subsidiary, mosaic, commodity, buoy, anthropology: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 1 set 175. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. subsidiary · noun/səbˈsɪdʒ.ɪˌer.i/

   a company controlled by a larger parent company

   The multinational corporation expanded its operations by acquiring a new subsidiary based in Europe.

   Synonyms: affiliate, branch, division

   Origin: from Latin 'subsidiarius' meaning 'serving to assist', derived from 'subsidium' meaning 'help, aid'

2. mosaic · noun/moʊˈzeɪ.ɪk/

   a decorative art form created by assembling small pieces of colored glass stone or other materials to form a picture or pattern

   The artist spent months carefully placing each tile to create a stunning mosaic that depicted a vibrant underwater scene.

   Synonyms: tessellation, montage, collage

   Origin: from Latin 'mosaicus', meaning 'of a mosaic', from Greek 'mousaikos', derived from 'mousa' meaning 'muse'

3. commodity · noun/kəˈmɑːdəti/

   a raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought and sold

   The price of crude oil, a vital commodity in the energy market, has seen significant fluctuations this year.

   Synonyms: product, goods, material

   Origin: Late Middle English from Old French 'commodite', from Latin 'commoditas', from 'commodus' meaning 'convenient, suited, fit'.

4. buoy · noun/bɔɪ/

   a floating device used to mark a location or provide mooring for vessels

   The bright orange buoy floated on the water, marking the entrance to the harbor.

   Synonyms: float, marker, signal

   Origin: from Middle English 'boie', possibly from Middle Dutch 'boeije', meaning 'to buoy' or 'to float'

5. anthropology · noun/ˌæn.θrəˈpɑː.lə.dʒi/

   the study of humans, their behavior, societies, and cultures

   Her fascination with anthropology led her to explore diverse cultures around the world.

   Synonyms: humanology, ethnology, sociology

   Origin: The word 'anthropology' comes from the Greek words 'anthropos' meaning 'human' and 'logia' meaning 'study of'.