HSPT vocabulary
This is a random list of 8th grade level words for students preparing for a High School placement test (HSPT) ... enjoy.
Terms
undefined, object
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- requisite
- needed, necessary, regarded as essential or indispensable
- berate
- to scold severely or angrily.
- squelch
- to strike or press with crushing force; crush down; squash., Supress
- impudent
- improperly forward or bold, offensivly bold
- lucrative
- producing wealth; profitable
- avuncular
- like an uncle in kindness or indulgence
- ostentatious
- describing a showy or pretentious display
- virility
- the trait of being manly, masculine mental or physical strength
- extort
- To obtain by violence, threats, compulsion, or the subjection of another to some necessity.
- curtail
- terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end or its full extent
- dissent
- a difference of opinion
- purge
- rid of impurities, an act of removing by cleansing
- circumvent
- to go around, encircle
- sublime
- causing deep feelings of wonder, joy, respect, etc.; exalted; noble and uplifting; utter
- derelict
- a ship abandoned on the high seas, adj. Neglectful of obligation.
- debase
- degrade; reduce in quality or value; degenerate; lower in esteem; disgrace; N.
- lithe
- gracefully slender, flexible; supple
- marital
- of or relating to the state of marriage
- extradition
- the surrender of a fugitive from one state to another
- panoramic
- as from an altitude or distance
- erroneous
- containing or characterized by error
- staccato
- Series of short, quick sounds
- anarchism
- a political theory favoring the abolition of governments
- voucher
- instrument authorizing a cash payment.
- acquisition
- an ability that has been acquired by training
- harem
- living quarters reserved for wives and concubines and female relatives in a Muslim household
- divert
- 1. entertain; 2. distract; 3. cause a detour
- dotage
- feebleness of mind due to old age.
- sycophantic
- A person who flatters influential people to further themself
- abate
- become less in amount or intensity
- aloof
- remote in manner, not involved
- pathological
- pertaining to disease; N. study of disease
- aura
- a distinctive but intangible quality surrounding a person or thing
- cronies
- old friends; close compainions
- squander
- waste, spend extravagantly
- deviate
- cause to turn away from a previous or expected course
- archipelago
- n. Any large body of water studded with islands, or the islands collectively themselves.
- galvanize
- to stimulate, to startle into sudden activity
- baron
- a very wealthy or powerful businessman
- enamored
- marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness, INFATUATED
- dowry
- money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
- confide
- To reveal in trust or confidence.
- scythe
- n. A long curved blade for mowing, reaping, etc.
- assail
- attack someone physically or emotionally
- nihilist
- someone who rejects all theories of morality or religious belief, An advocate of the doctrine that nothing either exists or can be known.
- alfresco
- in the open air; outside
- lorry
- a motor truck, esp. a large one
- apex
- the highest point (of something)
- paragon
- model of excellence or perfection of a kind
- bayou
- a marshy inlet of a lake, river, etc., usually stagnant
- clamor
- compel someone to do something by insistent outcry, loud and persistent outcry from many people
- indelibly
- permanently; in a way that cannot be erased or removed
- concede
- acknowledge defeat
- polygamy
- n. the fact or condition of having more than one wife or husband at once.
- consternation
- fear resulting from the awareness of danger
- divest
- deprive of status or authority, reduce or dispose of
- snub
- a refusal to recognize someone you know
- furtive
- Stealthy or sly, like the actions of a thief.
- pompous
- puffed up with vanity, Marked by an assumed stateliness and impressiveness of manner.
- posterity
- All of the lineal descendants of a person; all future generations
- avert
- prevent; avoid; turn away (eyes or thought)
- quirk
- a peculiar way of acting; a sudden twist or turn
- cult
- an interest followed with exaggerated zeal, a system of religious beliefs and rituals
- moot
- Not subject to a court ruling because the controversy has not actually arisen, or has ended., open to argument or debate
- conjure
- To call forth by magic; To bring to mind; To recall or evoke
- exploit
- use or manipulate to one's advantage
- litigious
- inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
- coup
- brilliant victory or accomplishment OR the violent overthrow of a government by a small internal group
- ubiquitous
- being everywhere, omnipresent
- apathy
- the trait of lacking enthusiasm for or interest in things generally
- siphon
- convey, draw off, or empty by or as if by a ___
- imminent
- Dangerous and close at hand.
- epitomize
- to be a typical example of; to represent; to typify, exemplify
- forebode
- make a prediction about
- stipend
- A definite amount paid at stated periods in compensation for services or as an allowance.
- exorbitant
- Going beyond usual and proper limits.
- impose
- compel to behave in a certain way
- pare
- To cut, shave, or remove (the outside) from anything.
- elated
- exultantly proud and joyful
- endear
- To cause to be loved.
- masquerade
- pretend to be someone or something that you are not
- hone
- make perfect or complete
- abject
- showing humiliation or submissiveness
- pallor
- unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress)
- stead
- the place occupied by a substitute
- resilient
- elastic; having the power of springing back; able to recover quickly (as from misfortune)
- brazen
- (adj.) excessively bold, brash
- dissident
- disagreeing (with an opinion, a group, or a government); rebellious; N.
- refurbish
- to clean, renew, refresh, or repair
- fiscal
- involving financial matters
- repute
- the state of being held in high esteem and honor
- whim
- an odd or fanciful or capricious idea
- ostracize
- avoid speaking to or dealing with, expel from a community or group
- transponder
- electrical device designed to receive a specific signal and automatically transmit a specific reply
- scrupulous
- conscientious; extremely thorough, adj. Cautious in action for fear of doing wrong.
- pander
- to cater to the tastes and desires of others or exploit their weaknesses
- demise
- the time when something ends
- abscond
- depart secretly and hide
- tepid
- moderately warm, lukewarm
- pretense
- a false show of something, the act of giving a false appearance
- candor
- sincerity/ frankness, the quality of being honest and straightforward in attitude and speech
- repress
- to keep your emotions hidden from others, even from yourself
- ambient
- adj. completely surrounding, encompassing
- baubles
- showy trinkets
- amiable
- friendly, agreeable
- consort
- A companion or associate., associate with; keep company; N: husband or wife (or a ruler)
- fascist
- a member of a political party who supports extreme nationalism and a dictator
- plausible
- within the realm of credibility
- eccentric
- Condition of being out of the ordinary, strange and unconventional behavior
- ambiguity
- an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context
- stymie
- hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
- infatuate
- marked by foolish or unreasoning fondness
- clandestine
- secret; covert; stealthy
- tonic
- anything invigorating physically, mentally, or morally, OR a sweet drink containing carbonated water and flavoring
- unduly
- improperly, unjustly; beyond a due degree, excessively
- derogatory
- expressing a low opinion; disparaging; V. detract; disparage
- ingratiate
- gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
- garner
- acquire or deserve by one's efforts or actions
- depose
- dethrone; remove from office; testify
- implement
- instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end
- bullion
- gold or silver in bars or ingots, a mass of precious metal
- capricious
- determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
- propaganda
- information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause
- deduce
- reason by deduction
- retort
- to reply quickly, angrily or with wit.
- denigrate
- to attack the reputation of; to criticise in a derogatory manner
- console
- give moral or emotional strength to, to comfort.
- albeit
- (conj) in spite of the facts, regardless of the fact; although
- innocuous
- unlikely to harm or disturb anyone
- commence
- Take the first step or steps in carrying out an action., to begin or start
- smother
- envelop completely, deprive of the oxygen necessary for combustion