Page 152 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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I: SAT Words
investigator (in VEST i GAY tir) n. a person who gathers information, confi-
dential and otherwise, for an individual, a company, or an organization (govern-
mental or other)
• When someone has an auto accident, the insurance investigator’s job is to
find out what or who caused the accident.
• Many detective stories have been written about fictional private investiga-
tors who are for hire.
invigorate (in VIG uh RAYT) vt. to fill with energy or vigor; to enliven
• A brisk walk after dinner often serves to invigorate one.
• Sailors claim that nothing invigorates like a sea breeze.
[-d, invigorating*] [Syn. animate]
inviolable (in VY uh li bl) adj. 1. not to be profaned, injured, or violated;
sacred; 2. unable to be violated; indestructible
• The Geneva Conventions contain certain inviolable rules for the humane
treatment of prisoners of war.
• The laws of nature are the only rules on earth that are truly inviolable.
iridescent (I rid ES int) adj. having or showing a rainbow of colors that shift as
it is looked at from different angles
• An abalone shell lying on the beach seems to have an iridescent gleam
when struck by a bright light.
• Metallic car finishes often appear iridescent in sunlight.
ironic (ay RAH nik) adj. 1. meaning the opposite of what is said; 2. given to
saying the opposite of what one means
• Isn’t it ironic how Kenny always does the opposite of what he says he’s
going to do?
• Reverse psychology is ironic in that one tells the child to do the exact
opposite of the desired behavior.
[-ally adv.]
irrational (i RASH in uhl) adj. 1. lacking the power to reason; 2. unreasonable;
absurd; senseless
• There is no point in arguing with two-year-olds because they are almost
always irrational.
• Adele’s irrational behavior led to her being taken to the psychiatrist for
examination.
[-ly adv., -ity n.] [Syn. unreasonable]
irrelevant (i REL iv ent) adj. not relating to the subject; not pertinent; not to
the point
• When the doctor asked you whether you had any allergies, your reply
about what your grandmother used to cook was completely irrelevant.
• When purchasing a sport jacket, the size of your feet is irrelevant.
[-ly adv., irrelevance n.]