
propaganda
10 uses
There is no free press in that country — just government-approved propaganda.
propaganda = one-sided information spread to influence opinions
Definition
Generally propaganda means:one-sided information that is purposefully spread to influence opinions — often misleading information of a political nature
Word Statistics
| Book | 10 uses |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
relevant
1 use
It is easier to learn things that seem relevant to your life.
relevant = related in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Definition
Generally relevant means:relating in a meaningful way to the issue in question
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 10 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
senile
5 uses
Her memory is getting worse and she's afraid of going senile.
senile = (into) mental weakness caused by old age
Definition
Generally senile means:mental weakness caused by old age; or describing a medical condition as caused by old age
Word Statistics
| Book | 5 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |
solidarity
13 uses
The incident threatens Arab solidarity.
solidarity = agreement and mutual support
Definition
Generally solidarity means:a state of agreement and support — especially for political action
Word Statistics
| Book | 13 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 1000 |
| 1st use | Chapter 3 |
squalid
3 uses
She lives in a squalid overcrowded apartment in the poorest part of town.
squalid = dirty and unpleasant
Definition
Generally squalid means:dirty and unpleasant; or (more rarely) immoral
Word Statistics
| Book | 3 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 12 |
surrogate
27 uses
The candidate stays positive by using surrogates to attack her opponent.
surrogates = people taking the place of another
Definition
Generally surrogate means:someone (or something) taking the place of another
Word Statistics
| Book | 27 uses |
| Library | 1 use in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
synthetic
24 uses
The couch is covered with synthetic leather.
synthetic = artificial (man-made rather than natural)
Definition
Generally synthetic means:artificial (man-made rather than natural); or not genuine
Word Statistics
| Book | 24 uses |
| Library | 2 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
tone
32 uses
Which of the following words best maintains the tone established in this passage.
tone = general feeling
Definition
Generally this sense of tone means:the general feeling, mood, or attitude of something — especially of something said or written
Word Statistics
| Book | 32 uses |
| Library | 5 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 500 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
yield (2 meanings)
2 meanings, 2 uses
1 —1 use as in:
will yield valuable data
The discovery could yield a more effective treatment for diabetes.
yield = produce (lead to)
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to produce (usually something wanted); or the thing or amount produced
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 4 uses in 10 avg bks |
| SAT®* | top 100 |
| 1st use | Chapter 1 |
2 —1 use as in:
yield to pressure
The country vowed not to yield to pressure from its larger neighbors.
yield = give in
Definition
Generally this sense of yield means:to give in, give way, or give up
Word Statistics
| Book | 1 use |
| Library | 13 uses in 10 avg bks |
| 1st use | Chapter 11 |