Page 98 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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D: SAT Words
divisive (di VYS iv or di VIS iv) adj. causing division, especially causing disagree-
ment or dissension
• Whether or not to get a second dog was a divisive issue for Lois and Jeremy.
• Which bills should be paid first is often a divisive matter for newlyweds
and longtime couples alike.
divulge (div UHLDZH) vt. to make known; disclose; unveil; reveal
• The newspaper reporter was obliged to not divulge the source of his highly
sensitive information.
• If I were to divulge to you the secret processes that were involved in the
making of this product, I’d have to shoot you.
[-d, divulging] [Syn. reveal]
domestic (duh MES tik) adj. 1. having to do with the home, housekeeping, or
family; 2. of one’s own country, or the country referred to; 3. made or produced in
the home country; 4. tame —n. 1. a houseworker such as a maid, housekeeper, or
butler; 2. blankets, linens, towels, etc.
• Domestic tasks, which used to be exclusively a woman’s, are shared by both
men and women in modern homes.
• Domestic receipts for many Hollywood movies are exceeded by overseas
receipts.
• Some very fine domestic wines are produced in California, Washington, and
New York.
• Nora worked as a domestic in the home of a Hollywood actress.
• The cardboard box in the attic contained old sheets, towels, blankets,
canning jars, and other domestics.
[domestically adv.]
dominance* (DAHM in ins) n. controlling or being in control; authority
• About 90% of all people show dominance of the right hand.
• In a pride of lions, dominance is usually exhibited by the largest male mem-
ber of the group.
dominant (DAHM in uhnt) adj. exercising authority or influence; ruling; pre-
vailing; controlling
• While it was a close call, the dominant political party in twentieth-century
U.S. presidential politics was Republican.
• The dominant grape variety in the Bordeaux region of France is the caber-
net sauvignon.
• The New York Yankees is the dominant professional baseball team of all time.
[Syn. preeminent]
donation (doh NAY shin) n. 1. the act of giving; 2. a gift or contribution to a
charitable organization
• Donations of usable clothing are always helpful.
• Maribel always makes a donation to the Lung Association.
• Donations to the March of Dimes led to a vaccine for polio.
[Syn. present]