SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 85

Set 85 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: suavity, cowardice, subtlety, augury, consonance. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. suavity · noun/ˈswɑː.və.ti/

   the quality of being charming, elegant, and graceful in manner

   His suavity in social situations made him a favorite among the guests at the gala.

   Synonyms: charm, elegance, grace

   Origin: from Latin 'suavitas', meaning 'sweetness, mildness', from 'suavis' meaning 'sweet, pleasant'

2. cowardice · noun/ˈkaʊərdɪs/

   lack of bravery or courage in facing danger or difficulty

   His cowardice in the face of danger cost him the respect of his comrades.

   Synonyms: fearfulness, timidity, pusillanimity

   Origin: from Old French 'couard', which stems from 'co(u)r', meaning heart, derived from Latin 'cor'.

3. subtlety · noun/ˈsʌtəlti/

   the quality of being delicate or difficult to analyze

   The subtlety of her argument made it hard for the audience to fully grasp her perspective.

   Synonyms: nuance, intricacy, faintness

   Origin: Middle English 'subtilte', from Old French 'subtilté', from Latin 'subtilitas' (from 'subtilis' meaning 'fine' or 'delicate')

4. augury · noun/ˈɔɡjʊri/

   the practice of interpreting signs or omens to predict future events

   The ancient Romans placed great importance on augury, believing that the flight patterns of birds could provide insight into their future.

   Synonyms: omen, portent, soothsaying

   Origin: from Latin 'augurium', derived from 'augur', meaning 'to predict or divine' (from 'augere', meaning 'to increase').

5. consonance · noun/ˈkɑn.sə.nəns/

   the recurrence of similar sounds especially in close proximity

   The poet skillfully employed consonance to create a musical quality in his verses, enhancing the overall reading experience.

   Synonyms: harmony, concord, agreement

   Origin: From Latin 'consonantia', from 'consonare', meaning 'to sound together'.