Page 166 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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M – N: SAT Words
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• Melodrama is typical of daytime soap operas, with lots of gesticulating and
grand gestures.
• Silent films were filled with melodrama in contrived scenes such as the
heroine’s being tied to the tracks as the train approaches.
[-tic adj., -tically adv.]
memorable (MEM uh ri bl) adj. worth remembering; notable
• Lou Gehrig’s farewell address was a memorable moment in sports history, as
was Jackie Robinson’s breaking baseball’s color line.
• September 11, 2001, is probably as memorable a date for today’s generation
as was December 7, 1941, for the World War II generation.
[memorably adv., memorability n.]
mentor (MEN tir) n. 1. a wise advisor; 2. a teacher, coach, or active role model
—vi., vt. to act as an advisor or teacher
• Athenian philosopher Aristotle was a mentor to Alexander of Macedon, also
know as Alexander the Great.
• Julius Caesar was a mentor to Octavian, who later became the first Roman
emperor, Caesar Augustus.
merely (MEER lee) adv. no more than; only; and nothing else
• Fishing is thought by some to be merely a blood sport rather than a form of
relaxation.
• Mighty Mouse is merely a muscular mouse in yellow and red tights and cape.
metamorphose* (met uh MAWR fohz) vt. to change in form or in nature; to
transform; to undergo metamorphosis
• The caterpillar can be seen to metamorphose into a moth or butterfly.
• A tadpole will metamorphose into a frog or toad.
• Now metamorphose your frown into a smile; it uses fewer muscles.
[-d, metamorphosing] [Syn. transform]
metaphor* (MET uh fawr) n. a figure of speech containing an implied compari-
son, but not using like or as (which would make it a simile), for example, “raining
cats and dogs,” but not “that pepper is as hot as fire”
• Metaphor is skillfully used by Shakespeare, although it is sometimes mixed as
in “. . . to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing drown them.”
•A metaphor is like a simile, which is what the first part of this sentence is.
methodical (meth AH dik uhl) adj. orderly and systematic
• The surgeon proceeded with the operation in a methodical manner.
• The floor waxer was methodical, making sure that he got every square inch
of the room.
[methodic adj., -ly adv.]
meticulous* (mi TIK you luhs) adj. extremely careful about detail; paying care-
ful attention; scrupulous
• The model builder was meticulous in his attention to getting the rigging
just right.
• The chef was meticulous in making sure that no raw meat came in contact
with ingredients meant for the salad.