precis, fecundity, mendicant, bludgeon, perspicacity: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 206. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. precis · noun/ˈpreɪsi/

   a concise summary or abstract of a text or speech

   The teacher asked the students to write a precis of the article they had read for homework.

   Synonyms: summary, abstract, digest

   Origin: French 'précis', meaning 'precise, exact'

2. fecundity · noun/fɪˈkʌndɪti/

   the ability to produce an abundance of offspring or new growth

   The fecundity of the soil in this region has led to bountiful harvests year after year.

   Synonyms: fertility, fruitfulness, productivity

   Origin: from Latin 'fecunditas', from 'fecundus' meaning 'fruitful, productive'

3. mendicant · noun/ˈmɛndɪkənt/

   a person who relies on charitable donations for livelihood

   The mendicant sat on the sidewalk, holding a sign that requested help from passersby.

   Synonyms: beggar, panhandler, vagrant

   Origin: From Latin 'mendicans', present participle of 'mendicare', meaning 'to beg'.

4. bludgeon · noun/ˈblʌdʒ.ən/

   a heavy club used as a weapon or to coerce someone

   The thief carried a bludgeon, using it to threaten anyone who tried to intervene.

   Synonyms: club, cudgel, mace

   Origin: The word 'bludgeon' is believed to come from the early 17th century, possibly derived from the Spanish 'bludgeón,' meaning 'a heavy stick or club,' which is rooted in 'bludgeon' related to bludgeoning; this reflects a connection to blunt force and weapons.

5. perspicacity · noun/ˌpɜr.spɪˈkæs.ɪ.ti/

   the quality of having a ready insight into things

   Her perspicacity in reading between the lines of the report impressed everyone in the meeting.

   Synonyms: perception, discernment, insight

   Origin: from the Latin 'perspicacitas', from 'perspicax' meaning 'sharp-sighted' or 'perceptive'