SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 112

Set 112 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: matriculate, bandy, expiate, pacify, surmise. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. matriculate · verb/məˈtrɪkjʊleɪt/

   to enroll or register in a college or university

   After completing her final exams, she was eager to matriculate at one of the top universities in the country.

   Synonyms: enroll, register, sign up

   Origin: From Latin 'matriculari', meaning 'to enroll in a register', derived from 'matricula', meaning 'a register or enrollment'.

2. bandy · verb/ˈbændi/

   to pass on or discuss ideas, often in a casual or informal way

   During the meeting, we bandied ideas about how to improve our marketing strategy.

   Synonyms: discuss, exchange, converse

   Origin: The word 'bandy' derives from the late Middle English term 'bandyen', which means 'to toss or throw'. It was influenced by the earlier Old French word 'bandier', meaning 'to toss'.

3. expiate · verb/ˈɛkspiˌeɪt/

   to make amends for wrongdoing or guilt

   He sought to expiate his past mistakes by volunteering for the community service program.

   Synonyms: atone, redress, amend

   Origin: From Latin 'expiatus', the past participle of 'expiāre', meaning 'to atone for' or 'to purge'.

4. pacify · verb/ˈpæsɪˌfaɪ/

   to calm or soothe someone who is angry or agitated

   The mother tried to pacify her crying baby by gently singing a lullaby.

   Synonyms: calm, soothe, appease

   Origin: from Latin 'pacificare', meaning 'to make peaceful'

5. surmise · verb/sərˈmaɪz/

   to suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it

   Based on the clues left behind, I can only surmise that he decided to leave early.

   Synonyms: guess, presume, infer

   Origin: Middle English surmisen, from Old French surmiser, from sur- 'over' + miser 'to put, place'