SAT High Frequency Words : 81-90

1. Cryptic (adj) . mysterious; hidden; secret. Thoroughly baffled by Holmes’s cryptic remarks, Watson wondered whether Holmes was intentionally concealing his thoughts about the crime.
2. Cursory (adj) . casual; hastily done. Because a cursory examination of the ruins indicates the possibility of arson, we believe the insurance agency should undertake a more extensive investigation of the fire’s cause.
3. Curtail (v) . shorten; reduce. When Herb asked Diane for a date, she said she was really sorry she couldn’t go out with him, but her dad had ordered her to curtail her social life.
4. Decorum (n)  . propriety; orderliness and good taste in manners. Even the best-mannered students have trouble behaving with decorum on the last day of school.
5. Deference (n) . courteous regard for another’s wish. In deference to the minister’s request, please do not take photographs during the wedding service.
6. Degradation (n) . humiliation; debasement; degeneration. Some secretaries object to fetching the boss a cup of coffee because they resent the degradation of being made to do such lowly tasks.
7. Delineate (v) . portray; depict; sketch. Using only a few descriptive phrases, Austen delineates the character of Mr. Collins so well that we can predict his every move.
8. Denounce (v) . condemn; criticize. The reform candidate denounced the corrupt city officers for having betrayed the public’s trust.
9. Deplore (v) . regret; disapprove of. Although I deplore the vulgarity of your language, I defend your right to express yourself freely.
10. Depravity (n) . extreme corruption; wickedness. The depravity of Caligula’s behavior came to sicken even those who had willingly participated in his earlier, comparatively innocent orgies.