SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 202

Set 202 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: tangle, abyss, cadence, shroud, caprice. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. tangle · verb/ˈtæŋ.ɡəl/

   to twist together or entwine in a confused mass

   The gardener had to tangle the vines carefully to ensure they grew in the right direction.

   Synonyms: entwine, twist, snarl

   Origin: from Middle English 'tangle', of uncertain origin; possibly related to the Old Norse 'tangr' meaning 'a tangle or a net'

2. abyss · noun/əˈbɪs/

   a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm

   The hikers stood at the edge of the abyss, peering into its dark depths with a mix of fear and awe.

   Synonyms: chasm, pit, void

   Origin: Derived from the Latin 'abyssus', which comes from the Greek 'abyssos', meaning 'bottomless'.

3. cadence · noun/ˈkeɪ.dəns/

   the rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words

   The poet's unique cadence made the verses flow beautifully, captivating the audience with every word spoken.

   Synonyms: rhythm, flow, meter

   Origin: from Middle French 'cadence', derived from Latin 'cadentia', meaning 'falling', from 'cadere', meaning 'to fall'

4. shroud · noun/ʃraʊd/

   a cloth or sheet in which a dead person is wrapped

   The ancient tradition involved wrapping the deceased in a white shroud before burial.

   Synonyms: cerements, winding sheet, cloth

   Origin: Middle English shroude, from Old English scrūd meaning 'garment' or 'covering'

5. caprice · noun/kəˈpriːs/

   a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behavior

   Her decision to move abroad was driven by a caprice that none of her friends could understand.

   Synonyms: whim, caprice, fancy

   Origin: The word 'caprice' comes from the French 'caprice', which means a sudden change or whim, possibly deriving from the Italian 'capriccio', which refers to a shiver or a caprice, and ultimately from the Latin 'capra' meaning 'goat'.