Term
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Definition
(n.) A proverb, wise saying
One way to begin an informal speech or an oral report is to quote an old adage.
Synonyms: Maxism, aphorism |
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Term
Unit 1
Bonanza
(Bə nan' zə)
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Definition
(n.) A rich mass of ore in a mine; something very valuable, profitable, or rewarding; a source of wealth or properity; a very large amount; sudden profit or gain
The thrilling adventure movie set in Alaska proved to be a box-office bonanza.
Synonym: Windfall |
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Term
Unit 1
Churlish
(Chər' lish)
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Definition
(adj.) Lacking politeness or good manners; lacking sinsitivity; difficult to work with or deal with; rude
The store-manager instructed all the salesclerks to avoid churlish replies to customers' questions.
Synonyms: Surly, ill-tempered
Antonyms: Courteous, civil, well-mannered |
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Term
Unit 1
Citadel
(sit' ə del)
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Definition
(n.) A fortress that overlooks and protects a city; any strong or commanding place
A medieval citadel once guarded the capital city of the Greek island of Rhodes.
Synonyms: Fort, stronghold, bulwark, bastion |
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Term
Unit 1
Collaborate
(kə lab' ə rāt)
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Definition
(v.) To work with; work together
Several students plan to collaborate on a geology project for the annual science fair.
Synonyms: Team up, join forces
Antonym: Work Alone |
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Term
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Definition
(n.) An order having the force of law; (v.) To issue such an order; to command firmly or forcefully
Caeser Augustus issued a decree that all the world be taxed.
Why does nature always seem to decree nasty weather for our annual family picnic?
Synonyms: (n.) Proclomation, edict; (v.) Proclaim |
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Term
Unit 1
Discordant
(dis kôr' dənt)
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Definition
(adj.) Disagreeable in sound, jarring; lacking in harmony
Their little spat struck a discordant note in our otherwise happy little family get-together.
Synonyms: Grating, shrill; different, divergent, conflicting
Antonyms: Harmonious, in agreement
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Term
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Definition
(v.) To develop gradually; to rise to a higher level
Authors hope that their notes, descriptions, and character sketches will evolve into a book.
Synonyms: Unfold, emerge
Antonyms: Wither, atrophy
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Term
Unit 1
Excerpt
(ek' sərpt)
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Definition
(n.) A passage taken from a book, article, ect.; (v.) To take such a passage, to quote
My essay includes a long excerpt from a speech by Sojourner Truth.
If you excerpt some material from a reference book, be sure to enclose it in quotation marks.
Synonyms: (n.) Portion, section, extract |
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Term
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Definition
(v.) To feel about hesitantly with the hands; to search blindly and uncertainly
When the power failed, we had to grope in the dark to find a working flashlight.
Synonyms: Fumble for, cast about for |
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Term
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Definition
(v.) To float or hang suspended over; to move back and forth uncertainly over or around
A large group of vultures hover in the air above the wounded animal.
Synonyms: Linger, waver, seesaw
Antonym: Soar |
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Term
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Definition
(v.) To make or force one's way by pushing or elbowing; to bump, brush against; to compete for
I tried not to jostle other riders as I exited the crowded bus.
Synonym: Push |
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Term
Unit 1
Laggard
(lag' ərd)
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Definition
(n.) A person who moves slowly or falls behind; (adj.) falling behind; slow to move, act, or respond
Tour guides often have to urge laggards to keep up with the rest of the group.
Tenants who are laggard in paying rent run the risk of being forced to move.
Synonyms: (n.) Slowpoke, straggler; (adj.) Sluggish
Antonyms: (n.) Early bird; (adj) swift, speedy, prompt |
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Term
Unit 1
Plaudits
(plô' ditz) |
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Definition
(n., pl.) Applause; enthusiastic praise or approval
The skaters who won the gold medals gratefully accepted the plaudits of their fans.
Synonyms: Cheers, acclaim
Antonyms: Boos, disapproval, ridicule |
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Term
Unit 1
Preclude
(prē klüd') |
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Definition
(v.) To make impossible, prevent, shut out
Three wrong answers will preclude you contestant from entering the quiz show's final round.
Synonyms: Hinder, check, stop
Antonyms: Help, promote, facilitate |
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Term
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Definition
(v.) To return, go back
Control of a property usually revert to the legal owner when a lease is up.
Synonyms: Relapse, regress
Antonyms: Progress, advance |
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Term
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Definition
(n.) Broken stone or bricks; ruins
Bulldozers and wrecking balls soon reduced the damaged building to a heap of smoking rubble.
Synonyms: Wreckage |
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Term
Unit 1
Servile
(sər' vīl) |
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Definition
(adj.) Of or relating to a slave; behaving like or suitable for a slave or servant, menial; lacking spirit or independence, abjectly submissive
Most serious performers prefer constructive criticism to servile flattery.
Synonyms: Slavish, groveling
Antonyms: Masterly, overbearing |
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Term
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Definition
(n.) A watch, especially at night; any period of watchful attention
Thousands attended the solemn vigil at the Vietnam Memorial.
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Term
Unit 1
Wrangle
(raŋ' gəl) |
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Definition
(v.) To quarrel or argue in a noisy, angry way; to obtain by argument; to herd; (n.) A noisy quarrel
My brother and sister always wrangle over whose turn it is to take out the trash.
The customer got into a nasty wrangle with the shopkeeper.
Synonyms: (v.) Squabble, bicker
Antonyms: (v.) Agree, concur |
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