divest, lubricate, evaporate, reclaim, estrange: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 2 set 231. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. divest · verb/daɪˈvɛst/

   to remove or dispose of something, especially assets or investments

   The company decided to divest its non-core assets to streamline operations and focus on its main business activities.

   Synonyms: dispose, deprive, remove

   Origin: derived from the Latin 'divestire', meaning 'to unclothe, strip off'.

2. lubricate · verb/ˈluːbrɪkeɪt/

   to apply a substance to reduce friction between surfaces

   To ensure the machinery runs smoothly, it's essential to lubricate the moving parts regularly.

   Synonyms: oil, grease, moisten

   Origin: from Latin 'lubricare', from 'lubricus' meaning 'slippery'

3. evaporate · verb/ɪˈvæpəˌreɪt/

   to change from a liquid to a vapor

   As the sun heated the puddle, the water began to evaporate quickly into the warm air.

   Synonyms: vaporize, evaporise, disappear

   Origin: from Latin 'evaporare', meaning 'to separate from water'.

4. reclaim · verb/rɪˈkleɪm/

   to take back or recover something that was lost or taken away

   After years of neglect, the community worked together to reclaim public spaces for parks and recreation.

   Synonyms: retrieve, repossess

   Origin: The word 'reclaim' originates from the Latin word 'reclamare', which means 'to cry out against' or 'to call back'.

5. estrange · verb/ɪˈstreɪndʒ/

   to cause someone to feel alienated or separated from a person or group

   His constant criticisms began to estrange him from his friends, leaving him feeling isolated and alone.

   Synonyms: alienate, isolate, separate

   Origin: from Old French 'estranger', meaning 'to make strange', from Latin 'extraneus', meaning 'external, foreign'