Page 224 - WEBSTER Essential vocabulary

19_571656 ch15.qxd 11/10/04 12:40 PM Page 215
S: SAT Words
215
sophisticated (suh FIS ti KAY tid) adj. 1. urbane, world wise, knowledgeable, as
opposed to naïve or simple; 2. very complex and refined
• City folk tend to be more sophisticated than country folk.
• The engines that drive a rocket can be very sophisticated; after all, it is
rocket science.
[-ly adv., sophistication n.]
spate (SPAYT) n. an unusually large outpouring, usually one of words
• Fidel Castro’s speeches are often characterized by a spate of words that
continue for hours.
• When faced with spates, the average audience member is prone to fall
asleep.
species (SPEE sheez) n. 1. a distinct kind; variety; class; 2. (biology) a naturally
existing population of organisms that can only breed among themselves; 3. the
human race
• Tigers, lions, and leopards are three different species of felines.
• Dogs and cats belong to two totally different species.
• The human species is growing at an alarming rate.
specific (spi SIF ik) adj. 1. specifying a precise, limited thing or group of things,
characteristics, etc.; 2. of a particular sort or type
• Last week, Mark lost his timepiece—his wristwatch, to be specific.
• Bill knew his appointment was between 6 and 7 P.M., but he was not
certain of the specific time.
• Fran was looking for a folding umbrella with a very specific checkerboard
pattern.
[-ally adv.] [Syn. explicit, special]
specious (SPEE shis) adj. seeming to be correct, without really being so; plausi-
ble, but not actual
• Greg’s conclusion seemed to be logical, but in reality, his thinking was
somewhat specious.
• It was her neglecting to account for the difference in time zones that made
Laura’s calculated arrival time specious.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. plausible]