Larry Krieger 500 SAT Vocabulary Words
reticent (adj.)
reluctant to publicly discuss one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs, restrained and reserved in style; not out spoken
verbal irony
saying one thing and implying something else, usually the opposite of expressed meaning
personification
a figure of speech in which inanimate objects are endowed with human characteristics
simile
a figure of speech in which two essentially unlike things are compared, often in a phrase introduced by "like" or "as"
metaphor
a figure of speech in which two unrelated objects are paired
paradox
a seemingly contradictory statement which none the less may be true
anecdote
a short story told to illustrate a point
situational irony
an inconsistency between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs
peremptory
an order or command that does not allow discussion or refusal and arbitrary order
succinct (adj.)
brief and to the point; concise (brief but comprehensive)
aesthetic (adj.)
characterized by a sensitivity to beauty in art and taste
antithetical(adj.)
characterized by an extreme constant or polar opposites
altruistic (adj.)
characterized by unselfish concern for the welfare of others; not egotistical
conventional (adj.)
customary: conforming to established practices; based on what is done or believed
discerning (adj.)
demonstrating keen insight and good judgement; able to distinguish good from bad
subtle (adj.)
gradual and therefore not obvious
ominous (adj.)
menacing and threatening; foreshadowing ill-fortune
frank (adj.)
open an honest; candid (truthful)
prescient (adj.)
perceiving the significance of events before they occur; showing foresight (seeings the future)
pragmatic (adj.)
practical, realistic, down to earth
parallel structure
the repetition of words, phrases, or sentences that are similar in meaning and structure
diffident (adj.)
timid; lacking self-confidence; shy and reserved in social gatherings
belie
to give false impression; misrepresent
mitigate (v.)
to make less severe of harsh; to moderate; to lessen; to relieve
revere (v. )
to show great respect for a person, idea, or symbol; venerate (regard with respect)
beguile (v.)
to trick or captivate someone, either with deception or irresistible charm
nostalgia (n.)
a bittersweet longing for something in the past
vignette
a breif literary sketch
anomaly
a deviation from a common pattern; a departure from the norm