SAT- M Flashcards
Macabre
having death as a subject, dwelling on the gruesome
Machination
plot or scheme
Macrocosm
the whole universe, a large-scale reflection of a part of the great world
Maelstrom
whirlpool, turmoil, agitated state of mind
Magnanimous
generous, noble in spirit
Magnate
powerful or influential person
Magnify
make greater in size, enlarge
Maladroit
clumsy, tactless
Malaise
a sense of mental or moral ill-being
Malapropism
the accidental, often comical, use of a word which resembles the one intended, but has a different, often contradictory meaning
Malediction
a curse, a wish of evil upon another
Malevolent
exhibiting ill will, wishing harm to others
Malfeasance
wrongdoing or misconduct, especially by a public official
Malicious
showing malice
Malign
to speak about in an evil manner
Malinger
to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill
Malleable
easily influenced or shaped, capable of being altered by outside forces
Mallet
short-handled manner
Mandate
a command or instruction
Manifest
obvious
Mannered
a feeling of unease or depression artificial or stilted in character
Mar
to damage, deface, spoil
Martinet
strict disciplinarian, one who rigidly follows rules
Masochist
one who enjoys being subjected to pain or humiliation
Materialism
preoccupation with worldly goods
Matriarch
woman who rules family or clan
Matriculate
to enroll as a member of a college or university
Maudlin
overly sentimental
Maverick
an independent individual who does not go along with a group
Mawkish
sickeningly sentimental
Maxim
fundamental principle
Meager
minimal, scanty, deficient
Measured
calculated, deliberate
Mechanism
a machine or machine part
Meddler
person interfering in others’ affairs
Mediate
to resolve a dispute between two other parties; reflect on, contemplate
Medium
psychic
Megalomania
obsession with great or grandiose performance
Melee
tumultuous free-for-all
Mellifluous
having a smooth, rich flow
Melodious
musical, pleasant to hear
Mendacious
dishonest
Mendicant
beggar
Merciless
without pity
Mercurial
quick, shrewd, and unpredictable
Meretricious
gaudy, falsely attractive
Merriment
high-spirited fun
Metamorphosis
a physical or structural change,sometimes occurring quickly and by supernatural means
Metaphor
figure of speech comparing two different things
Methodical
systematic, orderly
Meticulous
extremely careful, fastidious, painstaking
Mettle
courageousness, endurance
Microcosm
a small scale representation of a larger system
Miffed
offended, annoyed
Milestone
important event in something or someone’s history
Milieu
the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops, environment
Militate
to operate against, work against
Mimic
copy, imitate
Mirage
optical illusion, apparition
Mirth
frivolity, gaiety, laughter
Missive
a written note or letter
Mitigate
to make less severe, make milder
Mock
to deride, ridicule
Moderate
reasonable, not extreme
Modest
shy, plain, unassuming, moderate in size
Modicum
a small portion, limited quantity
Modulate
to change pitch, intensity, or tone, to regulate
Mollify
to soothe in temper or disposition
Molt
to shed hair, skin, or an outer layer periodically
Momentary
short-lived, lasting only for a short time
Momentous
very important or significant
Monastic
extremely plain or secluded, as in a monastery
Monotony
no variation, tediously the same
Morality
concern for right and wrong
Morass
marsh, an area of soggy ground
Mordant
biting and caustic in manner and style
Mores
fixed customs or manners, moral attitudes
Moribund
dying, decaying
Morose
gloomy, sullen
Mote
a small particle, speck
Mottle
to mark with spots
Muddle
to jumble, to confuse, to bungle
Multifarious
diverse
Mundane
ordinary, commonplace
Munificent
generous
Mutability
the quality of being capable of change, in form or character, susceptibility of change
Mutter
to rumble or complain
Myopic
lacking foresight, having a narrow view or long-range perspective
Mystify
to confuse or puzzle, to make obscure
Mythical
fictitious element belonging to ancient stories
Mythological
imaginary
