SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 144

Set 144 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: maim, forage, oppress, bereave, patronize. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. maim · verb/meɪm/

   to inflict serious injury on someone, causing permanent damage or disability

   The explosion was powerful enough to maim several soldiers, leaving them with life-altering injuries.

   Synonyms: injure, cripple, disable

   Origin: Middle English 'maimen', from Old French 'mahemer', from Latin 'māndūare' meaning 'to injure, damage'.

2. forage · verb/ˈfɔrɪdʒ/

   to search for and gather food or provisions

   The squirrels forage for nuts and seeds in the fall to prepare for winter.

   Synonyms: search, scavenge, gather

   Origin: Middle English 'forager', from Old French 'forage' meaning 'fodder' or 'pasture', from 'forager' meaning 'to graze, to feed'.

3. oppress · verb/əˈprɛs/

   to keep someone in a state of hardship or subjugation, often by the use of unjust power

   Throughout history, many governments have sought to oppress their citizens, limiting their rights and freedoms.

   Synonyms: subjugate, persecute, tyrannize

   Origin: from Latin 'opprimere', meaning 'to press down'

4. bereave · verb/bɪˈriv/

   to deprive someone of a loved one through death

   The sudden loss of his father bereaved him of the guidance he had always relied on.

   Synonyms: deprive, lose, dispossess

   Origin: Middle English 'ber(e)ven', from Old English 'bereafian', meaning to seize or take away.

5. patronize · verb/ˈpeɪtrəˌnaɪz/

   to treat with an apparent kindness that betrays a feeling of superiority

   She tried to explain the complex topic, but his patronizing tone made it clear he thought she wouldn't understand it.

   Synonyms: condescend, disdain, talk down to

   Origin: The word 'patronize' comes from the Middle French 'patroniser', which derives from the Latin 'patronus', meaning 'patron' or 'protector'.