Vocabulaire Essentiel pour l'Examen SAT - Mots littéraires

an ability or skill that has been developed through training or practice

acquisition, aptitude

knowledgeable or skilled in a particular field or activity, typically as a result of experience or study

expérimenté, versé

very courageous and not afraid of situations that are dangerous

intrépide

the quality of being foolishly or rudely bold

témérité

fair in judgment or treatment

équitable, impartial

condemned to suffer or face misfortune as a result of supernatural punishment

maudit, damné

difficult to deal with

difficile, éprouvant

demanding or requiring a considerable amount of effort and energy to deal with

épuisant, difficile

the clothes or attire that someone wears, often chosen for a specific occasion or purpose

tenue, vêtements

a group of people organized together because they share similar interests or goals

ordre, association

yarn or fabric with mixed colors that create muted greyish shades, often with flecks of other colors

mélange, tweed

a tightly packed or clustered group or mass

un groupe, une touffe

a meal with fine food or a large meal for many people celebrating a special event

festin, gueuleton, banquet

a short and thick hair

poil

a collection of different kinds of items gathered together without any particular order

divers, variés

a relatively small degree of a good and desirable thing

un minimum de

to manage or take care of a situation, task, or responsibility successfully

gérer, s'occuper de

to be pulled along by a leading force

traîner

a person who regularly enjoys drinking alcohol, often seen indulging in social settings

buveur, ivrogne

a feeling of long-lasting sadness that often cannot be explained

mélancolie

unusual or deviating from what is considered conventional or expected

étrange, bizarre

lacking freshness or excitement due to overuse, age, or repetition

éculé, routiné

showing a formal stiffness, often without a natural flow

rigide, artificiel

a person's chest

poitrine

the forward part of a ship or boat, typically pointed and leading ahead through the water

proue

to make someone feel uneasy and ashamed

embarrasser

to secretly cooperate or conspire with others, typically to commit wrongdoing or deceit

comploter, conspirer

a person who signs a bond to guarantee another's fulfillment of obligations

caution, garant

to move clumsily or struggle while walking

battre de l'aile, récupérer maladroitement

a large number of people assembled together in a place

foule

to search a place thoroughly, often in a rough or disorderly manner, especially with the intention of stealing or causing damage

mettre à sac, ratisser

to express one's disagreement, refusal, or reluctance

rechigner

to approach or address someone aggressively or boldly, often with an intent to engage in conversation

aborder, accoster

the state of being unhappy and despairing

découragement

characterized by remarks or actions that diminish or belittle something's value or significance

dépréciatif, dépréciateur

to treat someone disrespectfully by showing a lack of attention or consideration

snober, mépriser

having a rich color between dark blue and purple

indigo

a large stack of wood used for burning the body of a dead person at a funeral

bûcher funéraire

a feeling of happiness, joy, or amusement

hilarité, rires

to sing in a soft, gentle, and melodious manner, often with a sentimental or romantic tone

chanter doucement, bisser

to wait for something or someone

attendre

in a manner lacking energy, enthusiasm, or interest

d'une manière apathique, avec désintérêt

impressive and great in size

majestueux, imposant

to travel or proceed on a course, especially slowly or indirectly

se diriger, s'acheminer

to fail to be successful or make any progress

languir, traîner en longueur

to show a facial expression that signifies shame or pain

grimacer

a strong and violent storm characterized by high winds, heavy rain, thunder, and lightning

tempête, ouragan

an indication or evidence of the former presence or existence of something

trace, indice

(of a person) displaying a childish behavior due to being treated very well or having been given everything they desired in the past

gâté, pourri

related to a state of intense or suppressed anger that is simmering beneath the surface, often not openly expressed

colère sourde, rancœur latente

reckless and willing to do dangerous things

casse-cou, risque-tout

a pleasant shady place under trees or climbing plants in a garden or wood

buis, sylve

to isolate or separate something or someone from outside influence or contact

isoler, mettre à part

in a manner that is dishonorable, mean, or morally low

ignoblement, vilement

to officially decide and declare in a law court that someone is not guilty of a crime

acquitter

a formal permission to do something

permission, autorisation

to directly address someone or something in a passionate or emotional manner

apostrophiser, s'adresser passionnément

to faint or lose consciousness temporarily, often due to strong emotion, heat, or exhaustion

s'évanouir, défaillir

a circular arrangement of flowers, leaves, or other materials, often used as a decoration or tribute

couronne, guirlande

to spoil, harm, or destroy something, such as a plant, crop, or place, typically due to disease, pests, or unfavorable conditions

gâcher, ruiner, briser

(of a law, regulation, rule, etc.) extremely limiting and strict

strict, rigoureux

the leftover plant material, like seed coverings and bits of stem or leaves, remaining after crops are harvested

paille, résidu de culture

a quality that evokes deep emotions, particularly feelings of pity, sorrow, or empathy

pathos

describing someone or something having qualities associated with prophecy or foresight

vatic, prophétique

used to indicate that something will happen or be done soon, without delay

bientôt, tout de suite

a large, imposing building, especially one that is impressive in size or appearance

édifice

to clearly show that one has a quality or a feeling about someone or something

manifester, montrer, faire preuve de

a condition or situation that is similar or only appears to be similar to something

semblant

in a manner that lacks good judgment or discretion

de manière irréfléchie, d'une manière peu judicieuse

wearing clothes, especially in a particular manner or material

revêtu, habilé

a place where alcoholic drinks and sometimes food are served, often for socializing

taverne, estaminet

to disagree or deny that something is true

réfuter, contredire