SAT/ACT Vocabulary List for 07/20/2010

Here is today's word list:

• abridge (v.): To make shorter in words, keeping the essential features, leaning out minor particles.
• ado (n.): unnecessary activity or ceremony.
• ameliorate (v.): To relieve, as from pain or hardship
• apparent (adj.): Easily understood.
• augment (v.): To make bigger.
• besmear (v.): To smear over, as with any oily or sticky substance.
• bulrush (n.): Any one of various tall rush-like plants growing in damp ground or water.
• characterize (v.): To describe by distinctive marks or peculiarities.
• complement (v.): To make complete.
• constable (n.): An officer whose duty is to maintain the peace.
• countervail (v.): To offset.
• defame (v.): To slander.
• despicable (adj.): Contemptible.
• disinfectant (n.): A substance used to destroy the germs of infectious diseases.
• drachma (n.): A modern and an ancient Greek coin.;
• eminent (adj.): High in station, merit, or esteem.
• et cetera Latin.; And so forth. ():
• exterior (n.): That which is outside.
• fluctuate (v.): To pass backward and forward irregularly from one state or degree to another.
• furtherance (n.): Advancement.
• guinea (n.): An English monetary unit.
• hydrometer (n.): An instrument for determining the density of solids and liquids by flotation.;
• impolitic (adj.): Inexpedient.
• indomitable (adj.): Unconquerable.
• instantaneous (adj.): Done without perceptible lapse of time.
• invulnerable (adj.): That can not be wounded or hurt.
• landmark (n.): A familiar object in the landscape serving as a guide to an area otherwise easily lost track of.
• loath (adj.): Averse.
• masonry (n.): The art or work of constructing, as buildings, walls, etc., with regularly arranged stones.
• misbehave (v.): To behave ill.
• mythology (n.): The whole body of legends cherished by a race concerning gods and heroes.
• nurture (n.): The process of fostering or promoting growth.
• oratory (n.): The art of public speaking.
• parallelism (n.): Essential likeness.
• perennial (adj.): Continuing though the year or through many years.
• pioneer (n.): One among the first to explore a country.
• precocious (adj.): Having the mental faculties prematurely developed.
• profile (n.): An outline or contour.
• quackery (n.): Charlatanry
• redemption (n.): The recovery of what is mortgaged or pledged, by paying the debt.
• reproof (n.): An expression of disapproval or blame personally addressed to one censured.
• salient (adj.): Standing out prominently.
• sequestrate (v.): To confiscate.
• sprightly (adj.): Vivacious.
• superheat (v.): To heat to excess.
• termination (n.): The act of ending or concluding.
• trenchant (adj.): Cutting deeply and quickly.
• unyoke (v.): To separate.
• virago (n.): A bold, impudent, turbulent woman.;

How To Master These Words

1. Create or buy a notebook. It can be named SAT/ACT Vocabulary Notebook or you can create your own name. You will be keeping your weekly words, definitions and assignments in this notebook.
2. Write the words and definitions in your vocabulary notebook.
3. Create your own sentence using each word and write this in your vocabulary notebook.
4. Make Flashcards - Write the word on one side of an index card and put the definition and a sentence on the opposite side. You can find ideas for making flashcards on the Internet by clicking on the link: Resources showing how to create your own flashcards.
5. Online Flashcard Game: Go to this site. lingro.com. Click on "wordlist" at the top of the page. Then click on "create new wordlist." Enter your word list for the week. When finished, click on "games" at the top of the page. Then click on "flashcards" and select your list. See if you can name the definition on each word before clicking on it to see the answer.
6. Use this dictionary link to check the pronounciation of each word. Type each word in the box on the left, then click the sound icon to listen.
7. Use TokBox to practice saying the words aloud. Register to get a free account. Click on "Send a Video Message." A box will open to set up your computer microphone and camera. Click "allow". Press the red "Record" button to begin. Press the "Stop" button when you are finished. Once you have practiced saying the words and recording it, send the video you created to your email account and listen to your video message. Send it to your parents' email account also to show them what you are learning.
8. Create your own crossword puzzle. Click on this link. Enter your words and your clues (definition), then click "Create Crossword Now." A new web page will appear. You can put a title on your puzzle if you wish, then click "Create Crossword." Print this out and complete the puzzle. Insert the completed work in your vocabulary notebook.