SAT Vocabulary Words – Reilly’s Walk

Each Jack Graystone Novel, SAT Vocabulary Edition, will contain approximately 200 to 300 vocabulary words, which are potentially found on the current SAT’s. These words come from several sources including Vocabulary.com, Majortests.com, and Quizlet.com. Since many words have multiple meanings, some words may contain two or more definitions. In most cases, the first definition listed is the definition utilized within the story. Merriam-Webster.com, Vocabulary.com, and Wordsinasentence.com were the primary sources used for the definitions provided.

1. Luff

1. To bring the head of a sailing ship closer to or directly into the wind, with sails shaking. Verb

2. (of a sail) To shake from being set too close to the wind. Verb

2. Laborious

Involving, requiring, or characterized by hard and sustained effort. Adjective

3. Escarpment

A long, precipitous, clifflike ridge of land, rock, or the like, commonly formed by faulting or fracturing of the earth’s crust. Noun

4. Precipice

1. A very steep or overhanging place. Noun

2. A hazardous situation. Noun

5. Culmination

1. A concluding action. Noun

2. A final climatic stage. Noun

6. Idyllic

Pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity. Adjective

7. Wane

To decrease in size, extent, or degree. Dwindle. Verb

8. Fraternize

To associate socially or romantically with people considered inappropriate company, often due to a difference in status. Verb

9. Extravagant

1. Greatly exceeding the bounds of reason or moderation. Adjective

2. Recklessly wasteful. Adjective

3. Extremely or unreasonably high in price. Adjective

10. Caustic

1. Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way. Adjective

2. Able to burn or corrode organic tissue by chemical action. Adjective

11. Infuriate

To make (someone) extremely angry and impatient. Verb

12. Ennui

A feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement. Boredom. Noun

13. Vivacious

Lively; animated; spirited. Adjective

14. Desultory

Marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another. Purposeless. Adjective

15. Enthrall

Capture the fascinated attention of. Verb

16. Odious

Extremely unpleasant; repulsive. Adjective

17. Jargon

The language, especially the vocabulary, peculiar to a particular trade, profession, or group. Noun

18. Excoriate

To censure or criticize severely. Verb

19. Obstinate

Stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion. Adjective

20. Incarceration

The state of being confined in prison or jail. Imprisonment. Noun

21. Palladian

Referring to or relating to or having the style of architecture created by Andrea Palladio. Adjective

22. Ornate

1. Marked by complexity and richness of detail. Adjective

2. Marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details. Adjective

23. Facade

1. The front of a building. Noun

2. A false, superficial, or artificial appearance or effect. Noun

24. Cacophony

An unpleasant mixture of loud sounds. Noun

25. Apoplectic

Marked by extreme anger. Adjective

26. Sequester

1. To remove or withdraw into solitude or retirement; Seclude. Verb

2. To remove or separate; Banish; Exile. Verb

27. Vehemently

In a forceful, passionate, or intense manner; with great feeling. Adverb

28. Extenuating

(Of a factor or situation) Serving to lessen the seriousness of an offense. Adjective

29. Altercation

A noisy argument or disagreement, especially in public. Noun

30. Accost

To approach and speak to (someone) in an often challenging or aggressive way. Verb

31. Upbraid

1. To criticize severely; find fault with. Verb

2. To reproach severely; scold vehemently. Verb

32. Imbecilic

Contemptibly stupid, silly, or inappropriate. Adjective

33. Slander

1. The utterance of false charges or misrepresentations which defame and damage another’s reputation. Noun

2. A false and defamatory oral statement about a person. Noun

34. Debacle

A great disaster; a complete failure. Fiasco. Noun

35. Resplendent

Attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous. Adjective

36. Perplexed

Completely baffled; very puzzled. Adjective

37. Formidable

Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable. Adjective

38. Vitality

The state of being strong and active; energy. Noun

39. Agitate

1. Cause to be agitated, excited, or roused. Verb

2. Move or cause to move back and forth. Verb

40. Autocratic

1. Relating to a ruler who has absolute power. Adjective

2. taking no account of other people’s wishes or opinions; domineering. Adjective

41. Tenure

1. A status granted after a trial period to a teacher that gives protection from summary dismissal. Noun

2. The act, right, manner, or term of holding something (such as a landed property, a position, or an office). Noun

42. Stature

1. Natural height (as of a person) in an upright position. Noun

2. Quality or status gained by growth, development, or achievement. Noun

43. Ominous

Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious. Adjective

44. Infraction

A violation or infringement of a law or agreement. Noun

45. Expulsion

The action of depriving someone of membership in an organization. Noun

46. Partisan

1. An ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity. Noun

2. A fervent and even militant proponent of something. Noun

47. Infraction

A violation or infringement of a law or agreement. Noun

48. Reprimand

1. An act or expression of criticism and censure. Noun

2. Censure severely or angrily usually from a position of authority. Verb

49. Untenable

(Especially of a position or view) not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection. Adjective

50. Sycophant

A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage. Noun

51. Pontificate

To speak or express opinions in a pompous or dogmatic way. Verb

52. Ameliorate

Make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better. Verb

53. Venerable

Accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age, wisdom, or character. Adjective

54. Emphatic

Showing or giving emphasis; expressing something forcibly and clearly. Adjective

55. Eminent

(Of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession. Adjective

56. Acquiesce

Accept something reluctantly but without protest. Verb

57. Culpable

Meriting condemnation or blame especially as wrong or harmful. Adjective

58. Implicate

1. Show (someone) to be involved in a crime. Verb

2. Impose, involve, or imply as a necessary accompaniment or result. Verb

59. Efficacious

Having the power to produce a desired effect; Effective. Adjective

60. Placate

Make (someone) less angry or hostile. Verb

61. Expunge

Erase or remove completely (something unwanted or unpleasant). Verb

62. Lenient

Characterized by tolerance and mercy; not strict. Adjective

63. Condone

To regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless. Verb

64. Amenable

(Of a person) Open and responsive to suggestion; easily persuaded or controlled. (Of a thing) Capable of being acted upon in a particular way; susceptible to. Adjective

65. Prevaricated

Be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information. Verb

66. Benevolent

Marked by or disposed to doing good. Organized for the purpose of doing good. Adjective

67. Voracious

1. Having a huge appetite; ravenous. Adjective

2. Excessively eager; insatiable. Adjective

68. Initiate

1. To cause or facilitate the beginning of; set going. Verb

2. To induct into membership by or as if by special rites. Verb

69. Complicit

Helping to commit a crime or do wrong in some way. Adjective

70. Banal

So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring. Adjective

71. Felicitous

1. Well-chosen or suited to the circumstances. Adjective

2. Pleasing and fortunate. Adjective

72. Eloquent

Expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively. Adjective

73. Vocation

A strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation. Noun

74. Peripatetic

Traveling from place to place, in particular working or based in various places for relatively short periods. Adjective

75. Orator

A public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled. Noun

76. Poignant

Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret. Adjective

77. Tumultuous

Characterized by unrest or disorder or insubordination. Adjective

78. Insinuate

Suggest or hint (something bad or reprehensible) in an indirect and unpleasant way. Verb

79. Perturbed

Feeling anxiety or concern; unsettled. Adjective

80. Dossier

A collection of documents about a particular person, event, or subject. Noun

81. Plethora

A large or excessive amount of (something). Noun

82. Circumvent

Find a way around (an obstacle). Verb

83. Rifle

To ransack, especially with the intent to steal. Verb

84. Procure

Obtain (something), especially with care or effort. Verb

85. Abet

Encourage or assist (someone) to do something wrong, in particular, to commit a crime or other offense. Verb

86. Disgruntled

Angry or dissatisfied. Adjective

87. Clandestine

Kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit. Adjective

88. Apprehend

1. Arrest (someone) for a crime. Verb

2. Understand or perceive. Verb

89. Subjugate

1. To bring under control and governance as a subject; Verb

2. To make submissive; subdue. Verb

90. Taciturn

(Of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little. Adjective

91. Avarice

Extreme greed for wealth or material gain. Noun

92. Accolade

1. A tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction. Noun

2. A remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration. Noun

93. Tremulous

(Of the voice) quivering as from weakness or fear. Adjective

94. Quaver

(Of a person’s voice) Shake or tremble in speaking, typically through nervousness or emotion. Verb

95. Arbitrary

Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system. Adjective

96. Scrutinize

Examine or inspect closely and thoroughly. Verb

97. Inconsequential

Not important or significant. Adjective

98. Delegate

Give an assignment to (a person) to a post, or assign a task to (a person). Verb