Page 196 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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P – Q: SAT Words
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preamble (PREE AM bl or pre AM bl) n. an introduction, especially to a consti-
tution, law, etc. stating what its purpose is
• The preamble to the U.S. Constitution sets down its reason for being.
• Wilson’s 14 points were his preamble to laying out his vision of what the
peace treaty ending World War I should look like.
[Syn. introduction]
precarious (pri KAYR ee is) adj. 1. uncertain; insecure; dependent on circum-
stances; 2. depending on the will or favor of others; 3. depending on chance; risky;
uncertain
• Sitting on a flagpole is a precarious position to be in.
• One who relies on the goodwill of others has at best a precarious chance of
success.
• Relying on a lottery to raise the money for your college tuition makes the
likelihood of your getting a diploma precarious at best.
[-ly* adv.]

QUICK REVIEW #66

Match the word from column 2 with the word from column 1 that means most
nearly the same thing.

1. ponderous a. afterthought
2. poorly b. sensible
3. possessions c. confer
4. postscript d. opinionated
5. potentate e. heavy
6. poultry f. commend

7. powwow g. geese
8. practical h. insecure
9. pragmatic i. introduction
10. praise j. wealth
11. preamble k. disparagingly
12. precarious l. emperor

precedence (PRE si DENS) n. 1. priority because of superiority in rank, age, sen-
iority, etc.; 2. a ranking of dignitaries in order of importance
• In the succession to the presidency, following the Speaker of the House and
the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the precedence is to go through
the cabinet secretaries in the order in which their posts were created.
• When seating dignitaries at an event, a prince always takes precedence over
an earl.
• In poker, a royal flush takes precedence over every other hand.
[precedency n.]