Page 212 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

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R: SAT Words
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resolution (rez i LOO shin) n. 1. the act or process of breaking something up
into its constituent parts; 2. a determining or deciding; 3. the thing determined or
decided; 4. a formal statement or opinion adopted by a group; 5. a solution or
answering of a question or problem
• A digital picture’s resolution often depends on how many pixels it is made
up of.
• The two parties worked toward the resolution of their difficulties.
• The resolution to the dispute was to split the baby into two equal parts.
(Hmm, where have I heard that before?)
• The General Assembly’s resolution passed by a unanimous vote.
• To find the resolution to a complex math problem, you should first separate
the problem into its parts and then solve each of those.
resplendent* (ris PLEN dint) adj. brightly shining; dazzling; splendid
• She was resplendent, bedecked in her finest jewelry.
• The ship was resplendent in the morning sun as she made ready to sail to
the Caribbean.
[-ly adv., resplendence n.]
responsibility (ris PAHN si BIL i tee) n. 1. condition or quality of being
accountable for something’s happening; accountability, dependability, obliged, etc.;
2. a thing or person that one holds accountability for
• The responsibility for anything that happens on this ship is the captain’s
alone.
• On a field trip, the teacher takes responsibility for all the students’
well-being.
• The children are the babysitter’s responsibility.
restraint (ris TRAYNT) n. 1. a holding back or being held back; 2. an influence
or action that holds something back; 3. a limitation of liberty; 4. emotional con-
trol; impulse control; reserve; constraint
• The patient is confined to her bed by Velcro restraints.
• Sometimes we need to use restraint to keep from eating that extra dessert
treat.
• The Constitution of the United States permits no restraint of freedom of
speech, which doesn’t mean that it doesn’t happen.
• Restraint, like everything else, should be exercised in moderation.
retain* (ree TAYN) vt. 1. to keep; maintain possession of; 2. to continue to have
or to hold in; 3. to keep in mind; 4. to hire (as a lawyer)
• One needs to make the monthly mortgage payments to retain ownership of
a house.
• Walt Disney retained his stock in the company long after he had ceased
running it.
• It is not easy for all people to retain facts in their minds.
• If you intend to pursue your interest in this matter, it might be advisable
for you to retain an attorney.
[-ed, -ing] [Syn. keep]