SAT/ACT Vocabulary List for 08/09/2010

Here is today's word list:

• abut (v.): To touch at the end or boundary line.
• affect (v.): To act upon
• analyst (n.): One who analyzes or makes use of the analytical method.
• arbor (n.): A tree.
• autopsy (n.): The examination of a dead body by dissection to ascertain the cause of death.
• bight (n.): A slightly receding bay between headlands, formed by a long curve of a coast-line.
• cabinet (n.): The body of men constituting the official advisors of the executive head of a nation.;
• cipher (v.): To calculate arithmetically. (also a noun meaning zero or nothing)
• compute (v.): To ascertain by mathematical calculation.;
• contiguity (n.): Proximity.
• credible (adj.): Believable.
• degrade (v.): To take away honors or position from.
• devious (adj.): Out of the common or regular track.
• disreputable (adj.): Dishonorable or disgraceful.
• dutiable (adj.): Subject to a duty, especially a customs duty.
• encyclopedia (n.): A work containing information on subjects, or exhaustive of one subject.
• evolution (n.): Development or growth.
• fabricate (v.): To invent fancifully or falsely.
• forecourt (n.): A court opening directly from the street.
• garrison (n.): The military force stationed in a fort, town, or other place for its defense.
• hanger-on (n.): A parasite.
• icon (n.): An image or likeness.
• impure (adj.): Tainted.
• inexplicable (adj.): Such as can not be made plain.;
• intemperance (n.): Immoderate action or indulgence, as of the appetites.
• irrepressible (adj.): That can not be restrained or kept down.;
• lawgiver (n.): A legislator.
• lowly (adv.): Rudely.
• meager (adj.): scanty.
• missive (n.): A message in writing.
• navigate (v.): To traverse by ship.
• obsequious (adj.): Showing a servile readiness to fall in with the wishes or will of another.
• ostracize (v.): To exclude from public or private favor.
• parricide (n.): The murder of a parent.
• perpetrator (n.): The doer of a wrong or a criminal act.
• pleasurable (adj.): Affording gratification.;
• prefer (v.): To hold in higher estimation.;
• promissory (adj.): Expressing an engagement to pay.
• quiescent (adj.): Being in a state of repose or inaction.;
• reformer (n.): One who carries out a reform.
• resistant (adj.): Offering or tending to produce resistance.
• sardonic (adj.): Scornfully or bitterly sarcastic.
• sibilate (v.): To give a hissing sound to, as in pronouncing the letter s.
• stature (n.): The natural height of an animal body.
• surety (n.): Security for payment or performance.
• thermal (adj.): Of or pertaining to heat.
• trivial (adj.): Of little importance or value.
• utmost (n.): The greatest possible extent.
• vocative (adj.): Of or pertaining to the act of calling.

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.