swath, affront, sheaf, epithet, trifle: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 191. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. swath · noun/swæθ/

   a wide strip or area of something

   The wildfire left a swath of destruction through the forest, flattening trees and scorching the earth.

   Synonyms: strip, band, expanse

   Origin: Old English 'swæþ', meaning a path or manner of cutting; related to the verb 'swathe'.

2. affront · noun/əˈfrʌnt/

   an action or remark that causes outrage or offense

   His dismissive remarks were seen as a personal affront by many of his colleagues.

   Synonyms: insult, offense, indignity

   Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'afront', from Latin 'affrontare' meaning 'to confront' or 'to strike against'.

3. sheaf · noun/ʃiːf/

   a bundle of stalks of grain or a collection of objects or ideas organized in a specific way

   The farmer stacked the freshly cut sheaves of wheat in the field before taking them to the barn.

   Synonyms: bundle, cluster, collection

   Origin: Old English 'sceaf', related to the Proto-Germanic '*skafa'

4. epithet · noun/ˈɛpɪˌθɛt/

   a descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned

   In ancient literature, Achilles is often referred to by the epithet 'swift-footed', highlighting his extraordinary speed in battle.

   Synonyms: appellation, designation, title

   Origin: derived from the Greek word 'epithetos', meaning 'attributed, added', from 'epi-' (upon) and 'tithenai' (to place)

5. trifle · noun/ˈtraɪfəl/

   something of little value or importance

   She was upset over something that was merely a trifle in the grand scheme of things.

   Synonyms: trinket, bauble, knickknack

   Origin: Middle English trifle, from Old French trufe, probably from an alteration of Latin trivialis, meaning 'common, ordinary'