Set 177 · Study 1 / 5

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invert

verb/ɪnˈvɝːt/

definition

to reverse the position or order of something

example

To see the true colors of the image, you should invert the brightness and contrast settings.

synonyms
reversefliptranspose
word origin — from Latin 'invertere', meaning 'to turn upside down'

SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 177

Set 177 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: invert, debilitate, dwindle, besiege, waffle. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. invert · verb/ɪnˈvɝːt/

    to reverse the position or order of something

    To see the true colors of the image, you should invert the brightness and contrast settings.

    Synonyms: reverse, flip, transpose

    Origin: from Latin 'invertere', meaning 'to turn upside down'

  2. debilitate · verb/dɪˈbɪləˌteɪt/

    to make someone or something weak or infirm

    The long illness served to debilitate her body, leaving her unable to perform daily tasks.

    Synonyms: incapacitate, weaken, undermine

    Origin: from Latin 'debilitare', from 'debilis' meaning 'weak'

  3. dwindle · verb/ˈdwɪndl/

    to gradually decrease in size, amount, or strength

    As winter approached, the number of tourists began to dwindle significantly, leaving many businesses struggling.

    Synonyms: diminish, shrink, decrease

    Origin: The word 'dwindle' originates from the early 13th century Middle English term 'dwindlen,' which is a frequentative form of the Old English 'dwindan,' meaning to waste away or fall away.

  4. besiege · verb/bɪˈsiːdʒ/

    to surround a place with armed forces to capture it or force its surrender

    The army decided to besiege the enemy fortress, cutting off all supplies and communications.

    Synonyms: surround, beset, blockade

    Origin: From Old French 'besieger', from 'be-' (around) + 'sieger' (to sit), from Latin 'sedere' (to sit).

  5. waffle · verb/ˈwɑː.fəl/

    to speak or write evasively or indecisively

    During the discussion, he began to waffle on the details of his plan, leaving everyone confused about his actual intentions.

    Synonyms: falter, vacillate, dither

    Origin: The term 'waffle' originates from the Middle Dutch word 'wafel', which means a cake or a honeycomb, reflecting its early use to describe food before evolving to describe indecisive speech.