SSAT Vocabulary List 24

The GENESIS of rap music occurred in the Bronx, New York in the 1970s.

NOUN origins

The noisy partygoers interrupted the yoga master's nighttime QUIETUDE.

NOUN peacefulness; repose

The army quashed the INSURRECTION before rebels could take control of the city.

NOUN rebellion

Rumor has it that there is an island of MISFIT toys where unpopular playthings - such as trains with square wheels and a water pistol that squirts jelly - live together in sadness.

NOUN someone or something that does not belong

The CREDITOR requires those who owe him money to make regular payments.

NOUN someone to whose a debtor owes money

The INCUMBENT has been mayor for three terms and now must defend her position against a political newcomer who is challenging her popularity.

NOUN someone who holds a position, especially in government

In the nineteenth century, DEBTORS could be sent to prison simply for failing repay money owed.

NOUN someone who owes money to a creditor

The PUPILS took notes diligently in class.

NOUN students

She had an AURA of confidence about her that made her an effective salesperson.

NOUN the feeling or atmosphere exuded by a person

The king demanded annual payments as TRIBUTE from the cities he had conquered.

NOUN a sign of respect

The particles will pass through the membrane until chemical EQUILIBRIUM is reached.

NOUN a state of balance

The student writes a SYNOPSIS of each chapter as he reads the book.

NOUN a summary

The general's attempt to lay siege to the fortress proved a devastating DEBACLE; his army suffered far more casualties than the enemy.

NOUN a terrible failure

After several years exploring the uncharted islands, the WAYFARER returns home to see his family.

NOUN a traveler

The TROUBADOUR strums huis lute and sings ballads to entertain the lord and lady.

NOUN a traveling musician in the medieval period

The defendant needed someone to confirm his ALIBI, that he at home when the crime was committed and so must be innocent.

NOUN an account that proves innocence

Now that his career is over, the retired NBA player is writing his MEMOIRS in then hopes that he will earn even more from writing than he did from basketball.

NOUN an autobiographical work

The Instagram user has transformed herself into a fashion MAVEN capable of influencing global trends.

NOUN an expert or connoisseur

The parrot's RESPLENDENT feathers caught the attention of all visitors.

ADJ. beautiful and attractive

It is important to be CIRCUMSPECT when walking home alone late at night: don't be distracted by a mobile phone, and be alert to anyone who may be watching or following you.

ADJ. careful

The children gobbled up the SCRUMPTIOUS pancakes in a matter of minutes.

ADJ. delicious; delectable

The water in many countries is not POTABLE and requires filtration.

ADJ. drinkable

The debater had a PRETERNATURAL knack for formulating counterarguments; she relied on this skill to win the competition.

ADJ. extraordinary

The monarch is SOVEREIGN in a monarchy; the people are SOVEREIGN in a democracy.

ADJ. having power and authority NOUN the ruler of a country

The CALLOW youth had no idea how to run a political campaign and was drubbed by the experienced incumbent.

ADJ. inexperienced; immature

The teacher's explanation was SUPERFLUOUS, taking up an entire lesson when only five minutes was necessary.

ADJ. more than enough

His RUEFUL cries announced to the town that his hamster had lost its fight with typhoid fever and perished.

ADJ. mournful; sorrowful

The gentleman's TENEBROUS backstory created a sense of mystery as to his origins.

ADJ. obscure

Many are surprised to discover that Oxford university and the Aztec empire were SYNCHRONOUS institutions, existing at the same time.

ADJ. occurring at the same time; contemporaneous

The NOXIOUS gas filled the hallways with an acrid smell, causing several to become sick.

ADJ. poisonous

"IDLE hands are the devil's playthings," sneered the cruel preacher, who used any excuse to make his apprentices work.

ADJ. resting; not working

He had an EGOTISTICAL personality and brought every conversation back to himself.

ADJ. self-absorbed

The IMPARTIAL judge is so objective she would rule against her own son.

ADJ. unbiased; objective; neutral

His argument was NEBULOUS - everything he said was unclear.

ADJ. unclear; cloudy

The lawyer's VAUNTED reputation proved well-earned when he saved Timothy from huge fines.

ADJ. well-praised; famous

The WAYWARD youth has broken every rule set for him, refused to take advice, and stubbornly set his own course in life.

ADJ. willful; disobedient

The bookshop owner feels SCORN for customers who come to his score, spend hours reading the books he has for sale, and leave having bought nothing.

NOUN disdain; contempt VERB to have disdain or contempt for

The Jurassic period was an EPOCH dominated by dinosaurs, or so the movie suggests.

NOUN era, age, historical period

The business strives to meet its REVENUE targets, selling as many units as possible.

NOUN income, especially of a business

The skyscraper is the dominant EDIFICE in a skyline filled mostly with older, smaller buildings.

NOUN a building

After years of winning Henry VIII's heart, Ann Boleyn rejoiced on the day of her CORONATION when she finally became Queen of England.

NOUN a ceremony in which a monarch is crowned king or queen

Across the ox's shoulders are marks where the YOKE has pressed its heavy load.

NOUN a device worn around the neck for pulling or carrying a load

She found herself in a QUANDARY when choosing between the large apartment in the old building and the small apartment in the new building.

NOUN a dilemma; a difficult decision

"What is all this HUBBUB?" cried the old man angrily at the noisy kids playing basketball.

NOUN a disturbance

The PEDDLER arrives in town, sets down his sack, and displays his goods for potential buyers.

NOUN a merchant selling small items

The apartment had no balcony but a TERRACE where the tenant could set up a table, chairs, and charcoal grill.

NOUN a patio; a paved outdoor area extending from a residence

The real estate TYCOON owners half of Taikoo.

NOUN a prominent and successful entrepreneur or investor

He has serious QUALMS about lying in order to avoid punishment because he was taught never to tell an untruth.

NOUN uncertainty, especially resulting from an ethical dilemma

Still in the road was the DEBRIS from the recent accident: shattered glass, rubber tire marks, and the contents of the car strewn across the highway.

NOUN waste; garbage, especially from an accident

The BREADTH of the river is ten times its depth, making it difficult to swim across.

NOUN width

The professors new book on evaluating poetry shatters preexisting PARADIGMS and establishes a new framework for critical interpretation.

NOUN worldview; belief system; perfect example of an abstract idea or quality

He could barely walk he was so ENCUMBERED with shopping bags.

VERB to burden

She tried to CONSOLE her friend when his goldfish died, but he remained depressed for three weeks.

VERB to comfort

The witness was able to CORROBORATE the defendant's story that he could not have committed the crime because he was at the library.

VERB to confirm a story

The aim of meditation is to silence thoughts that DISQUIET peace of mind.

VERB to disturb

By the 1850s, many northerners wanted to ABOLISH slavery, causing southern plantation owners to fear losing a source of free labor.

VERB to eliminate a practice

After he was convicted of robbery, he was INCARCERATED in downstate correctional facility, where he would spend the next five years at least.

VERB to put in prison

The horse rider BESTRIDES the stallion as they ride over the ridge.

VERB to straddle

The anxious old man calmed himself by CARESSING his cat's soft fur.

VERB to stroke affectionately

The soda advertisement seeks to ENTICE potential buyers with images of celebrities drinking the cola.

VERB to tempt or attract

Catherine RUMINATES on her college options for several days before submitting a list of schools she'd like to apply to to her counselor.

VERB to think deeply

Edward EXHORTS me to memorize every word on this list.

VERB to urge

The new law restricting free speech IMPINGES on citizens' constitutional rights.

VERB to violate