SAT Words 17-21
Root 4
17. analogous
The attack on the World
Trade Center was analogous
to the attack on Pearl
Harbor.
analogous
• (uh-NAHL-uh-guss) adjective
• Sounds like: an alligator
• Picture… two alligators that
look exactly alike.
• Other form: analogy (noun)
• Definition: similar
18. antiquated
We are also saving the
expense of maintaining our
antiquated computer system.
antiquated
• (ANN-tih-quay-ted) adjective
• Sounds like: Auntie Katie
• Picture… a very, very old woman
named Auntie Katie. She lives in an
old house with an old dog and old
furniture. Every single thing in
Auntie Katie’s life is antiquated.
• Connect with antique, antiquity (nouns)
• Definition: too old to be useful;
outdated; obsolete
19. arbitrary
The lines that they are
trying to draw are bizarre
and arbitrary.
arbitrary
• (ARR-bih-treh-ree) adjective
• Sounds like: Our bee, Jerry!
• Picture… a giant glass tank called the
Lost Bee Shelter. A young man is looking
into the tank at thousands of flying bees.
He says to the attendant, “I think that’s
him. That’s my bee, Jerry.”
• Other form: arbitrarily (adverb)
• Definition: selected by random
choice and without solid reason
20. atrophy
Because it was not being
used effectively, the root
system would atrophy and
die.
atrophy
• (AH-troh-phee) verb
• Looks like: a trophy
• Note: The word atrophy refers to the way
muscles waste away when they haven’t been
used.
• Picture… a trophy with a figure on top.
The figure’s arms and legs are melting
(its muscles have atrophied).
• Other form: atrophy (noun)
• Definition: waste away; wither
21. augment
He notes that each state has
its own supply, but the feds
will augment if necessary.
augment
• (awg-MENT) verb
• Looks like: Aug. mint
• Picture… a gardener who has been
trying to grow mint for months, with just a
few plants to show for her hard work.
Then, on August 1st, she discovers her
entire backyard covered with mint.
“Wow!” she says. “This Aug. mint is quite
an increase from the July mint!”
• Other form: augmentation (noun)
• Definition: make larger; increase
Root 4: cub, cumb
The hen does not begin to
incubate until all the eggs
are laid, and all the eggs
hatch within a single day.
cub, cumb
• Meaning: lie down, lean, sit
• Sample words: incubate,
incumbent, encumber,
succumb, recumbent,
cubicle