to search through something in a messy or hurried way
example
She had to rummage through the cluttered drawers to find her missing keys.
synonyms
searchsiftscavenge
word origin — The word 'rummage' originates from the late Middle English, potentially derived from the Old French 'romage', which means 'to store goods' or 'to place in a room'.
SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 267
Set 267 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: rummage, discomfit, premeditate, supplant, corrode. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.
rummage · verb/ˈrʌm.ɪdʒ/
to search through something in a messy or hurried way
She had to rummage through the cluttered drawers to find her missing keys.
Synonyms: search, sift, scavenge
Origin: The word 'rummage' originates from the late Middle English, potentially derived from the Old French 'romage', which means 'to store goods' or 'to place in a room'.
discomfit · verb/dɪsˈkʌmfɪt/
to make someone feel uneasy or embarrassed
The unexpected question from the audience discomfited the speaker during the presentation.
Synonyms: embarrass, discomfort, unsettle
Origin: From Middle French 'discomfiter', from Old French 'desconfire', derived from Latin 'dis-' (undo) + 'confīcere' (to accomplish, to do)
premeditate · verb/priːˌmɛdɪˌteɪt/
to think out or plan beforehand
The suspect was found guilty of premeditating the robbery, as investigators uncovered evidence of detailed planning.
Synonyms: plan, contemplate, deliberate
Origin: The word 'premeditate' comes from the Latin 'prae-' meaning 'before' and 'meditari' meaning 'to think or meditate'.
supplant · verb/səˈplænt/
to replace one thing with another, often by force or deception
The new technology is expected to supplant traditional methods of communication, making them obsolete.
Synonyms: replace, displace, usurp
Origin: from Latin 'supplantare', meaning 'to trip up, overthrow', from 'sub' (under) + 'plantare' (to plant)
corrode · verb/kəˈroʊd/
to be eaten away or destroyed gradually by chemical action
The harsh chemicals in the pool can corrode the metal fixtures over time.
Synonyms: erode, deteriorate, decay
Origin: from Latin 'corrodere', meaning 'to gnaw or eat away at', composed of 'com-' (together) and 'rodere' (to gnaw)