SAT Vocabulary Level 2 — Set 299

Set 299 of SAT Vocabulary Level 2 covers 5 words: adversity, talon, caste, surrogate, blunder. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. adversity · noun/ædˈvɜr.sɪ.ti/

   a state or instance of serious or continued difficulty or misfortune

   Overcoming adversity can often lead to personal growth and resilience.

   Synonyms: hardship, difficulty, misfortune

   Origin: Middle English 'aversite', from Latin 'adversitas', from 'adversus' meaning 'facing, opposite'.

2. talon · noun/ˈtæl.ən/

   a sharp claw on a bird of prey

   The eagle swooped down with its sharp talons ready to catch its prey.

   Synonyms: claw, talon claw

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'talon', from Latin 'talō' meaning 'claw, heel'

3. caste · noun/kæst/

   a social class in a hierarchical system often linked to occupation and social status

   In traditional Indian society, one's caste often determines their occupation and social status.

   Synonyms: class, strata, social layer

   Origin: From Portuguese 'caste', from Spanish 'casta', meaning 'lineage, breed, or race'; from Latin 'castus' meaning 'pure' or 'chaste'.

4. surrogate · noun/ˈsɜrəɡət/

   a person or thing acting as a substitute for another

   The surrogate mother carried the baby for the couple who were unable to conceive on their own.

   Synonyms: substitute, proxy, replacement

   Origin: from Latin 'surrogatus', the past participle of 'surrogare' meaning 'to appoint as a substitute'

5. blunder · noun/ˈblʌndər/

   a serious mistake typically caused by ignorance or confusion

   The accountant realized that his blunder in the financial report could cost the company thousands of dollars.

   Synonyms: mistake, error, slip

   Origin: The word 'blunder' originates from the Middle English 'blunderen', which means to make a clumsy or stupid mistake. The root may be related to the Old Norse 'blundra', meaning to stumble or fall.