contrive, restrain, inflate, rediscover, hover: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 2 set 166. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. contrive · verb/kənˈtraɪv/

   to plan or devise a scheme or invention

   They managed to contrive a plan that would allow them to escape unnoticed from the party.

   Synonyms: devise, concoct, formulate

   Origin: from Middle French 'contriver', from Latin 'contrivere', meaning 'to rub together, devise'.

2. restrain · verb/rɪˈstreɪn/

   to hold back or limit an action, feeling, or impulse

   She tried to restrain her anger during the meeting, knowing it would not help the situation.

   Synonyms: subdue, control, hinder

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French 'restraindre', from Latin 'restringere' which combines 're-' (back) and 'stringere' (to bind).

3. inflate · verb/ɪnˈfleɪt/

   to increase in size or amount by filling with air or gas

   They decided to inflate the balloons for the party, making sure each one was filled with just the right amount of air.

   Synonyms: expand, swell, enlarge

   Origin: from Latin 'inflata', the past participle of 'inflatare', meaning 'to blow into' or 'to inflate'.

4. rediscover · verb/ˌriːdɪsˈkʌvər/

   to discover again or to find something anew

   After years away from home, she was excited to rediscover her childhood neighborhood, filled with memories and familiar faces.

   Synonyms: refind, uncover, unearth

   Origin: The word 'rediscover' is formed by the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' and the verb 'discover', which comes from the Latin 'discooperire', meaning 'to uncover'.

5. hover · verb/ˈhʌvɚ/

   to remain in one place in the air

   The helicopter began to **hover** over the landing zone, waiting for the signal to descend.

   Synonyms: loiter, linger, float

   Origin: Middle English 'hoveren', from Old French 'ovrer', from Latin 'humerus' meaning 'shoulder'