circumstance(SIR kuhm STAENS) n.1. a fact or event that goes with another,
as an essential factor or incidentally; 2. any situation; event; 3. conditions affecting
a person
- When there is thunder, the presence of lightning is an inescapable
circumstance.
•A circumstancefor buying cotton candy is a circus visit. - Charles was in difficult financial circumstances.
cite (SYT) vt.1. to demand an appearance before a court; 2. to quote (a passage,
book, writer, speech, etc.); 3. to refer to or bring up (as precedent) - Henry was citedto appear in traffic court next Wednesday.
- Mary always citessome classical composer as the inspiration for her musi-
cal compositions. - Brown v. Board of Educationis a case lawyers often citewhen arguing for
equal educational opportunities in court.
[-d, citing, citation n.]
civil (SI vil) adj.1. of a citizen or citizens; 2. of a community of citizens or their
interactions; 3. cultured; 4. courteous or polite - All citizens are entitled to certain civil rights.
- Civil war is an oxymoron, like military intelligence.
- Civilpeople should develop an appreciation for the arts.
- It is important to be civil,rather than rude, to one another.
clarifiy(KLA ri fy)vi., vt. 1. to make or become clear (especially liquids); 2. to
make or become easier to comprehend - The chef passed the chicken soup through a strainer to clarifythe broth.
- Jane clarifiedthe point she was trying to get across.
- Often a map will serve to clarifythe directions to a place.
[clarifies, clarified, -ing, clarification* n.]
classical (KLAS i kl) adj.1. of the highest class; excellent; 2. having a balanced
and simple style; restrained; the name of an era bestowed by historians, such as the
Classical Era in music history, which preceded the Romantic Era; 3. typical of or
based on the literary works of ancient Greece and Rome; 4. well versed in Greek
and Roman literature and culture; 5. music in the European style, as distinct from
folk, popular, or jazz - The Rolex watch is classical and worth every thousand.
- The Jaguar XJ6 has absolutely classical(or classic) lines.
- Shakespeare’s tragedies followed those of Sophocles and Euripides as being
both classicaland timeless. - Until the 1950s, the college graduates of modern Europe and those from
Ivy League colleges were given classicaleducations, with a knowledge of
Latin being essential. - Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven are generally considered the greatest classi-
cal composers, although Beethoven bridges the Classical and Romantic eras.
[-ly adv., -ity n.]
C: SAT Words 49