dislodge, ossify, resuscitate, conflate, warble: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 179. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. dislodge · verb/dɪsˈlɑdʒ/

   to remove or force out from a position or place

   The strong winds began to dislodge the branches from the old oak tree.

   Synonyms: remove, displace, oust

   Origin: Derived from the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'away' and 'lodge' which comes from Old French 'logier' meaning 'to put in place'.

2. ossify · verb/ˈɑː.sɪ.faɪ/

   to turn into bone or bony tissue or to become rigid or fixed in attitude or behavior

   As the child grew older, his once flexible and imaginative thinking began to ossify, making it difficult for him to adapt to new ideas.

   Synonyms: calcify, harden, petrify

   Origin: from Latin 'ossificare' meaning 'to turn into bone'

3. resuscitate · verb/rɪˈsʌsɪˌteɪt/

   to restore someone to consciousness or good health

   The doctors worked tirelessly to resuscitate the patient after he collapsed during the marathon.

   Synonyms: revive, restore, bring back

   Origin: from Latin 'resuscitare', meaning 'to raise again' or 'to revive', composed of 're-' meaning 'again' and 'suscitare' meaning 'to wake up' or 'to stir up'.

4. conflate · verb/kənˈfleɪt/

   to combine two or more distinct concepts into one

   Many people tend to conflate the terms 'biodiversity' and 'ecosystem diversity', which are distinct concepts in ecology.

   Synonyms: merge, fuse, integrate

   Origin: From Latin 'conflāre', which means 'to blow together' (con- 'together' + flāre 'to blow').

5. warble · verb/ˈwɔr.bəl/

   to sing or whistle with a trill or quaver

   As the sun rose, the birds began to warble their cheerful tunes, filling the air with melodies.

   Synonyms: trill, croon, twitter

   Origin: Middle English 'warblen', possibly from Old English 'wyrm' meaning 'to sing; to make a lyrical sound'