sophisticated(suh FIS ti KAY tid) adj. 1. urbane, world wise, knowledgeable, as
opposed to naïve or simple; 2. very complex and refined
- City folk tend to be more sophisticatedthan country folk.
- The engines that drive a rocket can be very sophisticated;after all, it is
rocket science.
[-ly adv., sophistication n.]
spate(SPAYT) n. an unusually large outpouring, usually one of words - Fidel Castro’s speeches are often characterized by a spateof words that
continue for hours. - When faced with spates,the average audience member is prone to fall
asleep.
species(SPEE sheez) n. 1. a distinct kind; variety; class; 2. (biology) a naturally
existing population of organisms that can only breed among themselves; 3. the
human race - Tigers, lions, and leopards are three different speciesof felines.
- Dogs and cats belong to two totally different species.
- The human speciesis growing at an alarming rate.
specific (spi SIF ik) adj. 1. specifying a precise, limited thing or group of things,
characteristics, etc.; 2. of a particular sort or type - Last week, Mark lost his timepiece—his wristwatch, to be specific.
- Bill knew his appointment was between 6 and 7 P.M., but he was not
certain of the specifictime. - Fran was looking for a folding umbrella with a very specificcheckerboard
pattern.
[-ally adv.] [Syn. explicit, special]
specious(SPEE shis) adj. seeming to be correct, without really being so; plausi-
ble, but not actual - Greg’s conclusion seemed to be logical, but in reality, his thinking was
somewhat specious. - It was her neglecting to account for the difference in time zones that made
Laura’s calculated arrival time specious.
[-ly adv.] [Syn. plausible]
S: SAT Words 215