English "Literary Words" | SAT Vocabulary

acquirement

noun

a

c

k

q

u

w

i

aɪə

r

e

m

e

ə

n

t

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

Example

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His acquirement of martial arts skills was evident in his precise movements.

The acquirement of public speaking abilities transformed her confidence on stage.

versed

Adjective

v

e

ɜ

r

s

e

d

t

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

intrepid

Adjective

i

ɪ

n

t

r

e

ɛ

p

i

ə

d

very courageous and not afraid of situations that are dangerous

temerity

noun

t

e

ə

m

e

ɛ

r

i

ə

t

y

i

the quality of being foolishly or rudely bold

evenhanded

Adjective

e

i

v

e

ə

n

h

a

æ

n

d

e

ɪ

d

fair in judgment or treatment

accursed

Adjective

a

æ

cc

k

u

ɜ

r

s

e

d

t

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

taxing

Adjective

t

a

æ

x

ks

i

ɪ

n

g

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

garb

noun

g

a

ɑ

r

b

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

order

noun

o

ɔ:

r

d

e

ə

r

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

heather

noun

h

ea

ɛ

th

ð

e

ɜ

r

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

clump

noun

c

k

l

u

ə

m

p

a tightly packed or clustered group or mass

feast

noun

f

ea

i

s

t

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

What is a "feast"?

A feast is a large and elaborate meal, typically prepared for a special occasion, celebration, or festival. Feasts are often characterized by an abundance of food and drink, served in a setting where guests gather together to enjoy a lavish spread. These meals can include a wide variety of dishes, ranging from appetizers and main courses to side dishes and desserts, often showcasing the culinary traditions and specialties of the host or the culture. Feasts are not only about the food but also about the atmosphere of celebration and friendship, with music, decorations, and festivities adding to the overall experience.

sundry

Adjective

s

u

ə

n

d

r

y

i

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

modicum

noun

m

o

ɑ

d

i

ɪ

c

k

u

ə

m

a relatively small degree of a good and desirable thing

to attend

Verb

a

ə

tt

t

e

ɛ

n

d

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

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to trail

Verb

t

r

ai

eɪ

l

to be pulled along by a leading force

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

tippler

noun

t

i

ɪ

pp

p

l

e

ə

r

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

melancholy

noun

m

e

ɛ

l

a

ə

n

ch

k

o

ɑ

l

y

i

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

queer

Adjective

q

k

u

w

ee

ɪ

r

deviating from what is considered conventional or expected

stale

Adjective

s

t

a

eɪ

l

e

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

stilted

Adjective

s

t

i

ɪ

l

t

e

ɪ

d

showing a formal stiffness, often without a natural flow

bosom

noun

b

o

ʊ

s

z

o

ə

m

a person's chest

prow

noun

p

r

o

a

w

ʊ

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

to abash

Verb

a

ə

b

a

æ

sh

ʃ

to make someone feel uneasy and ashamed

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to connive

Verb

c

k

o

ə

nn

n

i

aɪ

v

e

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

bondsman

noun

b

o

ɑ:

n

d

s

z

m

a

ə

n

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

to flounder

Verb

f

l

o

a

u

ʊ

n

d

e

ɜ

r

to move clumsily or struggle while walking

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to ransack

Verb

r

a

æ

n

s

a

æ

ck

k

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

to demur

Verb

d

e

ɪ

m

u

ɜ

r

to express one's disagreement, refusal, or reluctance

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to accost

Verb

a

ə

cc

k

o

ɔ

s

t

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

despondency

noun

d

e

ɪ

s

p

o

ɑ

n

d

e

ə

n

c

s

y

i

the state of being unhappy and despairing

deprecatory

Adjective

/dˈɛpɹɪkətˌoːɹi/

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

to slight

Verb

s

l

i

aɪ

gh

t

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

Grammatical Information:

transitive

mirth

noun

m

i

ɜ

r

th

θ

a feeling of happiness, joy, or amusement

to croon

Verb

c

k

r

oo

u

n

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

to await

Verb

a

ə

w

ai

eɪ

t

to wait for something or someone

Grammatical Information:

transitive

listlessly

Adverb

l

i

ɪ

s

t

l

e

ə

ss

s

l

y

i

in a manner lacking energy, enthusiasm, or interest

stately

Adjective

s

t

a

eɪ

t

e

l

y

i

impressive and great in size

to wend

Verb

w

e

ɛ

n

d

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

to languish

Verb

l

a

æ

n

g

u

w

i

ɪ

sh

ʃ

to fail to be successful or make any progress

to wince

Verb

w

i

ɪ

n

c

s

e

to show a facial expression that signifies shame or pain

spoiled

Adjective

s

p

oi

ɔɪ

l

e

d

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

smouldering

Adjective

s

m

ou

oʊ

l

d

e

ə

r

i

ɪ

n

g

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

daredevil

Adjective

d

a

ɛ

r

e

d

e

ɛ

v

i

ə

l

reckless and willing to do dangerous things

bower

noun

b

o

a

w

ʊ

e

ə

r

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

to sequester

Verb

s

e

ɪ

q

k

u

w

e

ɛ

s

t

e

ɜ

r

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

Grammatical Information:

transitive

basely

Adverb

b

a

eɪ

s

e

l

y

i

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

to acquit

Verb

a

ə

c

k

q

u

w

i

ɪ

t

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

convict

Grammatical Information:

transitive

leave

noun

l

ea

i

v

e

a formal permission to do something

to apostrophize

Verb

a

p

o

ɑ:

s

t

r

o

ə

ph

f

i

aɪ

z

e

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

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to swoon

Verb

s

w

oo

u

n

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

wreath

noun

w

r

ea

i

th

θ

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

to blight

Verb

b

l

i

aɪ

gh

t

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

stringent

Adjective

s

t

r

i

ɪ

n

g

ʤ

e

ə

n

t

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

stubble

noun

s

t

u

ə

bb

b

ə

l

e

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

pathos

noun

p

a

eɪ

th

θ

o

ɑ

s

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

vatic

Adjective

v

a

æ

t

i

ɪ

c

k

describing someone or something having qualities associated with prophecy or foresight

anon

Adverb

a

æ

n

o

ɔ

n

Old use

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

edifice

noun

e

ɛ

d

i

ə

f

i

ə

c

s

e

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

What is an "edifice"?

An edifice is a large, impressive building or structure. It is often used to describe significant or monumental buildings, such as churches, government buildings, or skyscrapers. The term emphasizes the size, importance, or grandeur of the building. Edifices are typically well-designed and carefully constructed, often serving as landmarks or symbols of power, culture, or history.

to evince

Verb

e

ɪ

v

i

ɪ

n

c

s

e

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

Grammatical Information:

transitive

semblance

noun

s

e

ɛ

m

b

l

a

ə

n

c

s

e

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

injudiciously

Adverb

i

ɪ

n

j

ʤ

u

u:

d

i

ɪ

c

ʃ

iou

ə

s

l

y

i

in a manner that lacks good judgment or discretion

judiciously

clad

Adjective

c

k

l

a

æ

d

wearing clothes, especially in a particular manner or material

unclothed

tavern

noun

t

a

æ

v

e

ɜ

r

n

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

to gainsay

Verb

g

ai

eɪ

n

s

a

e

y

ɪ

to disagree or deny that something is true

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