abrade, slake, excoriate, defame, ravel: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 3 set 318. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. abrade · verb/əˈbreɪd/

   to scrape or wear away the surface of something

   The constant friction of the rough surface can abrade the paint on the car, leaving it dull and faded.

   Synonyms: scrape, erode, wear away

   Origin: The word 'abrade' originates from the Latin 'abradere', which means 'to scrape off', composed of 'ab-' (away) and 'radere' (to scrape).

2. slake · verb/sleɪk/

   to quench or satisfy thirst or desire

   After a long hike, nothing can slake my thirst quite like a cold glass of water.

   Synonyms: quench, satisfy, fulfill

   Origin: Middle English 'slaken', from Old English 'sleccean' meaning to lessen or to diminish

3. excoriate · verb/ɪkˈskɔːr.i.eɪt/

   to criticize severely and publicly

   The critics excoriated the film for its lackluster performances and predictable plot.

   Synonyms: censure, condemn, denounce

   Origin: The word 'excoriate' originates from the Latin 'excoriare', meaning 'to strip off the skin'. It came into English via the French 'excorier'.

4. defame · verb/dɪˈfeɪm/

   to damage the good reputation of someone by making false statements

   The journalist tried to defame the politician by publishing false information about his past.

   Synonyms: slander, libel, malign

   Origin: from Latin 'defamare', meaning 'to dishonor' or 'to slander', composed of 'de-' (down, away) + 'fama' (fame, reputation)

5. ravel · verb/ˈrævəl/

   to untangle or unravel something

   She had to ravel out the knots in her necklace before it could be worn again.

   Synonyms: unravel, untangle, disentangle

   Origin: Middle English 'ravelen', from the earlier word 'ravel', which is related to 'raveling' or 'to entangle'.