SAT Vocabulary: Lesson 8

acquiesce

to give in, to comply

affinity

a likeness, a natural relationship, a kinship

blasphemous

irreverent, profane

buttress

a support or prop

circumspect

careful to consider consequences, cautious, prudent

corroboration

confirmation

deplete

to use up gradually, to lessen in amount or value

despotic

ruling oppressively and absolutely; tyrannical

emaciated

very thin (usually as a result of starvation)

empirical

based on observation or experiment and not on theory

extraneous

not essential or vital

fallow

inactive, plowed but not sowed

homogenous

of the same kind

hyperbole

obvious exaggeration

incontrovertible

indisputable

irascible

irritable, easily angered, cranky, cross

laconic

using a minimum of words; concise to the point of seeming rude

magnanimity

having a lofty, generous, and courageous spirit

obsequious

overly attentive, like a sycophant, servile

proliferation

an increase in number, multiplication

scrupulous

very principled, very careful and conscientious

sublime

exalted, noble, uplifting

surreptitious

secret, clandestine, stealthy

veracity

devotion to the truth

zeal

enthusiasm, fervor