sentence(SENT ins) n. 1. the judgment of a court of law; 2. a group of words
that express a complete thought —vt. to pronounce judgment; condemn; pro-
nounce punishment
- The court sentencedthe criminal to a 20-year term.
- In grammar, a phrase is much like a sentence, except that a phrase does not
convey a complete thought. - After a jury has found a person guilty, the judge may sentencethat person
to anything from probation to death.
[-d, sentencing]
sentiment(SENT i mint) n. 1. a complex combination of opinions and feelings;
- an emotional attitude; 3. the meaning behind something
- My sentimenttells me that you are a very discriminating person, but I’m
usually not a good judge of character. - The retro look of some automobiles popular in the early part of this cen-
tury is a blatant appeal to the sentimentof cherishing the past. - Gail told Gil that he could stay, but her tone of voice made it clear that her
sentimentwas far from welcoming.
[Syn. opinion, feeling]
serendipity (SER in DIP it ee) n. 1. an apparent gift for discovering good things
by accident; 2. luck or good fortune in accidentally finding something good - Hershey’s chocolate makers had the serendipityto discover both peanut
butter cups and the shape of the Hershey Kiss. - Discovering that alloying copper and tin made the hard metal bronze was
a case of serendipityfor early man because the two rarely occurred together
in nature.
[serendipitous adj., serendipitously adv.]
shun (SHUHN) vt. deliberately stay away from; scrupulously and consistently
avoid - A recovering alcoholic must shunall contact with alcoholic beverages.
- It is a healthy idea for everyone to shuncigarette smoke, both first- and
secondhand.
[-ned, -ning]
simplicity(sim PLIS it ee) n. 1. freedom from complexity or intricacy; simple
state; simple quality; 2. plainness; lack of elegance or embellishment; 3. foolishness;
lacking sense - Making a kite is simplicityitself and requires only two light sticks, some
paper, and some string. - Jane’s wedding dress was elegant by its very simplicity,being just a shiny,
white, untooled satin. - Jack demonstrated his simplicitywhen he said, “Nice kitty,” just prior to
sticking his head into the lion’s mouth.
S: SAT Words 211