Page 208 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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R: SAT Words
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refract (rif RAKT) vt. 1. to cause a ray of light to bend, as it does when passing
obliquely from one medium to another of different density; 2. to measure the
degree of bending of a ray of light
• When white light refracts through a triangular prism, it separates into the
colors of the rainbow.
• An ophthalmologist or optometrist refracts one’s eyes to determine the
proper curvature for corrective lenses.
[-ed, -ing, -ion, n.]
refute (rif YOOT) vt. 1. to prove to be wrong; 2. to prove incorrect by argument
or evidence
• Mr. Brown’s fingerprints and gloves, found at the scene of the crime, refute
his contention that he was never there.
• It is the defense attorney’s job to refute the prosecutor’s case so that the
defendant will be found not guilty.
[-d, refuting, refutable adj., refutably adv.] [Syn. disprove]
regale (ri GAYL) vt. 1. to entertain with a great feast; 2. to delight with some-
thing enjoyable or amusing
• The opulent party thrower regaled his guests with champagne, caviar, and
truffled pâté.
• The audience at the Mayfair Theater last night was regaled by a confection
of music and dance.
[-d, regaling]
regurgitate (ri GOER ji TAYT) vt. 1. to cause to flow backward, notably from
the stomach to the mouth; 2. to give back information that has been only partially
digested
• Those who go to a party with an upset stomach are likely to regurgitate any
and all refreshments they partake of.
• Some teachers ask their students to regurgitate what they have learned on
exams rather than to apply the knowledge in a meaningful way.
[-d, regurgitating, regurgitation n.] [Syn. vomit]
reiterate (ree IT er AYT) vt. to say or do again or repeatedly
• If your mother has told you once, she’s reiterated it 1,000 times: Keep your
elbows off the table!
• Those who have not learned the lessons of history are doomed to reiterate
them.
[-d, reiterating] [Syn. repeat]
relapse (ree LAPS) vt. to slip or fall back into a former condition, disease, or bad
habit, especially after improvement —n. the act of having a relapse or a recurrence
• After years of successfully fighting her compulsion to gamble, Norma
relapsed at the Kentucky Derby.
• Just as Carlos seemed ready to be released from intensive care, he suffered
a relapse.
[-d, relapsing]