- The New York Yankees have been the Boston Red Sox’s fiercest competition
over the years for the AL crown. - Lucy was always Desi’s competitionwhen it came to getting attention from
an audience.
competitive*(kuhm PET it iv) adj. 1. of, involving, or based on competing; 2.
having a chance in a competition - When it comes to job opportunities, quarterback is the most highly com-
petitivefield. - Jerri was always competitivewith her twin sister, Merri.
- The Pacers basketball team’s eight-foot-tall center gave them a competitive
edge over all their likely opponents.
[-ness n., -ly adv.]
complain(kuhm PLAYN) vi.1. to announce or express pain, displeasure, etc.; 2.
to find fault; state annoyance; 3. to make an accusation; make formal objection;
bring charges - Frank’s mom loves hearing Frank complainhow his toe hurts where he
stubbed it; just ask her. - Barb’s neighbors often complainabout her loud stereo.
- Betty complainedto the police that Archie had damaged her front lawn
when he and Reggie trespassed on it.
[-ed, -ing, -er, -t n.]
complex(kuhm PLEKS for adj., KOM pleks for n.) adj. 1. made up of two or
more related parts; 2. not simple; 3. involved or complicated —n.1. a collection of
interrelated ideas, activities, etc. that form a single whole; 2. a group of units, such
as buildings or roads, that together form a single whole; 3. an unconscious psycho-
logical condition related to a particular thing or activity
•A complexsentence has at least two clauses, one of which is independent
and one or more of which is subordinate.- A camera is too complexan instrument to repair yourself.
- The interrelationship of characters in a Shakespearean play is usually quite
complex. - The vitamin-B complexconsists of at least 12 parts.
- A housing complexmight contain a few storefronts for the convenience of
the tenants. - The fact that April suffered from an inferiority complex did not necessarily
mean that she was not inferior.
[-ity adv.]
composure*(kum POH zhur) n.a calmness of mind or manner; tranquillity;
self-possession; one’s togetherness - Though all about him were rife with excitement or dismay, Winston
Churchill seldom lost his composure. - Composureis one of the most important conditions to retain to behave
rationally in an emergency.
[Syn. equanimity]
C: SAT Words 55